Message from Megin Hemmerling, Regional President

July 17, 2023

Dear Residents and Families,

Festive 4th of July celebrations were held in all of our buildings. Residents, families, and staff enjoyed great food, lively music, competitive games and, of course, traditional red, white, and blue decorations.

We recently hosted employee parties for all three shifts. It is our way of saying “thank you” to our employees for everything that they do. They work diligently, day in and day out, to make our organization the very best.

Annual mandatory trainings and competencies kicked off last month in our Skilled Nursing Facilities. We are finally able to complete these valuable group learning sessions in-person. It’s a sure sign we are getting back to normal.

Have a wonderful summer!

All the best,

Megin

Seasons of Life

July 13, 2023

Take a look at an insightful reflection article written by Mary-Anne Schelb, a staff member at JGS Lifecare, our sister affiliate organization in Longmeadow. Mary-Anne reminds us, in her trademark down-to-earth way, to take time to be ourselves. Very good advice!

Seasons:

And I don’t mean Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. I am referring to the seasons of life. Seasons of friendship, seasons of career, seasons of family. You get it.

We all know the saying friends come into and out of our lives for a reason a season or a lifetime. Really the same thing happens in all we do. Getting married, you become someone’s wife or husband or partner. You have children and you are mom or dad. You get a career and you are someone’s employee, or boss. Even C-suite employees report to someone. If you are a business owner, you may have a board of directors you are in step with – or you are answering to your customers or clients. Some of these will be for a reason – for a season or maybe a lifetime.

As the years pass and your children go through grade school, high school then college, the time comes when they graduate, are technically considered adults and they go out on their own. Mom’s and dad’s – yet proud, sometimes become saddened with their kids leaving the nest. Empty nest syndrome is a real thing and it is ok to feel sad, but…  (you knew there would be a but! 😉  do not lose yourself in this sadness! Try to replace the sadness with excitement that your kids are going forth into the world with all you have taught them, all you have shown them. Our job is to guide them and encourage them to become successful and contributing members of society.  (Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not,) Children have choices. They have the ability to choose just like you do. Let them live. Let them experience, and I dare you to do the same!

Whether you are still “mom and dad” – or now may be part of the sandwich generation and you are caring for your own mom and dad – or you are finding you are identifying too much with a job, take a deep breath – close your eyes, and picture the perfect you! Connect with your higher self (that perfect version of yourself) and move towards that. One small step at a time still moves you forward.

Don’t get lost in someone else’s dream, make sure you are living your own. And if you are? Kudos to you! We are very few and far between – so I ask this of you – reach out to a friend you see may be in need…  give them a hug, spend some time, lend an ear…  Talk to them about the wonderful person you know they are, and remind them – not to get lost…

We are all in this together.

Mary-Anne Schelb is Director of Business Development for the Western Mass Region of JGS Lifecare/Legacy Lifecare.  She is deep-rooted in the community building and fostering relationships to shape genuine bonds and levels of trust that her professional connections have come to rely on over the years.  Mary-Anne truly enjoys helping people with any and all of their eldercare needs as well as nurture self-care through her own personal path to better health and wellness as a Holistic Health Practitioner.

Summertime Activities on the Peabody Campus

July 13, 2023

Outdoor and indoor activities are gearing up at both the Brudnick Center and Kaplan Estates. Entertainment is high on the list, with a variety of musicians scheduled throughout the month. Entertainers include Jimmy Honohan, Brad Ryan, Tommy Sheehan, Steve Belgiorno, Steve O’Connell, Ann Lanphear, Smokin’ Jo Cheffro and Howie Conley Tio. Get in the swing of things with a medley of lively tunes.

Our popular Natalie Kapan Speaker Series will feature Arlene Velleman, a highly respected actor and educator who currently serves the American Sign Language teacher at Waltham High School. Arlene has worked with the deaf population for many years and is most proud of touring the country with the late Mark Allen Branson, a well-known deaf actor. Arlene will share her passion for the deaf community and specialized populations on July 27th at Kaplan Estates.

Touring Europe has never been so easy! This month, residents will savor the delights of France and Italy during our International Festivals. These travel “trips” feature music, videos, interesting facts about the country, books as well as samplings of the foods unique to each country.

The Presidential Library Series continues to be a widely attended activity. Most recently, the program focused upon the Ford Presidential Library and the presidential photographers who captured the daily lives of President Ford and his family. This program addressed such aspects as how to read and analyze photos, the significance of where people are seated, how they are seated, who is included or not included, at each table. It’s a fascinating look into a part of history that is often overlooked.

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and Congregation Sons of Israel Celebrate Baby Naming Ceremony With Four Generations in Attendance

July 7, 2023

In a heartwarming Shabbat service on the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Peabody campus, assisted living residents joined together with Congregation Sons of Israel (CSI) members to celebrate the naming of Aya Otsubo Soreff. The service was led by CSI’s cantor and spiritual leader Seth Landau. Four generations of the family were present as the beautiful baby girl was given the Hebrew name of Chana Bat Shalom.

“We were thrilled to hold such a special ceremony on our campus,” said Megin Hemmerling, Regional President of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “It was amazing to see four generations of the family together for this momentous occasion. Both residents and congregants participated in the touching ceremony.”

Family members in attendance included great grandmother Cynthia Mortlock and her husband Ray, Cynthia’s daughter Michelle Soreff LeFrancois, Cynthia’s son Adam Soreff, Adam’s wife and son Marla and Asher Soreff, Cynthia’s granddaughter Kayley Francois and proud parents Akiko Otsubo Soreff and Cory Soreff, Cynthia’s grandson. A festive kiddush luncheon followed the service. Akiko, Cory, and baby Aya reside in Japan and were visiting the family for a three week period.

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, which operates the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Assisted Living and the Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living, began to collaborate with CSI last February. Residents and congregants get together monthly to celebrate Shabbot. The services, which have been widely attended, enable both groups to participate in the Sabbath rituals, prayers, and songs, ruach and nusach (melody).

“This collaboration has been a wonderful experience for our congregants,” remarked Paul Ordman, President of Congregation Sons of Israel. “We are looking forward to expanding the programming to appeal to the unaffiliated Jewish community as well as other houses of worship.” Added Paul, “Joining the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare residents brings joy to our members.”

About Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is redefining senior care and re-envisioning what life should be like for those living with disabling conditions. The eldercare community includes a wide array of skilled and short-term rehab residences, ALS, MS and ventilator dependent specialized care residences, traditional and specialized assisted living options, memory care, independent living, adult day health, and homecare and hospice agencies that deliver customized and compassionate care.

About Congregation Sons of Israel

Congregation Sons of Israel is a Haimish, traditional, egalitarian synagogue, located about 18 miles north of Boston at Park and Spring Street near Peabody Square in Peabody, Massachusetts. The Shul and its over 250 member families are proud of its 100-year heritage as the “mother shul” of Peabody. Congregation Sons of Israel serves the needs of residents of Peabody and the surrounding communities, as a place of prayer, social gathering, and fellowship with a unique vision to promote multi-generational Jewish life and a spirit of inclusion. The Shul welcomes all who wish to visit and discover who we are and what we offer.