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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."

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.

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."

People are lonely because they build walls, not bridges.~ Unknown Loneliness….It’s something most people have experienced at some point in their lives. For some, the feeling occurs after losing someone important to them, such as a spouse or partner, family member, or close friend. For others, it’s the loss of a job or moving away from friends and an established lifestyle that triggers it. Even the loss of a beloved pet can leave one feeling lonely.Did you know you can be lonely without being alone? You can be in the middle of a crowd and yet still experience loneliness. If you have less social interaction and sense of connection than you would like, chances are you will feel lonely.In a recent gathering, Caryl Geiger, RCFE activities director for Eisenberg Village, lead a discussion of this topic with Jewish Home residents. Many of the participants have experienced loss and major changes during their lifetime and are familiar with this sad feeling of being apart from others. Even a move to a warm, welcoming place like the Home can result in feelings of loneliness. To help deal with this side effect of transition, the Home assigns buddies to show newcomers around, make them aware of all the opportunities for socialization the Home offers, and introduce them to others.The positive effects of banishing loneliness are many. Physically, it can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol. Cortisol levels can be lowered, which helps lessen anxiety, digestive problems, heart disease, problems with sleep and obesity. Your immune system can get a boost, leading to less susceptibility to colds and “bugs.” And less loneliness can lessen the incidence depression and, ultimately, risk of suicide.So what can you do if you’re feeling lonely? Our residents came up with a few great suggestions for relief:Read a book. Books are great company and can take you to an entirely different world.Listen to music. Music has the power to mesmerize you. It entertains, relaxes and rejuvenates.Dance. Dancing can let your frustrations out and help you forget your loneliness.Take a walk. Walking makes you part of the world around you while relaxing your body and mind.Exercise. While you’re becoming stronger and feeling healthier, you might make a new friend in yoga class or try out the latest group fitness class.Paint. Express yourself without worrying about the outcome.Garden. Let your garden delight your senses and chase away your loneliness.Meditate. Meditation will help you be at ease, whether you are alone or with others.Clean. While not as much fun as the other ideas, it’s an opportunity to focus on the task at hand and put your house in order.Sleep. A nice nap can help you feel refreshed and renewed.These suggestions can be very helpful in providing short-term relief. Some of them can actually motivate you to reconnect to the world – you may find you’d like to join a book club, or perhaps on your walk you make a new friend, or you are inspired to take an art class. In other words, you begin building a bridge to help end your loneliness.For many people, trying a new activity or talking to someone they don’t know is out of their comfort zone. This can be true for anyone at any age. By taking the focus off of yourself and putting it on others, you can take the first step to making a connection. Smile, say hello, and ask how someone is. People are often eager to talk about their lives. As simple as that, you may be on your way to making a new friend.If you are experiencing chronic loneliness, please reach out to someone you trust – a family member, friend, rabbi or other spiritual leader, or professional counselor. Therapy is often helpful for discovering the reasons for your loneliness, developing coping skills, and moving forward to a happier, healthier life.

Passover is a time for families and friends to gather together and share the story of our forefathers seeking and finding freedom."Passover's theme of freedom is a core ethic of Judaism," says Rabbi Karen Bender, the Jewish Home's Jack H. Skirball Director of Spiritual Life. "When we sit down at our Seders, we celebrate our exodus from a dark place of slavery into the freedom of the desert, and, ultimately, the Promised Land. Our story does not stand alone, however. We must link it to the world in which we live."Rabbi Bender explains, "The Seder is bittersweet, not only because we remember the bitterness of Egypt, but because there are still slaves and people who are oppressed. Passover is about every individual's right to move from suffering and oppression to a place of safety and freedom."On the first night of Passover in 1912, five homeless immigrant men sought freedom to worship with their brethren, safe from the ethnic taunts they had to endure at the "poor house" where they lived. They were taken in by caring Angelenos who read the Haggadah with them and served them dinner. The occasion marked a turning point in the life of the Los Angeles Jewish community, and those five seniors were the first residents of what would become the Jewish Home. The Community Seder at the Home has been a continuous tradition since that historic night one-hundred and three years ago.Please take this opportunity to join residents and staff of the Jewish Home for a truly heartwarming experience as we celebrate Passover and the freedom it represents.This year's Community Seder begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 4th at the Jewish Home's Eisenberg Village campus. Tickets are $40 per adult ($30 per adult family member of Jewish Home residents) and $15 per child for children under 12. Advance purchase of tickets is required by March 27th.Call (818) 774-3386 or email [email protected] to reserve your place.On behalf of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, Chag Sameach!

A sprig of parsley. An egg. It must be Spring. The world around is blooming, summer fruits are around the corner, and the world is modeling for us, indeed, begging us to begin anew. What does that mean for a spiritually minded person? It means pressing the reset button on how we interact with ourselves and each other. Let’s begin with the self. Do you breathe? I have always appreciated the cliché of “stopping to smell the roses” because of its attention to nature, and because to smell something one needs to inhale deliberately and with intention. Do you sing? I have led singing for decades and something transformative happens to our souls when we sing. To sing, you also need to breathe and to press air out with intention. Breathe and sing to refresh your spirit. Do you spend time outside? Wherever we live, in this day and age we do not spend time outside unless we make an effort to do so. The Jewish tradition implores us to spend time outside and to notice what we see. Consider Shabbat. Our tradition asks its observers to notice the sunset once a week! Indeed, you know when Shabbat has begun because the sun has set. What other tradition in the world asks its observers to go outside and stargaze once a week? Indeed, you know when Shabbat is over once you can see at least three stars in the sky. Spend time outside; it will renew you. Do you make enough eye contact with the people you care most about? Moses was famous for speaking with G-d face to face. These days we look at screens more than we look at each other. Each of us yearns to be seen and yet we forget to look. When we turn off the TV, the computer, the cell phone, we honor each other, increase intimacy, and renew our relationships every day. Happy Spring!!! Rabbi Karen BenderSkirball Director of Spiritual Life, Grancell Village Rabbi

This year, Passover, which celebrates the liberation of the Jewish people from the cruel reign of Pharaoh, begins on the evening of Friday, April 22nd. Over the first two nights of the holiday, families and friends will gather together to experience a Seder, a re-telling of their story followed by a festive meal. During the Seder, Four Questions are asked, typically by the youngest in attendance. The questions, and their answers, fulfill our obligation to tell the story to our children, and also piques everyone’s interest. Here, the Jewish Home’s Skirball Director of Spiritual Life, Rabbi Karen Bender, delves deeper into the Four Questions. I want to discuss the famous Four Questions with you. Perhaps you learned these questions in religious school. Perhaps you taught these questions to your own toddlers at bath time. Maybe you never quite learned them yourself but you hoped your grandchildren would. Ma nishtanah halila hazeh? “How is this night different from all other nights?” First of all, this night of Passover is different because of the notion of questions. The entire Seder is designed to stimulate curiosity and questioning. After all, the ability to question is a foundational Jewish value. To question is to reject the status quo and to use one’s imagination to envision a life and world that is more fair, just and loving. To question is to reject what is and to visualize what can be. Slaves cannot ask questions. So inasmuch as the Seder is a reenactment of the Exodus from Egypt, we celebrate our freedom by asking. We ask because we can. The act of asking is so significant that the rabbis decreed even if you happen to find yourself alone on Passover, you, an adult, are supposed to ask the four questions out loud. Let’s look at their content. Abravanel taught that the first two questions remind us of slavery and the last two acknowledge our freedom: Question 1. On all other nights we eat bread or matzah but on this night we eat only matzah. We eat matzah at the Seder to remember our hurried escape from Egypt. Question 2. On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables but on this night we eat bitter herbs. The bitter herbs are to remind us of the bitterness of Egypt. Question 3. On all other nights we don’t even dip once but on this night we dip twice. Remember the two dippings? Parsley into salt water and the bitter herbs into the haroset. To understand this one, we have to realize most of our ancestors were poor at most times in most places. In order to dip at a meal you need to have stuff to dip into. At a feast there are lots of stews and sauces and courses and things to dip into them. Usually our ancestors were lucky to have a little bit of bread and perhaps one other item. But on this night we celebrate freedom and eat like emperors. Question 4. On all other nights we eat sitting upright or reclining. On this night we recline. Slaves do not recline while they are eating. Free people who have plenty to eat can recline and be fed. There is one more aspect to the four questions I have noticed over the years. If you change one vowel and say Ma nishtaNEH (instead of Ma nishtanAH), then the question morphs into, “What are we going to change tonight?” Change and transformation can occur. The pharaoh wouldn't change so the Israelites had to. They changed their thinking, their perception and ultimately their circumstances. Passover eve is a night of reenactment and change. You begin the evening as a slave; you end it as a free person. The goal of the role playing is to change you inside. And the best way to change at your Seder is to ask these two questions of yourself: What is society's Egypt? What is my personal Egypt? Have a Sweet Pesach! Rabbi Karen BenderSkirball Director of Spiritual Life, Grancell Village Rabbi

The mission of the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s Skirball Hospice is to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients enabling them to approach the end of their lives with dignity and in comfort among people they know and love. The hospice staff works diligently in order to ensure the patient’s medical, physical, psychological, and spiritual needs are met. Volunteers become an integral part of the hospice care team, especially when patients have little or no family or community support. They provide patients and their families with comfort, compassion, companionship, and a sense of well-being in the final stages of life’s journey. During the average visit with a patient, a volunteer might be asked to: Provide companionship and listen to a patient’s concernsBe comforting and offer family members emotional supportEngage in the patient’s favorite activities and hobbiesEncourage the patient to talk about his/her lifeCommunicate with other members of the hospice teamRun errands for the patient and his/her familyTake beloved family pets for a walkRun errands for the patient and his/her familyAssist a patient in organizing papers or writing memoirs Because this work is unusual and can be emotionally demanding, searching for the right person to fill this position can be a challenging process. Skirball Hospice volunteer coordinator Lee Rothman, M.Ed., M.A. explains, “When I look for volunteers, I search for someone who is patient, respectful, empathetic, non-judgmental, and comfortable in their own skin. A hospice volunteer must be comfortable being around people who they know will not get better.” Many volunteers, like Peter Giannini, have experienced the loss of a loved one and feel compelled to share their knowledge with others facing the same struggles. “There’s a lot of emotion tied up with losing a loved one. When my mother passed a few years ago, I went through it all. Thanks to that experience, I am better able to come into these delicate situations and give my patients and their families the support they need to get through this difficult time.” Volunteering at Skirball Hospice is a wonderful opportunity for people who only have a few hours a week to give– our volunteers can do so much during that time to brighten up someone’s day. Whether you are having a discussion, reading, listening to music, or enjoying a meal together, the simple act of being present and in each other’s company can be deeply satisfying for you and your patient. Being a hospice volunteer is an intellectually and emotionally fulfilling activity. Lee observes, “Skirball Hospice volunteers benefit from experiencing the different aspects of caring for the terminally ill. They gain a deeper understanding of death, dying, grief, loss, and end of life decision-making. These volunteers have the opportunity to make a tremendous difference in someone’s life. Not only do they get to know their patients and their families, they are able to learn a lot about themselves. Hospice philosophy views death as a natural part of life. Volunteering with hospice patients can lead to a greater appreciation for one’s own life.” For many, volunteering at hospice has been an eye-opening experience. “In my time working with Hospice patients, I’ve been exposed to something not many people have the chance to experience,” Skirball volunteer Bob Moore shares. “I’ve learned a wealth of information – I’m so much more aware about aging and the last stages of life. I’m experiencing a whole new aspect of quality of life and care." Skirball Hospice volunteer Peter Marcus feels the same way. “Whatever preconceived notions you have about end of life care, shake them off. There is beauty to be found in the extraordinary circumstances where we find ourselves. It’s worthwhile work. It offers a real opportunity to do something useful, and a greater sense of understanding if you’re paying attention.” With as little as one hour a week, a volunteer can greatly enhance the lives of a Hospice patient and his or her family. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Jewish Home’s Skirball Hospice, visit their volunteer page online for more information or contact Lee Rothman, volunteer coordinator, at [email protected] or (818) 774-3040 extension 355.

On Monday, October 24, Grancell Village residents celebrated Simchat Torah, or the “Rejoicing of the Torah.” During the celebration, 88-year-old Jewish Home senior John Sinasohn was one of several seniors to carry the Torah for the seven “Hakafot” processions it made around the Grancell Village synagogue. “Dancing with the Torah is a thrill,” he says. “It’s a blessing to touch and hold the scrolls. I know my parents would be proud.” John has had the opportunity to hold the Torah on this special holiday once before. “The last time I held a Torah like this was in Germany in the year 1938.” John recalls, “My father was very involved in our synagogue. That year, we were given the honor of carrying the Torah during Simchat Torah. Less than a month later, the synagogue was burned down during Kristallnacht.” Shortly after this act of violence, John’s parents sent him out of Germany. After traveling through Belgium, France, and Portugal, John moved to an orphanage in Los Angeles in 1943. Later, John met his wife Violet and took work as a writer, lawyer, and judge. John eased into retirement, working part-time fixing broken televisions before moving to the Home’s Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center in 2011. Here at the Home, John enjoys spending time with his wife and attending weekly lectures and services every Friday and Saturday and during the holidays. “I’ve been lucky all my life. God has been very good to me.”

The meaning of life is to find your gift.The purpose of life is to give it away.~ Pablo Picasso Finding one’s gift is often a lifelong pursuit. Sadly, many people never realize their gift, and others do but fail to act. For those who do realize their gift, it can become the driving force in their lives, enabling them to accomplish much, often beyond their dreams. Some fortunate individuals are blessed with multiple gifts, which combine to create a very interesting and meaningful life. Los Angeles Jewish Home resident Michal Robins, age 75, is a musician, composer, singer, researcher, writer, and behavior therapist. As a young woman, she worked as a model in Israel and studied music at The Juilliard School; as an adult, she developed homes for people with developmental disabilities and provided music therapy at senior centers. Her talents have taken her from performing at the legendary Copacabana in New York City to opening a day care center for the elderly and disabled individuals in California. Her unique combination of gifts have led her to live a most interesting life. Michal began studying piano with her mother at the tender age of four. Soon she was playing classical music and improvising jazz. Her musical talent resulted in a scholarship to Juilliard. After her studies, she returned to Israel, where she met her future husband, an American who volunteered in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as a paratrooper. The couple lived in New York and Israel, and had three sons, Gabriel, Sinai and Shani. Michal continued her career as a singer, accompanying herself on the piano. After 14 years of marriage, the couple went their separate ways; Michal and her sons relocated to Los Angeles, where she continued to pursue a career in musical entertainment. As the show business world began to lose its patina, Michal, now age 36, returned to school to pursue another interest: psychology. She first earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, then master’s degrees in clinical and experimental psychology. Her sons, motivated by her academic accomplishments, would go on to earn Ph.Ds. and become university professors, specializing in mathematics, computer science, and psychology, respectively. Michal began her new career as a therapist and conducted workshops in anger prevention for universities and community organizations. She specialized in providing services to young autistic adults, helping them realize their own gifts. Her crowning achievement was collaborating with her son Shani to create The Wisdom Center, a state-of-the-art adult health day care (ADHC) center, offering extensive health services and activity programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Michal’s goal was to bring happiness into their everyday lives. As the economy turned downward and expenses rose, she had no choice but to make the difficult decision to close down the center. “That was the saddest time in all of my careers,” says Michal. Not only had she lost all of her savings, she felt she had lost her purpose. Months passed as she searched for a way to try to find a similar path again. “I was lost.” Her sons, who knew how important giving is to her, became concerned about her state of mind. One day, they approached her with an idea: consider moving to the Jewish Home. They believed that at the Home, their mother would receive any help she needed, and, in return, she could help others by sharing her skills and knowledge. That was two and a half years ago, and Michal has not looked back. “The Jewish Home has totally rejuvenated me! Since the Home provides everything I need, I can devote my time to helping others and sharing my positive philosophy of life. It is so rewarding to share my experience with others.” At the Home, Michal has created a new life, combining her two loves: music and helping others. She leads daily music sessions and entertainment for residents, provides musical accompaniment at Shabbat services, and teaches piano to members of the Home’s dietary staff. Michal also facilitates a class on staying young by appreciating the little things in life and diminishing negative thoughts, using her skills to help others navigate their own paths. She also finds time to write for the Home’s Chai Journal resident newsletter, plays piano for the resident choir, and teaches a weekly class in conversational Hebrew. “I am by far the happiest I’ve ever been,” exclaims Michal. “I do exactly what I love to do, and I have so much fun doing it. It’s terrific!” She is living her personal motto – “Live, love, laugh, let it go, and let it be.” Michal also has some sage advice for healthy aging. “Feel well – think young, take care of yourself and don’t focus on aches and pains; enjoy your time with friends, old and new; have fun doing whatever you enjoy; and give of yourself to others. It is amazing…The more you give and do for others, the more energized and happy you will be.” Michal is preparing to take rabbinical and cantorial classes at American Jewish University. “There’s always so much more to learn,” she says. At 75, she’s only just begun.