JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES

Transcription

1 G O L D E N M A N O R JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Enriching the Lives of Baby Boomers and Beyond Board of Officers PRESIDENT Alice Troy VICE PRESIDENT Howard Feinberg TREASURER Robi Jalnos SECRETARY Suzanne Huber EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Daniel L. Laser, CSA Board of Directors Fran Cohen Maury Goldstein Warren Lieberman Bernard Rabinowitz Marcos Rosenberg Jeanne Rubin Brenda Schram Allan Smith Gordon Weiner Past Presidents Betty Adler Richard Alterman Bernard Bloom, M.D.* H.W. Brizman* Elliott Z. Cohen Gerald Cohn Sol Frank* Harold Franzel* Harry Freeman* Jack Gurwitz* Harry A. Halff* Nat Jefferson Mike Kelne Kenneth R. Ladensohn* Shari P. Pulman Robert Rosow* Norman Seeman* Bennett Stahl Jimmy Toubin Elliot Weser, M.D. Perry Wulfe Dick Wurzburg Honorary Life Advisors Elie Guggenheim* Mel Indyk Kenneth Ladensohn* Robert S. Rosow* Elmer Jacobs* Aaron Mandel* Harry Sugerman* *Of Blessed Memory MAY 2017 GMJSS NEWS Main: (210) NW Military Hwy., Suite 210 San Antonio, TX G HOLIDAYS THIS MONTH: Lag B'Omer begins in the evening of Saturday, May 13 & ends in the evening of Sunday, May 14 Shavuot begins in the evening of Tuesday, May 30 & ends in the evening of Thursday, June 1 GMJSS hosts Seders for residents of Adante & Madison This year, GMJSS hosted Seders at both Adante Senior Living and Madison Estates for the residents and any of their friends and families. Adante residents were given a sweet treat as they experienced their first Chocolate Seder on April 7. The event was led by Rabbi Jeffery Abraham of Agudas Achim. The seniors drank chocolate milk, dipped strawberries into chocolate, ate applesauce on chocolate matzah, and shared laughs as they followed along with the Haggadah that creatively included chocolate. Madison Estates residents were visited by special guests, Mike and Judy Kelne who led the Seder there. MORE PHOTOS INSIDE The GMJSS office will be CLOSED o n CLOSEDMonday, May 29 WE RE CLOSED Moving from an owned home to a retirement community: Things to think about Compiled by Jerry Gerson & Mike Kelne RESEARCH RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES. Visit the communities with the senior. Can they see themselves living there? If possible, don t exclude the senior from conversations with the retirement community staff. Excluding the senior raises the anxiety level by increasing the feeling of a loss of control over his/her life. Eat a meal(s) in the facility with the senior. Gauge the quality of the food and how it s served. Are there choices at each meal, or is everyone served the same thing? If the senior doesn t like that meal, eat another meal there to see if it was a dislike of one choice or food/service overall. Level of care provided independent care, assisted living, skilled nursing? Will the facility allow outside medical services to come in and provide services to residents, if needed? Which communities offer the best combination of living space, amenities, security, activities and cost? Is a buy-in required or a long-term commitment, or is the agreement monthto-month after an initial period (e.g., 3 months)? How friendly is the staff? How flexible are they about working with the senior or you about specific wants or needs? See Consider, back page

2 GMJSS IN THE COMMUNITY S E D E R S AT A DA N T E & M A D I S O N E S TAT E S At top left and right: Adante Senior Living. At right: Madison Estates THANK YO U : APRIL DONORS Mr. & Mrs. Tom Blackshear GMJSS staff volunteers for the 2017 Senior Games The Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services staff helped fill goody bags for the 2017 Texas Senior Games on March 29. Pictured above is (l to r) Lety P. Vargas, Eva Laporte, Mike Kelne, Lauren Sandoval, and Daniel Laser.

3 SHAVUOT Feast of Weeks Brought to you by G O L D E N M A N O R JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES Enriching the Lives of Baby Boomers and Beyond Shavuot 2017 begins in the evening of Tuesday, May 30 and ends in the evening of Thursday, June 1 Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot is one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays. Observances: Shavuot is observed by often abstaining from work and attending synagogue services. A few special readings are recited: a liturgical poem called Akdamut, which emphasizes the greatness of God; the Book of Ruth, because the story highlights one woman s choice to join the Jewish people and accept the Torah; and the Ten Commandments, in honor of the revelation of the Torah. Customs: It is customary to study Torah all night - the practice is called Tikkun Leil Shavuot. This custom evolved from the story that says that when the Israelites were at Sinai, they overslept and had to be awakened by Moses. As a result, many modern Jews stay up all night to study and celebrate receiving the Torah. It also is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot because of many reasons: Jewish tradition compares the words of Torah to the sweetness of milk and honey. Milk is also considered to be a symbol of the Torah, which nourishes the people directly, as milk does for a baby. Also, with the giving of the Torah, the Jews became obligated to observe the kosher laws. As the Torah was given on Shabbat, no cattle could be slaughtered nor could utensils be kashered, and thus on that day they ate dairy. FOOD CUSTOMS Traditional holiday meals on Shavuot center around dairy foods, and typically things that are enjoyed are: Cheesecake Blintzes Kugels Seven-layered bread: Some Sephardic Jews make a seven-layered bread called siete cielos (seven heavens), which is supposed to represent Mt. Sinai. * Traditions and views often differ from family to family. Source: MyJewishLearning.com

4 i IN THE COMMUNITY: MAY 2017 EVENTS GOLDEN ESTATES FRIDAY, MAY 2PM Shabbat with Seniors - Join Hazzan Lipton from Congregation Agudas Achim for Shabbat services on Friday, May 5 at 2:00PM in the chapel. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 & WEDNESDAY, MAY NOON Join us for a Jewish afternoon, lunch and a movie with residents and friends. RSVP to Lety at (210) ADANTE SENIOR LIVING TUESDAY, MAY 9 & TUESDAY, MAY 10:30AM Golden Manor Presents - Join us for a Film and Conversation with Mindi Silver-Weiss in the 2nd Floor Activity Room. For more information, please call (210) FRIDAY, MAY 2PM Shabbat with Seniors - Join Rabbi Yergin from Temple Beth El for Shabbat services on Friday, May 12 at 2:00PM in the theatre. CHABAD CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE & LEARNING TUESDAY, MAY 11:30AM 1PM Sunshine Club - Seniors are invited to attend the May Sunshine Club Luncheon, an afternoon of food and friends on Tuesday, May 9, 11:30AM - 1:00PM at Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning, Blanco Road, The program will feature a delicious bagels, lox and cream cheese luncheon, a Mother s Day activity and fabulous schmoozing company. RSVP today! Call Nancy at Chabad: (210) or info@chabadsa.com. For free transportation, please call Lety at (210) The Sunshine Club offers seniors the opportunity to meet, kibbitz and enjoy a delicious lunch together. Monthly guest speakers, film screenings and entertainment compliment the program which includes craft opportunities and occasional outings. The Sunshine Club is a joint program of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning & Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services. For more information please visit SA.com/SunshineClub. CONGREGATION AGUDAS ACHIM THURSDAY, MAY 11:30AM Simcha Social Club - The May Simcha Social Club will feature Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham who will discuss the history of Lag B Omer in the Gurinsky Family Social Hall. agudas-achim.org or (210) by May 9. Lunch will be served. Simcha Social Club is complimentary to those 65+ and $5 to those under 65. Simcha Social Club is a joint program of Congregation Agudas Achim and Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services. Need Transportation? Call Lety at (210) MADISON ESTATES MONDAY, MAY 1, 8, 15 & 2:30PM Jewish Living - Join Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services for a social gathering and a movie at Madison Estates. Join us in the TV Room on the 3rd Floor. For more information, call Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services at (210) FRIDAY, MAY 2PM Shabbat with Seniors - Join Rabbi Abraham from Agudas Achim for Shabbat services in the T.V. room at 2PM on the 3rd floor.

5 IN THE COMMUNITY: MAY 2017 EVENTS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER THURSDAY, MAY 4 & MAY 1PM Silver Cinema Film Screenings - You are invited to attend the free movies at the JCC. No need to RSVP. Visit for film titles. Walk-ins always welcome and there is FREE popcorn! CONGREGATION RODFEI SHOLOM WEDNESDAY, MAY 11:30AM 1PM The L Chayim Club - Learn about one of the greatest financial resources available to Jewish members of San Antonio and surrounding areas. Hebrew Free Loan Association, San Antonio, (HFLA-SA) has no-interest loans to meet the needs of every generation, including funding for education, emergencies, life-cycle events and much more. Please join us May 10th at this enlightening opportunity to discover ways Hebrew Free Loan can benefit you, your parents, your children and your grandchildren. HFLA-SA provides interest-free loans... because it s a mitzvah! HFLA-SA will speak to Rodfei Sholom s L Chayim Club luncheon Wednesday, May 10th about expanded interest-free loan programs and how the agency can help combat overwhelming costs associated with aging. Since 1924, Hebrew Free Loan of San Antonio has continuously provided members of our local community with much needed assistance, as individuals of all ages encounter various types of financial challenges. Whether you or your loved ones are facing legal or pre-planning expenses, dealing with healthcare costs, endeavoring to make a home accessible, paying for home health assistance or funding a move, HFLA-SA is here to help. For more information, please contact HFLA-SA at (210) TEMPLE BETH-EL SATURDAY, MAY NOON Shabbat Lunch Chavurah - Join Rabbi Mara Nathan in the Block Conference Room as she leads us in a study on "It s All About the Omer!" Enjoy a catered dairy lunch in anticipation of Shavuot and then we will study with Rabbi Mara Nathan. Those 65 and older are free; those under 65 are only $5. RSVP for the lunch and study to geri@beth-elsa.org or , ext Thanks to Golden Manor Jewish Senior Services for making this event possible. FRIDAY, MAY 19 FOLLOWING SERVICES TBE50s+ - All those age 50+ are invited to enjoy a no-host relaxing dinner with friends on Friday, May 19 at Koi Kawa Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar Broadway, , following services. RSVP online to Contact Mindi Silver-Weiss at mindisw@gmail.com or Nancy Gerson at nancykgerson@yahoo.com for additional information. TEMPLE CHAI FRIDAY, MAY 8PM Temple Chai to present recital of the music of Aaron Copland A free recital by Manahara Virasinha, immediately following the Shabbat service. All are welcome. THURSDAY, MAY 18 & MAY 6:30PM Why the Jews? Temple Chai to offer adult education course on anti-semitism Taught by Rabbi David Komerofsky, Why the Jews? A History of Anti-Semitism will examine the origins of anti- Jewish sentiment and ideas, and trace the development of hatred and prejudice to the present day. Attention will be paid to the uniqueness of anti-semitism amongst the many forms of racism and bigotry. For more information and to register, visit or call (210) TUESDAY, MAY 8PM Temple Chai to celebrate Shavuot with interactive adult learning. Celebrate Shavuot with some fun and interactive Jewish learning with Rabbi David Komerofsky and Lisa Goldstein. All are welcome. RSVP at or by calling (210)

6 GMJSS NEWS he s coming... Sunday July 23, 3PM See SHREK THE MUSICAL and support San Antonio Jewish Seniors. BE A SPONSOR! Help us help Jewish Seniors. Info: (210) Consider, from page 1 WILLIE'S SPIRIT NIGHT How alert and friendly are other residents? What do other residents say about the facility? (A good way to elicit this information is by asking people you and the senior eat with or encounter in a reading room or in the laundry.) Are apartments thoroughly cleaned when a resident moves out? E.g., carpets and windows cleaned, nail holes patched, damaged blinds or curtains replaced, kitchens and bathrooms clean, appliances clean and in working order, etc.? Are apartments cleaned by staff periodically? Can newspapers be delivered to residents doors, or do residents have to go to communal reading rooms to see newspapers? Does the facility provide transportation to doctors appointments, a grocery store, bank, and/or other locations? Are there safe and pleasant opportunities for residents to go outside for fresh air and to watch birds, etc.? THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT! Thank you for joining us at Willie's on April % of your check was donated back to us - and will go to support transportation and programs for our Jewish seniors. FRED S CORNER By Fred Kanter Unfortunately Fred was not able to attend the Sunshine Club meeting on April 4, but sent a stand in to take notes and share the following: The Chabad Center was in full preparation for the upcoming Passover holidays and was being scrubbed from top to bottom. 21 members were served a vegetable plate. Rabbi Teldon discussed celebrating Passover and the liberation of the Jewish People. Matzoh and bitter herbs were eaten to remember the privations as Moses led the Jews out of The Sunshine Club is partially funded by a grant from GMJSS. G O L D E N M A N O R JEWISH SENIOR SERVICES NW Military Hwy., Suite. 210 San Antonio, TX (210) info@goldenmanor.net GMJSS STAFF: DANIEL L. LASER, CSA Executive Director DLLaser@GoldenManor.net MIKE KELNE Executive Vice President MikeK@GoldenManor.net EVA LAPORTE Program Director EvaL@GoldenManor.net LETY P. VARGAS Executive Assistant / Program Coordinator LetyV@GoldenManor.net LAUREN SANDOVAL GMJSS Marketing & Communications Manager LaurenS@GoldenManor.net MINDI SILVER-WEISS MindiSW@Gmail.com JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! Egypt. The film shown was called "The Long Way Home" and was narrated by Morgan Freeman. It depicted the freeing of the Jews from concentration camps and the reallocation to ancestral lands in the new nation of Israel. Want to receive the GMJSS newsletters via ? Just send your address to LetyV@GoldenManor.net or call Lety with your info at (210)