SEPTEMBER 12 • 2024 | 37
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hen we look back at our 
lives, many of us relish 
our days in college, if 
we were lucky enough to enjoy that 
special educational experience. 
Even if we weren’t so lucky, being 
a lifelong learner 
can keep us vital and 
engaged even in our 
later years. 
Jewish Senior Life 
of Metropolitan 
Detroit (JSL) is 
known for signature 
programming 
spanning a range of interests for 
the older adults it serves in its six 
residential communities on the 
Jewish community campuses in 
Oak Park and West Bloomfield. 
However, CEO Nancy Heinrich 
dreamed of creating a higher-level 
learning experience for residents. 
Understanding that geography 
prevented JSL from replicating 
older adult communities built on 
university campuses across the 
country, it occurred to her that, 
with the help of some generous 
funders and partnerships, she could 
bring the university experience to 
JSL. 

With this goal in mind, JSL 
has created a new program being 
piloted at the Meer Apartments 
Independent Living community 
in West Bloomfield. Called Live 
and Learn, this first-of-its-kind 
initiative in our area aims to 
enrich the lives of all residents 
by enhancing social connections, 
intellectual engagement and 
overall wellness. It includes on-site 
college-level courses and immersive 
learning experiences offsite at 
area museums, theaters and other 
venues. 
 Supported by grants from 
the Byron & Dorothy Gerson 
Innovation Fund, the Marcia 
Applebaum Jewish Older Adult 
Enrichment Fund and the 
Matthews Family Foundation, Live 
and Learn has already been a huge 
hit with the residents. 
Wendy Handler, Live and 
Learn consultant, is leading this 
phenomenal pilot program. She 
enjoys meaningful discussions with 
Meer residents. “They continue 
to be enthusiastic to participate 
in this exciting program and have 
so many ideas.” She went on to 
explain, “Drawing on the extensive 

resources of Southeast Michigan 
and beyond, JSL has constructed 
a dynamic curriculum designed 
expressly to spark social connection 
and intellectual stimulation 
through a range of engaging 
programs that reflect residents’ 
interests and generate the joy 
and connection that comes from 
learning with others.” 
A full schedule of diverse classes 
designed to accommodate a range 
of interests and learning styles is a 
cornerstone of JSL’s Live and Learn 
pilot. In partnership with Oakland 
University and its Program for 
Adult Continuing Education and 
other local professors and experts, 
offerings will include lecture series, 
speakers and events, study groups 
and small-group discussions, along 
with learning experiences and trips 
to area destinations that reflect 
the interests of the residents who 
have enthusiastically provided their 
input. 
The Summer 2024 semester was 
kicked off to an enthusiastic crowd 
with an inaugural lecture by Dr. 
Howard Lupovitch, professor of 
history and director of the Cohn-
Haddow Center at Wayne State 
University, titled “The Jewish 
Community of Metro Detroit since 
1967: New Perspectives.”
July and August sessions 
included classes on “Democracy in 

America” presented by Prof. Dave 
Dulio, distinguished professor of 
political science and director of 
the Center for Civic Engagement 
at Oakland University; a trip to 
the Detroit Historical Museum 
for the special exhibit “In the 
Neighborhood: Everyday Life on 
Hastings Street;” Jewish Music 
101: Sounds and Significance, 
presented by Prof. Lorry Black, 
former associate director of the 
Lowell Milken Fund for American 
Jewish Music at UCLA and a 
percussionist, pedagogue and 
Jewish music specialist. 
Classes take place at the Hilda 
Fortgang Union at the Meer 
Apartments and typically consist of 
two lectures a week over a period 
of a month. 
CEO Nancy Heinrich shared her 
compelling thoughts at JSL’s annual 
board meeting this past June: 
“The landscape for older adult 
living is changing rapidly as baby 
boomers age and housing options 
become increasingly differentiated. 
Jewish Senior Life is dedicated to 
remaining the most compelling 
senior housing option available 
for the next generation of Detroit’s 
Jewish community.
“The Live and Learn Community 
pilot at Meer Apartments will help 
to ensure JSL appeals to this cohort 
that seeks connection, community 
involvement, lifelong learning, 
enhanced lifestyle and purpose. 
 “Throughout the pilot, JSL will 
study Live and Learn outcomes 
and adjust accordingly, with 
the intention of expanding the 
model to other JSL communities 
as appropriate and feasible. 
Considering this long-term 
commitment, JSL is grateful to 
the greater Detroit community for 
foundational support of this unique 
initiative.” 
 

Jo Strausz Rosen is the executive director of 

development, Jewish Senior Life.

Live and Learn

Jo Strauss 
Rosen

ESSAY

Oakland University Political 
Science Professor Dave 
Duliio presented sessions on 
“Democracy in America.”

