Veterans Day 2018 was a memorable one for seniors from coast to coast with a number of moving ceremonies and tributes. Through the efforts of the Association of Jewish Services (AJAS), 47 Jewish War Veterans from AJAS communities participated in honoring veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. As taps played, several Jewish War Veterans placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In Los Angeles, at precisely 11:11 a.m. on 11/11/18, Veteran’s Day, the shofar was blown and bells were rung at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in a ceremony to honor veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. In conjunction with the AJAS community, Los Angeles Jewish Home residents were on hand to present a wreath from the Home in honor of all fallen soldiers. Both Jewish Home campuses in Reseda also held special events in honor of veterans on Monday, November 12th. The Grancell Village Campus celebration featured music and poetry. Rabbi Karen Bender thanked the veterans in the audience for their service and presented each with a certificate of appreciation. Residents, whose military service stretched from Israel to England to the United States, waved flags, sang songs, and showed their patriotic spirit. On the Eisenberg Village campus, the program opened with the pledge of allegiance and singing of the "Star Spangled Banner." Several residents then participated in meaningful and moving dramatic readings. The veterans in the audience were asked to stand and be recognized prior to concluding the program with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America." It was indeed a fitting tribute to those who have served our country.

Many of us are still reeling from the devastating news of the synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims and our prayers are with the injured and all who are in need of healing. The Jewish Community is shaken by the event, which is the most violent incident against Jewish Americans in the history of the United States. We are devastated that this has happened. The Los Angeles Jewish Home's Holocaust survivors are particularly upset by the news. If only the attack of the Tree of Life congregation was in a vacuum, but we have learned there was a 58% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes just last year. Hate crimes against many other groups have increased, too. What to do about this growing climate of intolerance of the "other"? George Washington put the answer so brilliantly when he wrote a letter to the Touro Synagogue of Rhode Island in 1790. He said, "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States… gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." George Washington promised us an America where intolerance would be abolished. And he went even further. He believed that tolerance was not enough. Because tolerance is the idea that the majority of the people somehow have the ability to "tolerate" a minority they may even dislike. Washington was effectively asking, "Who are you to tolerate them?" Rather, we all have equal and inherent rights. We are all entitled to safety, freedom and respect. Has the America of 2018 forgotten this 1790 ideal and abandoned George Washington's promise? Perhaps. But Judaism has not. Everyone is familiar with the commandment from the Torah to "Love thy Neighbor" (Leviticus 19:18). And there is that old joke that it is easy to love humankind but hard to get along with the guy next door. Torah commands us to love our neighbor and, even more importantly, to love the stranger! We must not just tolerate, but love the other: love the one who is different; love the one with a different skin color; love the one who has an accent; love the one with different customs; love the one with different beliefs; love the one who is not from here. Has the America of 2018 forgotten these ideals of tolerance and love which are echoed not only in Jewish ethics but in the principles of all the major religions? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Did you hear about Wasi Mohamed, executive director of the Islamic Center for Pittsburgh? He announced funds were being raised by the Muslim community toward the care and support of the local Jewish community of Pittsburgh. Indeed, as of October 29th, two Muslim organizations raised nearly $200,000. One of the fundraisers, Tarek El-Messidi, posted these words, "Muslims: Let us stand with our Jewish cousins against this senseless, anti-Semitic murder." I am so touched. Now that is America! At this time of concern and fear, we need to take seriously the rise of anti-Semitism, specifically, and of bigotry in general. But we also need to celebrate the solidarity of the entire Jewish community and take in the outpouring of love from our fellow citizens who are expressing their friendship and concern. We will not be intimidated and we will not give in to fear. As our people have always done, we will respond with courage, love and hope. We will remember we are not alone. We will overcome this together.

On Shabbat morning, October 13th, friends and family gathered in the Ziman Synagogue on the Eisenberg Village campus of the Los Angeles Jewish Home as resident Howard Leeds stepped up on the bimah for his second bar mitzvah. The ceremony most commonly takes place at age 83. According to Eisenberg Village Rabbi Ron Goldberg, the custom of a second bar mitzvah is based on the reading of Psalm 90:10, which says 70 years is the expected lifespan of most humans. When a person reaches age 83, it is a lifetime plus the bar mitzvah years of 13. "It is a recognition of a life well lived, a full life and a reason to celebrate reaching a milestone," Rabbi Goldberg added. Wearing the tallis he first put on in 1948 at his first bar mitzvah, Howard led the Torah service, chanting the prayers with familiar melodies. "It all came flooding back as if it were yesterday," Howard remarked. Beaming with pride, he drew upon his training as a junior cantor at the Kingsbridge Heights Jewish Center in the Bronx to lead the service. Delighted to have the opportunity for a second bar mitzvah at the Jewish Home, he said, "It was much more meaningful than I can possibly express. I should have invited more people. It was a wonderful experience. Rabbi Ron was terrific and went out of his way to include my wife in the service. I'm so grateful to the Jewish Home for giving me the chance to have a second bar mitzvah." Residents at the Jewish Home are offered the opportunity to actively engage in programs enhancing their knowledge of Judaism. Our rabbis teach classes for intellectual stimulation and spiritual growth. For some of our residents, this is the beginning of their adult Jewish learning. Many seniors were not able to have a bar or bat mitzvah when they were younger, but now have the time to explore Judaism more deeply. Mazel tov to Howard!

As we age, the path to happiness may be exactly that: a path. Perhaps one in a park or garden, with some sunshine added in for good measure. In recent years, scientific research has confirmed what we know intuitively: nature lifts our spirits. For seniors, it offers a simple, effective way to improve their outlook on life. If that sounds like an invitation to storm the wilderness with a backpack and compass, you don't have to go that far—your local park or a neighborhood garden will do nicely. It turns out that even a modest amount of contact with nature goes a long way, making it particularly accessible for seniors. For example, natural scents or sounds can reduce stress and improve mood. Studies have shown that exposure to birds singing or the smell of flowers has a measurable, positive impact on wellbeing. Dr. Jason Strauss, director of geriatric psychiatry at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance, notes that interacting with nature is one of the best self-improvement tools for seniors. "Focus on places you find the most pleasing," he advises. "The goal is to get away from stimulating settings and experience a natural environment." Not surprisingly, nature's psychological benefits have given rise to a new healthcare discipline. "Ecotherapy" is tapping into the growing body of scientific knowledge about our kinship with the world around us. Increasingly, seniors are participating in nature-based activities like horticultural therapy, joining groups of their peers to work with plants or in gardens as a way to combat social isolation. The trend, says Noah Marco, MD, the Jewish Home's chief medical officer, offers a refreshingly affordable, low-tech way to stay healthy. "In our modern age, we have a tendency to think that effective remedies will probably be complex and costly," he observes. "Nature is precisely the opposite: It offers a simple, free, and effective way to improve one's outlook on life." Nature plays an important role at the Jewish Home's multiple campuses, where seniors stroll along walking paths and gardens. The Home's beautifully landscaped grounds encourage them to socialize and to enjoy the lovely California sunshine. Of course, long before there was hard data on the value of communing with the natural world, scientists were already endorsing it as a way for people to stay healthy, happy, and feeling young. "Look deep into nature," Albert Einstein counseled, "and you will understand everything better."

Volunteer Phil Moser is pulling best-selling books off the shelves in the Maxine Dunitz Family Learning Center, located on the ground floor of the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center (JEKMC), and putting them onto a rolling cart. He's only been volunteering at the Home for a month, but already knows large-print books are in demand. He also knows fiction is more popular with the residents than non-fiction. Once his cart is loaded, he begins his rounds, offering books to residents in the common areas, tidying up the smaller libraries on each floor, and visiting with residents in their rooms. Phil retired from his career in the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services 15 years ago, then began volunteering in downtown's Central Library. "When you retire, you want to volunteer at places you want to be." His wife Aylene Kovary, whose mother lived in the Home for 12 years, has been volunteering here for about 15 years. Aylene reads to residents and operates the Boutique on the Eisenberg Village campus. When she heard the Home needed help with the library, she knew it would be a natural fit for Phil and told him about it. In addition to housing books for residents, the Maxine Dunitz Family Learning Center serves as the medical library for the staff in JEKMC. Residents also use the center to access computers and Dakim cognitive fitness learning machines. Phil has begun friendships with many book lovers in JEKMC. On the second floor, he chats with resident Bernice Edelman, who enjoys browsing through the books on the cart and selects several each Monday. When asked about Phil's help, she declares, "I love it!" Bernice also buys her own books and donates them to the Dunitz Center when she's finished for others to enjoy. Her roommate Charlotte requests a Danielle Steel paperback. If Phil can't find it in the collection, he'll pass the request along to the donors of the library, who make book purchases regularly. Phil stops in to visit Bayla Fineman and her husband, Sam. Bayla reads a book a day. "I start in the morning and finish at night," she says. Sam points to his head and adds with a smile, "It keeps her sharp!" Phil knows to keep an eye out for fiction by Michael Crichton and Lee Child for Bayla. As he pushes his cart down the hall to continue his rounds, he says of his new position, "It's a good gig."

My name is Bertha Bernstein. I'm 92 years old and a resident of the Jewish Home. I grew up in L.A., married Max Bernstein, and had three wonderful sons, Steven, Jeffrey, and Michael. Sadly, Jeffrey passed away when he was 39. For many years, I worked at a local Jewish newspaper, the Heritage Jewish Press, from which I retired at age 70. Just a year ago, my sons Michael and Steven were terribly worried about me, and wanted me to move out of my home and into assisted living. Circulation issues were affecting my balance, and I took several falls. I wanted to stay in my home, so I kept all of this from my sons. But my oldest son, Michael, knew I was suffering from heart failure and shortness of breath from lung cancer. Still, I fought my sons every step of the way! For many of us in our 80s and 90s, giving up our independence is the hardest decision we ever have to make. Now, every time Michael or Steven comes to visit me at the Jewish Home, I thank them for making me see the light. I was such a mess after my heart valve operation. Matthew and Michelle, my physical therapists at the Home, would try to get me to walk, and I would tell them, "I can't." But they said, "You can do it! You've got this!" And they were right every time. They really saved my life! Thanks to the Home, my symptoms are under control, and I have the energy to take part in all kinds of activities like yoga, movie nights, bingo, and current events classes. I can honestly say, getting into the Home when I did was the best decision we ever made.

Graduate students enrolled in USC's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology recently visited the Jewish Home to learn what it was like to run a non-profit retirement and residential care community. The visit was part of their class, Cases in Leadership and Change Management, taught by Dr. Edward Schneider who is a member of the Jewish Home's Board of Directors. CEO-President Molly Forrest spoke to the students about strategic planning, decision making, and caring for seniors. She explained, "We share what we do with others in the hope seniors get better care overall." The students also received an in-depth tour of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. "Each year I bring my students out to the Jewish Home because I want them to get an example of excellence in senior living and long-term care," said Dr. Schneider. He polled the students on the worthwhile nature of their visit. One hundred per cent of them found the visit rewarding. "Students have told me over the years that their vision of nursing care was totally changed after their visit to the Jewish Home."

The Los Angeles Jewish Home recently celebrated its resident volunteers and community volunteers with festive luncheons. Tables were decorated with flowers and fans donated by Gerrie Wormser and John N. Levi, Jr. Entertainment included singing, fiddle playing, and piano playing. Certificates of appreciation were given to all of the volunteers. Stacy Orbach, Director of Volunteer Services, thanked everyone for their 22,000 hours of service this past year. Volunteers donate their time on a weekly basis across 29 departments at the Home including the bank, library, cyber café, and arts and crafts. "You build community. You improve the world," said Molly Forrest, the Jewish Home's CEO and President. Andrew Berman, Chair of the Board of Directors, spoke about his time as a volunteer at the Home. "The greatest gift is to give of yourself. It's the ultimate mitzvah. You are people we trust and value immensely." Community volunteer Beth Horwitz was presented with the Howard Kayton Memorial Volunteer of the Year Service Award. She has been volunteering at the Home for 10 years. Beth shared the award with her greyhound Nona who engages in pet therapy with the residents every week. "It's a really incredible honor," she told us. "I'm sharing this award with Nona, my dog. We love coming to the Jewish Home to do our volunteer work." For information about volunteering at the Jewish Home, please contact Stacy Orbach at 818.774.3116 or [email protected]

Here at the Jewish Home, we have been hearing the shofar (ram's horn) blown almost every day, at lunch time or breakfast, in each of our 17 dining halls at Grancell Village, since the Jewish month of Elul began. The goal is to hear it every day except Shabbat for the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, the holiday that marks the New Jewish Year. Many people have stopped me to ask, "Is that a real horn of an animal?" It certainly is. In fact, appropriately, a shofar usually comes from an elderly ram. The older the animal, the longer the horn. Seniors are revered by our tradition even among shofar-producing animals! The shofar has many levels of meaning. First of all, it is one of the oldest, if not the very oldest, instrument in recorded history. We know that the shofar is at least 3500 years old, because the Torah is that old and refers to the shofar repeatedly. There is something so primal, so natural and so ancient about the sound of the shofar. It connects us to our past, as we know that the shofar was used as a tool for calling the community together. Long before television and computers, telephones, radios and smartphones was the simple horn of a male goat that announced it was time to gather. The shofar has also served for over 3500 years as the horn that announces the Jewish New Year. Ironically, in our secular American culture, people often toot horns at midnight after counting down the last seconds of December 31st. "Happy New Year!" we often shout, as we blow plastic and paper horns that announce a new year has come. But the most profound meaning of the shofar was articulated by Maimonides, a medieval Rabbi who was incredibly brilliant and learned. He suggested that the shofar is like a spiritual alarm clock, saying, "Awake you sleepers from your sleep. Arouse you slumberers from your slumber and ponder your deeds; remember your Creator and return toward G-d in repentance… Look well to your souls and consider your deeds; turn away from wrong ways" (Hilkhot Teshuvah 3:4). Like Maimonides, I believe we can spiritually "fall asleep." With all the pressures of life, with all of our struggles, concerns and worries, with our deficit sometimes of actual sleep, we sometimes start to simply try to make it through the day or week. We sometimes forget we are here for a greater purpose. We sometimes forget we are here to be good and kind and to help others. Sometimes we forget to wake up our souls and do the hard work of becoming our best selves. The shofar is a great reminder to wake up and constantly try to improve and grow. Happy New Year! A sweet and joyful and healthy year to come!Rabbi Karen BenderSkirball Director of Spiritual [email protected]