family focus
Building Connections
Meer Academy helps to stimulate
older adults intellectually and socially.
Karen Gordon Rosenberg
Special to the Jewish News
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Wednesday, March 5th 6-8pm
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46
February 27 • 2014
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iving in a residence like Jewish
Senior Life's Meer Apartments
is an open door to a whole new
life.
Carol Rosenberg, JSL Foundation
director, says the goal is "to provide
choices and opportunities for our older
adults that enrich their lives. The pro-
gramming we offer encourages posi-
tive connections among friends and
neighbors, as well as lifelong learning:'
That's exactly what Meer Academy
provides several times each week.
From musical Shabbat experiences
to academic lectures, Meer Academy
seeks to enhance the quality of life of
older adults living there. One program
offered participants the opportunity to
take a "musical walk" through Fiddler
on the Roof, exploring their heritage
through their own experiences as well
as the collective experience of the
Jewish people.
With a consistent group of 25-30 per
session, Meer Academy participants
share stories and perspectives on life.
Coming together as neighbors social-
izing and sharing, they find strength,
laughter and friendship while joining
in a unique opportunity for learning.
Rabbi Tamara Kolton, who heads
the program, observes this process
each time she spends time with Meer
Academy attendees. She notes the
beauty in watching people walk into a
room as strangers and leave as friends.
When Kolton asked participants to
discuss the best time in their lives, one
woman's answer was the 1940s. Born
in the United States, she was young,
newly married and living freely during
that decade. Next to her sat a woman
who survived the Holocaust and for
whom the 1940s were the worst pos-
sible time in her memory.
Meer Academy, begun in 2011, is
generously supported by the Robert
and Marge Alpern Life Enhancement
Fund. At 93, Marge Alpern wanted
to bring intellectual stimulation to
enhance the lives of older adults. A
long-time JSL supporter, she is gratified
by the impact of the program, especial-
ly noting how much the classes have
enriched the lives of Meer residents.
Meer staff members — including
administrator Patti Tauber, resident
service coordinator Rachel Green and
activities coordinator Miryam Cohen —
agree that the stimulation and variety in
Top: Rabbi Tamara Kolton with Meer
Academy funder Marge Alpern.
Below: Participants are ready.
Meer Academy programming is essen-
tial for building a sense of community.
Kolton conducted services for Rosh
Hashanah and leads a Yizkor service
every few months, which consistently
attracts about 50 older adults. Yizkor is
part of aging well, Kolton says.
"Remembering those who have
passed, together as a community, is
deeply empowering:' she says. "There
is a sense of a 'coming home; of broth-
ers and sisters coming together in
peace'
One by one, individuals share the
names of their loved ones, knowing
they are part of a caring community
and a long, rich tradition.
Also, a little bit of magic often hap-
pens. The song "Sunrise, Sunset" was
playing in the background while a
100-year-old man lit Shabbat candles.
He asked Kolton to dance, and they
did the waltz. Having survived the
Nazis, this man knows that each
moment is precious.
❑
March offerings include a class on the his-
tory of Purim and the Book of Esther and
a Purim party. For information, contact
Marcia Mittelman at (248) 661-1836. Karen
Gordon Rosenberg works at Your People
LLC, a public relations firm in Southfield.