senior life

an annual SJL special section

New Horizons offers seniors opportunities for activities and enrichment

Birmingham-area seniors with a zest for learning and socialization can explore new horizons through involvement in a program focused on lifelong learning.

Dorothy Ziff joined New Horizons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2006 and she’s been enjoying the program, along with helping to coordinate schedules.

“The programs are stimulating and there are so many opportunities to meet new friends,” said Ziff, an involved member of the Birmingham area Jewish community who is a retired teacher and travel agent. “We have a diverse group and so many interesting sessions focusing on a variety of topics.”

New Horizons offers three eight-week terms a year with sessions every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning for two hours, with a bonus Zoom discussion group on Mondays. The topics have ranged from advancements in genetics to learning about cryptocurrency to trends in art to the war in Ukraine.

The idea for the program came in 1987 from a New York Times article about a kind of learning association for retirees that Dick and Marilyn Roman decided to emulate. Marilyn worked for the UAB Center for Aging and was responsible for the Elderhostel program at UAB.

After more than a year’s worth of planning and development, the formal existence of New Horizons began in January 1989.

Sandra Vinik and her husband, Ron Vinik, have been involved with New Horizons since 2012. She said UAB offers help in lining up speakers from Birmingham and across the region.

“This is something that keeps us motivated and mentally active,” she said. “We have several members who are former professors and teachers.” Vinik and Ziff said several Birmingham-area rabbis have also led sessions and they’ve had subjects including the kabbalah as well as learning about great Jewish composers.

Vinik and Ziff said they hope to add excursions back to the curriculum in the spring. In the past they’ve gone to Vulcan Park and Museum, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

“We’ve met so many friends through this. We’ve gotten together (outside of the New Horizons sessions) to see the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Red Mountain Theatre and to celebrate holidays, birthdays,” said Ziff, who is also one of the founders of the Gen XYZ (Xtra Years of Zest) group that has events at Temple Beth-El.

Vinik said registration is $95 for a semester and the winter term runs through Feb. 24. The fee covers honoraria for speakers, room rental, snacks, beverages and parking.

“The program is open to anyone — you don’t have to be retired. And we welcome suggestions for future sessions,” she said. “New Horizons is really something special. It changes peoples’ lives.” For more information, go to www.newhorizonsuab.org

Brookdale feels like home to Hirsch, Rosenbaum

Riva Hirsch feels a strong sense of community and family at Brookdale Senior Living University Park.

Caryn Corenblum

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WHO CAN BENEFIT?

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The Holocaust survivor has spoken about her heroic story at the community, as well as for schools, synagogues and remembrance events across the country. She considers herself an ambassador and stays very active at the continuing care retirement community in Birmingham.

“I feel like I’m an ambassador here,” said Hirsch, who turns 90 in August. “We love getting more friends involved with the wonderful activities here — Mah Jongg, poker, bridge, bingo, happy hours, musical entertainment, movies and holiday celebrations. This place feels like home.”

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205.936.9675 caryn@coachcaryn.com

She said she and her late husband, Aisic, also a Holocaust survivor, used to volunteer at the community when they were younger. When she moved to Brookdale six years ago, Hirsch knew she wanted to volunteer with leading activities and showing new residents around.

“I’ve felt a sense of belonging (at Brookdale and in the Jewish community),” said Hirsch. “We have a few Jewish residents here (including Hirsch’s best friend, 97-year-old Margy Rosenbaum). We want them and everyone to feel like we do.”

Rosenbaum has lived at Brookdale for eight years and said she keeps active with Mah Jongg, bridge and the social events at the community.

“Everyone here — the residents and the staff — is so friendly. The food is excellent and there is always something fun to do,” said Rosenbaum, whose father was one of the first presidents of Temple Beth-El.

Brookdale Senior Living Development Director Lee Cobb said they’re grateful for the support of Hadassah Birmingham and organizations and institutions in the Jewish community.

Hadassah hosted a successful Mah Jongg tournament at Brookdale this past October and a Bubbe Club Chanukah event in December. Hirsch also helped to organize a Chanukah party at the community, attended by more than 60 people. Several rabbis have come into to lead holiday services.

“We’re fortunate to have such a close-knit community at Brookdale and to have residents, volunteers who help make this such a great place to live. It’s not work when you are doing what you love with such wonderful people,” said Cobb.

Julie Wright, Brookdale’s director of resident programs, said many activities are designed based on residents’ interest and specified for different levels of care.

“We have a wide range of activities from senior exercise to learning about technology to musical concerts to arts and crafts,” said Wright. “We also plan shopping outings and visits to the art museum, Vulcan and (this month) the Barber Motorsports Park. Plus, we have excellent dining. It’s kind of like being on a cruise ship.”

Cobb said Brookdale University Park also includes a beauty salon, fitness center, a library, transportation and is pet friendly. It is one of more than 700 Brookdale communities across the United States.

Hirsch’s story inspires

In 1941, the Germans occupied seven-yearold Riva’s village in Romania. Her family attempted to flee but were captured by the Nazis.

She was separated from her parents and two brothers at a concentration camp in Luchinetz. Riva survived torture, hunger and disease before being liberated in 1945.

In 1948, she finally made it to Israel, where she met Aisic Hirsch. They married in 1950 and had two children. The Hirsches came to New York in 1962, and 30 years later moved to Birmingham to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Her story was one of the inspirations for the Darkness into Light exhibition and the 2018 visit of Violins of Hope, which were also on display and a part of special events in New Orleans last month.

“It is up to us to tell the stories,” said Hirsch. “We need to teach it to our kids, grandkids and great-grandkids so they will understand, and it will never be forgotten.”

Fairhaven partners with the LJCC for senior fitness opportunities

As the average senior adult in the United States embraces a healthier lifestyle, it has become increasingly important for retirement communities to include wellness benefits in their offerings for residents.

That’s why Fair Haven, Birmingham’s largest continuing care retirement community, decided to carry a shared group membership at the Levite Jewish Community Center for its independent and assisted living residents.

The LJCC was a natural choice for Fair Haven since it is located within two miles of its campus.

Lauren McLendon, the Life Enrichment Director at Fair Haven, helped nurture the LJCC relationship for Fair Haven residents.

“It’s a situation of ‘use it or lose it.’ Seniors who are active, stay active longer,” said McLendon.

When a person hits retirement, the daily physical routines that were a normal part of work life have to be replaced with new physical routines to maintain one’s balance, flexibility and strength.

Fair Haven’s shared group membership allows access to all the benefits afforded to any other member of the LJCC, including access to exercise classes, swimming pools, group games, weight training equipment and more.

Fair Haven provides regular, weekly transportation for those who need a ride to take advantage of their membership benefits. Residents with access to their own transportation can take advantage of the JCC facilities any time the doors are open.

McLendon explains that the LJCC membership also has a social benefit for residents. “It’s a great opportunity to get out of your apartment; talk to others and make new friends,” she said. “The LJCC offers another community of people to interact with and form new relationships.”

Honoring veterans with care

Right at Home salutes veterans and serves those who have served our country.

In 2022, the in-home care provider — with offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery — became an approved provider of the Veteran’s Administration.

“This is an amazing benefit called Home Based Community Care. It provides for the cost of home care services for veterans regardless of income,” said Beau Green, who founded Right at Home Birmingham with his wife, Rachel, in 2011 after caring for her mother.

Green said there are two programs that veterans can qualify for. One is the Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program, which provides four to 10 hours a week of care. There is also a Respite Care Program, which allows 30 respite visits per year with each visit being up to six hours and one visit allowed per day to assist family caregivers.

“We can consult with veterans and their families to help them understand the options and assist with the process,” he said.

Right at Home employs skilled, licensed, trained caregivers and software to help match them with those they are providing care for based on geography, level of care needed as well as other factors.

For more information about Home Based Community Care and Right at Home, go to www.rightathome.net/birmingham.

Community

Purim events in the region

Here are Purim events as of press time. Check our weekly e-news for updates.

Alabama

Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El will have a Purim Tot Shabbat, March 3 at 5 p.m. On March 4 there will be an adult Purim party at 7:30 p.m. at Avondale Brewery. On March 5, there will be a Purim Spiel and megillah reading at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Purim carnival at 10 a.m.

Birmingham’s Knesseth Israel will host a Purim celebration on March 6, starting at 5:45 p.m. The megillah reading will be at 6 p.m. There will be Jewish and Israeli music with Tarious Hill, games, a balloon artist and hamantaschen, and hot dogs, burgers and veggie burgers on the grill.

PJ Library and Torah Time at Chabad in Birmingham will have a Hamantaschen Bake on Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. The event is geared toward Kindergarten to 3rd grade, and parents are welcome to attend. The event is for all Torah Time students, with older students taking a leadership role.

Bais Ariel Chabad in Birmingham will have The Greatest Purim, March 7 with a megillah reading at 4:30 p.m. and party at 5 p.m., including circus cuisine, balloon twister, circus games and a juggler. Reservations are $18 per adult, $10 per child, $70 family maximum.

You Belong in Birmingham will have a Purim party with Chabad of Alabama, Temple Beth-El and Temple Emanu-El, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Avondale Brewing. There will be a costume contest. Tickets are $15 through Feb. 17, $20 after.

Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El will have a Purim party on March 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. with Tot Purim with Robin Berger in the KidZone, and megillah reading in the chapel. At 6 p.m. there will be a carnival in the cultural center, with a circus show at 6:45 p.m. There will be another megillah reading at the 7 a.m. minyan on March 7.

There will be a Purim pet parade at Caldwell Park in Birmingham, March 5 at 3 p.m. Bring pets in costume.

Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville will have a Purim Spiel with pizza, potluck, Pinot and punch, March 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Etz Chayim in Huntsville will have its Purim Shpiel on the evening of March 6, with a potluck supper and Purim play.

Chabad of Huntsville will have a Moroccan-themed Purim, March 7 at 5 p.m.

Chabad of Mobile will have a Purim party in Fairhope on March 6, and an International Purim Party on March 7 at the U.S.S. Alabama Aircraft Pavilion. Details to be announced, reservations will be required.

Florida Panhandle

The annual Purim Around the World celebration at Emerald Coast Chabad in Destin will be on March 6 at 6 p.m., featuring Persia.

Beth Shalom in Fort Walton Beach will have its Purim celebration on March 10 at 6:30 p.m.

The Pensacola Jewish Federation will hold its Purim carnival on March 5 at noon, at Creative Learning Academy.

The new Sea Shul in Seaside will have a Purim celebration on March 3 at the Chapel at Seaside, with a megillah reading and potluck dinner. Time to be announced.

Louisiana

Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria will have a Very Beatles Purim, with details to be announced.

Chabad at LSU and Greater Baton Rouge will partner with PJ Library for the Great Hamantash Bake, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at the BREC Jefferson Highway Park Ballroom. There will be pre-Purim entertainment, each child receives an apron and baking gear. Reservations are $10 per child, $36 family maximum.

Chabad of Baton Rouge’s Purim in the Shtetl will be on March 7 at 5 p.m. at the BREC Highland Road Park’s indoor rec room. There will be a Tevye Purim feast, Hodel’s Hamantaschen, a live Klezmer band and multimedia megillah reading. Reservations are $18 for adults, $10 for children, $40 family maximum, and “if you are a rich man” sponsorships at $180.

The Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge will have a Purim celebration on March 5 at 10:30 a.m., with a hamantaschen contest, megillah reading and carnival.

The 52nd community Adloyadah celebration will be held at the Uptown Jewish Community Center in New Orleans on March 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be a giant slide, inflatables, a Gaga pit, Middle Eastern delicacies and deli items. Hamantaschen will be distributed from Bywater Bakery. Admission is free, a children’s all-day play pass is $12, or $10 with a donation of non-perishable items for the Broadmoor Food Pantry.

Beth Israel in Metairie will have a Breakfast for Dinner pre-Purim family event, March 5 at 5 p.m. There will be do-it-yourself graggers, mask making, hamantaschen decorating and a breakfast-themed dinner.

On March 6, Beth Israel in Metairie, JNOLA and the Oscar J. Tolmas Foundation will have a Back to the 90s Purim Party. The megillah reading will be at 6:45 p.m. with the party at 8 p.m. ‘90s costumes encouraged. The $20 admission (free for Beth Israel members) includes food, drinks, live music and an Uber to and from the party.

Gates of Prayer in Metairie will have Purim at the Circus on March 6 at 6 p.m.

Northshore Jewish Congregation in Mandeville will have a Purim par- ty on March 5 at 11 a.m.

The North Louisiana Jewish Federation presents a Purim carnival on March 5 at 11 a.m. at B’nai Zion in Shreveport. Saul Kaye, “pioneer of Jewish blues,” will perform. Costumes are encouraged.

Mississippi

Beth Israel in Gulfport will have Purim in the Wild West, March 7 at 5 p.m., with a megillah reading at 4:30 p.m. There will be a “wanted” photo booth, country Western Purim feast, saloon for adults, activities and crafts for kids. Reservations are $18, $12 for members and children.

>> Rear Pew

continued from page 30 deed the dude was waxed much like an elephant’s prey.

19: The tide rolled over the tigers, making the flame of their fading awe burn no more.

20: In defeat, Dye had had enough, and he looked toward the heavens again, and beseeched unto the Lord, “Lord, have I forsaken thee? Why did you say to run that play?”

21: And the Lord said to him, “I know not,” and then He looked to His side in the heavenly realm and called His colleague out, saying, “Bear, why did we say to run that play?”

Doug Brook thought about apologizing to A*burn fans but instead asks that, in lieu of flowers, all complaints be sent to Chris Davis. For nearly several more laughs, listen to the (STILL!) FIVE-star rated Rear Pew Mirror podcast at anchor.fm/rearpewmirror or on any major podcast platform. For past columns, visit http://rearpewmirror.com/

Does Bo Know Bo?

For many years, this column has been the lone source for wisdom from the long-lost, recently discovered Talmudic tractate Bava Gump. This tempestuous tome followed in the fine tradition of better-known tractates such as Bava Batra, Bava Kamma, and Bava Metziah.

Now, for the first time anywhere, this column presents an excerpt from another newly found folio: tractate Bama Metziah.

The tractate’s origin story is unclear thus far, but its collected commentaries and texts are so unexpected and game-changing, and are so eclectic that it could leave even the most pacifist rabbi apoplectic.

So, here is a heretofore unseen piece of biblical text. It captures one of the greatest victories ever witnessed throughout the millennia of time.

1: Here, in a bowl of iron, on the field of a legion, a pair of baker’s minyans battled to dominate the land on which they stood.

2: And it was on the first day of the twelfth month, in the year of nineand-ten-hundred and four-and-eighty, nearly two years after the passing of a great bear, known to the world as honorable and bryant.

3: The moon was not yet out, and the fourth quarter was near to its end.

4: A streak of tigers sought a streak of three against a mighty tide of crimson which resembled the river Nile when it was struck with the plague of blood.

5: The tigers had prevailed with awesome might over others nine times prior — while having fallen twice; yet here the tigers trailed, too, by two, for want of just one cubit to gain.

6: The tide was rolling less of late, having lost more than it won, as a once giant ray had cast a shadow that for a generation was seen by none.

7: And so it was that above all other tigers was one who carried the load for them all.

8: And they named him Bo, for he would come through with such frequency that he would become forever known as a man of highs, even to this day.

9: And it was near the end, and the tide had overtaken the tigers by just a score of two.

10: And for the tigers their last shot down came forth, and a single kick would ebb the tide enough, though the tide would end by the gain of just one cubit more.

11: And the mixed multitude knew that it would be a simple blow for Bo to take in stride, and the tens and thousands awaited.

12: And these tigers were led by a man called Dye, and he knew they all thought Bo was to come.

13: And it came to pass that he thought to run, and he looked toward the heavens.

14: And Dye called to the heavens and asked, “Lord, I know they know Bo comes, so the tide might wash him away. What play shall I call, so my tigers win the day?”

15: And the Lord replied, “sweep the tide away with a toss to the right.”

16: And so it was that, like a raven soaring through the sky, a fullbacked, full wood brent swept gliding to the right.

17: And as the brent took flight to the right, the man of highs called Bo instead went wrong unto the left, and he could not turn the tide away, so the tide would turn indeed.

18: And it was that a mighty, roary turner turned the brent away, in-

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