Welcome

This periodic newsletter provides information about resources that our Greater MetroWest Jewish community offers to older adults and to those who care about them. In this Fall 2019 issue, we feature programs designed specifically for younger seniors. (Previous editions have focused on how the CARES partners provide memory care, arts programs for seniors, support for caregivers and exercise programs for seniors.)

What Is CARES?

Greater MetroWest CARES is the department of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ that is charged with addressing the broad range of needs and interests of our community’s older adults. As is well known, our community is aging and the very existence of CARES indicates that Federation endorses practical ways to fulfill the mitzvah to honor parents and the elderly.

CARES acts as Federation’s point of contact with the community for all things senior-related and as an advocate for seniors and those who care about them. By staying attuned to current trends and community needs, CARES also helps to inform Federation’s planning process. CARES’s effectiveness is derived in large measure from its structure as a collaborative network of professionals and lay leaders from 11 Federation partners that serve older adults.

Visit www.jfedgmw.org/cares for more information about CARES and a complete list and descriptions of the agencies in our Greater MetroWest community. For further information about any of the agencies, you may contact them directly.

“Younger Older Adults”

The term “younger older adults” may sound funny or oxymoronic, but it makes clear that families in our community now often include older adults of two generations. Given increasing life spans, a family may include a 65-year-old child of a 90-year-old parent (along with a 35-year-old and a five-year-old!).

The CARES partners are aware that the interests and needs of the younger cohort of older adults may be different from those of their parents’ generation. Increasingly, the CARES partners are planning programs designed with these interests and needs in mind. Here is information about some of these programs:

JCC of Central New Jersey, located in Scotch Plains, recognizes that many younger seniors prefer programs presented in a short series and is, therefore, launching Sparking the Mind on Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.:

• The first series will be Fact vs. Fiction in Historical Musicals with Professor John Kenrick, which will explore the oftentimes surprising way that beloved screen musicals have radically reshaped stories based on real-life events. John Kenrick is a dynamic lecturer and a professor at NYU Steinhardt. He has worked with six Tony-winning productions. This series, which began on September 10 and continues on September 24 and October 15 and 22, is sponsored by Care One of the Highlands.
• From Bach to Sinatra with musician, conductor, and educator Thomas Elephant, will be the second series and will include Understanding Music (on October 29), Dance in Music Part I (on November 5), Dance in Music Part II (on November 12), Music of Epic Classical Dramas Part 1 (on November 19) and Music of Classical Dramas Part II (on November 26). This series is sponsored by the Elinor and Leonard Goldman Memorial Fund.
• A winter series featuring cultural historian Barbara Tomlinson.

In addition to these three series, the JCC CNJ is offering many other high-level programing that will appeal to younger seniors. For example, on September 25, to get in the spirit of the High Holidays, award-winning folk singer Laura Wetzler will present Hold on! Songs of Resistance, Hope and Love. Other highlights include: Celebrating the New York Yankees with Paul White on October 16; Let’s Swing! A Celebration of Jazz with Lauren Scales and Scott Chapman on November 11; and a Julia Child impersonation on November 18.

On November 8 (during the Teachers’ Convention long weekend), a trip to the Jewish Heritage Museum to see the exhibit Not Long Ago, Not Far Away will be open to older adults with or without their children and grandchildren. This trip, which may be an intergenerational experience, is an opportunity to visit the groundbreaking exhibit on Auschwitz with a docent.

For further information, visit the fall program guide on the JCC CNJ’s website (www.jccnj.org) or contact Alison Rivlin at (908) 889-8800 x260 or arivlin@jccnj.org).
 

JCC MetroWest, located in West Orange and with some programs in Whippany and satellite sites, offers opportunities for baby boomers to learn, to grow, and to stay fit, healthy, active, and happy.

• Those seeking to broaden their minds may attend a lecture or movie series; sign-up for the JCC MW’s Life-Long Learning program featuring professors, historians, and leaders in their fields; or join one of the JCC MW’s many book groups.
• Those who enjoy the arts may attend concerts and shows in the Maurice Levin Theater and art exhibits in the Gaelen Gallery. They also may enjoy day trips to museums, the theater, and other attractions.
• Women in Sync (WIS) is a social group for empty-nester and newly retired fitness members looking to socialize, engage, and take part in lectures, presentations, and outings.
• Game players can be busy every day playing mah-jongg, canasta, and bridge.
• Adventure seekers will need to re-write their bucket lists after learning about the travel possibilities offered by the JCC MW. Travelers are invited to revisit favorite places with the JCC MW or to explore new places, both domestic and worldwide, with the attentive JCC MW staff.
• Staying active and fit is paramount as we age. Fitness buffs can take advantage of a world-class gym with over 100 free fitness classes and the opportunity to learn to play pickle ball, the latest craze.
• Finally, for those who are looking to give back, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities at the JCC MW.

For further information visit www.jccmetrowest.org or contact Gina Goldman at ggoldman@jccmetrowest.org or (973) 530-3448.

JESPY House, located in South Orange, serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ranging in age from 18 to 70. One program of particular interest to younger older adults is the recently formed JESPY Entrepreneurs group through which JESPY clients have been making and selling baby gifts, shower items, and centerpieces with a particular focus on beautifully decorative, one-of-a-kind diaper cakes and diaper cupcakes. JESPY Entrepreneurs encourages independence, camaraderie, and teamwork. Clients enjoy choosing themes and discussing design options for the one, two or three-tiered cakes or cupcakes.

Being part of JESPY Entrepreneurs is also a great way for clients who do not have another type of paid employment to earn an income. They are able to engage in setting up and running a small business as they develop and creating merchandise; fulfill orders; handle pricing, sales, shipping, and stocking; and learn marketing techniques).

For further information visit www.jespyhouse.org, send an email to nrambone@jespy.org, or call (973) 762-6909.

Our Federation's Engagement Department is launching VolunTEAMS, groups of individuals who will collectively offer regular and ongoing hands-on assistance to agencies throughout Greater MetroWest. While this program is not specifically intended for adults of any particular age, this is a great opportunity for “younger older adults” to get involved with hands-on service. Flexible scheduling will accommodate individuals’ availability and possible volunteer activities may include:

• Reading to children in schools
• Visiting with residents at a senior facility
• Creating birthday parties for children in need
• Plarning (prepare recycled plastic grocery bags to be woven into mats and blankets)

For further information contact Lindsay Norman at lnorman@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-2948.

Greater MetroWest CARES is chaired by Amy Ganz Sadeghi.

For more information about CARES, contact CARES Coordinator Marian Marlowe at mmarlowe@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-3051.