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To Our Readers
0
ver the past two weeks, we have received several
letters to the editor in response to the JN's story
about bedbugs in certain Jewish Senior Living
facilities ("Bedbugs Hit The 'Burbs," Sept. 22, page 12).
Some letters have expressed disappointment with the
perceived tenor or handling of the story. Others have sin-
cerely praised the administration and operation of JSL
based on personal experience of having loved ones who
live there.
We printed two letters last week and have included
excerpts from others on this page today. We always wel-
come the perspectives, insights and suggestions of our
knowledgeable readers and community members.
>
JSL Leadership Goes
'Above And Beyond'
Thanks to your in-depth article about
bedbugs, ("Bedbugs Hit The 'Burbs,"
Sept. 22, page 12), readers of the Jewish
News now know a lot about these "bou-
doir phlebotomists" and their resur-
gence in the U.S.
According to the article, Congress'
response to the problem was the draft-
ing of the "Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite
Act:' which had no impact (according to
the article, the bill 'died' in committee).
Fortunately, for our community, and
specifically, my father who lives in
Meer Apartments, I am confident that
JSL's leadership, under the direction of
CEO Rochelle Upfal, is going above and
beyond to address this issue.
From personal experience, I know
that JSL's staff listens to the concerns of
the residents, often going out of their
way to ensure that our seniors receive
the highest quality of care in a warm,
comfortable and secure environment.
Lea Luger,
daughter of Meer resident
Irving Stollman
JSL Is The Epitome
Of Housing Standards
While your article correctly depicts a
nationwide epidemic of bedbugs and
identifies the prompt, remedial action
taken by Jewish Senior Life, I take vis-
ceral objection to the allegations by an
unnamed resident that JSL intentionally
suppresses communication with resi-
dents and families.
As a geriatric psychiatrist for over
15 years who visits residents daily
in numerous facilities throughout
the Metropolitan Detroit area, I have
witnessed each facility's means and
methods to protect its residents from a
As journalists, we strive to be fair, accurate and unbi-
ased in our reporting of Jewish Detroit. Many times, we
report on the positive events and accomplishments of our
community. Sometimes, we must report on its problems.
If we choose not to write a story because "it doesn't look
good" or places an esteemed Jewish nonprofit organization
on the spot, then our role as a community watchdog gets
reduced to that of publicist — selectively disseminating
what looks best at the expense of what the public has the
right to know.
Thank you for your letters and suggestions. We take all
views to heart and will continue to strive to accurately
report the significant events of our community. I I
multitude of threats.
Without question, JSL is the epitome
of best practices facilities in the Detroit
area and, I am confident, across the
country. I have witnessed prompt,
efficient, compassionate and effective
response to every incident that could
cause harm to any JSL resident.
While bedbugs remain a national
issue ranging from family homes to
five-star hotels, the public should not
feel threatened in any JSL facility. JSL
continues to utilize measures beyond
industry standards. I have entrusted JSL
to care for my family members in the
past and will continue to do so in the
future.
Theodore J. Ruza, D.O.
Farmington Hills
JSL Care, Concern
Much Appreciated
When have bedbugs become a Jewish
problem? Bedbugs are a universal issue!
Have you ever checked out other senior
citizens residences in the metropolitan
area and across the country? Shame
on the JN for reporting this non-news,
inappropriate account and illustrating
the "bug" larger than the picture of the
CEO.
Our experience with Jewish Senior
Life and the eradication of bedbugs
was one of complete thoroughness. Our
brother was to move from an Oak Park
apartment to Coville Assisted Living.
His prior apartment was infested with
bedbugs. Before he was able to move
into Coville, all of his furniture and
belongings had to be fumigated and
heat-treated in a sealed container, at our
great expense. We know and appreciate
that this was done in order to prevent
the spread of this nuisance throughout
the residence.
Jewish Senior Life has always been
very effective in communicating rel-
evant issues to us. We are confident that
if bedbugs were infesting the Oak Park
senior residences, we would have been
notified immediately.
Donna and Allan Pearlman
Huntington Woods
Jewish Senior Living
A Well-Managed Jewel
Your article's liberal use of the word
"infestation" leaves a negative feel-
ing to the readers. Out of 870 units at
Jewish Senior Life apartments only
nine units were affected. That's not an
infestation but an isolated few units.
Most of the article gave good gen-
eral information on the rising bedbug
problem for all apartment com-
munities. If you would have called
other apartment community owners
like me, you would have found that
most, if not all, have had bedbugs.
You should have made his article
more generic and lauded JSL's quick
eradication of the bedbugs. Singling
out Jewish Senior Life, an exemplary
award-winning, nationally recognized
organization is not being fair to its
wonderful staff.
My dad lived at Meer apartments
for four years. All the employees
treated him with respect and warmth
and were openly communicative with
him and his family. There were no
secrets. Any and all information that
residents needed was communicated
to my dad and our family.
Jewish Senior Life apartments is a
well-managed jewel in the community
and a wonderful place for our seniors
to live with a quality of life.
Photo L to R: Ryan Rosenberg,
Brittany Danzig, Jordan Rosenberg,
Sydney Steinberg, Adam Janke and
Marla Jablonowski
Thank you to over 200 young
adults who came out to support
JARC's second annual Bowling
Night - "Made in Detroit."
Kudos to the dedicated event
committee, generous sponsors
and amazing chairs, Amanda
Fisher and Jodi Fox, who
made the evening spectacular.
Upcoming is the Young Adult
Pre-Glow "Magical Mystery
Lounge" at the Fox Theatre
on October 18th!
Whether as a volunteer
or donor, your generous
support will benefit the
men, women and
children JARC serves.
Help JARC continue...
BUY TICKETS ONLINE!
www.jarc.org
A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
Neil Satovsky
West Bloomfield
31' ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
(
October 6 • 2011
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