Jack Adelman, a
seasoned golfer from
Windsor, competes in
the putt-putt event.
Jewish Senior Life resident Netti Stein, 92, launches a perfect
Spectator and participant Rose
Bernard "Bernie" Friedman from Oak Park tosses
shot through the hoop at the Jewish Senior Life Olympic games.
Breitberg cheers on participants.
horseshoes.
JSL Senior Olympics keeps octogenarians active and spirited.
Allison Batdorff
Special to the Jewish News
T
he crowd cheered enthusiastically
as Stanley Prenzlauer launched
yet another lawn dart smack-dab
into the target ring — this time with his
eyes closed. Pompoms shook, and the
crowd went wild.
This month's Jewish Senior Life's Senior
Olympics were games of the heart, cel-
ebrating older adults for their stamina and
grit — and in Prenzlauer's case — physical
prowess.
"I'm no athlete, I assure you:' Prenzlauer
says, but his modesty is lost among claps
and congratulations in the atrium at JS1:s
Fleischman Residence/Blumberg Plaza in
West Bloomfield where the weeklong event
was held.
Prenzlauer is 82 years old. Hilda
Silverman is this year's oldest Olympian at
28 June 20 • 2013
age 101. Most other participants are some-
where in between those ages.
"Our agency speaks to the needs and
interests of all we serve:' says Carol
Rosenberg, director, Jewish Senior Life
Foundation. "Older adults have varied
interests and abilities, and every single
day we celebrate all of that and more with
unique programs, services and creative
activities in our residences and throughout
the community"
This year's JSL games ran June 3-7;
events included wheelchair-friendly games
like darts, beanbag toss, bocce and horse-
shoes.
Jack Adelman, a seasoned golfer from
Windsor, Canada, mopped up on the putt-
putt challenge, although he insists partici-
pating is more about fun then victory.
"It's a people-pleaser," he says. "No
matter if you win or lose at the activities,
everyone is still very happy:'
The games showcase the energy and
effort of JSL residents, who participate
with a range of abilities, says Mary
Blowers, programming coordinator,
Fleischman Residence/Blumberg Plaza.
Often, people don't realize that staying
physically active promotes wellness and
healthier lives, Blowers added.
"People can surprise their friends and
themselves:' Blowers says. "When they see
each other do these kinds of things, they
cheer each other on and socialize, and it
builds that necessary sense of community
that makes our residences a true home:'
Rose Breitberg loves competitive sport
activities. She plays horseshoes and has a
lot of fun being as physically active as pos-
sible.
"Keeping busy is a great way to get
through life:' Breitberg says.
"I think it's wonderful that they do this
for us:' Helen Eizelman says. "It really
makes us feel young again. A lot of us live
on memories here, so this is really some-
thing:'
Nettie Stein, 92, of Oak Park decided to
try her hand at an aiming challenge where
you stand a couple feet away from a hula-
hoop and throw pool noodles through the
hoop. She aced it, letting out a whoop that
was echoed by her friends.
You're never too old to learn something
new or have a little fun, says Bernard
"Bernie" Friedman of Oak Park, a World
War II Navy veteran who does art in his
spare time.
"Some people excel with their past expe-
rience and some people are still learning,
but everybody is having fun:' Friedman
says.
❑
Allison Batdorff is assistant publicist at Your
People LLC. Zoe Hu and Michael Hnatiuk
contributed to this article.