Jewish Senior Living Newsletter | December 2014

Jewish Senior Living Newsletter December 2014 - Volume 2, Issue 9

Keeping you connected to our communities.

The 2014 Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation Annual Dinner

In This Issue The 2014 Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation Annual Dinner

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Marvelous Month of Mitzvahs

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Winter Wellness Tips

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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

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Honoring the Adult Day Center and ReCharge! Programs Plugging Into Possibilities

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ormer Governor Martin Schreiber kicked off the JHCC Foundation’s Annual Dinner with a video introduction to the evening, a fun-filled event of Plugging Into Possibilities. The Annual Dinner was a warm and eye-opening event with 165 community members in attendance to honor the Adult Day Center and ReCharge! program. Using video interviews and live speakers, the evening highlighted the programs and created connections with community members to our organization’s future visions for the continued expansion of services to those people who will need them.

As an organization, we are extremely proud to have celebrated the innovative programs, professional and compassionate staff, and delightful participants involved. A video, created

by Debra Zarne, was the highlight of the evening, showcasing the Adult Day Center and the ReCharge! program with their benefits to both participants and caregivers. Governor Schreiber, whose wife attends the Adult Day Center, closed the evening with another heartfelt video speech in which he shared what being a caregiver meant for him, personally, and he empathized

by Liza Holle, Donor Stewardship Coordinator

Dawn Adler, Director of Adult Day Programs, talks about the importance of building a capable and compassionate tomorrow.

with those who would not have his personal and financial resources to help them cope. The governor credited the Adult Day Center and ReCharge! programs with giving the caregiver not just a respite, but also knowing that, for a few hours, their loved one was getting the best in attention, “care, affection, variety of opportunity, given the best that there could ever be.”

More photos from the JHCC Foundation Annual Dinner can be found on page 4.

Marvelous Month of Mitzvahs

by Becca Loss, Communication Specialist “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

The above referenced quote was the inspiration behind this year’s theme of the Marvelous Month of Mitzvahs: “Doing Small Things with Great Love.” This November, JHCC residents and staff once again engaged in mitzvahs (good deeds) to give back to our community and beyond.

According to Carol Lukaszewicz, director of activities at JHCC, the Marvelous Month of Mitzvahs evolved into a life of its own. “We always did a few things every November such as collecting food, so last year we decided to make it a month-long event,” said Lukaszewicz. “We found we could be resourceful and help many different causes that could benefit from our efforts. We like catchy names; we said this is all just so marvelous, so it became the Marvelous Month of Mitzvahs.”

The JHCC activities staff pose with teddy bears and other stuffed animals collected during the Teddy Bear Drive.

This year, the JHCC residents and activities staff focused on deeds to benefit the small, helpless and sometimes overlooked. “It’s wonderful for the residents to give back to the community,” said Kimberly Rosenau, activity coordinator. “It allows them to get out of their own sphere of comfort so that they feel valued, thus filling their hearts in a significant way.”

While the actual deeds were on a smaller scale than last year, the impact proved to be just as great.

Mark Stewart, activities coordinator, helps resident Miriam Goldberg make a fleece blanket

Two of the mitzvahs centered on warmth and comfort for those in the Milwaukee community; after all, the winter season is now upon us. Residents and staff knitted and crocheted baby hats and made fleece scarves for children to be donated to Tikkun Ha-Ir (Hebrew translation: “Repair of the City”) of Milwaukee to help keep the youngest residents of the city warm during the winter months. Tikkun Ha-Ir’s mission is to encourage the Jewish community to build a more just Milwaukee through study, action and civic engagement.

Recognizing that our furry friends also crave comfort and cuddles throughout the year, fleece blankets and toys were made, and monies were donated for wish list items, for companion animals at the Ozaukee Humane Society. These items will provide warmth and care until the animals find their fur-ever homes.

However, warmth and comfort don’t always come in the form of fleece. In a less-than-ideal situation, a huggable stuffed animal may bring just a little comfort to a child. JHCC conducted a Teddy Bear Drive to see “Mitzvahs,” page 5

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Winter Wellness Tips

by Liza Holle, Donor Stewardship Coordinator Winter months can seem very long, sometimes lasting till early April.

In Wisconsin, we all know winter months are very unpredictable and can be a dreary time for us both mentally and physically. While it sounds tempting to just stay inside and hide from it all, being proactive about your wellbeing is crucial to fighting the cold and the flu and staying safe this winter season. The tips below can help stave off the feelings of winter blues and keep your body supercharging through snowflakes and blustery weather.

1. Wash Your Hands: This is the number one way to stop the spread of germs including those for flu and cold. Experts recommend washing your hands before meals and after using the restroom.

It is also recommended to wash your hands every few hours, especially if you touched someone else’s phone, keyboard, or electronic device.

2. Get Adequate Sleep: Allow for your body to get regular sleep. Getting the appropriate amount of sleep is one of the best restorative options out there for your body, helping you fight off winter depression, food cravings, and eliminate build up of stress hormones.

3. Exercise: Motivation can be difficult in the winter months. Create a well-rounded routine that allows you to stay fit. Routines should include cardio and strength training. Exercise your mind through yoga and meditation.

4. Facing the Wisconsin Outdoors: Icy, snowy roads and sidewalks are all very common. It is important to wear shoes with good traction. Check your surroundings for ice and take your time getting in and out of vehicles. Dress for warmth; wear warm socks, a heavy coat, a warm hat, gloves and scarf.

5. Winter Home Safety Kits: This organizational tool can provide for ease of mind during harsh winter weather. A Winter Home Safety Kit should include batteries, flashlights, semi perishable food items, bottled water, extra blankets, first aid kit, and a radio. Cruel winter storms can lead to power

outages; having these items on hand can serve as a resource until the lights come back on.

6. Eat Well: Keeping a healthy, well-balanced diet helps the immune system keep fighting. Eating foods such as fortified milk, grains, salmon, trout, orange juice, and egg yolks helps with the vitamin D deficiency cause by the lack of sun. Eating foods high in antioxidants can fight infections and see “Winter Wellness” page 5

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2014 Annual Dinner Photos continued from page 1

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Photos: 1 | Max Taglin and Michael Sattell, President & CEO, connect at the reception before the dinner.

2 | Ruth Bryskier, Shlomo Stillerman, and Sarah Cohen.

Ruth and Sarah are both social workers at the Jewish Home and Care Center. Shlomo is a resident at Chai Point.

3 | Dee Stein and Reva Schlonsky catch up before the dinner starts.

4 | Liza Graceffa; Marlo Gracffa, Director of HR & Organizational Development; and Dr. Christine Kovach, Director of Research 5 | Once again, Chef Morgan Jones-Robinson created a delicious menu.

Pictured is the crispy chicken confit.

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Mitzvahs

Winter Wellness

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benefit the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) Shielded Hearts initiative. MPD gives teddy bears to children who have recently experienced a traumatic event. Donations were made to MPD District 2 (near south side).

keep the flu at bay. Some of these foods include: blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, artichokes (cooked), pecans, and black beans (dried).

7. Help Others: Finding ways to serve others can provide purpose to your day. There is tons of positive energy surrounding those who volunteer and help out. Helping others creates a sense of belonging and makes a difference in your community. This can be a powerful healer for the body during those awful winter months.

A good meal also warms the stomach, as well as the heart and spirit. Residents assembled Boxes of Blessings so that members of the community can enjoy a complete Shabbat dinner in their homes.

Some residents even made some items for the boxes.

“I made matzo balls because it’s one of my family’s favorite foods. Matzo ball soup is good food,” said Reva Greenberg, a resident at JHCC. “It’s a mitzvah to make other people happy. It makes me happy to know someone is enjoying the food I made.” These boxes accompanied the kosher meals that the JHCC dietary department delivers within the Milwaukee community.

And sometimes, even the smallest gesture, a kind word, can mean so much. The Charms for Cheer mitzvah encouraged residents to create bracelets with inspirational words (i.e. hope, dreams, courage) for patients at Jordan Valley Village in Lower Galilee, Israel. Jordan River Village is “the place in the Middle East where seriously ill children can just be kids.”

The organization seeks to enrich the lives of children suffering from serious illnesses and life-threatening conditions by creating free, fun-filled, memorable and medically safe camping experiences.

“It’s amazing to me how many truly beautiful things come from the month of mitzvahs,” said Lukaszewicz.

“The residents became aware of needs within and were able to contribute to our community; family members stepped up and were reduced to tears about being able to help, our Chai Point neighbors became our allies; and staff and volunteers opened their hearts and pocketbooks happily and without hesitation. We became visible to the community in a beautiful way.”

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“Always maintain a kind of summer even in the middle of winter.” - Henry David Thoreau This advice on winter wellness can help kick the winter blues and the flu out the door. Using these tips is a positive approach to enjoying and staying safe this winter. Let the next couple of months be filled with hot chocolate, warm sweaters and picture-perfect snow falls.

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 Soprano Ruth Brown Monday, December 15, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square

Musician Terry Morgenroth Sunday, December 28, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square

Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale Thursday, December 18, 7:00 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

New Year’s Eve Party featuring the Alte Actors Wednesday, December 31, 6:45 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion

Kehilla Kiddush Saturday, December 20, 2:00 pm Jewish Home and Care Center, Kohl Family Synagogue Chanukah Concert featuring musician Laurie Stahl Sunday, December 21, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square

Jazz Friends Thursday, January 1, 2:00 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.