THE PARK LIVING involved, size of the home and time necessary to move the client. Only insured and bonded movers are hired to work with them. Gentle Transitioning also can pro- vide supplementary services rang- ing from changing the client's phone number, canceling the newspapers and calling to set up cable TV to helping a longtime homeowner find rental insurance for a new apart- ment. They also have a resource file of professional referrals, from those who do home modifications to care- givers, hospice care workers, physi- cians, social workers and therapists. The company plans to provide additional services and possibly expand into other areas of the cowl- try. "As the number of baby boom- ers whose parents are moving out of larger homes grows, we want to grow with the market," Kovan said. The women are looking to benefit clients through their own profes- sional and personal experience, beginning with moving Kovan's MOM. A lot of people wait until there is a crisis to move Kovan said. "We try to present an opportunity to do it in a sane environment, before someone comes to us with a family member with a broken hip who needs to move immediately. There's a fear ele- ment that comes with moving out of a longtime home" A baby boomer herself, Kovan said, "I believe the parents of many people my age would have been out of their houses years ago if they didn't think getting out would be so difficult" Added Knatz: "We find many people with boxes they are storing in their basements and closets they have not opened in many years. This leaves a lot more work for the chil- dren once the client needs to move or has passed away. "I told my parents to get rid of everything they don't need. Now." ❑ " Please share your thoughts online at thejewishnews.com/community. Go to Local News. For information, call (248) 593-8876, go to www.GentleTransitioning.com or access the Facebook page at Facebook.com and type "Gentle Transitioning" in the search box. Youngsters Face Challenge "Pebbles and Stones," a program that addresses death, dying, grieving and how to comfort mourners, was developed by Rabbinic Associate Keren Alpert of Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township to help familiarize children and parents with the Jewish rituals and basic beliefs. She came up with the idea three years ago, when several grandparents of fifth- graders died within six weeks. It was Alpert's hope that families could learn about death and dying in a hypothetical arena and not be confronted for the first time with the elements of funeral prepa- ration and shivah at the death of a loved one. The teachers and parents agreed that demystifying death and mourning helps eliminate surprises for children and makes the issue much more approachable, even if still painful. Students met with their teachers ear- lier in the month to determine what the students already knew about death and dying and what they wanted to learn. Families then joined together on a Sunday morning in February to learn together, reading a story and having one-on-one discussions. Parents and students then worked separately, with parents joining Alpert to hear about how to talk to your kids about death, what appropriate participation is for children when attending a funeral and to elucidate the spectrum of Jewish beliefs regarding the afterlife. During this time, Principal Arlene Keller and the teachers were helping students create stones and pebbles to be placed on graves at a future trip to the cemetery. In addition, Keller discussed with the students items on their list of what they wished to learn. The morning ended with the parents rejoining their children and eating a shivah meal together, reciting the "23rd Psalm" and the Mourner's Kaddish. Thoughts For Peace Ameinu Detroit will host a program with Israeli Dr. Sapir Handelman, who will speak and show a short film about his international Minds of Peace Experiment (MOPE), 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park. Admission is free. Handelman, visiting professor at Wayne State University's Center for Peace and Conflict Studies in Detroit, moderates an ongoing series of Israeli-Palestinian public negotiating assemblies, whose goal is to find a path toward Middle East peace. Ameinu is the former Labor Zionist Alliance. Director Esther Allweiss Ingber, is at (248) 967-3170. "I JUST DECIDED THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE ALONE ANYMORE:' g/gaking new friends is one of life's greatest pleasures. Residents of The Park at Trowbridge often become re- energized with a whole new zest for life as they make new friends with people their own age, people they can relate to. See for yourself why seniors living at The Park at Trowbridge experience an invigorating sense of independence, freedom and optimism. Your story continues here... at Trowbridge For more information or to visit, call today! (248) 352-0208 24.ITI Civic Center Drive Southfield, MI 48033 I HORIZON BAY RETIREMENT LIVING' I www.horizonbay. corn 1 157 ,950 OMPT SPECIALISTS offers caring, skilled therapy in state-of-the-art setting With HYDRO TRACK Hydro Track aquatic therapy where the water is heated to a perfect temperature supporting your body, reducing joint stress and the air jets provides resistance to legs adding the strength factor to your muscles. "Hydro Track is a billy wonderful & satisfying experience. I'm able to walk for long periods with absolutely no pain. After my appoinbnents and even days later, I still feel the benefits of water therapy." -Robert Galin, D.D.S. CD N/I FD -1— OPIKCIAttiSITS OMPT SPECIALISTS, INC., consultation 29255 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 300, Southfield, MI 248-353-1234 www.myompt.com Call for a FREE 1547320 DON'T MISS THE BUSINESS SECTION INSIDE THE JN THE SECOND WEEK EVERY MONTH Call 248.351.5107 for more information March 4 . 2010 31