NOVEMBER 2014 Thanksgiving Day is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal. The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, vegetables and pumpkin and apple pies. Thanksgiving Day is a time for many people to give thanks for what they have. Here s a mashed potato recipe that you might enjoy: Boil pot of water Russet potatoes, 1 Per person 1 cup milk + more if needed Wash & peel potatoes, & cut in half Put in boiling water & boil until potatoes are soft add a pinch of salt if you want Take potatoes out of the water and mash with butter & milk you can add dry or fresh chives, or fried onions, for a very flavorful dish. Thanksgiving is a feast of Thanksgiving, held on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States, and the second Monday in October in Canada. Traditionally, it is held to remember the celebration by the Pilgrims of the first harvest in the new North American colony. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, amidst the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
Sun. November 2 Daylight Savings Time Ends Tuesday,November 4 Election Day TuesdayNovember 11 Veterans Day Thurs.November 27Thanksgiving On Sunday, November 2 remember at 2:00am to turn your clock s back 1 hour for Daylight Savings Time. Aviation Month Good Nutrition Month Native American Indian Heritage Month ELECTION DAY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4 DON T FORGET TO VOTE! Page 2 COMING IN DECEMBER 12/15 Chanukkah Concert at the JCC 12/16 Kids Concerts Cookies 1st graders 12/30 Entertainment by Steve Ames There is a price we pay for freedom For it is not truly free But rather paid for by the contributions of veterans To buy our liberty We should honor the veterans for they act like a shield Protecting us from danger, keeping America healed. So if you would take a second to commemorate You will instantly see We owe veterans our gratitude For they are the reason we are free
Jewish Holiday Celebrations in October SUCCOTH ON THURSDAY, OCT 9 SUCCOTH ON FRIDAY, OCT 10 SH MINI ATZERET ON THURSDAY, OCT 16 SIMCHAT TORAH ON FRIDAY, OCT 17 The holidays were celebrated with Rabbi Kaplan this year. For most of the year, Rabbi Jay came every Wednesday to spend quality time with the residents, but due to obligations beyond his control, he had to leave us. We will miss Rabbi Jay, but Rabbi Kaplan has successfully taken his place. Welcome Rabbi Kaplan! Birthday Wishes Lavinia Walker 11/10 Aileen Bryant 11/10 Catherine Calisanti 11/11 Mary Smiley 11/18 Irena Pearson 11/20 George Matias 11/20 Page 3
A LETTER FROM THE CO-PRESIDENT OF THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LAVINIA WALKER Page 4 If I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. That interesting thought was penned by George Eliot, pen name of Mary Ann Evans, a British writer of the nineteenth century. She expresses my sentiments about autumn. I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the wonderland effect. It hardly seems possible that we have left summer behind and are looking toward winter! But we still have autumn to enjoy until December 21 st. This winter will be much easier for those of us who have cars because of the efforts of S.O.S. (our South Orange Seniors). They have obtained an offer from the Seton Hall DOVES to shovel off the cars and parking spaces any time it snows and for FREE! Our heartfelt thanks to S.O.S. and to the DOVES!! The big event on October 26 th was the South Orange Senior Citizens Forum at South Orange Performing Arts Center SOPAC. This was a mammoth effort of the South Orange Senior Citizens Advisory Committee to address the concerns of South Orange seniors in a town hall style meeting. The mayor, representatives from the Board of Trustees, administration and various departments were in attendance and were actively interested in our concerns. Many seniors took advantage of the opportunity to speak into the microphone and make their concerns known, everything from parking problems, uneven sidewalks to lengthening traffic lights so we can safely cross the streets. It is reassuring to know that our town cares about us and wants us to be safe, comfortable and have access to social and recreational activities. There were many opportunities to speak with those who can actually bring changes to pass, lots of helpful literature available and a light lunch. Carolyn arranged for transportation. When the next forum is scheduled, plan to attend! When Thanksgiving Day rolls around, remember how blessed we are here in this building, in this town and just to have one another and our families. Remember to set your clocks back ONE (1) HOUR on November 2 nd when Daylight Saving Time ends. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! The next Residents Association meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 th.
Happenings November 2 Daylight Saving Time ends fall back 1 hour November 3 Rose Rosen Concert at the JCC November 4 Arts & Crafts with Sara November 4 Election Day November 7 SHIP presentation by Bob Harris (Medicare help) November 10 Kristallnacht @ St. Elizabeth University November 11 Veteran s Day tribute brunch bagels and, @ 11:30 November 11 Our CEO Harold Colton-Max @ 2:00 pm November 12 George Segal Gallery (Art) @ Montclair State University November 14 JCHC University movie presented at the JCC November 18 Arts & Crafts with Sara November 20 Mt. Airy Casino November 21 Staying Calm in a Frantic World by Nurse Karen Frank November 24 Burlington Coat Factory & IHOP get that warm coat! November 25 Arts & Crafts with Sara November 27 OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING November 28 OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING Page 5 Resident Service Schedule @ B nai B rith Congregate Brunch served on Sundays @ 11:00 am Carolyn Schonthal, Administrative Assistant/ Activities Coordinator everyday Rabbi Kaplanwill be here on Fridays @ 10:00 for Shabbat services Marnie Kean, Social Worker is here on Thursday 1-3 & Friday 9-3 Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 9-5,Friday 9-4
Greetings from Bryna November 2014 Autumn makes me think of the beautiful leaf colors of deep oranges, bright yellow and vibrant red. It s also a time to associate those colors with root vegetables that are so tasty in the fall and winter. Winter squash, pumpkins and butternut squash make great meals or side dishes and have lots of nutritional value. Plus they look great on the counter of your kitchens. We had a nice meeting on October 15 th. In the meeting someone mentioned that we don t have water for a few hours around 2 to 4 am once or twice a week. I was not aware that this was a problem. Someone suggested that it was the water softener that was causing this. I told them no, but that I would speak with Chris to find out how we could resolve this issue. Well I was wrong-it was the water softener. Chris explained that the tanks needs to fill up 2 times a week and it was set to do this during the time when the water usage was low. We called the water softener company for their suggestions. It turned out that it was an easy fix and I am happy to announce that the problem is solved. Please enjoy a large glass of water if you happen to be up at 2 or 3 in the morning! It s great meeting with everyone and I always appreciate hearing your concerns or problems. Please remember that you can always reach out to me and that you don t have to wait until one of our meetings. Thanksgiving wishes to all. Our door is always open or you can call me at 973-530-3950. Bryna Stone Site Manager Page 8
Dear friends: SHALOM! A belated SHANA TOVA to everyone!! As we have come to know one-another by sharing several holiday and Shabbat celebrations in recent past weeks, so do I look forward with great anticipation to being with you Fridays at 10 AM throughout the future. Thank you for the warm welcome and your enthusiasm in hosting me among the residents at B'nai B'rith Federation House in South Orange. It is a pleasure to come and learn with you, reflect on our personal histories and family lives, and enjoy the beauty of Jewish tradition and meaningful practice. I am grateful, as well, to Bryna Stone, Carolyn Schonthal, and Chris for all their many efforts in accommodating me respectfully and comfortably every visit I make. Together with the NJ Metro-West Federation Jewish Chaplaincy Service, I am excited to embark upon an ongoing relationship of study and observance at B'nai B'rith. We are fully supportive as partners in creating a positive spiritual and educational experience for each of you. I hope that I may continue to earn your confidence as we build friendships in coming weeks and months. I anticipate to see more people among us. Please do try to attend. Your presence strengthens and enlivens our group by your participation. Wishing your good health, well-being, safety and Shalom Bayit, peace of mind, body and soul. My best, Rabbi Ronald W. Kaplan
Turkey Day Trivia The First TV Dinner Was Thanksgiving Leftovers By M.J. StepheyThursday, Nov. 24, 2011 In 1953, someone at Swanson severely overestimated the amount of turkey Americans would consume that Thanksgiving. With 260 tons of frozen birds to get rid of, a company salesman named Gerry Thomas ordered 5,000 aluminum trays, recruited an assembly line of women armed with spatulas and ice-cream scoops and began creating mini-feasts of turkey, corn-bread dressing, peas and sweet potatoes creating the first-ever TV dinner. Thomas later said he got the idea from neatly packaged airplane food. Page 6
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Page 7 South Orange Senior Advisory Committee On Sunday, October 26 Many seniors from South Orange and the Trustees and heads of all committees attended an excellent meeting at SOPAC. The forum discussed problems relating to seniors in South Orange with anticipated, positive results.