March 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7
Employee Wellness Program inspires positive change by MELINA COHEN found intrinsic motivation quickly spread to When the Jewish Federation of Omaha tranothers. As Becky Mains, challenge participant sitioned to a new health insurance provider late and Lead Receptionist at the Rose Blumkin last fall, most employees opted for a lower Jewish Home, explained, “When we started, it monthly premium in exchange for their particwas just to get more fit, but then people started ipation in a Wellness Program. For many, what asking us about it, and Residents started cheerbegan as a straightforward financial decision ing us on, and we noticed people from other became something much more meaningful, departments getting involved.” and it has to do with psychology. Psychologists With results like these, it’s no wonder similar tell us there are two types of motivation: health initiatives are being introduced in workextrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic comes from places across the country. The daily benefits we external rewards like a good grade or a scoop of see in co-workers beaming about progress Ben & Jerry’s. Intrinsic isn’t so simple; it comes made or bad habits conquered are hard to from inside each of us by way of emotions like ignore, and if an incentive-based program can happiness and success. Both serve a purpose, lead to real, sustainable change and, in the but lasting change is usually the result of intrinprocess, create a supportive and inspiring work sic motivation. environment, count this employee in. Employees who signed up for the lower-preIf you are a Jewish Federation of Omaha mium insurance likely did so for the extrinsic employee enrolled in the BlueHealth incentive of saving money. As part of the Advantage Premium Wellness insurance plan, Wellness Program, the campus announced its consider participating in Healthy W8, beginfirst Wellness Challenge, Cardio Royale, and ning April 13. This eight-week challenge will some staff members got on-board when they encourage participants to incorporate small RBJH employees and Wellness program participants Mary Lewis and Marcy McGowan learned there would be prizes. Whether it was changes into their daily routine to maintain a take a breather at the JCC. the prospect of a free massage or the allure of a healthy weight or safely lose a few pounds. One gift card, employees were motivated. They went to the gym their successes and setbacks. participant will be randomly selected each week to receive a It was during this challenge that something changed prize. You might discover, though, that the real prize is a before work (at hours this writer thought were reserved for sleeping). After long days at work, they went to the pool and among the participants and, subsequently, across the cam- happier, healthier you. walked laps around the building. They ate salads for lunch pus. Those extrinsic rewards -- so motivating only a few For more information about the Wellness Program or when they really wanted pizza and hamantashen. They weeks earlier -- became secondary to the positive emotions Healthy W8, please visit www.nebraskablue.com/fitness or invited co-workers to join them and shared stories about associated with these new, healthy behaviors. And this new- contact Human Resources at 402.334.6435.
Engagement
Beatles play the Star Deli
FRIED-AVERBECK Drs. Eric and Melody Fried, of Lubbock, TX, announce the engagement of their daughter, Halil Rebekah, to Brandon Averbeck, son of Bernard and Vickie Averbeck, of Phoenix, AZ. The bride-to-be is a graduate of the University of Arizona in Tucson. She completed additional studies at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany. She is the granddaughter of late William G. Fried and Marilyn (Bernstein) Fried of Omaha and Ted and Ruthie Jenkins of Paris, TN. Her fiancé also graduated from the University of Arizona. The couple currently resides in Boston, where both are completing their master’s degrees in education at the University of Massachusetts. They plan to teach in the area upon graduation. A May wedding is planned in Tucson.
Above: Zoë Riekes sings the Beatles; right, Rabbi Dembitzer gets a little help from his friends; Zalmen Katzman, left, Zack and Zev Krausman.
A New Choice in Senior Living Resident First Focus: Omaha’s first senior living community where Independent Living apartments are licensed for Assisted Living, so residents don’t have to move when they need more care. 1111 Sterling Ridge Drive Phone: 402-504-3111 heritage-communities.com Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Support
Now Open
Apartments Available!