metro >> mentsh of the month
History Of Srmvick.
WWII vet and his therapy dog bring
cheer and comfort to Southfield seniors.
I
Alan Muskovitz
Contributing Writer
nursing homes and senior facilities with their pet ther-
apy dogs. Upon his retirement, they joined forces and,
for 10 years, they brought happiness to the residents at
bile Batman v Superman movie crews have
Evergreen, until Anne's death nearly six years ago.
been shooting scenes
While difficult days followed,
in and around Detroit
the visits resumed as Herbert
for the last several months, there's
eventually found the strength to
honor his wife and their commit-
another local superhero duo that,
while not quite as high profile, is
ment to bringing joy to seniors
having a profound impact on our
through therapy pet visits.
community.
For Mona Hill, recreational
Introducing Jewish WWII vet-
therapy director at Evergreen,
eran Herbert Isner and his choco-
"structured pet therapy programs
late toy poodle therapy dog, Coco.
play an integral role in the contin-
Every Tuesday morning, they
uum of care offered" at the center,
swoop down and spread joy and
which includes physical therapy,
comfort to the residents and staff
assisted living, nursing, long-term
Herbert Isner, his therapy dog, Coco,
at Evergreen Health and Living
care and hospice.
and Evergreen Health and Living
For some residents, Coco
Center in Southfield.
Center resident Faye Glosser
Herbert and Coco were not
provides an awakening of sorts.
overnight sensations; their service
Herbert recalls with pride how
is steeped in a tradition that goes back more than 60
Coco was able to elicit a response from one resident who
years to the Jewish Home for the Aged on Petoskey in
had been limited by paralysis.
Detroit where Herbert's mother-in-law, Etta Morris, was
"Animals sense peoples' emotions and they respond:'
the supervisor of nurses. Herbert's wife, Anne, of blessed he says. "They bring out something that a human can't"
memory, was raised in an apartment there, with the two
Coco, and all the dogs raised by the Isners, have never
eventually meeting on a blind date.
been considered anything less than family; to such a
Once married, the Isners would often take visits back
great extent, their story even caught the attention of this
to the home with their dog in tow; visits that caught the
newspaper back on July 30, 1999. That's when writer
Shelli Liebman Dorfman penned "In the Dog Days of
attention and curiosity of the facility's executive vice
president Ira Sonnenblick.
Summer; which chronicled a huge doggie birthday bash
On one occasion, Sonnenblick decided to take the
thrown at the Isners' home that included eight Shetland
Isner's pet pooch over to a resident described as a "mel-
sheep dogs and one poodle. The party came complete
ancholy person" Sure enough, the interaction elicited
with party favors, goody bags and, yes, even "pup-corn"
a positive response. From those humble beginnings
See for yourself by visiting the JN archives at
and Sonnenblick's vision, a lifetime commitment to pet
www.djnfoundation.org .
therapy by the Isners was born.
Today, when Herbert, a gunner's mate in the Navy
Anne, having been raised in a loving environment
during WWII, isn't busy spreading joy through his
that nurtured and provided dignified care for the elderly, weekly pet therapy visits, you'll find him providing
would years later go on to breed, raise and train Shelties
another equally compassionate service to the commu-
in her home to become certified therapy dogs. It's safe
nity, organizing the honor guards at funerals for local
to say that made for a busy household considering the
Jewish War Veterans.
Isners also went on to raise two beautiful children.
So it's clear that for all he gives back to our commu-
While Herbert kept his day job running his furniture
nity, there's no doubt that Herbert Isner, exemplifies the
business, Anne handled the early years of visitations to
"great" in our Greatest Generation.
WSU Offers Classes In
Hebrew, Israeli Culture
Wayne State University will be offering Hebrew language
and Israeli culture classes during the winter semester
beginning in January.
Courses include:
• Hebrew 1020 (Second semester), Mondays and
Wednesdays, 9:35-11:25 a.m.
• Hebrew 2020 (fourth semester), Mondays,
11:45 a.m.-2 p.m.
• NE 2060, Israeli Film, Tuesdays, 12:50-3:35 p.m.
• NE 3225, Israeli Culture, Tuesdays,
9:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
For information, email aa6477@wayne.edu.
NCJW To Honor Local
High School Seniors
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Greater
Detroit Section is looking to honor exceptional high
school seniors who demonstrate strong leadership with-
in the community.
High school seniors are invited to apply. To be eli-
gible, an applicant needs to fulfill the following require-
ments:
• Submit six copies of a typed essay (600-800 words)
on the topic, "What experience or person has had the
greatest impact on your Jewish identity?" (These copies
should not have the applicant's name on them anywhere
in the essay.)
• Submit one letter from a religious institution docu-
menting the applicant has had a formal Jewish education
(e.g. became a bar/bat mitzvah, been consecrated or
confirmed or is presently attending a congregation's high
school program).
• Submit six copies of applicant's leadership positions
or other involvement in the Jewish and/or secular com-
munity on the form provided. (Must be anonymous —
no name on this.)
• Submit one current photograph attached to the
application.
• Submit one application form, which can be found on
the website, www.ncjwgds.org
• Be available to be interviewed by a panel of judges
on April 26.
The application form and supporting documentation
must be received at the NCJW office, 26400 Lahser, Suite
306, Southfield, MI 48033-2675, by noon Friday, Feb. 27.
Finalists will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony at
the NCJW office on April 28.
Awards totaling $5,800 will be distributed: first place,
$2,500; second place, $1,300; third and fourth place,
$500 each; four honorable mentions, $250 each.
❑
l opeta
Come in and experience great service and a relaxing environment!
g ) adtAy.
Try wonderful treats... Special Occasion Cakes
ready to go or made to order.. ...Pastries_
Cronuts... and Traditional Jewish sweets like
7-Layer Cake and Cookies and so much more...
created by our pastry chef Vadim Orman!
Always baked on premises!
SALON010
(COLOR/DESIGN)
Pravana
Smoothing
Treatment
Call for
consultation.
10% off
With Coupon. Not good with other offers, expires 1/25/2015
6088 W. Maple Rd. at Farmington Rd. • West Bloomfield
248.855.4000
Store hours: Mon-Thurs: Sam-9pm Fri-Sat: 8am-lOpm Sun: Sam-8pm
12
December 18 • 2014
FREE HALF OFF
JESSICA QUINN WELCOMES YOU!
1932520
e
6171 Haggerty Rd
West Bloomfield
In Bloomfield Avenue Shoppes
248.669.1910
Haircut and Blow Dry I Haircut and Blow Dry
WITH FIRST COLOR SERVICE
Value $20
INCLUDES HIGH AND LOWLITES I
JESSICA ONLY
_ ($40 and up) Value $40
May be extra charge for
longer hair. New clients or
I
JESSICA ONLY
INew clients or returning clients after returning clients after 6 months.
I 6 months. With coupon, not valid
with other offers. Expires 1/08/15.
I -
15
With coupon, not valid with
other offers. Expires 1/08/15.
Men's Haircuts
$ 1 0
Blow Dry
JESSICA ONLY
New clients or returning clients
after 6 months. With coupon,
not valid with other offers.
Expires 1/08/15.
JESSICA ONLY
, New clients or returning clients
after 6 months. With coupon,
,
not valid with other offers.
I
Expires 1/08/15.
_I.