t he GoodLife CELEBRATING TODAY’S ACTIVE SENIORS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE DECEMBER 17, 2015 Name: Dublin Terrace Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: SS-Good Life Luxury Luxu r y Rental Apartment Homes for Residents 55+ Dublin Terrace in Eastern Montgome r y Count y, ,y Upper Dublin T ownship o P P, A Spacious a partments from 1 bedroom 1-1/2 b a th & den to 2 bedroom 2-1/2 b a th , den & dining room Beautiful c lubhouse with fitness center and s wimming pool Underground gar a ge parking a vailable Complimentary fitness classes & other resident activities Call or visit Dublin T errace 1.866.672.6624 1.8 S. Limekiln Pike/Route 152 & D r eshertown Rd., D r eshe r , P A 19025 190 www.dublinterrace.com ww w .dublinterrace.com A Bruce Toll T oll Community Name: Abramson Center for Jewish Life Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one With senior care Comment: SS-Good Life th he Overwhelmed needs? GoodLife Get advice and guidance from an experienced senior care advisor. FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Call 267.652.1449 CELEBRATING TODAY’S ACTIVE SENIORS DECEMBER 17, 2015 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 6 Special K’s Are Part of a Complete Fitness Regimen KleinLife and the Kaiserman are oases of athleticism for active adults. for my mother. I can breathe now.” By Jon Marks Abramson Care Advisors 12 of the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life Immersive theater programs are just one of the ways active adults engage in the arts today. www.abramsoncenter.org A trusted name in senior care for over 140 years. Name: Daylesford Crossing Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" I chose a Sage community. Color: Black plus one Comment: The Good Life Completely customized support, uniquely sophisticated surroundings, and unparalleled hospitality. Taught in the Act By Marissa Stern 16 A Lifetime of Being Asleep at the Wheel Despite his Texas bona fides, Western swing superstar Ray Benson hails from a Jewish background in Wyndmoor. By Gail Snyder 2o Come for a tour. Close-Knit Group Unspools Unique Method of Tikkun Olam The Shul Stitchers combine the best of Judaism and textiles. By Rachel Kurland Senior Living, but different. 22 There’s No Place Like Homecare Thanks to local organizations, more people than ever are able to stay in their residences, despite needing care. Call 610-640-4000. Call 610-690-1630. Supportive Living & Memory Care Independent & Supportive Living www.daylesfordcrossing.com Lancaster Avenue, Paoli www.plushmills.com Plush Mill Road, Wallingford Plush Mills & Daylesford Crossing are Sage Senior Living Communities. By Jason Cohen 26 Tours de Force There are more options than ever for active adults looking to explore all that Israel has to offer. By Hilary Danailova JeWISHexponenT.CoM THE GOOD LIFE DeCeMBeR 17, 2015 3 Name: Symphony Square Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: The Good Life 2100 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 215-832-0700 PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVE/ GENERAL MANAGER STEVEN ROSENBERG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOSHUA RUNYAN MANAGING EDITOR GREG SALISBURY SENIOR STAFF WRITER JON MARKS STAFF WRITERS JASON COHEN RACHEL KURLAND MARISSA STERN PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JENI MANN ART/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR LONNA KOBLICK Name: Attleboro Retirement Community Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life Escape winter and join our Attleboro Community This winter, don’t worry about shoveling the snow, grocery shopping or driving in harsh frigid conditions. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS STEVE BURKE RACHEL LEVITAN KEMERON SENHOUSE DIRECTOR OF SALES SHARON SCHMUCKLER ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES SUSAN BARON TAYLOR ORLIN BRUCE WARTELL Instead, picture yourself in a warm environment, eating chef prepared meals and enjoying the company of others, all under one roof!! CLASSIFIED SALES BEVERLY ALDORASI NICK STALLER MARKETING DIRECTOR JOSHUA HERSZ Schedule your tour today! Call 215-750-7575 and see for yourself why Attleboro Community is the perfect match for you! DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS CHERYL LUTTS FINANCE ASSISTANT MARIE MALVOSO Independent Living • Personal Care • Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 290 East Winchester Avenue Langhorne, PA 19047 • 215-750-7575 • Attleborovillage.com 4 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE SUBSCRIPTIONS NICOLE MCNALLY JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine He Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life 12/17 p5 premium Special K’s Are Part of a Complete Fitness Regimen KleinLife and the Kaiserman are oases of athleticism for active adults. t 81, Norty Levine plays basketball three times a week at KleinLife — then works out the other days. At 83, Estelle Pomerantz, who used to teach the preschoolers at the Kaiserman JCC — and now sees many of them bringing their own children there — takes stretching classes. Throughout both buildings, you’ll find men and women of all ages — but particularly 55 and up — doing whatever they can to stay in shape. Their mindset is just because they may be retired or winding down in their careers, doesn’t mean their minds and bodies are ready to pack it in. “The most important thing at this age is to keep moving,” said Pomerantz, who worked at Kaiserman from 1983 until she retired two years ago. “The exercise I do is very important, plus I meet some people I already know and have met some others. I know a lot of people in the area because I taught here so long.” For her and many others, the Jewish Community Center is a place of refuge; sort of their home away from home. The workouts, A 6 DECEMBER 17, 2015 JON MARKS | JE STAFF the physical activity are only a part of it. There’s also the opportunity to connect with peers, whether it’s to have meaningful conversations or simply to shoot the breeze on sports, politics or what have you without being interrupted by children or grandchildren. “That social piece is just as important as the fitness part,” said Marti Berk, director of community engagement at Kaiserman, who handles all aspects of membership and marketing. “It’s that healthy mind, healthy body concept. We have a café up front. They’ll sit out there and have a nosh afterwards. I grew up in Lancaster. I very much wish there was a place like this for my dad in Lancaster — he sits in a La-Z-Boy all day.” In dramatic contrast, Norty Levine plays hoops. Lots of hoops. He’s been coming to the Klein for 35 years, during which time he says the level of play has improved significantly now that more and more non-Jews are taking the court. THE GOOD LIFE See Fitness, Page 8 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Thomas Jefferson Univ Hospital- Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life 12/17 - Pg 7 The best is yet to be, so we won’t settle for anything less. Make sure your Medicare plan includes Jeff erson Health . When it comes to choosing your Medicare Advantage Plan, make sure that choice includes the team that’s reinventing health care: Jeff erson Health . Now including the best from Jeff erson and Abington hospitals, Jeff erson Health off ers primary care doctors, award-winning specialists, nationally- recognized innovators of new treatments and state-of-the-art technology – just around the corner. To learn more, visit: Jeff erson.edu/ChooseJeff Health HOME OF SIDNEY KIMMEL MEDICAL COLLEGE For a physician referral, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW . Fitness KleinLife has a number of options for active adult basketball players. Continued from Page 6 But somehow he’s still able to hold his own. “I play in the 55-and-over league,” said Levine, who works seven days a week at his daughter’s restau- rant, Randi’s, in the Northeast. “At this stage of the game, I take a couple shots, set a pick, get a re- bound. And I can still run the floor.” He’s selling himself short, according to one longtime fellow Klein participant. “He’s tough as nails and as competitive as can be,” said Charlie Pavlov, who not only plays at Klein during their weekly Thursday night league games, but also when they play pickup ball Tuesdays. “We always talk about getting ‘Norty-sized’ when he hits you. Believe me, you feel it.” And don’t just think you can show up cold and compete with these guys. “Let’s put it this way,” said Levine, who’s competed frequently in the Senior Olympics, where he’s won gold medals in the 3-on-3 competition. “If you were a jogger and said, ‘I think I’m gonna start playing with you guys,’ you can’t do it. Basketball is a tough, physical game, with all the jumping up and down and the banging. You can jog and be in shape, but being in basketball shape is different.” Basketball is big at Kaiserman, too, where they have leagues running constantly. “We have a great basketball program,” said Berk, who’s been working for local JCCs in some capacity since 1991, while also serving as local delegation head for the Maccabi Games. “We have 50-and-over, 60-and-over — what we affection- Name: Dunwoody Village Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one A handsome Comment: Good Life A ately call the “Alte Kocker’ league. “Basketball’s a very big thing. We have a bunch of guys who come in for lunchtime pickup games. Sometimes, we have both courts going.” That’s not all. During the summer, swimming is a big thing, while a few members may play tennis. Unlike Klein, there’s no indoor pool, though. But the lifeblood at Kaiserman is its wide array of exercise classes, which are conducted by certified professionals. And if you don’t feel See Fitness, Page 10 COM 50% A L E AN D VI READY R SIT O E UR M SERVED ! ODE L HO . ME! carriage home vibrant benefi ts adult lifestyle. Th e fi nancial 40 New Twin-Style Homes /ܜ‡V>ÀÊ>À>}iÃÊUÊÀi>ÌÊ,œœ“à TerracesÊUÊGas Fireplaces Dens UÊ"«i˜ÊˆÌV…i˜ÃÊ 7>Ž‡œÕÌÊ >Ãi“i˜ÌÊ"«Ìˆœ˜ 100% REFUNDABLE OPTION AVAILABLE of life care. A Non-Denominational Not-for-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community Five-Star Rated Healthcare Newtown Square, PA 19073 (610) 359-4425 www.dunwoody.org 8 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: West Laurel Hill/RR Bringhurst Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: The Good Life Fitness Continued from Page 8 like taking a class, you can always hire one of them to lead you through a personal training session. “We don’t hire kids with big muscles who want to work out,” said Berk, who estimates approximately 40 percent of the membership is comprised of baby boomers and seniors. “Many of them have multiple certifications, like kinesiology. Our trainers are busy, but not so busy you can’t get one. We’re about getting fit and healthy — and staying fit and healthy. “When people join, we like to show them the group exercises and try to match them up with something at their level. Statistics show if you get yourself hooked into a group exercise class, you’re more likely to continue a fitness plan.” As an incentive, Kaiserman offers several options for member- ship, many of which have discounts. They also accept “Silver Sneak- ers” and “Silver and Fit,” where the fee is actually paid by their health insurer. While there are varying degrees of activity, determined by health and fitness levels, a number of members — refusing to accept what it says on their birth certificate — have signed up for what they call “Boomers Boot Camp” “I have people who are not boomers who take Boomers Boot Camp because the pace and the exercise are appropriate for them,” said director of fitness Christine Labhart, who supervises the overall program but doesn’t teach the class. “They don’t mind being lumped in. They know they’re seniors and they do want things geared toward them. But they’re proud, and they come out every day.” “It started with a bunch of guys who were getting ready for the 50-and-over basketball league,” continued Berk. “They got to the point where they realized, ‘I haven’t done anything physical. I don’t want to have my lunch handed to me on the court and I might hurt myself.’ So they decided to contact one of the trainers to see if he could do some group physical therapy. “The trainer started working them out in the gym. He had them doing sprints and all kinds of activities. More guys saw it and said they wanted to get involved. It got to the point where it was too big for where they were working out, so we decided to turn it into an exercise class and open it up to everyone.” Of course, not everyone is equipped to handle boot camp. Some are just happy to be able to walk or do some of the basics without pain. “We have functional fitness for people just getting back or who haven’t exercised in a long time or have some health issues that limit their capability,” said Labhart. “They may work on balance and strength. We also have a LIFE class — Low Impact Fitness Experi- ence — that has no impact in it. Impact is when you jump or bounce. Everything here stays on the floor.” Whether it’s boot camp or LIFE classes, seniors are becoming a larger segment of the community by the day. “Statistics say in a couple of years, 55 percent of the population will be 55-and-over,” said Berk. “It’s one of our largest membership categories.” And those seniors intend to keep doing their part as long as pos- sible. “I hope to just keep playing,” said Norty Levine, who went against the grain of many of his contemporaries, growing up in Miami, then moving his family up here. “I just take each day I’m able to run around I enjoy it. At this point of life, you’ve got to keep doing it, whether you walk, run, jog or lift weights. Do it all. Don’t stop. Keep moving.” l Jon “The Question” Marks is legendary among the local journalistic ballers for his skills with the rock. Name: Waverly Heights c/o Bellevue Co Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: The Good Life 10 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Paul's Run c/o Bluespire Senior Width: New 7.5" Depth: 4.75" in Apartments Color: Black plus one East Residence Comment: Good Life-Paul's Run Now Open! Assisted Living like you’ve never s seen e e n b before. e f o r e . The Hearth Located in the beautifully renovated and expanded Mary Drexel mansion, The Hearth at Drexel uniquely blends historic charm with contemporary services, amenities and care. Designed for the most discerning seniors. The Hearth features elegant apartments, chef’s table dining, transportation, beautiful artwork, floor-to- ceiling fireplaces, spacious landscaped grounds and more. at Drexel Brand-new residences are now available! Join us on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. for “Coffee & Conversation.” Call 1-877-405-4286 to learn more. Our innovative care approach provides Assisted Living and Memory Care residents with everything they need to securely “age in place.” Learn more about how we will exceed your expectations. Call 1-877-205-9428 or visit www.TheHearthAtDrexel.org/new 238 Belmont Ave. | Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Stability Joy Care Confidence Community Friendship Security Spirituality Affordability SAVE Affordability matters—and right now, surrounding your loved one with the care and support they need has never been more affordable at Paul’s Run, Northeast Philadelphia’s best value in senior living, offering monthly rental off the monthly rental fee agreements with no entrance fee. plus $75 off the monthly second-person fee for To learn more, call 1-877-859-9444, visit www.PaulsRun.org/save one year!* or join us at a Walk-in Wednesday, 2-4 p.m., weekly. 300 $ 9896 Bustleton Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19115 *Offer expires Dec. 31, 2015. Independent Living residents only; please call for details. Taught in the Act Immersive theater programs are just one of the ways active adults engage in the arts today. MARISSA STERN | JE STAFF ingo and knitting might be the first activities you think of when “senior resident community” comes to mind. And while those are popular hobbies (and for good reason, be- cause bingo is fun), seniors are finding more ways to entertain them- selves — sometimes, in the most literal sense of the word. Arts and culture programs at resident communities are push- ing those activities aside in order to allow the residents to par- ticipate in programs they have always enjoyed, from art to writing to theater. Theater programs have taken on key roles in many senior com- munities in the last few years. Philly Senior Stage is the brainchild of Robb Hutter, a Toronto native and past artistic director of Temple University’s intergener- ational educational theatre program, The Full Circle Theatre. It started in 2007 as a way of working with seniors through acting classes to find their comfort zone, and then pull them out of it, as Hutter described it. Since its inception, Hutter and his team of educators and work- shoppers have continued to share the program with more than 15 senior centers around the Philly area, bringing the love for perform- ance with them. One such place is Shannondell at Valley Forge, which was where Philly Senior Stage got its start. The center had completed a brand-new auditorium in 2005, and Hutter learned that it was being used for hosting musicals and per- B 12 DECEMBER 17, 2015 formance, but no one used the stage for theatrical performances by the residents. He had to change that. He created an 8-week course, which evolved into developing semiannual shows by the “The Shannondell Actors Studio” where his “kids” strut their stuff through acting and drama classes. The benefit of this program, which includes improvisation ex- ercises, musical theater performances and more, is one that Hutter notices every time he works with them. “It breaks down barriers,” he said. “It accesses a level of intimacy that many people — that by the time they’re in their 80s they’ve lost that — with maybe another person or group.” Hutter, 60, works with the seniors, or “geezers” as he affectionately calls them — “They hate it,” he said, laughing — to come out of their comfort zones through acting. “My rule is to go into their comfort zone and then take them out of it,” he said. “I stretch my actors. I take them to a place that’s further or deeper than they thought they could or might want to go, and they’re always grateful afterwards that I’ve taken them there.” With the Jewish residents he works with, Hutter, who is Jewish himself, noticed that there is a stronger affinity for the arts. They love their subscriptions to the theater, he said, and the proximity to these activities is part of the attraction to places like Shannondell. With performing, they work with other people to access the inti- macy Hutter described and, in the process, find a sense of belonging. THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM “I really think the theater provides them with a real strong sense of belonging,” Hutter said. “Not that the knitting group or the bingo group doesn’t, but this is more powerful because you’re interacting with your fellow performers and residents.” He sees the program and theater itself as a way of tapping into the seniors’ “vitality” in ways that other activities might not. “If people want intellectual stimulation, they’ll go to a lecture, but my whole philosophy is: People go to the theatre to express their feelings,” he said. “That’s why we love musicals: Music, in general, it touches our hearts in a way that going to a current event lecture might not.” Sidney and Dolores Tessler have resided at Shannondell for a little more than four years. They have kept busy through many programs — from arts pro- grams, lectures and even concerts. “Seniors don’t want to just sit and do nothing,” said Dolores Tessler, 85. While the community isn’t entirely Jewish, Sidney Tessler, 90, decided to start a club that attracts those who are Jewish to get in- volved, though there are many non-Jews who participate as well. “They want to learn more, they want to hear more about Jewish history,” said Dolores Tessler of the non-Jews who participate. “They’re very interested in the topics, learning about how other people do things or live.” The Jewish Interest Group has brought in speakers such as the Israeli Consul General, musical performances, lectures about topics such as Jewish history and Jewish humor — all in the spirit of bring- ing people together, both Jewish and not Jewish. They also bring in a maestro two or three times a year who talks about Jewish composers of waltzes, to attract the musically inclined. “We try to vary the topics,” Tessler said. “We’ve had a lot of good success with the people that have come.” For her, an art and poetry enthusiast, she has found many ways to keep herself occupied, and so have many others who live there. “If I were speaking on behalf of the whole community, there would be a lot of things I could tell you about because there are so many things of varied interest here,” she said. “I’ve gotten into an art program. We’re kept very busy with all kinds of lectures and pro- grams and musical programs.” The benefit of theatrical activities and musical performances also includes transformation. Benjamin Lloyd founded Elkins Park-based White Pines Pro- ductions back in 2009. See Theater, Page 14 Name: Woodstone Custom Homes Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: The Good Life The Lifestyle You’ll Love... 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Its senior theater initiative — similar to Philly Senior Stage — brings theater to senior communities through its Bright Invention ensemble of performers. “White Pines’ mission is transform people’s lives through per- formance creativity, and that leads us into many diverse communi- ties,” Lloyd said. For Lloyd, this initiative was a personal one. His grandmother was in a home for a while — unhappily so, to the point where she committed suicide in 1999. He wanted to ensure others did not have that same experience. Through theater and working on improvisation and other aspects of performance, seniors gather and work with one another and can explore their own stories. The collaborative nature of theater brings people together and “out of isolation,” Lloyd said. One way he has helped bring senior residents out of their shells was through not only acting out other people’s stories that have al- ready been written, but also by acting out their own. At the Sidewater House in Northeast Philadelphia, a Federation Housing senior independent living site, Lloyd established a 12-week workshop residency under the direction of Jerry Perna, founding ensemble member of Bright Invention and director of senior pro- grams for White Pines, which culminated with a performance called “Who We Are,” that guests could share in. People shared stories of starting their own businesses, even a few Holocaust survivors told their stories. “We were interested in generating material from their own lives Name: Beaumont at Bryn Mawr Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: plus one Don’t Black Just Comment: 08 The Good Life and experiences, so a lot of what Jerry was doing was structured storytelling exercises,” Lloyd elaborated. “In the end, we were so moved by the stories being told.” His goal is to continue fundraising for these programs so that they can establish a yearlong residency with the community rather than just three months. Engaging with the arts and performance in this way is beneficial because it brings the seniors together in a fun environment. While at first, perhaps, the residents might be resistant to com- municating, Lloyd has noticed that over time, “people become softer and more vulnerable and in some way more tolerant and for- giving of each other.” “This is true no matter what age you’re working with,” he said. He has found that “the older you are, the more hilarious your stories are,” and he wants people to share them with one another through performance. “This is an attempt on our part to say, you’re alive until you’re dead and as long as you’re alive, you’ve got creativity to share,” he said. Other arts programs beyond theater have their own benefits, as well. At Brandywine Senior Living — all 27 locations in 5 states — residents can enjoy programs from the space’s “Escapades...For Life!” which offers activities from cooking to karaoke to gambling. From theater groups such as “Curtain Call” to classes for bud- ding artists through its “Artists’ Palette” program, resident can partake in many different activities. “They are important because it keeps our residents engaged and stimulated,” said Krissi Kressler, corporate director of pro- gram excellence. “They are vibrant, energetic, rich, educational programs and sometimes people believe that maybe the senior population doesn’t need that, they’ve done that, but it’s human nature to want to learn things and want to be a part of something Retire… Start Living. TM At Beaumont, there is no one-size-fi ts-all retirement – you choose your own lifestyle. Our campus is an artful blend of spacious private villas and apartments, ultra-modern fi tness facilities and commons, and the traditional Austin Mansion, on 50 beautifully landscaped acres. Our community is alive with social events, concerts, lectures and the new Speaker Series. Choose to be as independent as you like, secure in the knowledge that Beaumont, a nationally recognized CCRC, completely cares for your comfort, health and well-being. It’s y your choice. Start living! A Vibrant, Resident-Owned Retirement Community To schedule a visit, please 601 contact Audrey Walsh 610-526-7000 or www.BeaumontRetirement.com N. Ithan Avenue, Bryn at Mawr | 610-526-7000 14 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM bigger — and that’s what we provide for our residents.” Through “Cooking with Class,” residents partake in a cooking demonstration with the chefs of the facility “Rachael Ray”- style, Kressler said, and have the chance to try the culinary creation at the end. They explore different themes each month to expand their palates. In April, for example, residents will try Jewish-American cuisine, which will be one recipe submitted by a resident or family member that they will try together. In January 2016, Brandywine is starting a 10-week pilot partner- ship with the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts called “Life Through Art: My Life Story” to provide lessons for residents at its Haverford Estates and Upper Providence facilities, whether they are experienced artists or newcomers. These kinds of programs are created to move away from the stereotypical ideas people have about senior communities. “We’re trying to get away from that old-school thinking of senior living,” Kressler said. “We’re bringing the senior population into to- day’s world. Bingo is something we almost don’t mention anymore.” And through these arts programs — in addition to university-style lectures brought in about topics from the story of wine in America to a journey through theater history — the residents have a chance to reconnect with their passions. “The benefits of any arts programs are endless,” Kressler said. “We could be rekindling an interest of theirs. Maybe they were an artist years ago, and the goal is to not think of them as, ‘Oh they were an artist,’ they are an artist, and we want to make sure we bring that to the forefront for all of our residents. “You’re never too old to learn something new, regardless of age.” l Judging by her vintage card collection, Marissa Stern isn’t joking about enjoying her bingo games. Name: Cathedral Village Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: SS-Good Life Discover What s ’ New at. .. Cathedral Village Cathedral Village offers luxurious apartments and fabulous amenities like academic classes, a fitness center, a sculpting/art studio, world class musical programs and an award-winning horticulture program. Our pet-friendly, 40-acre enclave of beautifully landscaped grounds is steps away from two Septa bus routes and is less than a half-hour away from Center City. 600 East Cathedral Road • Philadelphia, PA 19128 • www.cathedralvillage.com It is our policy to admit residents without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sex, religious creed, handicap or disability. CALL 215-584-4406 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT... New contract and pricing options based on our recent affiliation with Presbyterian Senior Living, an experienced, financially secure network! Presbyterian Senior Living is a non-profit organization serving more than 6,000 seniors in 29 locations in the mid-Atlantic region. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM THE GOOD LIFE DECEMBER 17, 2015 15 A Lifetime of Being Asleep at the Wheel Despite his Texas bona fides, Western swing superstar Ray Benson hails from a Jewish background in Wyndmoor. BY GAIL SNYDER Ray Benson, left, poses with George Strait. t 6 feet, 7 inches tall, Ray Benson casts a large shadow even when he isn’t sporting a 10-gallon hat, spangled Western suit and cow- boy boots. In mid-November, when he calls me from his recording studio in Austin, Texas, the baritone-voiced front man of the nine- time Grammy Award-winning Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel assures me he is dressed much more casually. In fact, he says, he is wearing the Merion Golf Club golf shirt he received about five years ago when he played in a tournament at the Ardmore club. It seems fitting he is sporting a bit of Philly: The 64-year-old grew up in Wyndmoor, around the corner from where my own family lived. Known then as Ray Seifert, he was a childhood friend of my brother, Alan. So even though Benson officially moved away from the Philadelphia area in the 1970s — eventually landing in Austin at the urging of his good friend and golf buddy Willie Nelson — he A 16 DECEMBER 17, 2015 is at heart a Philadelphian and a proud product of its Jewish com- munity. Although he was named Texan of the Year in 2011 and Texas State Musician in 2004, his considerable musical accomplishments have only just been acknowledged here in his hometown. A mu- sician, singer, bandleader and songwriter, he’s been onstage with the likes of Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Charlie Rich and Emmylou Harris, and performed for Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Yet it was not until last month that he was named to the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame, along with The Trammps (“Disco Inferno”), Jerry Blavat and The Roots. Benson, who was in town for the ceremony that gave him a bronze plaque on the sidewalk near the Kimmel Center, says it was “so cool” to be in such company. He recalls the reception he got from the au- THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: The Solana Horsham Width: 3.625" Depth: 9.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: SS-Good Life dience at the event. “All of a sudden this big cowboy gets up and says, ‘I bet y’all are wondering how a Jewish kid from Philadelphia be- came a cowboy- singer. I can tell you in two words: Sally Starr.’ They all just died laughing.” Benson’s an- Benson’s swer elicited memoir was released last month to laughter, but he critical acclaim. was serious. While other baby boomers his age likely watched Sally Starr’s Popeye The- ater television show and delighted in the antics of Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Fess Parker’s Davy Crockett on their shows, most quickly grew out of their cowboy fascination. Benson grew into his. Perhaps it all began when he was 7 and his family took him to see Gene Autry when the star was making a personal appearance at WCAU on City Line Avenue. It was a moment Benson has never forgotten. Benson is in a reminiscing mood, trading stories with me about our shared idyllic upbringing in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, where he spent a lot of time outdoors in the woods catching toads, snakes and frogs and riding horses. The nostalgic look back has been prompted by his new, anecdote-filled memoir, Comin’ Right at Ya: How a Jewish Yankee Hippie Went Country, or, the Often Outrageous History of Asleep at the Wheel (University of Texas Press, 2015). When the publisher first contacted him, Benson quickly agreed to work with writer David Menconi because he thought it was time — after 25 Asleep at the Wheel albums and four decades of live per- formances — to share his life story. He explains, “For 45 years, I have existed as this guy who everybody thinks was born on a ranch in Texas and is probably Baptist.” When he would point out that he was Jewish, the once skinny, red-haired Benson was often told he neither looked nor sounded Jewish. Benson also agreed to the book because he had taken more than 70,000 words worth of notes throughout his career that were just waiting for a professional writer to turn into a book. Among the improbable anecdotes he tells in Comin’ Right At Ya is the story of how he coaxed Janis Joplin’s rental car into starting when Big Brother & the Holding Company was playing in Philadelphia, and how he bummed cigarettes from the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia — both of which happened when he was a teen. He even showed up at Woodstock, although he and his friends left before they heard any music. See Benson, Page 13 We Listen. We Respond. We Care. An Arbor Arbo r Company Comp Community Care r e & Memory Ca Care er Personal Ca 1419 Horsham Rd. Horsham, PA P A 19454 267-460-8100 Name: Chandler Hall Health Services Width: 3.625" Depth: 9.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life Benson Continued from Page 17 Benson is a longtime friend and collaborator of some of the biggest names in country music, including Dolly Parton. Benson’s own career as a performer began at age 10, when he and his sister Sandy performed with a folk music group called The Four G’s. Benson, who played guitar, found himself hooked on performing when the children’s group played with the Philadelphia Orchestra in front of 5,000 people. While he excelled at music, mastering the sousaphone and bass and playing in orchestras and marching band, Benson had a tough time in school; although highly intelligent, his attention deficit dis- order made it hard for him to concentrate, and he frequently got in trouble for talking in class. After graduating from Penn Charter in 1969, Benson enrolled in Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, as a filmmaking student, but dropped out in 1970 to start Asleep at the Wheel with friends Reuben Gosfield and LeRoy Preston. The idea was to bring every- thing they loved about Western swing music, which developed in the 1920s in the Southwest, to a new generation of fans who would appreciate its combination of jazz and blues accented by trombone, trumpet, clarinet, guitar and steel guitar. Benson describes it as “a great amalgamation of Afro-American, jazz, blues, swing and Texas country fiddling.” Some 100 musicians have played with Asleep at the Wheel over 18 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM the years and today Ben- son remains its only original member. His son, Sam, 32, has pro- duced the group’s last two albums and plays guitar on them. Son Aaron, 29, edits movie trailers in Los Angeles. Like his friend Willie Nelson, who just turned 80, Benson has no plans to retire. He neither feels his age nor acts it, and still spends quite a bit of time on the road, traveling in his tour bus to appear- ances. Every 18 months or so, he and his band will do two shows at the Sell- ersville Theater. He says, “The only time I’ll stop is when it stops me. If I can’t do it or people stop coming or my fingers don’t work, or my voice don’t work.” l Gail Snyder recently put Asleep at the Wheel into her Spotify. Benson is front and center for Asleep at the Wheel’s first publicity shot in the 1960s. Name: Goldstein's Funeral Home Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life 12/17-1/2h JEWISHEXPONENT.COM THE GOOD LIFE DECEMBER 17, 2015 19 Unspooling a Unique Method of Tikkun Olam The Shul Stitchers combine the best of Judaism and textiles. RACHEL KURLAND | JE STAFF t 82, Charlotte Muchnick performs acts of kindness — one stitch at a time. She coordinates the Shul Stitchers at Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, a group of about 30 people who knit blankets for those in need. They knit together individually in their homes and as a group, meet- ing once a month for the past 15 years to put all the pieces together. The stitchers work together in an assembly-line fashion, each contributing a piece of the puzzle. Some crochet small squares, others sew those together into panels, which are then sewn into six- paneled blankets, while still others crochet the edges using yarn or hand-stitching. “There isn’t any piece that anybody has done that we’ve turned away,” she laughed. “It all goes into a blanket, and they’re all beautiful when they’re done.” Muchnick often washes the blankets once they’re done before delivering them and sewing in the final touch: a tag that says “made with love from the Shul Stitchers of Har Zion Temple.” “We just reach out to people who have a special need,” she said. “It’s something that has created a community of mitzvah-doers.” They’ve donated the blankets to a variety of institutions and peo- ple, such as lone soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces, veterans, ill people and children in hospitals and shelters, and homeless people. They’ve also donated to HIAS and given some to the Jewish Relief Agency to dispense. Muchnick said they try to distribute them every time they reach about a dozen or so blankets and hopes to donate twice as much before the holidays this year. “The holidays can be very beautiful, and they can be very sad for a lot of people,” she said. They try to give to wherever they see a need. Muchnick also co-chairs another organization at Har Zion, the Caring Connection. The group of about 30 do-gooders deliver meals to people who are in mourning or sick. For all the mitzvot Muchnick does, she remains humble. “I live a life of reaching out to people,” she said. “I think it’s impor- tant, especially now, because so many people are not connected — and they’re unhappy because they’re not connected. It’s just a human thing to do, and recognizing hurt in other people and trying to help them, it’s a good thing. It makes you feel good that you’re doing good.” Muchnick added that supporting others builds community, and it becomes its own reward. “It’s what I have learned by being Jewish. It’s a Jewish value that I value highly,” she said. A 20 DECEMBER 17, 2015 Muchnick recalled delivering blankets to people at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. when it was still open, and she met a young veteran who lost both his legs, so young he still looked like a teenager. “I was happy that the blankets that we made would go to some peo- ple like him that could bring him some level of comfort,” she added. But Sue Aistrop, director of community services at KleinLife and RSVP Philadelphia, said the whole face of senior volunteers is changing. RSVP — the Retired Senior Volunteer Program — is federally funded by the Corporation of National and Community Service and sponsored by KleinLife. It provides community service oppor- tunities for almost 1,000 55-and-over volunteers. Although the title implies an older crowd, Aistrop said RSVP re- cruits more baby boomers, and “55 looks a lot different than it did back then” when it started 40 years ago. The majority of issues they support relate to hunger, food inse- curity and literacy. “We try to address serious problems in the community and put our volunteers in those directions,” she added. “We’re going to try and place people where there’s a real need and they’re really going to make a difference in people’s lives.” Aistrop said volunteers help in any way they can, whether filing papers or ushering at theaters. While still appreciated, she said baby boomers want to give back in more hands-on ways. “Studies show that people actually physically feel better when they’re volunteering. It improves their health, it improves their state of mind, it improves their neighborhood. It’s just a positive way to finish your career,” she said. “Baby boomers want to see more results from what they do. They want to feel much more engaged and needed. They want to share their thoughts on the best way it can be done. They want a much more complete commitment to the organizations that they’re vol- unteering for.” Bob Slipakoff is a part of that baby boomer generation in RSVP. The 64-year-old is a volunteer delivery driver for one of RSVP’s largest programs, Cook For a Friend, a Meals on Wheels-type of program that provides food to about 625 people each year. Members of KleinLife and the community from across the Delaware Valley prepare the meals, some even with vegetables grown in a garden at KleinLife. “I’m a lot younger than some of my cohorts at RSVP,” he laughed. He delivers meals every Monday morning to, he says, “get the week off to a good start.” THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HAR ZION TEMPLE Charlotte Muchnick (left) leads a meeting of Shul Stitchers. “I think that I have a deep “This is living history, not feeling for seniors who want to just museums. In a way, bring- stay as independent as they ing her a meal and giving her can and who may or may not a little bit of sustenance, a little have loved ones nearby,” he bit of strength… it felt great. added. “You never know That was just a great way to somebody’s situation until you start it off,” he added. get to know them.” Slipakoff goes the extra The Shul Stitchers pose with their holiday gift-giving bounty. Slipakoff has also tried to get mile for the seniors he assists. to know the people he delivers to He shovels their sidewalks, each week ever since his first day takes out their trash or simply on the job two years ago. talks to them on the phone whenever they need a friend. Newly retired, he wanted to use his free time to go to the U.S. “If I could interface with people,” Slipakoff said, “even just for Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. on Yom the few minutes it takes, help them stay independent, give them HaShoah. However, he didn’t want to switch his new schedule with a friendly face that they can count on every week… that would RSVP, so he stuck to it. be helpful to them and also feels good to do that. You could call He ended up delivering to a Holocaust survivor and, he recalled, it a mitzvah.” l “instead of being in a museum, here I was with this extraordinary woman who endured so much.” Rachel Kurland is thisclose to getting past the “knit one, purl two” stage. Name: Pine Run Advanced Care Width: 3.625" Now Available Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Only at Pine Run Comment: SS-Good Life Connect directly to all n New! Better Tha Pine Run Health Center Ratings Overall Medicare Rating Health Inspection Rating Quality Measures Staffing Rating RN staffing that Doylestown Health offers. Pine Run Health Center is your best link to seamless healthcare from a renowned medical community you know and trust. Advanced Care is now provided in a dedicated setting where complex medical patients have access to the expertise they need, right when they need it. A unique nursing level aligned with Doylestown Health for the most comprehensive care available. Name: Foulkeways at Gwynedd DISCOVER FOULKEWAYS TODAY Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: SS-Good Life MORE TIME – MORE FRIENDS – MORE CHOICES – LIFE AT FOULKEWAYS Source: www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare 2/28/2015 Setting Standards of Excellence in Retirement Living Since 1967 1120 Meetinghouse Road Gwynedd, PA 19436 For more info call: Beth at 215.340.5256 or Nilsa at 215.340.5162 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 215-283-7010 www.foulkeways.org 777 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA 18901 pinerun.org Guided by Time-Honored Quaker Values THE GOOD LIFE Foulkeways® at Gwynedd does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or sexual orientation. DECEMBER 17, 2015 21 There’s No Place Like Home Care Thanks to local groups, more people than ever are able to stay in their homes, despite needing care. JASON COHEN | JE STAFF indy Citron never wanted her parents Harriet and Alfred to have to move to a nursing home. She felt it would destroy them emotionally and take away their independence. “I wouldn’t go in a nursing home,” Harriet concurred unequivocally. “We would die there.” The Citrons aren’t alone: Nursing home care continues to cost three times as much as in-home personal care. Only 4 percent of senior citizens said that C Name: Klein Life Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: good life 1/4pg Name: Stair Ride Company Inc. Width: 3.625" Before You Buy Or Rent Just Any Depth: 3" Electric Stairway Elevator Color: Black Check Our Features & Services Comment: 08 The Good Life RIDE YOUR STAIRS! SALE OR RENT LOW LOW PRICES Locally Owned & Operated for 50 Years O Expert Installation O Fast Maintenance Service O Free Consultation O At 4 Locations! Ride Upstairs Guard Your Health Northeast Philadelphia 215-698-7300 Center City 215-832-0539 Montgomery County 215-635-5244 Rhawnhurst 215-745-3127 .org STAIR RIDE CO. (215) 442-1531 Name: Affinity Healthcare Solutions Width: 3.625" Depth: 1.75" Color: Black plus one Compassionate, Reliable, Experienced Caregivers, Licensed, Bonded, Insured & Well Trained Comment: SS-Good Life Your 1st Choice for Quality In-Home Care Accept: Long Term Care Insurance, Private Pay & Medicaid Services Include: Alzheimer’s Care • Fall Prevention • House Keeping & Laundry Personal Care & Grooming • Medication Reminders • Meal Preparation Grocery Shopping • Hobbies Facilitation • Escort to Appointments Call Today For A Free Consultation • 215-758-2748 • www.affinityhome.net 22 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM they would choose a nursing home over in-home care, according to a 2007 survey by the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation. One organization that helps families like the Citrons deal with this life-changing issue is JEVS at Home (JAH), one of the state’s largest providers of non-medical home care support services to dis- abled and aging clients. If Medicaid qualifications are met, families can receive home care support, which, in many cases, can come directly from family members themselves — who can now be paid for the care they were already giving for free. JEVS at Home provides the necessary training and assists in the process of becoming an official caregiver. The Citron family of the Northeast can attest to the work JAH does. JEVS at Home provides 24-hour care to Harriet and Alfred Citron. “It would kill him to be in a nursing home,” Harriet reiterated, referring to her husband. When Alfred was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years ago, Harriet started to care for him. From bathing, grooming and dressing assistance to a myriad of other daily activities, Harriet was there for her husband. When Harriet broke her arm three years ago, the couple’s daugh- ter, Cindy, who works full-time as the principal of the Neziner He- brew School at Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel in Center City, asked JEVS at Home to provide a caregiver. Ellen Shimberg, a client care manager for JEVS at Home who arranged for a caregiver named Janice to help the Citrons, explained See Homecare, Page 24 Name: American Friends Hebrew Univers Width: 3.625" Depth: 9.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life LEADING LIGHT An AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity Can Lead to Life-Enhancing Light for the World and Lifetime Retirement Income for You. A Nanotech Leader: Professor Uri Banin founded Qlight on the basis of technology developed in his laboratory at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Watch him explain the work: afhu.org/cga5 When Professor Uri Banin developed a nanocrystal that converted light to other frequencies with minimum loss of energy, he lit the way for the next generation of illuminated fl at-panel displays and LED lighting. That means unprecedented color quality and better visibility plus energy savings and extended battery life. When you create a secure AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity, you obtain a high lifetime fi xed rate of return, an income tax charitable deduction and substantial tax-free annuity payments. You also help propel groundbreaking research. Your gift annuity’s high rate of return assures you retirement income for life and provides a brighter future for Israel and the world. AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity Returns Age 65 Rate 6.0% 70 6.5% 75 80 85 90 7.1% 8.0% 9.5% 11.3% CALL OR EMAIL NOW. The returns are generous. The cause is priceless. For information on AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuities, please call AFHU Mid-Atlantic Region Executive Director, Frandee R. Woolf at (202) 363-4600 or email: fwoolf@afhu.org. Rates are based on a single life. Cash contributions produce annuity payments that are substantially tax-free. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem RESEARCH ENGINE FOR THE WORLD. ENGINE OF GROWTH FOR A NATION. Cindy Citron (left), with her parents Alfred and Harriet, at their home in the Northeast. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM THE GOOD LIFE 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW Suite 250 Washington DC 20016 (202) 363-4600 afhu.org/cga5 DECEMBER 17, 2015 23 Homecare Continued from Page 23 that people over the age of 60 who think they need help at home can call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), which will then send out an assessment team to see if assistance is needed. Once PCA deems a family eligible for home care, it works with JEVS at Home to help them. Having 24-hour care at the Citron home has really changed their lives, Shimberg said. Alfred had just turned 80 and the Citrons had just celebrated their 53 rd wedding anniversary and ultimately, life is much easier. “Without the service, Mr. Citron would most likely be in a nursing home,” she said. “The service allows them to stay at home, be a mar- ried couple and still see their grandchildren. The longer we can keep people home, the longer they can survive. Families like the Citrons are making it possible for other people.” At the time, Cindy was spending three to four nights a week car- ing for her dad, but that all changed the day Janice took a daytime ride with Harriet, only to witness her suffering from a conversion disorder that caused her to pass out. Janice immediately brought it to Cindy’s attention — and that was the last day Harriet drove. Cindy became an advocate for her parents and would call PCA and JEVS at Home nonstop pleading her parents’ case for receiving full-time home care. With kids, a job and traveling from Delaware, taking on the role of primary caregiver was out of the question. Ultimately, her advocacy led to 24-hour care for her parents. “It’s unprecedented — people don’t get 24-hour care at home,” she said. “Typically, when you ask someone for help most people want to Alyssa Lipschutz (left) poses at home with parents Stan and Evelyn. Name: Village your life? This is maintenance free living at its best! Isn't it Victorian time to enjoy Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life * Walking distance to the historic town of Hatboro!!! An Active Adult Lifestyle Community. • 168 elegant and spacious two bedroom, two bath residences. • Private spacious balconies with beautifully landscaped grounds. • Elegant, maintenance free Victorian style exterior with terrace. • BB&T Bank, restaurant, and Nail Salon on premises. Hatboro Pharmacy coming soon. • Clubhouse with billiard room, computers with internet, and fitness center. • Security regulated buzz in entry. • Full Size Laundry Room visit us at 420 South York Road • Hatboro, PA • 19040 www.victorianvillagehatboro.com 215•441•0350 www.victorianvillagehatboro.com For information: call 215•441•0350 24 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM help you. You can’t expect the state to anticipate what you may or may not need.” Now, her parents still have their independence and Cindy, her kids and other family members can visit them at home. “I know that they are safe,” Cindy said. Al, who has had numerous health issues, including open-heart surgery, back surgery and Parkinson’s, is grateful for his daughter’s help, and thrilled JEVS at Home and PCA granted him and his wife 24-hour care — especially since Janice has become so dear to him. “She’s very knowledgeable. She takes wonderful care of me,” Al said, referring to Janice. While he appreciates everything being done for him, he misses driving and his job as a salesman, where he sold everything from tobacco to cheesecake. Cindy understands and sympathizes with her father to an extent. But, she said simply, “You can’t put a price tag on a piece of mind.” In 2008, Evelyn Lipschutz, 69, a resident of the Northeast, began falling and was put in a nursing home for rehab for a year. She re- turned home, but has had a number of medical ailments, which caused her daughter Alyssa to become her primary caregiver in 2012. Previously, Alyssa worked in the foodservice industry but, after hearing about JEVS at Home, decided to make the switch. Alyssa is now a JAH employee, just like the caregivers for the Citrons. JAH provides people with the ability to hire a family mem- ber as a caregiver, and it is often the deciding factor as to whether or not a consumer accepts services. Her father, Stan, 67, had a small stroke in 2011 so his ability to help with her mom diminished. It has also pushed her onto a career path of nursing: She recently got her certified nursing assistant license and will be looking into night nursing school next year. She doesn’t want to see her parents end up in a nursing home. “I thought they could still be independent if they had help at home,” Alyssa said. “They love that I’m here helping them,” she said. “They are thank- ful. I never discussed putting them in an assisted living facility.” Stan and Evelyn both agreed Alyssa has made a difference in their lives. “I’m very pleased about it,” Stan said. “She does a very good job. I would say that it’s been easier. She helps us a lot. I’m happy that we are able to stay at home.” l Jason Cohen is a staff reporter for the Jewish Exponent. Get Help Finding Help For people over the age of 60, they can call Philadelphia Corporation for Aging at 215- 765-9000 to reach the Office of Long Term Living. PCA will send out a service coordina- tor who will complete an assessment that de- termines eligibility both medically and finan- cially (through the County Assistance office). The paperwork is then sent to the state for ap- proval. Once approved, the service coordinator as- sists the family in identifying a home care agency. This is when they can request JAH. People under 60 can contact Maximus (877-550-4227) to un- dergo a similar process. Name: Kings Run/First Montgomery Grou Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life 12/17 1/2pg JEWISHEXPONENT.COM THE GOOD LIFE DECEMBER 17, 2015 25 Jerusalem’s Old City at night Tours de Force There are more options than ever for active adults looking to explore all that Israel has to offer. BY HILARY DANAILOVA or my travel-averse grandmother, a Holy Land trip was a lot like her diet — the one that always started tomorrow. When she and my grandfather finally joined a tour of Israel, the Yom Kippur War broke out on their second day in Jerusalem. But they had a wonderful time anyway, and the photos, stories and gold Chai necklaces from that trip were among my grandmother’s most cherished mementos. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage or an annual vaca- tion, there are more options than ever for older Americans seeking to experience Israel — alternatives that go far beyond the traditional greatest-hits tour, though that, too, has evolved with changing tastes. No other demographic is as varied in age, interests, physical con- dition, or generational preferences as today’s seniors, who might be anywhere from 50 to 100. F 26 DECEMBER 17, 2015 First-timers might enjoy a group visit to the Western Wall, a swing through Tel Aviv and a dip in the Dead Sea; repeat visitors, active adventurers and scholars will find itineraries tailored to their par- ticular bents. On virtually every tour, couples predominate, followed by a sizable contingent of single women (single men are less common, though exceedingly popular). The average age is generally in the 60s, which is true even for trips not specifically aimed at seniors. But there is one thing all sojourners have in common, according to Susan Blum, Israel department manager at Philadelphia-based Gil Travel Tours: “Every trip, they’re yelling, ‘Turn on the Wi-Fi!’ ” — her tone con- veying that from 80-year-olds, this you wouldn’t expect. “And it’s like, ‘Look on the right, there’s something amazing,’ ” recalled Blum. “Come on, you’re in Israel. Turn off your phone and look out the window!” THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Bridges at Warwick Width: 4.917" OUR LIFESTYLE CAN Depth: 4.75" YOUR NEW YEAR! Color: Black BRIGHTEN plus one Comment: Good Life oon! Opening S Celebrate the New Year with the promise of exciting, new opportunities at The Bridges at Warwick. Come preview our celebrated lifestyle and see all that awaits at Bucks County’s newest senior community-offering supportive living and comprehensive memory care. CAREGIVING: HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR LIFE Tuesday, January 19 | Noon Event will be held at the Warwick Township Building in Jamison. Call today to RSVP . 215.490.9785 www.thebridgesatwarwick.com 1600 Almshouse Road | Jamison, PA 18929 Name: Morse Tours Experience Israel with Margaret Morse Tours Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life 2016 DATES 2016 Adults Only Tours Family – Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tours 16 days including 2 nights in Eilat THE ULTIMATE FAMILY EXPERIENCE! GUARANTEED TO BE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME! March 29-April 13 May 10-25 September 13-28 October 25-November 9 November 8-23 All 16 Days Include: • Deluxe 5 Star Well Located Hotels • Fabulous Breakfasts Daily and Most Dinners • Exciting Comprehensive Itinerary • Expert Licensed Guides and Drivers – Israel’s Best • Wonderful Evening Entertainment • Surprise Extras and MORE! RE-VISITORS TOUR May 10-22 • October 25-November 6 See Tours, Page 28 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 0 ily d 8 m an 19 Fa ed nce n Si Ow t e d a er Op Nostalgic for Junior Year Abroad? The classic Israel tour is uniquely conducive to friendships that endure after the plane lands at Newark. That’s because minutes into the welcome dinner, travelers are playing a game their guides call Jewish Geography — swap- ping stories of Brooklyn childhoods and ex- claiming over mutual acquaintances in Michigan. For tour devotees, what you sac- rifice in flexibility and independence, you more than gain in hassle-free roaming and conviviality. Friendships are forged over camel rides and hummus; couples broaden their social circle, while solo visitors find companionship (though the single supple- ment is still common.) Most excursions cover the essentials: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Masa- da, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and maybe Caesarea. Still, as times have changed, so have the trips. Itin- eraries have grown more adventurous, in- corporating culturally immersive activities like home-based Shabbat and newer at- tractions like Abraham’s Tent at Genesis Land. “And over the years, hotel quality has improved — from four to five stars, which in Israel is a big step up,” said Michael Morse, a third generation mem- ber of the family behind Margaret Morse Tours, a Florida-based company that has specialized in Israel for 35 years. “The Jewish traveler from the U.S. prefers something better.” Morse offers more than a half-dozen adults-only departures in spring and fall, the most pleasant seasons in Israel, with 13- and 16-day programs from $3,999 to $4,399 per person, not including airfare. Groups are large — an average of 60-90 people, spread over two to three buses with lots of empty seats for comfort — and sev- eral departures are geared specifically for second-timers. At Gil Travel Tours, another Holy Land specialist, 12-day trips for ages 55+ sell out as fast as Susan Blum schedules them. The average age is late 60s, though Blum has had energetic guests in their 80s and 90s; with 15 to 20 people, groups are large enough to keep dinner conversation lively but small enough to warrant spontaneous additions to the schedule. “If we have a real shopping crowd, we can make sure to do that,” Blum explained, ticking off the ad- vantages of a Gil senior tour: “They’re all the same age. There’s no kids on the trip. We go when it’s not too hot. We become a family.” Another benefit: the price, $4,900 per person, includes airfare and nearly everything else. ALL NEW Sites – Experiences – Memories THE GOOD LIFE March 16-27 .................. 12 days June 14-26 .................... 13 days June 14-29 .................... 16 days June 28-July 10 ............ 13 days June 28-July 13 ............ 16 days July 12-24 ..................... 13 days July 12-27 ..................... 16 days July 26-August 7 ........... 13 days July 26- August 10 ........ 16 days August 16-28 ................ 13 days August 16-31 ................ 16 days Dec. 24-Jan. 4, 2017 ..... 12 days Celebrant Goes Totally Free* Free Tour Includes: • Ceremony on Masada & Rabbi’s services • Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration Party • Archeological hands-on dig • Kayaking • Camel rides • Jeeps • Snorkeling • Hiking • Gifts • And more! Browse Photos, Order Brochures, Register Now! Call 800.327.3191 \ 954.458.2021 or Email: info@margaretmorsetours.com www.margaretmorsetours.com *Restrictions apply. DECEMBER 17, 2015 27 Name: Joseph Levine & Sons Width: 3.625" Depth: 9.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life Tours Continued from Page 27 For doctors who fancy a busman’s holiday: Does your idea of a good time involve lunch with the Health Minister and cutting-edge research labs? This February, North American Jewish doctors can join an international team of colleagues on the Doctors for Israel Tour, one of a number of special-interest travel missions sponsored by the Jewish National Fund. Most participants are middle-aged and older, said Talia Aviani, JNF’s missions manager, though many are still working. The Americans meet with top Israeli doctors and researchers, learning about the achievements and challenges of a world-renowned medical culture. The group visits facilities around the country — august institutions as well as small border hospitals — and meets with patients at a military rehabilitation center. Price: $2,595 per person (based on double occupancy, without airfare). Another med- ical mission is scheduled for December 2016. I want to volunteer, but I’m not an M.D. Joining the morning com- muters on the city bus, exchanging greetings in the elevator, dis- cussing the day’s challenges over lunch with colleagues: There is no better way to understand a country than to work alongside its res- idents. For visitors who prefer meaningful service to sybaritic va- cations, Skilled Volunteers for Israel is an organization that matches North American adults and retirees with nonprofits in critical need of their skills — everything from editing and early childhood edu- cation to graphic design and legal research.   Apply for individual placement or join an upcoming group mis- sion, Go Israel Volunteer: Tel Aviv, from February 15 - March 5, 2016. Go Israel Volunteer costs $1,650, including orientation, trans- portation, activities, meals, and a lecture series; airfare and accom- modations are extra. However you volunteer, you’ll pay rather than get paid — but constructive engagement is its own reward. values we hold mo ost sacr ed: ser vice, tradition and dignity nity y. . JOSEP H & SON S S E R VIC E • T RADITIO N • D IGNIT Y Haym Salomon Memorial Park 200 Moores Road 610.644.1100 Adam D. Levine , Supervisor 4737 St r eet Road Tr rT evose, P A 19053 215.942.470 0 2811 W est Chester Pike rB oomall, P A 19008 610.325.2000 Jonathon D. Levine, Supervisor B rian M. Levine, Supervisor L ocations 800.992.3339 w w w . l e v i n e f u n e r a l . c o m 28 DECEMBER 17, 2015 • info@levinefuneral.co m Already worked your way through the Zahav cookbook? The weeklong Culinary, Wine and Music Tour, another JNF mission, might be the perfect next chapter. Ideal for aesthetes, gourmands and those who have already seen Israel’s major sights, this June route takes in up-and-coming wineries, the jazz clubs of Tel Aviv, and the spice markets of Jerusalem. A typical day might involve a workshop on the evolution of Israeli cuisine with a top chef and cookbook au- thor; a guided nature walk through biblical forests, followed by a meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients; and an ice cream- making event and discussion of Israeli diversity at a jointly owned THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Arab-Jewish creamery. Price: $5,999, based on double occu- pancy and excluding airfare. For the lifelong student who schleps Will Durant to the beach: Would you rather debate the semiotics of a museum than its contents? You might enjoy one of the rigorously cere- bral travel seminars organized by the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, a project of the Hebrew University. Melton, famous for its two-year adult Jewish learning curriculum, hosts four textually focused, idea-oriented Israel journeys — themes include “Herzl’s Dream Revisited” and “Biblical In- Sites” — as well as Jewish historical tours of Poland (Ashke- nazim) and Spain (Sephardim) that culminate in Israel. “It’s a study seminar, but you’re never in a classroom. You’re studying as you’re out walking the land,” explained Judy Mars Kupchan, CEO of the Melton School. “You come as a partic- ipant in Israel, not as a tourist.” In other words, don’t expect a shopping expedition. You’ll still swim in the Dead Sea, but after you dry off, you’ll join a study session on false messiahs rather than go for cocktails. Then you’ll dine at a kibbutz with staggeringly beautiful views, chat with the residents, and con- template the relationship between land, history and people. Prices vary, starting around $2,950 (land only). Speaking of travelers who insist they’re not tourists: When you’re digging up Holy Land treasure alongside university students or watching the sun set over Jerusalem from your own apartment bal- cony, you feel less like a visitor — and more like an Israeli. Those are the kind of immersive cultural experiences Road Scholar had in mind when the company designed its all-inclusive, six-week Living and Learning program for adults over 50. At a cost of about Name: Rothkoff Law Group Width: Having 3.625" Difficulty Caring Depth: for 4.75" an Aging Loved One? Color: Black plus one • Our law firm is 1/4pg dedicated color to helping families Comment: good life who are overwhelmed or confused by all of the decisions they have to make about how to pay for long-term health care. $9,000 (excluding airfare), participants get a local cellphone on ar- rival, settle into their own Jerusalem apartments, attend daily morn- ing Hebrew classes, and convene for happy hours and weekend ex- cursions around the country. Road Scholar — formerly known as Elderhostel, the pioneer of senior educational travel — will launch the program in Israel this January. One of very few language-immersions specifically for sen- See Tours, Page 28 Name: Woodloch Resort/Woodloch Pines Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: 1/4 pg color -good life “#1 Resort for families in the United States” ~ TripAdvisor.com 2015 • We can often assist clients in increasing their income and obtaining benefits to help defray the cost of long ter m care at home, in assisted living facilities, adult medical day care, and in nursing homes. • Did you know there are Veterans benefits that Veterans or Widow(er)s of Veterans can receive to supplement income to pay for health care Jerold E. Rothkoff Elder Law Attorney costs at home, in Assisted Living Facilities, Adult Medical Day Care, and in Nursing Homes? Offices in: SPECIAL OFFER Call us to request your complimentary copy of our “Nuts and Bolts Guide to Veterans Benefits for Seniors” www.rothkofflaw.com Free Telephone Consultation House Calls Available JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 856.616.2923 215.546.5800 To register & find out more about our seminars, visit our website. 800.Woodloch (966.3562) | Woodloch.com In the Northern Pocono Mountains THE GOOD LIFE DECEMBER 17, 2015 29 Tours Continued from Page 29 iors, Living and Learning promises free time to explore Israel and use your Hebrew in context, along with social di- versity: Israel Road Scholars are typically split 50-50 between Jews and non-Jews…and 45 percent of them are single. Prefer to roll up your sleeves and get dirty? Another Road Scholar offering, which begins this July for active adults over 50, invites participants on a two- or four-week archae- ological dig in Tel Dor, a village on the Mediterranean near Haifa. Two dozen Road Scholars will join students and re- searchers from a local university for early morning digs, af- ternoons at the affiliated museum, and weekends in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv (cost without airfare: around $3,400). Herbal tea, meditation and Midrash, too: A stay at Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin, which describes itself as a holistic Torah retreat for Jewish women of all ages, is the antithesis of your typical Israel tour. Seniors are in the minority, men are rare, participants commit to anywhere from two weeks to a year of full- time study — and it all takes place in the green Judean Mountains, far from the intensity of Jerusalem or the cosmopolitanism of Tel Aviv. On a hilltop amid burbling natural springs, Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin aims to be a spiritual oasis for an international community of women whose ages range from 18 to the late 80s. “We find so many older students bring a certain wisdom for our younger students,” said Elana Roth, the midrasha’s administration director (who is orig- inally from Minnesota, but warned that the damp, underheated Judean winter feels just as cold). The women are united by a desire Name: PNC Wealth Management Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black Comment: good life -1/4pg to plunge deep into Jewish learning in a nurturing, female-centered environment — whether for a two-week Passover “renewal,” a year- long conversion journey or an immersive summer ulpan. Activities include classes in Jewish mysticism, meditation and classical philosophy; partner textual study; one-on-one spiritual mentoring; and workshops in herbology using Biblical plants from the garden. Few programs take the concept of going back to the land so seriously — or interpret it on so many levels. And if village life gets confining, Jerusalem is less than an hour away. l Hilary Danailova is already packing for the culinary tour of Israel. Name: Cranmer & Cranmer Width: 3.625" Depth: 1.75" Color: Black Comment: business card Name: Filler Width: 3.625" Depth: 2.809" .com/ Color: Black jewishexponent Comment: - .com/ jewishexponent .com/ jewishexponent 30 DECEMBER 17, 2015 THE GOOD LIFE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Brandywine Senior Care, Inc. Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: Good Life 12/17-InsideBkCovr My mother always told me... Nurses on site... all day, all night Escapades...for Life! All Day Dining Transportation 4GƃGEVKQPU award winning memory care program Beautiful grounds and interior “You are known by the company you keep.” “My mom hates to be alone, so there is always someone around to keep her company. 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Name: Wesley Enhanced Living* Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: The Good Life Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line (formerly Martins Run) OUTSHINES other Senior Living Communities • Your choice of affordable studio, 1 & 2 bedroom apartment homes with full kitchens, customizable cabinetry, flooring and finishes for far less than you might expect! • Your choice of three restaurants, including a trendy Bistro and kosher dining room • Indoor tram service to take you anywhere you want to go • Energy club and deluxe indoor heated pool for aquatics and lap swimming • Movie theater with luxury seating • Spiritual life programs and religious services For more information, please contact 610-222-6233 or kdiorio@wel.org.