National Assisted Living Week at Terracina Grand!

Resident Talent Show

Hello-
We had a very busy week at Terracina Grand!!! The first set is from our Talent Show, which was a huge success. The Forum, our main activity room was packed to the brim as the residents came out to cheer on their peers, and see their talents. We enjoyed many special numbers from our residents. One resident recited all 50 states in Alphabetical order, we had a pianist play a solo, several singers, with a special Irish number by three of our men, and a special song, “Edelweiss” dedicated to one our residents who survived the Holocaust, one gentleman shared a few humorous stories from his war days, and one man did a special dance and sung at the same time. All in all, it was a great afternoon, and many residents were surprised to find out what their neighbors can do!

Sandra Steinbach
Activities Director

National Assisted Living Week at The Commons on Marice!

National Assisted Living Week always requires a little extra work for the activity staff here at the Commons…but man, it’s worth it!!! We had a super fun/busy/exciting/rewarding week! Each day we had a theme from the Legacies of Love which lead to a bunch of extra tweaks to the activity calendar. Here are some things that worked really well that you might want to try if you are ever in the need of an idea!

For part of our celebration for Legacies of Environment we had a program where each resident wrote or researched a poem about the environment…of course they were welcome to come and just listen if they preferred! This program really got the residents’ creative juices flowing! With such a broad topic it was interesting to see the variety of poems and ideas that the residents came up with! One of the ladies even brought her poem book from 1920 and they all started recited a bunch of old poems. It was a hoot!

Legacies of Music brought more fun for our week!!! We had music themed activities ALL day. We really stressed how different music can affect your mood. For exercises we pumped the residents up with upbeat music, for aromatherapy we calmed them down using soothing music, for dinner we provided them with a live flutist, and during gardening club we even talked about how music has been proved to help plants grow!!! We even had the local historical society come in with a traveling, costumed actor to do a presentation on early American music. It was very interesting!

National Assisted Living Week at The Inn on Westport!

Antique Road Show

We had a panel of 3 local antique experts who did appraisals/info on Resident's antiques. Each resident could bring down a maximum of 3 items.

National Housekeeeping Week!

September 9th-14th

So very often the housekeeping staff assists the activity department with setting up and cleaning up after events. Don't forget to show your housekeeping team how very grateful we are for all of their help during National Housekeeping Week!

Suggestions:
1) "Cleaning with a SMILE and In Style" purchase a mug with a smiley face on it, fill with candy and a "stylish" yet funny pair of sunglasses. Attach note of Thanks!
2) "Housekeeping...at the HEART of the facility!" purchase heart shaped candies, put in decorative bag. Attach note of Thanks!
3) Have residents sign a LARGE card and present to members of the housekeeping team at a large event in building or during their department meeting.

What is Yom Kippur?

Jewish "Day of Atonement" considers spiritual well being
By: David Johnson

Yom Kippur, which in 2007 begins at sundown Sept. 21, and lasts until sundown Sept. 22, is one of the most serious Jewish holidays. Jews who do not regularly observe other holidays often make an exception for Yom Kippur, which occurs on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. Yom Kippur observances can vary. Some non-Orthodox Jews might not follow the following outline exactly.

This is judgment day. Many Jews practice repentance, say prayers, and give charity to obtain God's forgiveness for any sins made in the past year. Yom Kippur is the culmination of a process that began a month earlier, during the Hebrew month of Elal. It follows Rosh Hashanah and the New Year's activities.

Days of Awe

The Days of Awe, or Ten Days of Repentance, are the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It offers a chance for spiritual renewal and repentance before Yom Kippur, which is to atone for sins between man and God.

After Rosh Hashanah and before Yom Kippur are ten days known as the Days of Awe, or Ten Days of Repentance. They offer a chance for spiritual renewal and repentance before Yom Kippur, which is to atone for sins between man and God.
Some Orthodox Jews hold a live fowl over their heads as atonement for sin. The fowl is killed and given to the poor. Instead of an actual bird, some Jews use a bag of money symbolizing the price of the bird. This is the ancient custom of kapparot, or atonements, and is practiced during the afternoon before Yom Kippur begins.

A confession, a special meal

During the afternoon prayers on the day before Yom Kippur, a viddui, or confessional, is said. It is repeated during Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur requires a fast of about 25 hours. The final meal before is a somewhat festive occasion, including soup, chicken, and challah, traditional Jewish bread. Salty foods, which may make fasting more difficult, are generally avoided. Participants are advised to drink plenty of water and to brush their teeth before the fast begins. Those who usually drink a lot of caffeine are advised to start cutting down days before to avoid the headache associated with caffeine withdrawal.

Candles and a blessing

Two holiday candles are blessed and then lit. This signals the beginning of Yom Kippur. There is no more eating or drinking. Other prohibitions are: no bathing, no using creams and oils, no wearing of leather shoes, and no sexual relations. There are exceptions. Children who have not yet had their bar or bat-mitzvah, pregnant women, and people who are sick or infirm may eat or drink as needed. Some Reform Jews might not follow these prohibitions precisely.
A series of prayers is said during Yom Kippur. The Kol Nidrei is the first prayer, and should be recited before sunset. It is written in Aramaic, an ancient language. The Maariv is an evening service and includes the viddui.

During Yom Kippur, there is no eating or drinking. Other prohibitions are: no bathing, no using creams and oils, no wearing of leather shoes, and no sexual relations.

Prayers for those who have died

In the morning, the Shaharit begins the day. It is similar to other morning services but includes additional poems, known as piyutim. Next is the Yizkor, a memorial prayer for those whose parents have died. Those with parents still living leave the main sanctuary while it is being said. The Musaf is the longest service of the year. It contains two parts: one which recounts the temple service, and the second describes the ten Jewish wise men tortured to death by the Romans.

Locking of the gates of heaven

Most synagogues take a break following the Musaf to allow worshippers to take a rest. In the afternoon, the Minhah, which includes the reading of the Book of Jonah, takes place. It is the briefest Yom Kippur service. It is followed by the Neilah, meaning "locked." It refers to the locking of the gates of heaven. The congregation stands during the Neilah. At the end of the afternoon service, the shofar, a ram's horn, is blown. Today various types of horns are used.
Families "break the fast," when they return home and eat a light meal often prepared in advance. This usually includes dairy products. Bagels and lox, noodle kugel, juice, and coffee are apt to be included.

Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Year!

Feast of the Trumpets remembers world's creation
by David Johnson

Rosh Hashanah begins September 12th, 2007
Related Links

Lost Tribes of Israel
Branches of Judaism
Yom Kippur
Jewish Holidays, 2001–2009
Judaism Primer

On Wednesday night, Sept. 12, 2007, Jews will begin celebrating one of their most important religious holidays, Rosh Hashanah. It remembers the creation of the world. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means the "head of the year." It is also called the Feast of the Trumpets. The blowing of a ram's horn, a shofar, proclaims Rosh Hashanah, and summons Jews to religious services. Sundown Sept. 12 marks the beginning of the year 5768 and the month of Tishri.
Jews used the ram's horn as a trumpet in Biblical times to announce the new moon, holidays, and war. Today, a variety of horns are used, including curved antelope horns.

Putting your spiritual house in order

While it does have its festive side, Rosh Hashanah is not one big party, as the New Year's celebrations on Dec. 31 tend to be. Rosh Hashanah is a time for personal introspection and prayer.
Jews may also visit graves. It is thought that the prayers or good wishes of the dead can help the living. By wishing each other well and sending cards, people let friends know what happened in the past year and what plans lie ahead. Christmas cards and get-togethers fill a similar role for Christians.
Rosh Hashanah is part of a process of spiritual growth. The Hebrew month preceding it, Elul, is a time for charity, tzedakah. Rosh Hashanah falls on the first and second days of the seventh month, Tishri.

Food for thought

Traditional Jewish foods accompany Rosh Hashanah. Typically, a blessing will be said over two loaves of bread, known as challah. The round shape symbolizes a crown, a reminder of the kingship of God. Challah also stands for the circle of life, and the hope that our lives endure without end.
Challah is sometimes baked with a ladder on top in recognition that only God decides who climbs up or down the ladder of life. Forming challah in the shape of a bird is also done. The Torah says that God will protect Jerusalem in the same way a bird hovers.
Apples dipped in honey are another Rosh Hashanah tradition. It symbolizes the hope for a "sweet year" ahead. Honey is spread on challah. Tzimmes, a mixture made from carrots, cinnamon, yams, prunes, and honey, is also traditional.
Sephardic Jews—those of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern origin—serve a whole fish as a wish for prosperity, fertility, and good luck for the coming year. Some Jews also present fruit baskets covered to hide the contents, symbolizing that no one can know what the new year will bring.

Determined by the new moon

Rosh Hashanah observances vary. Orthodox Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah for two days. Reform Jews often observe it for only one day. In Biblical times the moon, not the calendar, determined dates for festivals. Witnesses watching the sky proclaimed the new moon. Since Rosh Hashanah falls on the first day of the month, people living far from Jerusalem did not have time to learn the exact date. Even those living near Jerusalem could miss the festival if the witnesses did not arrive on time. So, two days were set aside for observance so everyone would have time to participate.