Los Angeles Jewish Home

A Poem by Ellis Simon, 87
Jewish Home Resident

To all the ladies at the JHA
The time has come for you to say
Come on guys, get off your duff
Then take our hand, as you huff and puff

When you take our hand, don't squeeze too much
The arthritis we have responds to touch
The tenderness you show, helps ease the pain
As we walk down the hall, you, me, and my cane

We get to the library, and sit side by side
As the real good feelings a try to hide
You whisper in my ear, but your words seem to fade
The battery went out in my hearing aid

You ask me to dance, I'm happy as can be
When you take me in your arms, it's heaven for me
You start to cough, and stick out your tongue
I guess it's too much for your one lung

We both get up, and go back to my room
You give me a peck, and my heart goes boom
You walk down the hall, I watch as you go
You say, "I'm a very happy lady, I now have a beau!"

Though i joke around, this is my wish for all
Then we would all be happy, and have a ball
Then our troubles would disappear
And everyone would be happy, I say hear, hear.

Labels: Aging, For the Spirit, Original, Poems, Residents, Seniors, Simon, Sweethearts Day, Valentine's Day

by Shelly Ryan

Ok! So many of you can relate to your alarm clock going off and wanting to hit the snooze button a few times! Although I'm not a morning person, I got to work earlier than usual, not knowing what I would face! As luck would have it, I went to JEK 4 to speak to an employee and got off the elevator to find an amazing sight! One of our sweet CNAs was talking to a resident about the resident's son, and this was how the conversation went!

"My son doesn't get to visit me that often because he's always working". The response from our CNA was "That's what's fun about my job, because when I'm working I get to see you"!

The resident welled up with tears and said, "But with your job you HAVE to see me."

And our CNA responded, "That's the beauty of my job! I don't HAVE to see you, I GET to see you!"

The resident then hugged our CNA and said, "You're like my daughter."

The CNA said "You're like my Grandmother—sorry, but I'm younger than your daughter," and they both laughed! And then hugged!

These are the kind of sweet moments I get to see every day! The interaction between our staff and our residents is why I've been here for almost 30 years. Our staff treat our precious residents like family. And the feeling is mutual! Our residents feel the love and care from our staff and it's a bond that is hard to break. At the Home, our staff go beyond "work" and care for our residents as they would a member of their own family. It's truly remarkable! Every consultant and surveyor that comes here, whose job it is to find what we're doing "wrong" versus what we're doing "right", ends up remarking about the relationship between our staff and our residents! To say we're a Jewish Home family is not just "words" here.

There is a strong bond that will forever be imprinted on the hearts of both our staff and residents. If you want to experience the love, come and visit us at any of our buildings. We truly have a unique environment where our staff and residents are equally supportive and protective of each other. It's a heart-warming experience—one I would encourage all of you to experience. Are we perfect? No! But our hearts are in the right place!! There is truly no place like "HOME" and I'm blessed to see it day after day!!

I often joke that we're "chosen", and when I walk the floors I believe it's true!! Each staff member has been "chosen" to care for their residents in a unique and amazing way. When I've had an especially challenging day all I have to do is walk the floors and see what the Home has created. We are truly blessed, and I don't want to take it for granted!!

Thank you to our incredible staff, our families, our volunteers and our supporters for letting the Home be the special place that it is!!:)

Labels: Around the Home, CNA, Family, Grandmother, Mother, Residents, Shelly Ryan, Staff, Sweet Moments, Visiting

From the Summer 2011 edition of the Chai Journal


By Helen Bragar, 84
Los Angeles Jewish Home resident

I sit on the veranda and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the orange rosebush as it soaks up, and seemingly reflects, the dazzling sunlight.

Blossoming trees and stately birds of paradise plants circle the perimeter of the patio just beyond. Birds are chirping, butterflies are flitting from bush to bush, and the flibbertigibbet hummingbird has dipped its wings into the cool water of the brimming fountain.

Spiky blue flowers line the walkway, and hordes of honey bees are gorging themselves on the sweet nectar. I wonder where they are going to take this bounty to turn it into delicious honey. The only things missing that could make this garden more heavenly are an apple tree, a man with a missing rib, a seductive maiden and a snake.

Oh well, I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with what we've got.

Labels: Bragar, Chai Journal, Flowers, Fountain, Garden, Residents, Trees

By Nettie Freeman, 87
Los Angeles Jewish Home resident

Since becoming a resident of the Los Angeles Jewish Home in September 2009, I cannot innumerate the countless benefits of living in this fabulous facility. However, I must admit there is one phase of my past that I miss tremendously.

I was an excellent driver for over 55 years, with a commendable record. In fact, in most recent years when many of my friends had to give up driving, I was the “designated driver.” Driving on the freeway, driving at night, escorting my friends to countless doctor appointments, shopping trips—they were no challenge for me.

And then, lo and behold, my own driving abilities began to falter. Before I knew it I had to forsake my driver’s license and, alas, my life changed. The freedom of hopping in the car and running my errands at will was indeed a privilege. One doesn’t realize the extent of that freedom until you can no longer exercise it.

I promised myself that when that day came, I would be noble and accept it valiantly. But that is easier said than done. Often times I find myself in the “oh dear” mood, but fortunately I’ve overcome it quickly. I realize there are far worse compromises in life than not driving.

Talking to other residents here at the Jewish Home, we all have the same lament: “Oh, how I miss my driving!”

But we have all adjusted and take advantage of our volunteer drivers, city-ride, Access, taxis—yes, life goes on, even without a driver’s license.

Labels: Aging, Car, Driver, Driver's License, Driving, Freedom, Health, Independence, Los Angeles Jewish Home, Nettie Freeman, Residents, Seniors, Staff

Mother's Day is only a few days away! Have you made plans to celebrate your mom, your grandmother, your great-grandmother, or that special woman in your life? The Jewish Home is helping to make that celebration a little brighter this year. We just created two new e-Cards. And on top of that, they're both free!

Labels: Birds in Paradise, e-Cards, eCards, Grandma, Grandmother, Great-Grandma, Great-Grandmother, Mom, Mother and Child, Mother's Day, Oil Paintings, painting, Residents, Spring Blossoms, Staff

The quote in the title line was said by Jewish Home resident Ellis Simon. Now 87, he's been living here for around 11 years! Granted, he's been saying that for quite some time now, but we finally caught it on tape.

Labels: Donate, Freedom, Gift, Jewish Home, Online Donation, Philanthropy, Residents, Simon, Social Media, Staff, Support, Video, Volunteer, Why We Give, YouTube

Passover is right around the corner! And what better food is there to eat on Passover than matzah brei? Last year, we made a video of a few Jewish Home residents showcasing their culinary talents to decide which matzah brei recipe was tastier: sweet or savory.

Labels: 2010, Around the Home, Contest, Matzah Brei, Passover, Pesach, Recipe, Residents, Seniors, Video, YouTube

One of our very own Jewish Home residents holds a record with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nettie Berkson, 95, has been to every home opening game since the franchise moved to LA in 1958. Although this year Nettie will be spending the game at the Jewish Home, her 52-year streak was certainly one for the books. As a matter of fact, it was so impressive, the Dodgers actually wrote a story about it.

"When the Dodgers came out in 1958, I became a Dodgers fan and went to the first Opening Day at the Coliseum," Berkson said. "Baseball was a good reason to go out. I bought season tickets the year Dodger Stadium opened [1962] and have had them every year, but gave them up this year because it's gotten hard for me to do. I guess I'm a lifetime fan -- I'm 95 years and still going."

 This isn't the first time Netti's dedication to her home team was noticed by the media. Prior to attending her 50th opening game in 2007, she was covered by both the Daily News and the Wall Street Journal.

Nettie is one of the many remarkable residents here at the Jewish Home.

Nettie Berkson and family with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in 2010.

Labels: Cross Post, Daily News, Dodgers, Nettie Berkson, Opening Game, Remarkable Residents, Residents, Sports, Staff, Wall Street Journal

By Ellis Simon, 87...a ten year resident


The Jewish Home is my home and yours
So pick up the phone & arrange the tours
All the residents have a smile on their face
We're the luckiest people in the whole human race


The activities here, and there are quite a few
With over 300 a month, you'll find lots to do
The food's delicious, and plenty of it
You'll like it so much, you'll eat every bit


The doctors here are really the best
And our medical department will pass any test
The nurses, you'll love them, they are really great
And the best part, there's rarely a wait


The friends that you make, will forever be true
You'll love them, and they'll love you
Whether you're seventy, or maybe ninety seven
This is the closest that you'll ever get to Heaven


So give us a call, and get all the news
Then make your move, and then no more blues
To make you happy is the war we are waging
So come on in to the Jewish Home for the Aging

Labels: Activities, Aging, Around the Home, doctors, food, Friends, Friendship, Jewish Home, medical staff, nurses, Poems, Poetry, Residents, Simon, tours

Cross posted from the Daily News.


By Dennis McCarthy

The story goes that the rabble rouser was having breakfast with her husband one morning soon after arriving at the Jewish Home for the Aging when the wiseguy sitting at the next table came over and introduced himself.
"I'm Harry Schackman," the wiseguy said.
"I'm Dorothy Creager and this is my husband, Morty," the rabble rouser replied. "Nice to meet you."
Harry sat down and spent the next half-hour filling them in on their new digs and all the gossip. When he got ready to leave, he turned and said to Morty kiddingly, "Watch your wife, I'm madly in love with her."
Now most guys would have told the wiseguy where to go, making a pass like that, even kidding, but Morty just smiled.
If he had a buck for every time some guy told him his wife was a knockout and he'd better keep an eye on her, Morty would have been a millionaire.
"The guy's a nut case, Morty," Dorothy said, watching Harry walk back to his table.
Within days, though, the rabble rouser, her husband, and the wiseguy were fast friends. Their rooms at the home were right next door to each other.
After Harry would visit his wife of 70 years, Belle, who was ill and living in another section of the home, they would all hang out together.
One day, about six years ago, an ailing Morty asked Harry to make good on the wisecrack he made the first day they met.
"I'm going, Harry," Morty said. "Take care of my wife."
A month later, Morty died. Soon after that, Harry's wife, Belle, passed away.
"After a few months, Harry asked me out to dinner," Dorothy says, "I was so nervous. I hadn't dated in 62 years. We went to some nice restaurants. He wined and dined me. He was a real gentleman."
They'd eat and talk about their lives. Dorothy showed Harry an old column I had written about her 19 years ago when she was a 71-year-old student at Cal State Northridge working on a degree in psychology.
Dorothy wanted to start a fraternity/sorority for senior citizens on campus. Someplace they could go to blow off some steam after a hard day in class.
Why should the kids have all the fun, she said? Seniors needed a social life on campus, too.
"Morty and I went to one of the sorority dances and everyone thought we were the chaperones," Dorothy told me back in 1992.
Her Animal House for seniors never got off the ground, but Dorothy's reputation as a rabble rouser was born. After graduating, she began teaching classes at senior retirement homes for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Harry's background, on the other hand, is a little shadier. His son, Ed Schackman, says his dad was "a street wise guy from Cleveland and later Detroit."
"He hustled for a living, knew guys in the Jewish mafia and spent a lot of time in Vegas in the early years. He drove a lot of guys around."
Let's just leave it at that, says Ed, who threw a big shindig recently for his dad's 100th birthday and Dorothy's 90th - inviting both families.
That's the short story on the rabble rouser and the wiseguy. The long story is that they're an item over at the home these days.
Harry had to move a block away to another section of the home for health reasons, but Dorothy visits him every day.
"We're company for each other, care for each other," She says. "Our families want us to be happy and we are."
So, in the end, the wiseguy turns out to be a stand-up guy - keeping his promise to Morty.
Watching out for his wife, the rabble rouser.
Dennis McCarthy's column appears in the Los Angeles Daily News on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. You can e-mail him at dennis.mccarthy@dailynews.com.


Read the original story here.

Labels: Aging, Around the Home, Couples, Creager, Daily News, Dennis McCarthy, Eisenberg Village, Love, Marriage, Residents, Romance, Senior Living, Sexuality, Staff

From the Winter 2011 edition of The Chai Journal.


By Ellis Simon


We see many of our residents walking around holding hands. We have many married couples and residents that have met and taken a shine to each other. This is the story of one of those couples. Their names: Irving Mandel and Genia Burman. Genia is a 90 year young lady, and Irving is a 92 year young gentleman. Both of them came here from Poland. Genia's mother's name was Freima, her father was Israel. Irving's mother was Sara, his father was Leiser. They both came into the Jewish Home sometime in 2004. They did not know each other at the time.


Both Genia and Irving were given rooms in the Weinberg Building. As Irving was walking down the hall one day, he passed by Genia's room. He saw the door was open, and since he had noticed Genia before, he walked into her room and they started to talk. As they say, "Irving was smitten." They started to see each other every day, and after about a year, Irving popped the question. (Genia made sure to tell me that he did not get down on one knee.) They then started to make arrangements to get married here at the Home. The big day arrived, and with the synagogue packed with family and residents, they said their "I Dos" under the chuppah. The wedding reception was held in their favorite place, the Arts & Crafts room. Both Irving and Genia spent many hours in this room, so it was an appropriate place for the festivities. 


They have five children between them, and five grandchildren. Irving's children live in California, and Genia's daughter and grand-daughter live in Arizona, and her two sons live in Northern California. Before coming to the Home, Genia was a dressmaker, and Irving worked for the government in the ballistic missile field. I really believe this couple was made for each other, but it took them a long time to find it out. They are a lovely couple.

Labels: Around the Home, Burman, Chai Journal, Couples, Cross Post, Eisenberg Village, Love, Mandel, Marriage, Residents, Romance, Simon, Staff

Cross posted from The Jewish Journal's Keeping the Faith blog


By Ilana Angel


As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s easy for a single gal to feel a little sad. It’s the day of love, and even though my life is full of people that I love, and who love me, the one thing that will be missing from Valentine’s Day is sex.  According to countless medical journals, a woman reaches her sexual prime in her 40’s, but if you’re single, there is nobody to have sex with.
Sex is the one thing that separates a relationship from all others.  It is special, important, required and the single greatest thing about being a grown up.  At 44, I have reached a level of comfort when it comes to sex.  I have no hang ups talking about it, or embracing my body so I can enjoy it. Sex is a great thing, and it took me a long time to get to this place.
There is no longer a need to suck in my stomach, or wear lingerie that covers parts that have relocated to new positions.  I may not have the greatest body, but it’s mine, I know it, and I am an expert at operating it.  Who would have thought that at 44 I would feel sexier than I did when I was 24?  It’s a beautiful thing, and it’s being wasted by my lack of sex.
Just when I was about to pour myself a glass of wine, and enjoy an afternoon pity party, I was sent a video that has changed my perspective.  It turns out there is no need to panic.  Even if it takes me a little longer to meet someone worthy of having sex with, I will still be able to have and enjoy sex.  Whether I’m 45, God willing, or 100, God willing, sex is going to be great.
The Los Angeles Jewish Home has created a special video about finding love.  It introduces us to Dorothy and Harry, Jeanette and Ira.  These love birds are in their 80’s, 90’s and yes 100 years old, and they are having sex!  God Bless these crazy kids, and bravo to them for openly talking about their sex lives.  I think they are adorable.
I could still have a pity party because there are people in their 100’s having more sex than me, but instead, I am going to think positive and take comfort in knowing each day I get older does not mean I am one day closer to never having sex, because sex is coming.  Eventually. I will impale myself if my next sexual encounter happens when I’m 100, but it’s coming.
According to the Los Angeles Jewish Home, “being in love can boost self-esteem and decrease depression and anxiety. Being happy in a committed relationship can improve your immune system, leading to fewer colds and visits to the doctor, and can even lower blood pressure.“  Sex is a great thing that also happens to be great for you.  Whoo hoo!!!
Story continued after the video. ED. NOTE: This video really gets cooking at the 2 minute mark.
 
I hope that everyone has love on Valentine’s Day.  Whether you believe in the holiday or not, it’s a day to embrace love.  I embrace love every day, which is both a blessing and a curse.  Maybe I need to focus less on love and more on sex?  Maybe instead of dating online, or getting set up by my friends, I need to hang out at the Los Angeles Jewish Home.
I’m not going to date a resident, but perhaps I could meet a son, grandson, or doctor, who is also inspired to find love by these love stories.  Mazel Tov to these lovely couples, and congratulations to The Jewish Home for this brilliant piece of marketing.  I’m still having wine, but instead of a pity party, I am toasting to finding love, and knowing it will come if I keep the faith.


Read the original blog post here.

Labels: Couples, Cross Post, Ilana Angel, Jewish Journal, Love, Residents, Romance, Sexuality, Staff, Valentine's Day, Video

If the Los Angeles Jewish Home were a high school, Jerri Kane, 85, would've been voted "Most Funny". She's always coming up with new jokes — both tame and risqué — and making people laugh. For your enjoyment, here is one of her jokes, "The Gorilla"...

Labels: Around the Home, Comedy Corner, Gorilla, Humor, Jokes, Kane, Residents, Staff, Video, YouTube

From the Winter 2011 edition of The Chai Journal


By Nettie Freeman


In 1986, I sold my art gallery and picture framing business. My first inclination was what meaningful volunteer task would I wish to venture into. Without hesitation I found myself at the Jewish Home volunteer office. My first assignment was visiting the residents who did not have any friends or family nearby. I spent many hours enjoying the company of so many itneresting people, sharing their life experience and family histories.


After some time, I was to become the buyer of apparel for the gift shop. Because of my personal contacts at the California Mart downtown, I was very happy to be helpful in that capactiy. After three years of volunteering in these very fulfilling tasks, I took on a new volunteering hat at my temple, Valley Beth Shalom. I became a counselor at our counseling office. I spent 20 years in that capacity, and must admit it was a most gratifying experience, helping my clients in their troubled situations.


Now let's fast forward to September 2009. Due to medical challenges, I had to relinquish my driving privileges. My first consideration was applying to the Jewish Home, my familiar landmark. So here I am, back at the Home, in a neighborhood home at Eisenberg Village with three fabulous roommates...and I couldn't be happier. What a great journey I have had with my wonderful experiences at the Home, and yes, I am volunteering again and a new member of the Chai Journal committee.

Labels: Admission, Aging, Around the Home, Chai Journal, Eisenberg Village, Freeman, Jewish Home Services, Neighborhood Home, Residents, Senior Living, Staff, Volunteer