Mom and Dementia
June 24, 2004
I reminded Mom of her move to Los Angeles three years ago, and her life at a San Fernando Valley board and care.
She sighed and said, \”Ellie, I\’m losing my marbles.\”
Ellie Kahn
Teens Build a Bridge Beyond the Past
May 27, 2004
On April 19, 12 German teenagers left Heidelberg, flew west for about 6,000 miles, disembarked at LAX, and entered the lives and homes of 12 Jewish American teenagers. None of the 24 teens knew quite what to expect.
During their two-week stay in homes of Kol Tikvah congregants, the German students visited local high schools, attended Shabbat services, took part in a Yom HaShoah program, tried a range of new foods and looked everywhere for Tom Cruise.
L.A. GOAL Opens ‘Doors’ at Skirball
April 24, 2003
Sherrie has cerebral palsy, which causes her hands to tremble. So when she was hired to work as an artist for L.A. GOAL in Culver City, she was concerned.
There’s No Time Like the Present
December 27, 2001
In my family, death and funerals seem to inspire joking. Maybe it\’s discomfort, but it also seems to be a lack of concern and heaviness about the whole thing. No one in my family does much visiting of graves, and burials are apparently not deemed necessary.
Encouraging Tzedakah
May 3, 2001
Leona Goldring is 93. She not only attends monthly Anti-Defamation League (ADL) meetings, as well as planning sessions for their fundraising events, but she also is still active in the Women\’s Fundraising Division of United Jewish Fund (UJF). She was its chairperson about 40 years ago, and she still attends regular strategy meetings for former chairs.
Moving Mom
February 8, 2001
When I last wrote this column for The Jewish Journal several months ago, I had no idea that my mother would soon be living a short bike ride away. Or that her relocation to Los Angeles would take over my life. But transitions, while challenging and stressful, thankfully don\’t usually last forever, and I\’m glad to say that Mom is finally settled in, and I\’m returning to my status as a fully functioning human being.
To Let Go, to Love, to Forgive
October 5, 2000
\”I have good news! My cancer is in remission.\” I\’ve called Elsie Schwartz to talk about the High Holy Days, but the news about her illness is an unexpected surprise and a huge relief. At 89, Elsie has taught me a great deal about life and about choosing to face death by living fully and fully loving.
Working Through the Golden Years
September 21, 2000
Seniors are fast becoming the largest segment of our population.
The Key of Women
April 27, 2000
\”I wanted to turn the Shabbat service on its head,\” Rabbi Toba August says of Lev Eisha, A Creative Prayer Service for Women, held the first Shabbat of each month at Adat Shalom.
Changing Places
March 9, 2000
\”Adult children are the ones who are going to make the heroic efforts and attempts to provide daily care or monitoring, if that\’s necessary,\” said Merril Silverstein, Ph.D., associate professor of gerontology and sociology, at USC Andrus Gerontology Center. Many seniors are retiring to warmer spots, but subsequently moving back to be near children. \”The family is really the safety net for older adults.\”
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