Community News (May-June 2023)

Live Empowered. Live Better. Be Inspired.

Since 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) has been challenging the narrative on aging. The theme for the sixtieth anniversary is Aging Unbound, and focuses on choice, independence and fulfillment. The theme closely reflects the Vision of Menorah Park – the title of this article. Every day, our dedicated staff engages in meaningful and rewarding programs that serve our community. Better Together, our cover story, is an intergenerational partnership with Fuchs Mizrachi School that benefits our seniors and a young generation of students by forming relationships.

Continued social interaction as we age is crucial, enhancing our quality of life with new perspectives, emotional support and the documented health benefits of sharing our time and lives with others.

Aging is not without its obstacles, and we work hard to help our seniors overcome them when possible, and maintain the best possible quality of life when it is not.

Gloria Levine, former Associate Administrator of Menorah Park, shares her journey dealing with chronic pain.

Gloria’s time at the Peter B. Lewis Aquatic & Therapy Center is both therapeutic and social.

Many of the stories in this issue are about staying engaged in our community as we age. It’s an activity that benefits ourselves and others, and our Life Enrichment team provides a multitude of ways to engage, from peer groups to organized activities like Good Deeds Day, which you can read about in the pages that follow.

Aging shouldn’t keep us from enjoying life. Menorah Park’s stewardship demands that we serve our community in ways that not only maintain but improve the lives of our seniors. As I settle into my new role as President and COO, I see constant reminders of our mission playing out in the halls, common areas and dedicated spaces of our campus. Like every individual, we face challenges, and we do so with the same determination that we try to instill in those for whom we care.

I welcome you to explore and take part in all that our campus has to offer during Older Americans Month and throughout the year.

Menorah Park

Diane Liliestedt, Menorah Park President and COO

Diane Liliestedt

Better Together

The journey of R.H. Myers residents and Fuchs Mizrachi students through Better Together felt like a welcomed thaw after a long, cold winter. With the global pandemic, even the active and socially engaged found themselves isolated. Now, being together in warmth and laughter holds even deeper meaning. Yes, there is a difference in years, but the desire and need for connectedness cross generations.

As each resident boarded the bus to the culminating event at Fuchs Mizrachi, the enthusiasm was evident in the bounce of each step, emerging and broadening smiles, and energetic chatter in anticipation of seeing the students they’ve grown to know and appreciate throughout the year.

This is the first Better Together program for Fuchs Mizrachi Junior High School. “We began with Better Together in a box due to COVID-19,” said Principal Rabbi Darren Levin. “Students would make and send videos for their buddies. When they finally had the opportunity to come together and thoroughly drink in each other’s lives, it was truly amazing.”

“This program made me aware of all that seniors go through, and how much we as a community need to take action and help their needs, while also having a good time together.”

Student

“The Better Together program was so spirited, creative and fun! The program was so encouraging and supportive that it helped me heal spiritually and physically. Thank you.”

Amie (Madra)

“This program is very meaningful to me because the people at Menorah Park are so special, friendly and sweet. They have so much knowledge to share and their smiles can light up a room. It’s an amazing experience.”

Student

“I have greatly enjoyed working with the wonderful FMS 7th graders. They are bright and very energetic. I think you are all terrific and make me feel good.”

Ronnie

Rabbi Levin shared that Upper School Social Worker Nira Stark and Mashgicha Ruchanit Aliza Joel paid attention to every detail with thoughtfulness. Recognizing the importance of the program led to great care and tenacity. Life Enrichment Director at The R.H. Myer Apartments of Menorah Park, Marie Smith, joined in the coordinated effort and passion, supporting each of the eight sessions held at the independent living apartments.

“Judaism is not a religion. It’s three realms of relationships – one with ourselves, one with each other, and one with G-d. We are meant to give and receive with depth. We hope that this experience leads to continued, long lasting relationships with many to come. You welcomed us into your home at The R.H. Myers Apartments,” shared Rabbi Levin. The Jewish perspective is to both honor our elders and appreciate the physical strength and vitality of our youth. Together, we actively participate as a society.

Better Together, a national program that launched in 2014, pairs together young Jews and older Jews for meaningful in-person interactions. Middle- and high-school students from Jewish day schools, Hebrew schools and Jewish youth groups meet with the residents of senior centers or groups of seniors from local synagogues.

Closing ceremony celebration

Aging Unbound

t 89, Wiggins Place resident, Dr. Sid Cohen, has found an interesting way to volunteer, stay engaged and provide a valuable community service: by assigning community service.

Dr. Cohen is a volunteer at Court Community Service (CCS), a not-for-profit agency created in 1985 through a grant from the Cleveland Foundation. “When a judge sentences someone to community service,” says Dr. Cohen, “we help determine where those sentences will be carried out. We have over 200 places in the Greater Cleveland area where we can send people.”

Growing from about 500 referrals in 1985 to more than 4,000 last year, the CCS provides a critical service to the court system.

“I drive downtown once a week and work for about six hours. Some of the fellows in my lunch bunch were involved and recommended it,” he says. “It’s interesting. I meet a lot of people and I’m always learning new things.”

While most of us may think of community service as people on road crews collecting litter; not so with CCS. Participants provide services to charitable and governmental organizations throughout Cuyahoga County. Dr. Cohen explains, “Some people have skills or talents that are appropriate to different organizations. So we try to place them where they can do the most good. It’s better for them and it’s better for the community.”

People provide services that range from distributing food to serving meals to tutoring, landscaping, property maintenance and clerical work.

“There are a number of other Wiggins Place residents who have previously volunteered with CCS. It’s personally rewarding. I spent my life dealing with people as a physician, but this is very different,” says Dr. Cohen.

“When I first volunteered, I asked someone at the courts if we would have a guard with us and he laughed. He explained that the people coming into the community service program are largely happy to be there, as in many cases, the alternative would be incarceration.”

We thank Dr. Cohen for his volunteerism, and for setting an example of engagement and service.

Aging Unbound is the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month (OAM). Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.

This May is the 60th anniversary of OAM and the ACL recommends some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:

Embrace the opportunity to change. Don’t let age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.

Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand the world more deeply. Continue to grow through learning and new experiences.

Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when we are connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities. Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.

Relief from Chronic Pain

Gloria Levine was Associate Administrator of Menorah Park for 21 years, and held other positions as well. In her 35 cumulative years here, she was involved in the building of Stone Gardens and Wiggins Place. “Menorah Park is very near and dear to my heart,” Gloria says. “It was so meaningful to work with residents and families, to know that we were providing excellent care and meeting the needs of the community.”

She adds, “I really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to be innovative and creative in developing programs that benefited the residents.” While she was not directly involved in the building of the Peter B. Lewis Aquatic & Therapy Center, she knew how fortunate the community would be to have such a facility on their doorstep.

“When I first had my injury 23 years ago,” Gloria says, “I was still working. So I had to be able to deal with the pain and continue with my daily routine.” And the Center was there for her.

“I knew that at the end of the day, I would be able to go to the Center, whether it was for aquatic therapy or on my own to exercise and reduce my pain.”

“When I retired, it was important to know that there was somewhere to go where I could obtain some form of relief from my chronic pain. I had therapy as needed, but one of the most meaningful aspects of going there is the people I met.”

While Gloria recognizes the importance of the exercise and therapy she received at the Center, there was another reason to go. “The emotional and social support that you receive from other participants –whether they’ve just started or have been members for years – is so helpful. I’ve made many friends there and seen many people come for therapy and then become members because of the atmosphere of empathy and support.”

“One thing about chronic pain, for me, is that it’s never the same. Whenever you have a flair up, it’s

different,” Gloria says. “The great thing about the therapists at the Center is that they all have their specialties. And even if you’ve exhausted the ways you know to manage pain, there’s someone there who can add a new tool to your toolbox.”

Therapy, exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, understanding how you perceive pain – all are ways that can help to manage chronic pain.

“There are days when you just don’t know how you’re going to get through the day, and the mental aspect of pain is so completely draining. It’s a blessing to know that I have somewhere to go to get treatment and relief and to share with a group that understands and supports each other.”

Gloria continues to make the 30-minute trip from her home to the Center regularly. “After all these years, it is truly a life-saver.”

To learn more about the Peter B. Lewis Aquatic & Therapy Center, call 216.595.7345. The Center services are also provided directly to campus residents in their residences.

Chronic pain specialist Steve Saneda, PNE, helps participants like Gloria live their best lives

Donor Funds

In our weekly staff meetings, the Menorah Park Foundation staff shares successes of the week. On a regular basis, quite a few of these successes have to do with residents, clients and friends we have helped along the way. Many of the discussions focus on why we do what we do, not so much on what we do. Yes, we run two excellent nursing homes, fine residences, provide rehab services and home health care, but why? It’s because we want people in our community to live empowered lives. To be inspired to continue to create, contribute and engage, and to be comforted and well-cared-for when ill. We do what we do to maintain a healthy community. To maximize everyone’s ability to do what they want to do. To live their best lives as long as they possibly can.

At the Menorah Park Foundation, we steward over 500 donor funds representing the interests of our donors and their families. Each fund helps to ensure that the lives of our residents, clients, staff, and volunteers are enriched every day. Our endowed funds support programs and services not paid for by insurance or government programs or even private payments for rent and clinical services. The Donor Funds support outings, cultural events,

music performances, parties, holiday celebrations, intergenerational activities, artistic expression, birthday parties, dances, religious activities, gardens, group exercise classes and so much more.

For a minimum gift of $10,000 (which can be paid over time) you may establish a permanent fund to support a program or service area of your choice, in your name or the name of a loved one who you wish to honor or remember. Setting up a named endowed fund is a great way for you to support the Menorah Park campus.

You can set up your named fund with a donation of cash, a stock transfer, or even a gift of property (to name a few). Whatever mechanism suits your circumstances, we will make sure your giving is handled properly. Today, tomorrow and in the future, we count on our donor funds and you, our most precious friends, to continue to support and offer, the programs and services that enhance life at Menorah Park.

Please feel free to contact the Menorah Park Foundation at 216.839.6640 for more information.

Lynn and Paul Millet established the Shirley Silversteen and Sylvia Millet Afternoon Tea Memorial Fund in memory of Lynn’s mother Shirley Silversteen and Paul’s mother Sylvia Millet. Lynn shared that she has very fond memories of her mother’s life here at R.H. Myers, and the friendships she made over the years. Shirley and Sylvia lived at Myers for eight years and when they both passed away in 2020 Lynn wanted to find a way to “perpetuate the happy socialization and community feeling” she found at R.H. Myers.

The first Tea on May 16, 2022 would have been Shirley’s 100th birthday. Every tea has been unique and theme decorated by Marie Smith of Life Enrichment, and gathers 70 - 80 tenants. They “happily socialize” and enjoy delicious pastries and appetizers made by Art Kitch and his kitchen staff with administrators and staff serving the tenants. Lynn comes to each one to help serve, socialize and enjoy the “community feeling” among the tenants and dedicated staff.

Left, top: Art Kitch, Lynn Millet, Marie Smith and Tamera Ellis

Left, bottom: Sylvia Millet z”l and Shirley Silversteen z”l

Shelley Roth and her brother Allen Roth generously made it possible to renovate the Pierre’s Ice Cream Parlor in the Park space. The Parlor continues their family legacy and tradition of being one of the most beloved and popular venues on our Campus. We are very grateful to Shelley Roth and her husband Bruce Schwartz along with Allen and Sharon Roth and family for modernizing this wonderful space in memory of their parents, Harriet and Sol Roth. Their legacy at Menorah Park will be passed on to their children and grandchildren through the Roth’s wonderful interest and support. Harriet and Sol were dedicated donors to other beautiful spaces and programs on the campus in addition to the Parlor.

It is only through the generosity of donors like the Roth family that wonderful spaces like this can be refreshed over the years and continue to provide an area to gather, celebrate and enjoy a delicious moment of indulgence. Many generations of families love Pierre’s ice cream and enjoy the happy memories of indulging in its sweetness. An official ribbon cutting was done with the Roth & Schwartz families, and it was great to have some of their extended family members join us. Additionally, family friends along with the Pierre’s leadership team were present to celebrate this special day.

Ken Marblestone, Chair of the Menorah Park Foundation, welcomed everyone and thanked the Roth and Schwartz families for being there for the rededication of the Pierre’s Ice Cream Parlor at Menorah Park, in memory of Sol and Harriet Roth.

Some of the flavors have been named after residents and volunteers who were particularly fond of them, for example, Stanberry Strawberry (in memory of long-time volunteer Stanley Bernath) and Arlene Vanilla Bean (in memory of Arlene Bernath.)

Please enjoy the ice cream at the Parlor which is open weekday afternoons. There are some outstanding flavors just waiting to bring a smile to your face.

I Scream You Scream – We’re all so happy about the newly renovated Pierre’s Parlor in the Park

Shelley Roth, Sharon Roth, Allen Roth & Bruce Schwartz

Ken Marblestone

Sol Roth z”l, founder of Pierre’s Ice Cream with his wife Harriet z”l. We thank the family for continuing their legacy

Jewish American Heritage Month

Walk the Story

On Sunday, May 21, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Menorah Park and Kol Israel will present Walk the Story, an intergenerational opportunity to explore history and the present day impact of the Holocaust.

• Hear the rare voices of survivors and witnesses to history.

• Discover the historical overview of the Holocaust and timeline of events to present day.

• Gain insight as speakers, docents and residents share their stories by exploring the variety of paths designed to maximize and individualize your self-guided experience.

• Join together to reaffirm commitments to our calling to never forget.

• All are welcome and generations are encouraged.

Wiggins Place

27070 Cedar Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122

Light refreshments with Kosher Dietary Laws observed. Additional parking is located on the Menorah Park campus on the south side of Stone Gardens with shuttle service.

Learn more and RSVP by Monday, May 15, by calling 216.360.8202 or emailing communityrelations@menorahpark.org.

Kol Israel Foundation’s Face to Face® program provides Holocaust education to students and community groups. We believe learning about the atrocities of the past is the surest way to teach about dangers of hate and intolerance.

Menorah Park provides residential options and health care services in a culture of innovation & excellence guided by Jewish values. We are stewards of our community and recognize history and education as vital components of our mission.

AJAS Trustee of the Year

LongtimeMenorah Park advocate and community leader Peter Meisel received the Trustee of the Year Award from the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS). This prestigious and well-deserved award is presented to an outstanding trustee of an AJAS member facility. It honors a trustee who has demonstrated a significant contribution by enriching the lives and well-being of Jewish elderly, and provided outstanding leadership to the organization and the community at large.

Don Shulman, President and CEO of AJAS, says, “As the Awards Committee put forward Peter’s nomination, it was clear to understand their unanimous decision. Peter holds a quiet dedication, altruistic spirit, and level of empathy. He believes strongly in giving back to the community.”

Menorah Park Board member Larry Mack joined in presenting the honor at the AJAS conference held in late March saying, “Peter, simply put, embodies our Jewish values. We find him to be a model we all desire to emulate to the best of our abilities.”

Today, we as a community face the sobering realities that in large part are the result of pandemic challenges. Peter is simply focused on upholding the standards of generations before him and actively supporting adults as they age through the good work of Menorah Park. We believe this consistent practice of philanthropy that spans decades and truly honors our collective fathers and mothers is worthy of this North American recognition, and Menorah Park thanks AJAS for bestowing this honor.

Don Shulman, Peter Meisel and Larry Mack

Hearing the words “play ball” takes many of us back to summertime as kids; grinning from ear to ear as we hear that umpire shout declaring the start of one of America’s favorite pastimes. This month, it means much more for Front Desk Coordinator for The Weils, Mary Artino.

Mary is the direct descendant of the founder of Cleveland, Moses Cleaveland. And on May 23, she’ll have the unique honor of stepping onto the mound at the Cleveland Guardians game to throw out the first pitch. And she won’t be going unprepared.

“Don’t throw underhand and keep practicing, my coaches remind me,” she says with a smile and introductions to her coaching team, Weils residents George Wallo and Ron Gottfried. Both men know a thing or two about baseball and pitching.

George Wallo says he stepped up to show Mary how to get the ball over the plate just for fun, recalling his days as a high school pitcher. Ron Gottfried’s age and dad’s desire to keep him working in the family business halted his career with the club formerly known as the Indians. “Back in those days, they used to have open tryouts and anyone could come down. I was 17 and went and they were ready to sign me up,” Ron shared with a twinkle in his eyes. Rather than that career, he notes he has a great story to tell and a book about pitching he wrote in anticipation of

It Takes a Team

getting it published. Now both George and Ron are happy that their skills can be used to help their friend Mary. “We talk about the game almost every morning and my ‘team’ gives me tips and words of encouragement. Keep limber daily is their advice, and I’m listening,” said Mary.

She also spends weekends pitching with her sons, wanting to make everyone proud including her ancestor, Moses Cleaveland. Originally, Mary was going to throw out the first pitch on Cleaveland’s birthday, July 22nd, but that did not pan out. So May 23rd it is for this sixth great granddaughter of the seventh generation to gain this opportunity to make memories at Progressive field.

Go Mary, play ball!!

Mary Artino, front desk coordinator for The Weils, practices for her big pitch with her coaching team, George Wallo and Ron Gottfried

Thank You!

Community staff held a spring food drive to support End 68 Hours of Hunger, which feeds school children who struggle with food insecurity.

Volunteers

Make a Difference

Menorah Park thanks Jewish Volunteer Network of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and all the volunteers that helped make a warm, mid-April Sunday so special for residents and guests. The Federation’s Good Deeds Day was filled with laughter, music and sundaes with plenty of scoopers and escorts on hand to help the residents enjoy the day to the fullest. Volunteers and guests created a feel good vibe for this packed house that tapped their toes and sung along to the musical renditions of pianist Marshall Griffiths who welcomed all requests to the delight of the audience.

Menorah Park also thanks the Frieda & Toby Chisling Summer Ice Cream Fund and the Terry Goulder Memorial Fund for making the gallons of Pierre’s ice cream and toppings and the wonderful music possible.

Holiday Observances

Please see your Life Enrichment calendars for details of events occurring for Lag B’Omer, beginning at sunset May 8 through May 9, a time for reinforcing our unity and coming together in celebration. Also, Shavuot begins at sunset on Thursday, May 25 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, May 27. We celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.

We will remember our departed loved ones during Yizkor on the second day of Shavuot, Saturday, May 27.

“It is such a blessing to be able to enhance a person’s end of life journey. It’s humbling and beautiful. I can’t overstate what a positive and powerful experience hospice volunteering is.”

Naomi Stein, hospice volunteer Read Naomi’s story – and stories of our other wonderful volunteers – in our next issue.

To become a hospice volunteer, call 216.839.6650.

Happy Mother's Day and Father's Day to the parents in our community.

Thanks to Penny Sikoutris, Stone Gardens resident council President, and the entire council, for overseeing the donation of clothes to Dress for Success.

At Home at R.H. Myers

Witha twinkle and a grin, Hy Tabachnick shares that “every morning Walter knocks on my door, and that’s very important for me.” Walter Christ leads the Menorah Park At Home program* at The R.H. Myers Apartments. While his official job is to attend to Hy’s care needs, it’s evident the relationship is so much more. “Walter has been a good help. We’ve become friends, and that helps me ‘stay with the program,’” Hy shares. Walter nods in agreement, noting, “Hy does the same thing for me. I’ve learned a lot from Hy.” It’s evident that their relationship is rewarding for both men. Hy’s expression becomes serious as he describes why Walter and their relationship are so important. “Moving along with the aging process, I see that I tend to forget things that I never forgot. Walter developed a program to remind me of my medications so that I am taking them when and how I should. I’m diabetic and my medications are very important.” And then he quickly returns to a grin and jokes, “Walter is able to give me hell when I need it (keeping me on my routine), and he relates to my family and to who I am.”

“It’s tough love,” Walter says. “He’s a strong motivator,” adds Hy. This is one important relationship among other friends Hy has gained at The R.H. Myers community when he moved in seven years ago. “I came here because I was sick of cooking. My wife passed away and she was the cook, and I had literally nothing to do.”

Retired from a role as executive director of Shaw Jewish Community Center of Akron, his move to Cleveland was a good one. “It’s been a good place to start plugging into the community; it’s really the perfect place for me. I’ve met a lot of people.”

Honoring Excellence

*Menorah Park At Home has an embedded program to provide additional long-term and short-term support for residents, and provides non-skilled services like help with dressing and medication reminders, and acts as a companion to skilled services through Menorah Park Home Health. These services are also available to the community at large.

Eachyear the Ohio Assisted Living Association (OALA) recognizes the efforts of outstanding staff members from our member communities with their Honoring Excellence Awards. Nominees are individuals who have demonstrated outstanding vision, innovation, leadership, compassion, creativity, talent, and/or effectiveness in their positions.

This year, we congratulate awardee Dorene Hamilton, Wiggins Place security guard. Administrator Frankie Twymon explains why she nominated Dorene for the award. “There isn’t a tenant in the residence who has not shared their positive interactions with Dorene,” Frankie says. “Dorene has stepped in to assist tenants during emergency situations, figuring out how to get cellphones, TV and remotes reset. She has served, set up and even cooked oatmeal for breakfast, helped look for missing items, completed safety checks and regularly provides genuine friendly conversation.”

Dorene is caring, attentive and meticulous, training other staff and frequently going above and beyond her duties. Frankie adds, “she has a great balance with being direct and firm while showing care and compassion for residents on a daily basis.”

Dorene doesn’t like a lot of attention, but her work ethic shouts louder than any voice ever could. Congratulations, Dorene, on this welldeserved recognition!

Wiggins Place Administrator Frankie Twymon and OALA award winner Dorene Hamilton

Hy Tabachnick and Walter Christ

Menorah Park

Bet Moshav Zekenim Hadati

27100 Cedar Road

Beachwood, Ohio 44122

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DATE – SUNDA Y, SEP TEMBER 10, 2023

The

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E V E N T C O - C H A I R S : Nancy & Ira Goffman

Judy & David Kaufman

Geri & Harry Singer

Carmie & Todd Stein

Menorah Park complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.