more questions to ask

My name is Julie Levine. I composed the questions involving ideas to encourage a conversation during senior visits and presented the list at an SOS board meeting. Several questions were omitted from the list , by whomever posted them....Many seniors love to talk about the cars they learned to drive on, and get quite animated! Even talking about their pets they had growing up. So, there are many other ideas that were not included in my original list. Let me know if anyone needs the original listing.....

A Birthday Celebration.....

Amy, a volunteer in West Orange NJ along with her children, Rachel and Laryssa celebrate Molly's Birthday.

Amy with her Bubby Buddy.

What Chaplaincy has taught me

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share a little thought that I had about participating in Smile on Seniors.

I originally wrote for my monthly L'chaim! Newsletter. Here goes:

In my job as Chaplain, I spend much time visiting patients in the hospital, meeting Jewish patients and even making house calls to people who can use some company. I was thinking over the past few weeks about how lucky I am that I get to do this.

It is definitely difficult to witness people suffering pain and hardship. However, over the past few months I have learned to look deeper. There is something that everybody has in common. I meet many different types of people. Some are believers, some can’t bring themselves to belief, some are religious and some are against religion.

Despite all the differences people may have, what I have discovered is that everyone shares the same humanity. Everyone has their story, their happiness or sadness, their successes and their shortcomings. Some of us may smile and some of us may frown, but what makes us all really the same is our experiences and aspirations.

I would like to share this very important lesson with you. To look beyond the surface and to see who people really are. To find the friendship and life in all of us.

“Ideas to Encourage a Conversation During a Jewish visit”

“Ideas to Encourage a Conversation During a Jewish visit”

Who do you admire….and why?

If you could live someone else’s life for a week, whose life would you choose to live and why?

If you could meet one person from the Bible or from history---who would he/she be?

If you could stand up and fight for one cause, that would make a difference in the world, what would it be?

If G-d were to grant you one wish, prayer, or favor, what would it be?

If you could be any animal on Noah’s ark, which one would you be? Why?

If you could invite anyone in the world to your home for Shabbat, who would it be?

What “Mitzvah” has someone done for you recently?

What “Mitzvah” have you done for someone recently?

Who is your hero and why?

Did you ever stand up for something you thought was right, even though people disagreed with you?

What Jewish food is your favorite? Does it have any special meaning or memory for you?

If you had to choose what things you value most in life, what would they be?

Which individual has most inspired you in your life?

Describe your most memorable Shabbat.

What was your favorite Jewish holiday and why?

What makes you feel happy?

If you could possess one quality that you don’t think you have now, what would it be?

What is the most important thing your parents taught you?

Have you ever been to Israel? If the answer is yes, tell me about it.

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Our elderly have so much life experience they can share and wisdom beyond our years.

Let us continue to gain from them as much as they gain from us….

...I do.

Thank you all!

Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz

chesed--kindness

I know how much it means to her when I visit but sometimes the thought of going back makes me uncomfortable. I'm worried that at some point my niceness will wear off because we often forget what we tell one another and end up repeating the same facts and same stories. Giving without expecting to receive is such a hard trait to acquire. I think it's one of my greatest challenges.

I always expected the elderly to be full of a lifetime of stories. What are some novel and creative conversation starters that will intrigue her daring tales of a distant past or perhaps some of her more interesting experiences in the present?

Today, my SOS buddy told me about some of her fondest shabbat memories....

She used to work in Woolworths, on Pitkin Avenue, when she was in highschool. She sold makeup behind the counter there. She was earning 10 cents an hour! Back then, that was like gold. She wished she could sit at the Woolworth's luncheonette counter and have malted milks, but it was too expensive. Whenever she got paid, the money was received in a small, yellow sealed bag. She would never even open the bag. She would bring it directly home and give it to her mother. On Thursday nights. It was always on the night that her Mother did a lot of baking, and cooking. All for Shabbos. Her Mom would be starting the Challah recipe she loved so much, just when she would be entering the front door. My buddy would give her Mother the wages she earned in Woolworth's and her Mom would smile, so proud of her. One of her favorite parts of Shabbos was being able to wear her red shoes. Her Shabbos shoes. They were special not only because she loved the color, but because her brothers bought them for her as a surprise.

Good Shabbos

Julie Levine

Hi,
It's me again---Julie.
I just have to tell what happened last night.....
I went to a benefit performance at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, NJ. There must have been over 600 people there. I was a bit late, and most people I knew were waiting in the theater's lobby. Well, I walked in to hear a woman shout, "The SOS lady," and come over to hug me! I didn't know her....but she knew me! Then someone else came over and greeted me with, "Hey, SOS lady!" I can't even tell you how good that made me feel. And how wonderful it is to see the program, all the work of Altie, and Rabbi Mendy, word of SOS---it's out there. And we are making a difference.
One smile at a time!
Love it!
Julie Levine
PS. I don't go ANYWHERE without some SOS brochures!