Honoree Ellie Slovis and FJA student Cami Katzen
Honoree Janet Pont and FJA student Maddie Charnas
Honoree Roslyn Garber and FJA
student Ryan Schmeltz
Honoree Jim August and FJA
student Rebecca Rabin
JUNE 29 • 2023 | 37
The Alzheimer’s Association
Michigan chapter hosted a
free event in honor of Jewish
American Heritage Month
in Southfield on Wednesday,
May 31, where they featured
a challah bread braiding
demonstration and a presen-
tation on Healthy Living for
the Brain and Body.
Participants learned about
researched-based lifestyle tips
that keep the brain and body
healthy throughout the stages
of aging and practical ways to
plan for healthy aging.
“For Jewish Americans, the
risk of developing demen-
tia is higher due to genetic
factors, especially for those
with Ashkenazi Jewish ances-
try,” said Elizabeth Cole,
Alzheimer’s Association
Michigan Chapter pro-
gram manager. “The risk
for depression and anxiety
also is higher among Jewish
Americans, which can also
contribute to cognitive
decline. Now more than
ever it is important to come
together as a community.
Making and braiding challah
is not only delicious, it is tak-
ing something physical and
elevating it into something
spiritual. It is also an act of
unity.”
More than 6 million
Americans live with Alzheimer’s
disease. In Michigan, 190,000
people aged 65 and older
lived with the disease in 2020.
By the year 2025, it’s estimat-
ed that number will increase
to 220,000.
To learn more about the Alzheimer’s
Association visit alz.org/gmc.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION MICHIGAN
Alzheimer’s Association of
Michigan Celebrates Jewish
American Heritage Month
Rania Nunu, Samuel Kole, Jeffrey Millstein, Linda Kole, Karen Kline
and Liz Kole, program manager for Jewish outreach.
During the program, attendees
learned about healthy living for
the brain and body and then were
taught how to braid challah.