Jewish Senior Living Newsletter | Mar 2015

Jewish Senior Living Newsletter March 2015 - Volume 2, Issue 12

Keeping you connected to our communities.

In This Issue The Sally & Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery Opening - Exploring the Arctic Circle

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Purim Across Our Communities

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Keeping a Healthy Heart

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Upcoming Events

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Stay Connected Visit our website and donate online at jewishseniorliving.org JSL in the News Read about our intergenerational programming in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Social Media facebook.com/ jhccfoundation @JSLiving Jewish Home and Care Center

The Sally & Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery Opening - Exploring the Arctic Circle

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he Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation hosted the opening of the Sally and Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery on Sunday, February 15, 2015. The event recognized the friendship and the generosity of the Askotzky family and highlighted the work of renowned Milwaukee photographer and Jewish Home and Care Center resident, Joan Dimow. Over 130 guests came to see the exhibit and share in honoring the memory of Sally Pearl Askotzky.

Over the years, our organization has had the privilege of meeting and becoming friends with some wonderful people, including the Askotzky family. Sally Pearl Askotzky lived an active life in the Milwaukee community. She melded a career investing and managing the family real estate business with her dedication to Congregation Anshai Lebowitz and through countless activities helping others, all while being an extremely devoted mother who carpooled her children everywhere, making sure they never missed out on any event or opportunity. Sally was passionate about the arts and enjoyed playing the piano. She was excellent at knitting, crocheting and outstanding at needlepoint. Her son Mike Askotzky said, “She designed and needlepointed

by Liza Holle, Donor Stewardship Coordinator

The Askotzky Family: Seated in front: Phillip Askotzky.

Middle row (left to right): Phil Goldner, Pam Goldner, Tracy Askotzky, Mike Askotzky.

Back row (left to right): Deeny & Dan Hellman

a tallit bag for my bar mitzvah that I still use today. And, during her stay here at the Jewish Home, she knit caps for several residents and staff members.” Sally also had beautiful penmanship and practiced all the time to become an outstanding calligrapher.

Family members would receive birthday cards from her and marvel at the beautiful calligraphy.

Phillip Askotzky, Sally’s loving husband for over 60 years, believed an art gallery at the Jewish Home would be a beautiful way to honor her memory.

The Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation was thrilled to honor this request and to provide a space see “Askotzky Art Gallery,” page 4

Purim Across Our Communities

by Liza Holle, Donor Stewardship Coordinator Purim, also known as the Feast of Lots, is a community holiday of blissful celebration. We are in full festivity mood at the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living and Sarah Chudnow Community. This is a joyous holiday that recounts the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre during the Persian period.

The story of Purim is recounted in the Book of Esther, whose eponymous heroine plays the leading role in saving her people. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with wild abandon and with the giving of gifts to friends and the poor.

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At the Jewish Home and Care Center, residents have been busy decorating masks and baking. One of the favorite activities residents look forward to every year in preparation for the holiday is the baking of hamantaschen, the triangular filled pastries that are the traditional food at Purim. In addition, following the commandment to give gifts to friends and the poor, the preparation of so-called mishloah manot baskets is a fun activity to engage in, as is their distribution on the holiday.

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On February 23, Sarah Chudnow Community had a wonderful visit with the Jewish Community Center Preschool. Together, preschoolers and residents made crowns and masks for Purim.

The centerpiece of the communal celebration is the reading of the Scroll of Esther, the Megillah, in the synagogue. Another tradition is the Purim shpiel, the Purim play, during which fun is poked at community leaders and members. Purim has often been called the Jewish Carnival, and dressing in costume and taking part in a Purim carnival heighten the levity of the occasion, on which one is encouraged to engage in activities that at other times of the year would be somewhat more restricted in scope.

3 Photos: 1 | Lee, a resident at SCC, was visited by Jewish Community Center preschoolers wearing their Purim masks.

2 | A Purim mask created by a JHCC resident 3 | Students from Hillel Academy visited JHCC and Chai Point for a pre-Purim sing-a-long.

On Thursday, March 5, in the Kohl Family Synagogue, residents and members of the community attended see “Purim,� page 5

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Creating New Connections for University Students

by Adela Raicu, Student Volunteer Liaison Adela Raicu is the Student Volunteer Liaison. Here, she gives us insight into the new student volunteer position and the recent volunteer event hosted at the Jewish Home and Care Center.

I began volunteering at the Jewish Home about four years ago when I was a sophomore in high school. As a college freshman, I joined an AmeriCorps leadership group on campus. The Bonner AmeriCorps Leadership program required me to take a leadership course at UWM as well as complete 300 hours of service at a site in the community (such as a school or senior living center).

This year, as a sophomore at UWM and a second year Bonner Leader, I chose to complete my hours at the Jewish Home.

Currently, as the volunteer liaison at the JHCC, I recruit volunteers as well as make our new and current volunteers comfortable. I assist Beth Draper, volunteer coordinator, with assembling orientation materials, organizing volunteer information, writing cards to volunteers, and helping out in her office with whatever else is needed. I would say my position

as the volunteer liaison is basically to reach out and be a helping hand to our volunteers, who are immensely appreciated.

In order to celebrate the hard work of our student volunteers, and to welcome new volunteers to the Jewish Home, Beth and I decided to plan an event that would serve as a meet and greet for student volunteers.

We believe that it is important for our volunteers to know one another and the staff on a more personal level, in order for them to feel comfortable and enjoy doing service here.

The student social took place on February 15 in the Rubenstein Pavilion, and included several activities. We began with short speeches, continued with an icebreaker to give the volunteers an opportunity to socialize, and showed the volunteer video that described opportunities for volunteers. There were refreshments, pizza, and an ice cream sundae bar, followed by a raffle.

Due to inclement weather, we did not get the turn out that we expected but the event was still a success. Everyone enjoyed themselves, as they met and see “Creating New Connections,” page 5

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WhaT’S happeNINg aT Sarah’S houSe? FrIday, MarCh 13, 11:15 aM Lisa gorelick, r.N., B.S., presents “healthy Living.” Lisa brings insight into preventative health practices.

2nd Friday of every month. Please do not wear fragrances.

WedNeSday, MarCh 4 & 18, 10:30 aM Practicing Attorney, Lori Kornblum, former assistant da for Milwaukee County, now an Adjunct Professor at Marquette University Law School, offers a legal perspective to some of the more controversial topics of our times. Learn the legalities behind the headlines. Every other Wednesday.

SuNday, MarCh 15, 6:30 pM Beglan academy of Irish dance is led by Sean Beglan, the former lead of the highly acclaimed Irish dance group, Riverdance. Beglan Academy was founded in 2007 and offers high caliber Irish dance instruction to children starting at age 5, regardless of their cultural background.

WedNeSday, MarCh 18, 7-8 pM Last in our Winter Concert Series: Maxwell Street Klezmer Band is the Midwest’s most popular Klezmer band.

They have played at Carnegie Hall among other famous venues. Their performance creates a multi-dimensional picture of the lost Jewish culture of Eastern Europe, spiced with vignettes of America seen through immigrant eyes.

SuNday, MarCh 22, 2 pM groovy will perform a polished, upbeat show of memorable music from Andy Williams to Patsy Cline.

Katie has sung on many different stages from opera houses to dance clubs. Jim has played, recorded and toured with a variety of groups including Snopek, Bo Diddley and Herman’s Hermits.

Tours are available at every event.

Sarah Chudnow Community offers living options for older adults, with apartment living, assisted living, memory care, and sub-acute rehab. Options are available to customize your lifestyle. An elegant community with the emphasis on choice is just a phone call away. Visit sarahchudnow.org or call Connie at 262-478-1506 to learn more.

Please drive past the Health Center to the Apartments.

10995 N. Market St., Mequon, WI 53092 262-478-1500 ceastman@JewishSeniorLiving.org SarahChudnow.org Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @jsliving

1 2 Photos: 1 | Jerry Tollefson, JHCC activity coordinator, discusses the exhibit with JHCC resident Arlene.

2 | Attendees view the photography exhibit “Exploring the Arctic Circle “ by Joan Dimow.

Askotzky Art Gallery

3 3 | Plaque honoring the Sally and Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery

A Place to Pray for the Holidays

continued from page 1

to exhibit meaningful and beautiful works of art for our residents and community: The Sally and Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery.

The first exhibitor for the Sally and Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery, Joan Dimow, is a resident of the Jewish Home and Care Center. Her photographs of her trip to the Arctic Circle were displayed for the gallery opening. Joan and her husband John went on many trips across the world including Ireland, Panama and France. John chose to display the Article Circle excursion because it was the last tour where Joan was able to create her photography independently. The gallery exhibit highlighted photography of polar bears, and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, 800 miles north of Iceland and 450 miles from the North Pole.

Anyone who sees her photography instantly knows Joan shows a true passion and love for capturing the beauty of the world.

While the Arctic theme was apparent with the weather and the artwork, the gallery was filled with warmth. Sally Pearl Askotzky has touched the lives of many individuals and is truly missed by her family and friends. The Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation will be honored to continue her legacy and passion for the arts with more exhibits in the future.

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The Jewish Home and Care Center Kohl Family Synagogue and the Sarah Chudnow Community Ruth Coleman Synagogue welcome the community to worship during Passover

Jewish Home Sarah Chudnow Date and Care Center Community 1st Day, April 4........... 10 a.m. ...................... 10 a.m.

2nd Day, April 5 ......... 10 a.m. ...................... 10 a.m.

7th Day, April 10 ........ 10 a.m. ...................... 10 a.m.; 4:30 p.m.

8th Day, April 11 ........ 9 a.m.; ....................... 10 a.m.

10:45 a.m. Yizkor; ... including Yizkor 4 p.m.

1414 N. Prospect Ave. 414-276-2627

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10995 N. Market St. 262-478-1500

Creating New Connections continued from page 3

conversed with other volunteers and staff. The event was definitely a learning experience for me; I learned about all of the work and planning that comes with hosting a large-scale event, and I had a chance to practice being a leader among other students.

We hope this event will attract more student volunteers in the years to come. We know we need to work on figuring out a way to connect with more University students in order to invite them to the event. Also, when I have completed my time here, we would like to train a new student volunteer to take over. I believe the role of the Volunteer Liaison is important because volunteer help is crucial to the JHCC: almost all of the activities and outings offered to our residents require the help of many volunteers, and without them these events couldn’t happen. I cannot thank all of the volunteers here enough for all of their time, effort and devotion, and hope the volunteer program at the Jewish Home and Care Center continues to excel and appeal to more and more students.

The Jewish Home and Care Center Student Volunteer Program provides service learning opportunities to many universities, high schools and grade schools in

Beth Draper (center), volunteer coordinator, chats with volunteers Matthew and Adela during the student volunteer social.

the Greater Milwaukee Area. Students lend a helping hand and create connections with our residents. We are thankful for all the generations giving their time to volunteer with our residents. Without the passion and energy of our volunteers, our communities would not be where they are today.

Purim continued from page 2

services and the Megillah reading. The Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study (WITS) boys enjoyed brunch with the residents and gave a special performance in honor of the holiday. Singing and dancing filled Peck Hall. Later in the day, residents of Chai Point Senior Living and the Jewish Home and Care Center dressed up in costumes, wore the masks they have created, listened to music, participated in a parade, and of course, enjoyed some delicious food!

The friendship of our communities is very strong during the holidays. Traditions are shared and families and outside community members gather together for a common purpose. We are thankful for those who help to continue the traditions of Purim and make these celebrations possible within our doors.

The Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides financial support to the programs and services of the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living and Sarah Chudnow Community.

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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 3120

1414 North Prospect Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202-3089 Phone: 414-276-2627

Upcoming Events The Legend of Harry Houdini presented by William Pack, magician and author Tuesday, March 17, 3:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

“Israeli Cooking” with Amit Yaniv-Zehavi Director of MJF’s Israeli Center Wednesday, March 25, 3:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

“Elder Fraud” with Michael Sattell, CPA; President & CEO, JHCC Thursday, March 19, 1:30 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

Classic Jewish Film Series with Rachel Baum, PhD March film: “Funny Girl” Screening: Monday, March 30, 7:00 pm Discussion: Tuesday, March 31, 3:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

Kehilla Kiddush Saturday, March 21, 2:00 pm Jewish Home and Care Center, Kohl Family Synagogue Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale Sunday, March 22, 3:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

Baby Talk Wednesdays, 10:45 am Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square

Visit www.jewishseniorliving.org for updated activities.