Weinberg Chatter

Fall 2012

Dear Weinberg Families and Residents, I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year. It was nice to see so many of you here during the holidays, joining us for meals and services. We have had a great few months, keeping busy with a variety of outstanding events. A few examples include our Farmers Market held in August, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk at Montrose Harbor, Friend Center Labor Day Barbeque, Celebrate CJE fundraiser which was held downtown at the Sheraton, the holidays, and so much more.

You will find in this editions newsletter our Transition to Wellness educational series offered to you and community members. We hope you can join us for a few of these wonderful programs. Furthermore, look for our new Dining Room menu which will be available within the next month or two. We will be offering more variety and menu options on a daily basis for dinner and looking forward to rolling out this new program.

I am also happy to announce our newest manager Linda Collins, who is the Resident Services Manager for Personal Care. She officially began September 19th and has been learning a lot over the last several weeks. She is excited to be part of our community. Feel free to contact her with any questions at 847-236-7864.

As a reminder, if you know of any friends or family members who could benefit from living in our community, we do have apartments available at this time. Referrals from you are one of our primary sources for new residents. Please remind everyone that we do have a special going on now and they will be eligible for one month free rent if they sign up before Oct. 31st!

Please keep in mind that we love having pets visit our community, however dogs should be kept on leashes for resident and staff comfort and safety. Feel free to contact me with any comments or concerns. As always, I will be happy to talk with you.

Thanks again, Jennifer Weininger Director, Weinberg Community for Senior Living

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A few reminders: Please sign in at the front desk, and sign out when leaving—-we need to insist on this for the safety of our residents and staff.

Please obtain a form at the front desk when going out of town, and indicate an emergency contact for when you are away. You can alternately call front desk to give the above information, and it will be sent to pertinent staff.

If you have a private caregiver working for you, please make sure we are aware of this.

If your family member is in the hospital and will be going to a rehab facility, please advise us, to guarantee continuity of care.

Please share with us any recent or upcoming simchas in your family so that we may share in your joy!

Please look for our new weekend receptionist, Maria Klein who started working with us October 10th. She will mostly be working on Sundays during the day, but you may see her friendly face at other times as well. We are excited to have her join our team!

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Gidwitz October Birtdays Mae Schwartzenberg 10/3 Leona Stern 10/5 Abe Orgiefsky 10/15 Marsha Marks 10/16 Carolyn Axelrod 10/18 Sally Lerner 10/27 Norma Bashover 10/28 Sam Bernard 10/29 Friend Center October Birthdays Toby Diamond 10/6 Blanche Smith 10/9 Annette Katzeff 10/10 Dolores Stone 10/17 Bill Spellberg 10/20 Ralph Colwyn 10/28 Gidwitz November Birthdays: Shirley Margulis 11/11 Sy Shapiro 11/11 Lillian Cohen 11/16 Anne Meibach 11/17 Ruth Shaffer 11/20 Samuel Dicker 11/24 Babette Milner 11/24 Isabel Zimmerman 11/25 Friend Center November Birthdays: Edith Wolf 11/13 Ramona Perlman 11/21 Naomi Claver 11/28 Gidwitz December Birthdays: Lillian Rosenberg 12/3 Florence Brenner 12/7 Helen Leavitt 12/8 Milton Shore 12/10 Howard Kahalnik 12/14 Sara Schneider 12/17 Isabel Zisman 12/23 Rhoda Cutler 12/24 Sophie Karbin 12/25 Evelyn Dunn-Winkler 12/26

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In addition to our daily programs, here are some highlights for the upcoming months. Friend Center residents join Gidwitz for many of the programs; there are also some programs exclusively at Friend center. You are welcome to enjoy these or any or our entertainment programs with your family member. Feel free to get a copy of our weekly Calendar for either Friend Center or Gidwitz Place, either during one of your visits or at the Weinberg Community Website

October October 21, 3:00 PM Book dramatization by Jennifer Riddle- “It’s The Journey, Not the Destination”, highlighting Works of 3 authors– Chef Grant Achatz, Jane Borden and Humorist Erma Bombeck October 29, 2:00 PM Susan Benjamin Presents, “Oscar Hammerstein: Part I” Friend CenterWednesday, October 31 , 2:00 PM The Trumpet and Saxaphone of Voytek

November November 4, 2:00p.m.

Performance by Lakeside Flutes November 11 Veterans Day Programs: 1:00-1:30 Deerfield American Legion presents songs and remembrances 2:00-3:00 Sark Antaramian and Edward Shimp, Saxaphone and Accordian present, “World War II, Revisited” Friend Center Only November 28, 2 p.m.

Saxaphone and Vocals of Alex Talbot

December December 13, 2:00 PM “Small Potatoes” , vocals and guitar. A talented and energetic duo December 17, 2:00 PM Susan Benjamin Presents, “Oscar Hammerstein, Part II” December 31– New Year’s Eve Parties, 6:30 PM Gidwitz, Featuring “Spirit” Duo Friend Center, Featuring the Piano Music of Irina Schur

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Adele and Bernie B. Adele and Bernie became part of our Gidwitz family 4 years ago, and have been a wonderful addition. Adele leads the Gidwitz Songsters, as well as the Yiddish Club. Both she and Bernie appear in our stage productions.

Their “back story” is so interesting. Bernie and Adele were in the Freshman class at Roosevelt H.S. and were both members of the Symphonic Choir.

At age 14, Adele, coming home from school, told her mother “I met the man I am going to marry”—66 years and counting of married life. When Adele was asked what drew her to Bernie, she replied “I wish I knew!” They were part of the same group of kids, going to house parties, walking home holding hands. They would walk from their homes in Albany Park all the way to Lake Michigan—a very different way of “courting” than the kids of today.

Their parents were friends—her mother and his father came from the same town in Russia—Landsmen. In spite of these connections, when it came time to make the wedding plans, disagreements arose between his father and his mother; hence, the wedding was cancelled. They got married in the Rabbi’s home instead—both were 22 years old. At their 50th anniversary they had a 2nd wedding—their union was beshert.

Bernie served in WWII and Korea-discharged just prior to marriage. Receiving $90 a month from the government, he attended Coyne Electrical School-then worked for Continental Can Co in research and engineering for 30 years. Adele was employed at Albany Bank for 42 years, last as auditor and assistant vice-president.

This couple has a son and a daughter, both residing in the Chicago area. They have 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, Amongst the great grandchildren are twins Maxwell and Tyler, who they share with 2 other of our Gidwitz residents, Shirley B and Shirley M. Both Adele and Bernie express being thankful for residing in the Weinberg Community. “It takes the stress out of life—-a Godsend for people our age—-to get out of life all that’s available here”, says Bernie, as Adele nods her head in agreement.

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Alan Miller Chef Alan Miller is truly an exceptional person——if there were more “Alans” the world would be a far better place. Alan resides in Mt Prospect with wife Karen, 20 year old son Jason, who attends Harper Jr College, and 16 year old Adam, a Junior at Prospect H.S. , playing French horn in the Marching Band. True to form, Alan and Karen are parent volunteers for Band activities.

Anyone who has enjoyed our famous large chocolate chip cookies has Alan to thank. He began working at Weinberg Community when we opened our doors, over 15 years ago. Prior to that he worked for Aramark Food Services for 14 years. Alan began his training at Washburn Trade School in Chicago, and then on to Triton College to study restaurant and hospitality management. Alan never veers from exuding enthusiasm in his job and friendship and compassion to our residents. Never has he been heard to utter “I’m tired”.

And tired he should be—arising at 3:25AM in order to be in the Gidwitz kitchen by 5AM. He prepares food for the 125 Gidwitz residents, the 35 residents at Friend Center,the attendees of the Adult Day Program, and the students and staff at the Chicagoland Jewish H.S. In addition, there is catering for events large and small, both within our community and the community at large—-all on his “to do list”——of course, all with the participation of our wonderful food service staff.

And on days not at work here, volunteers for Life Source, transporting blood to hospital—20 years thus far.

He does this 2 Sundays a month. Every other Friday finds Alan at RIC—Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, bringing the book cart from room to room, visiting with patients, teaching cooking classes ,and accompanying pts on out-trips .Alan glows when describing the happiness reflected onto him from the happiness of those with whom he helps. Scout leader, B’nai Emunah School Board, join the list of his generosity in the community.

When and where did this people-centered dedication begin? In high school one of his favorite teacher’s daughters was a special needs child, residing at Lamb’s Farm—and that was the beginning of his ethic of serving a purpose in the universe. We are so fortunate to have Alan with us at the Weinberg Community!

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The Friend Center is not only a residential community for individuals with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders but also includes an Adult Day Program. Adult Day Services (ADS) is for individuals with dementia and or other neurological disorders who live at home or reside with family members and need a structured program. For many families their loved one affected by these diseases would benefit from this type of structured program: one where they can have mental stimulation and social engagement. ADS at Friend Center is a place where people with cognitive impairments can participate in enriching activities such as baking, outings to the Botanical Gardens, creative arts programs, dance therapy, IPAD classes and much more. It’s a safe place; a place where people who are experiencing changes with their memory can focus on their strengths, opposed to their weaknesses. It is a place where caregivers can receive respite 7 days a week 23 hours a day. ADS at Friend Center provides an array of services for clients and their families. Provided for the client are social and educational programs and additional services such as bathing, transportation and meals. Manager and Social Worker Emily Mysel is available to educate and support family members and caregivers In addition, on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30PM a support group for caregivers is held. For more information regarding ADS PLEASE CALL Emily Mysel at 847-2367863.

I was a congregant at Rabbi Shorin’s Monday morning Rosh Hashanah Service and also his Wednesday morning Yom Kippur Service, and was deeply touched by the participation of family members, and especially of the participation of Weinberg residents. Because of his familiarity with the these residents, Rabbi has an awareness of their abilities , and most of the residents become energized and comforted in the familiar milieu of a synagogue.

As the social worker at Gidwitz for the past 14 years, I have had the privilege of knowing the “back stories”,of our folks. To observe the joy they have at being free to be a practicing Jew, for those not able to do this in their earlier years, is almost indescribable. Those who were in the Camps ,those who escaped but lost family members, fought in the Underground in WWII, made it from Germany to Israel to fight for the establishment of the Jewish State in 1948—-living history.

A gentleman with severely impaired vision, does not need to read the Hebrew—he knows his portion by heart. A tiny woman who will be 104 in October, barely observable behind the lectern saying her Aliyah in a strong voice. Another woman who, with her twin sister, survived Mengele’s madness—being free to be Jews.. Residents from Friend Center and those who come to Adult Day Services at Friend, at times struggling with their cognitive losses, able to fully participate in those rituals known throughout their lives, with joy.

What a blessing for all!

Meet Our Newest Staff Member Linda Collins Resident Care Services Manager, Personal Care Linda Collins has worked in social services for 17 years, most recently in a supportive housing environment serving adults with mental illness. She also has experience working with older adults, providing Geriatric Care Management services to clients and families. Linda was born and raised in Rogers Park Area of Chicago and graduated from Sullivan High School. She has 2 sisters and 4 brothers. Linda loves animals and lives with one cat whom she rescued. Linda also loves music and occasionally sings with a band. She is thrilled to be part of the CJESeniorLife family. Linda is looking forward to getting to know all our residents and their families. Feel free to contact her at 847-236-7864