Destination Celebration Tips
A Wedding in Europe – A Bar Mitzvah in the Caribbean Tips for Seniors on the Destination Family Simcha “Well I never thought I’d see the day,” exclaimed Eva to her senior living buddy, Gladys. “When did this happen? When did you start using a cane.?” “That’s ‘canes’ ….plural,” Gladys’ husband, Ken explained. “We bought […]
Seniors Learning Hebrew
Teaching Hebrew to Seniors – Materials, Methods and Positive Results Not long ago five women were called to the Torah, each as a Bat Mitzvah. Not unusual except for the fact that the women on the bimah were all senior citizens, and, most significant of all, the students ranged in age from 82 through 97 […]
Rededicate Your Home on Chanukah
Rededicate Your Home on Chanukah Polly said, “It’s early this year,” and Helen agreed. Edith confessed that she just wasn’t ready, while George complained that his retirement community prohibited the use of lighted candles, “So how am I gonna make Chanukah this year?” Joyce said it all with a sigh and an “Oi!” Regardless whether […]
Blessing of Hospice
The Blessing of Hospice “Hospice is suicide!” That’s what Dad said anytime the subject of death came up, which happened quite a lot in those last few years, especially since so many of his dear friends had died. “I can’t believe anyone would even think about it,” Dad would say. “Going to a hospice is […]
Working Seniors
“Should I Go Back to Work?” Sheila’s face said it all. In recent months Dina noted that her best friend rarely smiled and seemed out of sorts, sad and drained of enthusiasm. Finally Dina broached the subject; “Sheila, what’s wrong. In all our years I’ve never seen you like this? “ That’s when Sheila opened […]
Pets and Seniors
The Impact of Pet Ownership for Seniors Their names are Scruffy, Ruffy, Midnight and Puddin’Pie. Then there’s Tuvia, Tova, Sheina and Butch. These are the names of dogs and cats – pets whose owners I’ve come to know and love over the years that I served as a campus and resident rabbi at several Tampa […]
Aging Holocaust Survivors
As Holocaust Survivors Age – What We All Need To Know Sergio Della Pergola, child of the Holocaust, was born in Trieste, Italy in 1942. He survived to become the leading demographic authority in the study of the Jewish population worldwide. An international award winning scholar, Della Pergola studied the effect of the factory killing […]
Married Priests
Could Married Priests and Women Priests Revive the Catholic Church? “I remember when I lived in Brooklyn, my best girlfriend was Catholic, says Helen C., now in her 90’s. “When we walked to school we’d pass her church, St. Lucy’s. Sometimes we’d stop to say hello to the priest. He was a nice man but […]
Aging Parents
The Talmud’s Take on Aging Parents When I was about ten years old I knew enough Italian from my immigrant parents to understand the particulars of a heated argument. That day my father, who was about 50 years old at the time, was having “words” with his father, my “Nonno,” who, at nearly 80 years […]
Bullies in Senior Living Communities
What Happens When Bullies Grow Up and Move to Senior Living “I haven’t seen you in the dining room for ages,” Selma said as she rushed to greet her neighbor, Betty who lived on the on the same floor in their senior living complex. Betty wrung her hands and said, “I’ve been eating in my […]