Caring For Aging
Parents Feels Like
The Toughest Job
You've Ever Had.

I understand. It can be overwhelming.

Brightly-lit Star of David at the entrance to the

Nairobi Synagogue

KENYA BOASTS A 100-YEAR-OLD SHUL

A few months before our departure, I

Googled "synagogue in Kenya." My grand-
mother used to say, "We Jews are — every-
where." And indeed we are: there it was, a
beautiful synagogue building looking at me
from the computer screen as if saying, and
why are you surprised, ah?
I emailed the synagogue and soon received
a response from one of its leaders, Barbara
Steenstrup. In 2004, Nairobi Hebrew Congre-
gation celebrated its 100th birthday.
The Nairobi Jewish community is as diverse
as the Diaspora itself: secular and observant,
Sephardic and Ashkenazi. Congregants come
from India and Russia, Morocco and Poland,
South Africa and the United States. Some are
native-born Kenyan; the majority are from
Israel. Some are from diplomatic corps; most
are involved in various businesses.

MASAI — "GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE"
I found my next Jewish story of Africa in the
most unlikely of places: the vast plains of
Masai Mara and Serengeti reserves.
As we drove there, we saw the light-
skinned, tall, slender people dressed in red,
who were as ubiquitous to the landscape
as sky above and Earth below. Surrounded
by their herd of cattle, they leaned on their
long spears or stood on one leg in a stork-
like pose. Bearing remarkable similarities to
ancient Romans from North Africa, most had
classical profiles, wore red togas and sandals
and were equipped with Roman-style short
stabbing swords. Women had shaved heads,
while the young men's hair was plated and
stuck together with red clay. To us, they
looked like young mythical gods. These are
the proud Masai people of East Africa, whose
mysterious past is enveloped in legends of
being one of the lost tribes of Israel.
When the Europeans brought the railroad
to Nairobi, the Masai were the only human
inhabitants there, coming and going as they
pleased with their cattle. Nomadic and highly
suspicious of any strangers passing through
their land, the Masai were never fond of the
Europeans. In 1904, M. Merker, a German
official-turned scientist stationed in Tangan-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

Pam Feinberg-Rivkin
RN, BSN, CCM, CRRN, ABDA

■ -../

Feinberg

consulting, inc.

Care Coordination & Health Advocacy

248.538.5425
www.feinbergconsulting.com

A- r - i d - geway

My team of experienced professionals
can help. No matter your challenge or
situation - in Michigan or Florida - we
know what you are facing and what to do
about it.

Its our job to plan, manage and even
provide the care, so you can focus on
family support and all of your other
responsibilities. Our trained professional
caregivers through Bridgeway Home Care
work under the direction of a geriatric
care manager.

Home Care

A Division of Feinberg Consulting, Inc.

248.702.6510
www.bridgewayhomecare.com

Just call us at (248) 538-5425 to talk about
how we can help.

Searching for
Senior Living
Options?

NEW LIFESTYLES

Guide to Senior

Living and Care

arAt c g h e""g

Senior Centers
en,

A4_

0.rs,

Find what you are
looking for in print...

"r FREE

online...

on our
award
winning
App...

'''""!••

or
mobile
site.

41111.P.

To order your FREE guide, call

1 • 800 • 820 • 3013

log on to www.NewLifeStyles.com

download the free iPhone® App