Each Friday morning, a group of eager residents gathers in the Eisenberg Village (EV) synagogue, ready to learn Hebrew. As the senior students enter the classroom they excitedly practice what they've learned in the past. One resident greets her peers with a peppy "Shabbat Shalom!" — a greeting used to wish someone a peaceful Shabbat — and another resident replies, "Ech Holech?" which means "How is it going?" in Hebrew.After the seniors have settled in, 73-year-old EV resident and volunteer Hebrew teacher Michal Robins calls the class' attention to the board where she has written the words "Shabbat Shalom — Hayom yom shishi." She asks her students, "Do any of you know what this means?" One brave resident raises her hand and says proudly, "Today is Friday." "Excellent!" Michal exclaims. Michal went on to break down the meaning of each word in the sentence, "Hayom means today. Yom means day. Shishi means the sixth day, which is Friday. Put it together and what have you got?" The class answered with enthusiasm, "Today is Friday!"As the lesson continues, Michal passes out the week's handwritten handouts, sheets of Hebrew words listed next to their meanings. Then Michal explains the meaning of each Hebrew word and helps students create and practice simple, conversational phrases. The seniors excitedly practice their newly learned Hebrew phrases while Michal watches and kindly corrects the students' pronunciation as they practice their phrases.The Friday morning Hebrew class is one of many engaging activities and programs available to the residents of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. Each activity offered is designed to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit of the seniors. Michal's Hebrew class is an excellent way to facilitate new skills, new interests, and new friendships — all while encouraging learning throughout all of life's stages.Social worker Thelma Mata considers learning a new language to be one of the best ways to mentally exercise. She explains, "Getting to know a new language is an excellent way for seniors to increase their brainpower. It enhances their ability to juggle tasks and stay sharp. It's also an exercise in memory and engagement."Myrtle Feenberg, a 99-year-old EV resident, agrees. "I've learned quite a few words and phrases in Hebrew from Michal. I think the class is wonderful! I love coming each week because it stimulates my brain and gives me the chance to learn something new."The proud teacher is pleased with the progress Myrtle and her other students are making. "Like all languages, it takes people a while to absorb all the new information," says Michal. "It takes time, practice, and repetition — that's why we review at the beginning of each class. Hebrew is a complicated language, but with our weekly exercises the participants are becoming real experts."

Prior to 1816, it was common practice for doctors to place their ears to the chests of patients to detect the workings of hearts, lungs, and other organs. That year, French physician Dr. Rene Laennec, who was uncomfortable placing his ear against the chest of a young female patient, invented the first stethoscope. Laennec's stethoscope was around 12 inches long, but over time, the instrument's tubing grew in length. In the 1830's the flexible monaural stethoscope was introduced. It was around 16 inches long. Then in 1852, George Camman introduced the first binaural (for two ears) stethoscope, which was around 20 inches. Today's stethoscopes are up to 30 inches long. Born of one physician's modesty, the most widely-used medical instrument has become symbolic of the increasing distance between patients and their doctors.In the 20th century, many other tools were created to help clinicians assess the workings of their patients' internal organs without having to be near them — cardiac rhythm monitors, echocardiograms, CT, and MRI machines, to name a few. Now, in the 21st century, doctors and nurses routinely obtain data on their patients via the Internet, and can do so from virtually anywhere in the world.The words medical professionals use also reflect the diminishing connection between patients and their caregivers. The comedian George Carlin made this issue the focus of a popular routine. He noted that, in WWI, we used the words "Shell Shock" to describe traumatic reaction to the experience of battle. In WWII, the condition came to be called "Combat Fatigue." In the Korean Conflict, it was known as "Operational Exhaustion." Most recently, as a result of the war in Vietnam, the same phenomenon is called "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Each of the phrases described the same condition. With time, however, they grew longer and more clinical, eventually becoming utterly devoid of emotional content. The increase in syllables had the effect of insulating caregivers and other civilians from the unpleasant reality of our soliders' suffering, but the result has been to put more distance between clinicians and the people who need their help.The gap between patients' expectations and the care they receive is also growing, as is the difference between the ideals of health care professionals and the reality of day-to-day practice.One remedy for the disturbing trend we've identified is for clinicians and their patients to take every opportunity in their interactions to close the space that's grown between them.We can all reduce that space — physically, verbally and figuratively. Figuratively speaking, we can bring our ears closer to each other's chests so that we may hear each other's "hearts." Doctors can do that by taking the time to listen to patients' concerns and personal stories, any one of which may contribute significantly to their current condition. Listening to patients and their families can help guide clinicians to more successful decisions and long-term outcomes. Therefore, it is important for patients and their families to share their stories and what is important to them with their doctors and nurses.Sometimes the origin of a word or a literal translation can lead us to surprising insights and metaphorical wisdom. The word stethoscope comes from the Greek "stethos" or breast, and "scope," to look at or see, which taken together can be interpreted as, "I see your heart." This simple phrase is the core of all successful medicine and a wonderful prescription for wise care amid the rapidly evolving world of medical science and caregiving.In the months ahead, I look forward to sharing some of the remarkable stories I've heard from the community that is the Los Angeles Jewish Home. In doing so, I hope to make it easier for you to see the hearts of the dedicated professionals who have been entrusted with the care of a remarkable group of people who are the residents of the Home.Noah Marco, M.D.CMOLos Angeles Jewish Home

You shall teach [it] to your children andspeak its words when you sit in your house,when you walk on the way, when you lie downand when you rise. ~ Deuteronomy The word Torah means to guide or teach; its teachings shine a light on life and show us which way to go. Given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, the Torah is the basic text of Judaism and consists of the five books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It contains the 613 mitzvot, or commandments, of which the study of Torah is one.At the Jewish Home’s Eisenberg Village campus, Rabbi Robert Bonem, currently serving as interim rabbi, leads a new class focused on Torah study. Rabbi Rob, as he is known to one and all, has the synagogue set up Yeshiva style, meaning the resident students sit facing one another across the table. The format lends itself to eye contact, a sense of sharing, and the feeling of an informal group. This helps everyone feel comfortable about asking questions and expressing their thoughts.“When we study Torah, we can’t just read it,” says Rabbi Rob. “We have to ask questions and try to understand. By asking broad questions and discussing as a group, we hear different perspectives and learn from each other.”The group is studying Genesis, Chapter 1, verses 1-6: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… Attention is paid to the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, bet, which is the first letter of the first book of the Torah, Bereshit. Rabbi Rob asks the group some interesting questions about the Hebrew letters: Were they created intentionally by man or by God to teach us something? Were they created with meanings in mind, or were they interpreted later? A mystical point of view is the letters came from God and are holy.In Genesis, we learn that “God said ‘let there be light’ and there was light, and God saw that it was good.” This implies that God created with speech. The students are openly sharing their thought-provoking ideas and posing questions. Who was he speaking to? Of course the light was good….it was created by God, so why wouldn’t it be?“In this class, Torah is the springboard to talk about life,” explains Rabbi Rob. “My goal is for people to learn and discuss, to connect to each other, and to maybe become clearer on some things. The beauty is many of us have questions we carry around inside of us….Here we ask the questions.”Resident Suzanne May is an active participant in the Torah Talk class. “I’m always looking for inspiration and a feeling of calmness,” she explains. “When we discuss the Torah, I feel a connection to God, much like I do when I meditate. I’m very happy the Home and Rabbi Rob are making this class available to us.”One of the questions most asked of Rabbi Rob is Why is there evil in the world? When we look read the news or turn on our TVs, one can easily understand why this question is so often asked. In a future class, Rabbi Rob will focus on this question. Perhaps through the study of Torah we can reach a better understanding of each other and the world around us.

For the Jewish Home, helping to maintain employee health and wellness is a priority. This encompasses wellness of the body, mind, and spirit. Urban Zen, a program recently added to the many healthy activities offered by the Home for employees, is quickly gaining popularity.Urban Zen was created by visionary designer Donna Karan. As her husband, Stephen, battled lung cancer, he was very aware that his caregivers — doctors, nurses, other medical staff, and family members — seemed to be even more stressed than he was. He asked Donna to do something for caregivers. "The hope was that, by helping caregivers, it would create a ripple effect that would benefit patients as well," explains Susan Jefferson, a certified Urban Zen therapist at YogaWorks and facilitator of sessions at the Jewish Home. "Seeing your caregiver crumble can create a great deal of stress in someone who is ill."Stephen's request led to the conceptualization of Urban Zen, a holistic healthcare practice created to give people another option for treating pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and exhaustion. This practice combines five techniques — yoga, Reiki, essential oils, nutrition and contemplative care, such as meditation — and is often used as a supplement to conventional care. Urban Zen uses movement, reflection, visualization, and sensory stimulation as tools to help participants achieve a state of Zen, or calmness.Urban Zen incorporates some of the basics of yoga, in particular focus on breath and use of restorative movements. "As we begin each session, we evaluate three main components: the levels of pain, anxiety, and insomnia the employees may be dealing with at that time," says Susan. Based on need, essential oils are recommended to help alleviate those problems, followed by some gentle movements and a body scan, which helps you to become more mindful of your body and how it feels.The benefits of Urban Zen can be experienced at any age. "Everyone's body, whether young or old, recuperates and restores better when there is balance between the body, mind, and spirit," Susan explains. "Healthcare workers put the concerns of others first, often without taking time to focus on their own needs." Urban Zen can provide the time, space, and tools to slow down and look inside.Sharon Ginchansky, vice president of human resources, explains why it was important to bring Urban Zen to the Home's employees: "We want to help our employees be healthy and happy. A big part of promoting employee wellness is lessening their stress levels, and Urban Zen is an excellent way to do this." She adds, "Taking a few minutes out of our day to focus on our own well-being can help us recommit to the work at hand and bring a sense of inner peace. Urban Zen is a great de-stressing practice because it can be as simple as inhaling fragrant oil or focusing on breathing."Through ongoing research surveys, people who participate in Urban Zen classes report greater relaxation, a renewed sense of peace and calm, reduction of aches and pains, clearer thinking, and better sleep and digestion. "The best part is you can take what you learn in a session and use the techniques on your own to help prevent symptoms from recurring," says Susan."Urban Zen provides a wonderful break from my work stressors," says Debbie Fishel, a regular member of the Grancell Village employee group. "The relaxation techniques I've learned help get me through the rest of the week." Dr. Rick Smith notes that sometimes it's difficult to make time to attend, "but I'm always glad I did."

On Monday, January 12th, Jewish Home residents Evelyn Selbert, Beatrice Hoffman, Jan Crane, Grace Peshkin, and Ida Garber assembled in the Eisenberg Village Boardroom to be part of a brand new activity — Flower Arranging.Equipped with wire cutters, scissors, vases, red and white silk roses, and an assortment of artificial grass and sprigs, the five women had everything they needed to start their project.As the group grew quiet and began to focus on the task at hand, activities director Caryl Geiger explained, "We have enough supplies to create 72 arrangements — one centerpiece for each table in the dining room. So be sure to make each and every bouquet as beautiful as possible." And with that, the room began to buzz as the women grew excited at the thought of their artistry being exhibited in such a public place.Energized by the collaborative environment, the project was successfully completed within the hour. The beginner florists then gathered the collection of completed arrangements and took a moment to admire their handiwork. Beatrice Hoffman commented, "We're all novices here. None of us have taken any lessons on how to arrange flowers. To see completed arrangements all together is simply gorgeous. What a wonderful experience."In reflection of the activity, Caryl commented, "By displaying the hand-arranged floral centerpieces in the dining room, we are able to enhance our seniors' dining experience while showcasing the excellent work done by our new florists."The program was an incredible success and the group of budding florists are looking forward to meeting again in a few months to create new arrangements for the spring season."You know what's funny?" Evelyn asked. "I've never arranged a bouquet in my life. I don't even consider myself a flower person." To which Caryl replied, "But now you are, darling!"

It is a well-documented fact our health is influenced by factors that include our social well-being. Studies demonstrate a direct link between the number of significant relationships in our lives and a reduced risk for disease, mental illness, and early death. It turns out that feeling cared-for, valued, and part of a community make a profound difference in the quality and duration of our lives."People with social support have fewer cardiovascular problems and immune problems, and lower levels of cortisol — a stress hormone," says Tasha R. Howe, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Humboldt State University. "Why? The evolutionary argument maintains that humans are social animals, and we have evolved to be in groups. We have always needed others for our survival. It's in our genes. Therefore, people with social connections feel more relaxed and at peace, which is related to better health."Relationships are an essential part of health. What's more, they help keep our brains from getting rusty, especially when augmented by a healthy lifestyle, a nutritious diet, and regular physical activity.As study after study notes, friends are a key asset. They help us face adverse events, provide concrete assistance if we need it, offer emotional support and information that can help us deal with the stress in our lives. Friends can encourage us to take better care of ourselves.People with wider social networks are also typically higher in self-esteem, and feel they have more control over their lives. On the whole, people with extensive networks of good friends and confidantes outlive those with the fewest friends. Conversely, isolation and loneliness create responses in the body similar to those of stress.The body functions best when we are connected to other people. Activity is crucial to our happiness. Doing something fun and new expands our repertoire of experiences, and lets us see ourselves in new ways. Individuals who continue to maintain close friendships and find other ways to interact socially live longer than those who become isolated.Social workers at the Jewish Home understand how important friendships are for our residents. Through exciting activities such as arts and crafts, exercise classes, field trips, movie nights, concerts, and discussions, our seniors can gather, interact, and play. "We believe that, however you may feel, get up, dress up, and show up," says Devorah Small-Teyer, director of social services for JEKMC. "You'll feel better with friends."

MNO Update - Douglas Tucker, Amanda Powell, and Ashley Teal met with Assembly member Matt Dababneh on December 18th to discuss the Jewish Home’s MNO project. Matt agreed to be the champion for a bill to raise the reimbursement for residents in Assisted Living, and to make sure that it continues to go up with the cost of living. We are currently working with him to draft the legislation.

Recently, we celebrated the start of a New Year – the time of year when people do soul-searching and make resolutions on what they want to do in the coming year. Tomorrow is the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat – the holiday which is known as the beginning of a New Year for trees. Naturally, this could be a time for trees to engage in making New Year resolutions just as humans do. Here is what I think a tree’s New Year checklist might look like. I divided the checklist into three areas of focus: Quality, Safety, and Service – three areas at the center of the health care improvement movement, three areas the Jewish Home excels in. Quality:Did I ensure that my fruits were sweet and did not make those who partook in them sick?Did I drop my leaves and eliminate what was no longer necessary in my life?Did I grow towards the sun as a tree should, reaching up higher and higher towards that which I could never grasp, but which nurtured me all the same the more I stretched towards it?Did I grow in strength and wisdom as signified by the new ring that was added this year? Safety:Did I bend in the wind, accepting what God sent without breaking or giving up hope?Did I make sure my roots remained firmly planted in the soil that nurtured me and connected me to my origins? Service:Did I make sure my fruits were available to all that could enjoy them?Did I shelter the seedlings that lived in my shade – so that they would grow up to become the next generation?Did I provide a place for others to benefit from my presence?Did everyone walk away from me feeling better? Come to think of it, this checklist might not be too bad for anyone working in healthcare.Noah MarcoChief Medical OfficerLos Angeles Jewish Home

If you're interested in giving aid to Medically Needy beneficiaries, we suggest doing one of the following:Write and mail a personal letter to your California RepresentativeIf you don’t know who your representative is, visit this website: https://www.opencongress.org/p...Spread the word to your friends and family members about our cause and get them involvedSend The Home a letter of support from yourself or your business that we can pass onto our elected officials on your behalfMail your letter of support:Attn: Amanda Powell, Activities Team Leader18855 Victory Blvd.Reseda, CA, 91335 Participate in The Home’s activities to support our cause - see our blog for calendar details and dates on our website.