Message from Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

March 16, 2023

Dear Friends,

This month I am presenting a video at the Annual AJAS Conference in St. Petersburg, FL. The video, produced by a resident at the Leonard Florence Center about life at LFCL, was chosen from hundreds of “Mission Moments” video submissions throughout the country. It is a powerful and moving piece, and one that means a great deal to me. I am thrilled to be introducing it on behalf of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare.

Wishing you and your families a very Happy Passover and Easter.

Sincerely,

Barry Berman
CEO
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Message from Megin Hemmerling, North Shore Regional President

March 14, 2023

Dear Residents and Families,

March is full of fun activities and celebrations. Our Purim Costume Contest was a big hit with both residents and staff. After a lively parade, residents voted for the best costume. Our staff chose very creative and colorful outfits. Take a look at the photos elsewhere in this newsletter.

On National Employee Appreciation Day, we honored our dedicated staff with “make you own sundaes” and a special announcement about the reinstated employee travel perks. We truly appreciate our wonderful employees who go above and beyond every single day.

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to our maintenance crew. They do a terrific job of keeping our walkways, entrances, and parking lots safe for us during inclement weather. As the saying goes, March “came in like a lion.” Let’s hope it goes “out like a lamb!”

All the best,

Megin

Megin L. Hemmerling
Regional President, Peabody
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Fun-Filled Purim Celebrations Held on Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Campuses

March 13, 2023

There were smiles and laughter all around during our annual Purim celebrations in Chelsea and Peabody. Residents were dancing, singing, and eating while dressed in vibrant costumes. Some staff members brought their children and grandchildren. Clearly everyone who attended enjoyed the festivities immensely.

Purim, one of the most joyous Jewish holidays, is only a day long. Usually held in March or April, the holiday commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution by Haman, the advisor to the Persian king. Esther bravely exposed her previously hidden Jewish heritage to her husband the king and asked him to save her people, which he did. Purim is so important to the Jewish community mainly because it’s a story of triumph for a long- and harshly persecuted people.

Purim is observed by Jewish communities around the world. The traditional food of Purim is the three-sided pastry known as hamentaschen. The treat symbolizes Hamen’s hat, and eating it is a way to symbolically destroy his memory. One of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday, hamentaschen is often made with fruit, figs, poppy seeds, chocolate, or other sweet fillings.

A highlight of the day was our Purim Costume Contest. Residents voted on the best costumes and winners received prizes. One look at the photos and you can see that the celebration was an unqualified success! Thank you to our wonderful staff and residents who planned a very special day for all of us.

Behind the Scenes at Kaplan Estates and Brudnick Center for Living

March 15, 2023

Residents on the entire Peabody Campus were treated to interactive performances by Sheila Vitale, a virtuoso violinist who has been with the Boston Ballet for over 55 years. Sheila’s repertoire is diverse, as she played “Name That Tune’ with residents, performing songs by the Beetles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and other artists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Our sincere thanks to Sheila for making her violin sing and bringing such joy to our residents. Ellen Gordon, Director of Resident Life for Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, commented on Sheila’s graciousness. “She actually came to visit multiple times, playing at Kaplan one day, and then coming back to play at Brudnick, first on the second floor and then on the fourth floor,” remarked Ellen, adding that “Sheila was truly phenomenal!”

On the entertainment front, resident Manny Gassman accompanied entertainer Jimmy Honohan on the drums. In his youth, Manny had his own band, the “Manny Gassman Orchestra,“ playing at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. Manny, you’ve still got it!

Zumba classes, which take place on alternating Fridays at both Kaplan and BCL, are becoming quite popular. Even staff joins in! Dancing and exercise make the perfect combo.

Thanks to the generosity of Trader Joe’s, residents on our north shore campus enjoy a breath of springtime in the middle of winter. Trader Joe’s regularly donates fresh flowers to our campus, which we use for our flower arrangement activity.

Residents and staff enjoyed a spirited Purim celebration. Rabbi Nechemia Schusterman read the Megillah, the staff put on a fabulous costume parade contest while resident judges were hidden in the audience. Everyone ate delicious Hamantashen  and watched a Purim shpiel video based on the music from Mama Mia that was performed by Swampscott congregation Shirat Hayam. Be sure to look at the photos in this newsletter.

While our Activities and Dietary departments work together to create nutritious menus and fun activities on our North Shore campus, we also strengthen our bonds off campus as well. Residents and staff spent an evening out at “Wicked Axe,” with an evening of food, drink and games. And yes, Axe Throwing Tournaments ARE a thing!