Thank you to all the residents who have

contributed to this month’s edition of the Lester

Chronicle.

If you have an article, work of art, expressive writing

etc. that you would like to share with your fellow

residents and see in the newsletter, please contact

May

It’s a beautiful spring morning

I’m sitting outside with pen and paper

Thinking of our harsh, cruel and devastating winter.

There but for the grace of G-d, go I.

We need the rain and the snow

to keep things alive so they will grow.

The water to quench our thirst

without it we would die or burst

The air we breathe to fill our lungs

Inhale, exhale, it must be done.

Allergies are another story

Stay inside until you breathe normally.

Dance around the Maypole, flowers swaying with the breeze

Music coming from the rustle of the trees

I love the outdoors, nature at its best

To observe, listen, see and hear, complete the quest.

Mothers Day

Three Cheers to all mothers

Who showed us the way

With love, patience, fortitude and compassion

They did not lead us astray

So mom, wherever you are

Whether near or far

Our love for you is a constant

Like the moon, sun, stars on high

Our love grows stronger, it will never die

By: Bea Freihieter, Weston Resident

COVER STORYCOVER STORY

BIRTHDAYSBIRTHDAYS

NOTES & NOTES &

REMINDERSREMINDERS

ADMINISTRATOR’S ADMINISTRATOR’S

CORNERCORNER

NEW RESIDENT NEW RESIDENT

WELCOMESWELCOMES

CREATIVE CREATIVE

WRITING CORNERWRITING CORNER

The Lester Chronicle

I ns id e th i s i s su e :I ns id e th i s i s su e :

T H E L E S T E R

S E N I O R H O U S I N G

C O M M U N I T Y

9 0 5 R O U T E 1 0 E A S T

W H I P P A N Y N J

0 7 9 8 1

9 7 3 - 9 2 9 - 2 7 0 0

MAY

2015

Highlights at Lester

Our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held on April 15th was attended by:

Back row, from lett: Erwin Priffer, Dolly Moser, Shirley Saland, Estelle Berger, Sylvia Zyto,

Gilda Schuman, Mira Pratt, Jesse Pichta Kellar, Annette Weinstein, Pearl Barell, Marilyn Rubin,

Pollyann Fluke

Second row, from left: Alice Szylit, Rae Benet, Evelyn Berdy, Arline Frankel, Bea Freiheiter,

Elsie Shapiro

Seated, from left: Harriet Levy, Mildred Feldstein, Helen Heller, Teddy Halpern

Missing from the picture are Thelma Borodkin, Marian Samuels, Henry Yam & Naomi Zaslow

Our Dedicated Volunteers

On Wednesday, April 15th, our volunteer residents plus external volunteers were

invited to take part in an appreciation luncheon to give us the opportunity to express

our sincere gratitude for all they do for the Lester Community.

Our COO, Laurie Loughney spoke at the luncheon and conveyed and acknowledged to

all the volunteers the importance of what they do.

If you would like to volunteer, in any capacity, please see Cheryl at 973-929-2731 to

discuss.

Thank you

P a g e 2

May

Birthdays

T h e L e s t e r C h r o n i c l e

From the Desk of the Administrator…………

Spring has sprung and the warmer weather will

hopefully be here shortly.

We have a Spring Clean-Up Initiative in place for

May 6 – May 13, 2015 and we will assist you to

discard any items you may not want and are

cluttering up your apartments. Please contact

Moisey Lizak or the Concierge if you are interest-

ed in our assistance.

Mother's Day is fast approaching on Sunday May

10, 2015. We will be celebrating on the next day

with a Mother’s Day party with great entertain-

ment and delicious treats. Lester Senior Housing

Community’s staff members work tirelessly to

provide some of the best events and it would be

fantastic to see each and every one of the residents

participate in them. Joining in, having a voice will

make you feel great and even empowered to be

acknowledged and respected for your input to

enhance our community.

Passover was enjoyed by all and much gratitude

goes to our Dietary Department for accomplishing

so much and making it look so easy. The Sedarim

were enhanced by Rabbi Kirsch and his family

who helped relive the Exodus and remember why

we are here. We thank them all.

The Holiday of Shavuot will this year be celebrat-

ed from the evening of May 23, through May 25,

2015 – the 6th and 7th day of the month of Sivan.

The Torah was given by G‑d to the Jewish people

on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years ago. Every

year on the Holiday of Shavuot we renew our ac-

ceptance of G‑d’s gift, and G‑d “re-gives” the

Torah. The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It

marks the completion of the seven-week counting

period between Passover and Shavuot.

Administrator’s Corner

The giving of the Torah was a far-reaching spiritual

event—one that touched the essence of the Jewish

soul for all times. Our sages have compared it to a

wedding between G‑d and the Jewish people. Shavuot

also means “oaths,” for on this day G‑d swore eternal

devotion to us, and we in turn pledged everlasting

loyalty to Him. Enjoy the Holiday.

As always, I welcome the opportunity to meet with

residents, families or staff members to discuss any

concerns or issues you may have.

Have a great month.

Marlene Glass

Administrator

Josef Bryn Ruth Bromberg

Shirley Wein Lila Velinsky

Doris Goodman Janina Wilkenfeld Arlene Levenson Annette Premock

Solomon Spierer Ruth Shipman

Richard Shipman Eleanor Stern

Thelma Borodkin Pollyann Fluke

Miriam Pratt Mildred Feldstein Martin Sherman

To all of our residents

who are celebrating their

birthdays this month we

would like to wish you

peace and blessings,

this year and always

from the staff at Lester.

Welcome New Residents

To all of Lester’s new residents, we

would like to wish you a warm welcome

and Bruchim Haba’im

P a g e 7

T h e L e s t e r C h r o n i c l e

.

May is finally here and with it some nice weather.. A jam packed month, full of activities and fun

is in store. On the Monday after Mother’s Day, Dwayne will be entertaining us as we enjoy a

Mother’s Day Party. The Moonlight Serenade will be here at the end of the month, playing the

piano and cello and the music of “Love Story”. We are very fortunate to have Rebecca Levine

back leading her Yiddish Potpourri group on May 5th at 10:30 AM. We have many fabulous

speakers this month, such as Rabbi Hammer on May 1st, speaking on “When I Grow Up, I

want to Be Old”. On May 4th at 1:30 Professional organizer, Eileen Bergman will be

offering “Tackle Your Clutter” in conjunction with our Remove Your Clutter initiative

(see below). On May 6th, Heidi Warner will be giving a most interesting presentation on The

Catskills, then and now with “Remains of the Borcht Belt”. On May 7th, Professional

Storyteller, Kristin Ace will be presenting “Getting Lost & Found”. Please join us for what is

sure to be a fun afternoon . The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts will be paying us a visit on

May 22nd with their presentation of “Decoding the Past”. You will have the opportunity for a

hands on examination of Museum artifacts. The JCHC University begins this month and an

insert was included in your monthly packet. Please see it and the calendar for details. The topics

are enlightening and quite interesting. Please sign up with the Heller Concierge. Pradep will be

here again this month with his Laughter Yoga on Friday, May 1st; Please join in and be uplifted

and entertained! Shavuot is taking place this month on the Memorial Day Weekend. We will be

joined by the wonderful Rabbi Kirsch for services and his enjoyable Torah Study Classes.

Have a wonderful month, and please drop by anytime for any concern I can assist you with.

Cheryl

KVELL & KVETCH

There are suggestion boxes located in both the

Heller and Weston mail rooms. Please use

them for any issue you would like to address to

management. Here are the responses to the most recent ones.

Suggestion: Shredder & Copy Machine

Response: All residents can request copies to be made in the

business office. The smaller shredders can be very delicate and

are easily jammed. We will buy another shredder and place in

the (Heller) mail room. (please note, that this has been done)

Suggestion: We like the new attractive menu covers, but the

menu covers take up more table.

Response: ...We suggest you leave the menu upright, which

takes less space than laying flat.

Suggestion: Why do we have to pay for two tickets when we

take the bus in the morning and afternoon bus trips on the

same day?

Response: The fee is for each bus ride, even if it is in within

one day.

Spring Clean Up

Spring has sprung and

we would like to assist

with your clean up. If

any residents have items in their apartments that

they would like to discard we will assist with that

effort.

Please contact Moisey Lizak, Superintendent, by

calling the office at 973-929-2727, or ask the

concierge to notify Moisey that you have items to

be removed.

The spring clean-up initiative will be in place

May 6th through May 13th.

Thank you,

Administration

P a g e 6

T h e L e s t e r C h r o n i c l e

Naomi’s Rhyme Time

In The Neighborhood

Here at Lester, we’ve come from many places,

More family near, more familiar faces.

The hope we held was that it would be good,

To live in the new Lester neighborhood.

This past March loomed dark and cold,

But brought us joy and love untold.

A significant anniversary to celebrate,

A major birthday that turned out great.

Not only several planned family events,

Not only the caring and love it represents,

But here at Lester, real warmth and glow,

More than we dreamed we’d ever know.

So many residents who became aware,

Made more special moments we could share.

A word, a look, a hug, a kiss, a real reminder,

That Lester folks could not be kinder.

Cards and events of congratulation,

Added to the spirit of celebration

We remember life in other places,

Cherish the love in familiar faces.

But here and now it is so very good,

To find love and kindness in our new neighborhood.

Entertainment:

May 3rd– Michael, singing your

favorites

May 11th– Dwyane entertains at our

Mother’s Day Party

May 20th– Russ Martone, singer

May 27th-The Birthday Bash with

Adrienne Hicks

May 31st– Moonlight Serenade;

Cello & Piano, presenting

“Love Story”

Trips:

May 4th-JCHC University:

at Federation Plaza:

“Life & Music of

Ella Fitzgerald”

May 11th-JCHC University:

at Federation Plaza: “A

True Story of my Life in

the Holocaust”

May 14th-JCHC University at Village

Apartments: “Deep Sea

Fishing”

May 17th-NJPAC-UJA Benefit Concert

May 31st– Movie & Dinner Outing

May Trips & Entertainment

Please sign up for trips with the Heller Concierge;

Check Calendar for details.

Naomi Zaslow is a resident in the Weston Assisted Living

Apartments. She lives there with her husband, Harry.

P a g e 3

T h e L e s t e r C h r o n i c l e

“Lester Legacies” by Naomi Zaslow, Lester Resident

Teddy Halpern, a Holocaust survivor greatly admired for his abilities and

accomplishments was chosen by the Holocaust Council of Metro West to participate in a

Week of Understanding at the Institute for Holocaust Education in Omaha, Nebraska.

Flown to Nebraska, he spoke in several public schools, an all girls Catholic school and at

the Center for Faith Studies at Countryside Community Church. Auditorium sessions

included questions and answers from students and adults that sometimes lasted longer

than the speeches. Holocaust study is mandated by the State of Nebraska and the participation reflected great

interest and knowledge. Among the luncheon and dinner sessions, a visit with the CEO of Jewish Federation of

Omaha. Three hundred students lined up for cell phone photos at one session, and Teddy was accompanied by his

son.

Born in Vienna in 1930, with congenital malformation of his hands and feet, he had surgery, but realized to

survive, he would have to do things by himself. He attended regular public school and in 1938, Hitler invaded

Austria and Jews could have no stores, go to school, or lead normal lives. His father had contacted his mother’s

brother, a successful businessman in Brooklyn, for appropriated papers, but the U.S. law allowed no disabled

people to immigrate. Efforts to allow for Teddy to come to the States failed, and his parents and older sister left for

the U.S. and left him with his grandmother. After Kristallnacht things got worse and Teddy and his

grandmother went to Belgium, but invasions persisted in all the low countries and they went to northeast France.

During a bombing scare, Teddy got lost from his grandmother, and not knowing the language, and being disa-

bled, when he was picked up by an ambulance, he was sent to an insane asylum, until, speaking German, it was

realized that he was not insane.

He was taken to a Catholic orphanage and was given good treatment, and a French education. After two years,

when he was told he was to be converted to Catholicism, at the age of 11 1/2, he and another Jewish boy

escaped and joined the French Underground. The main mission for Teddy was to take coded messages to

various vicinities until 1944, and D-Day in the Normandy region. “My left leg is shorter than my right leg”, Teddy

said, “therefore I wore special shoes. The sole on the left shoe is higher. The cobbler made a hole in the sole, and I

was able to put the coded messages in there, and go from one come to another without suspicion”. HIAS, the He-

brew Immigration Association, took him to a Displaced Persons Camp in Taverny, France until 1947, when he

joined his parents and his sister in the U.S. His sister went to Israel and he visited her in 2007.

Speaking English, French, Yiddish and German, at 16 1/2, he attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn,

CCNY, then worked for a musical manufacturing company before passing a Civil Service test. He took a job in the

Chief Medical Examiner’s office, where he worked for 30 years. Teddy met his wife, who was disabled with cere-

bral palsy, when he offered to take her on public transportation. As their romance progressed, her father told her

that Teddy he was too disabled for her to marry him. They continued to date secretly, her father finally gave his

approval, and they married. His father-in-law, Teddy says, turned out to be kind and supportive. Married in 1959,

they had a son and three grandchildren. They retired and moved to Florida, where Teddy kept busy volunteering.

When his wife of 48 years passed away in 2007, he moved to the Lester Senior Housing Community.

Involved in every phase of life at Lester he is truly amazing for what he does and what he contributes. Teddy does

all that he can to make Lester a good place for everyone. Teddy Halpern is an inspiration.

P a g e 4

T h e L e s t e r C h r o n i c l e

SHAVUOT: A SWEET FESTIVAL FOR WOMEN by Thelma L. Borodkin, Ph.D.

Shavuot is indeed a happy time, particularly for women, since it follows the labor-laden holiday of Pesach with

its many requirements that sap the energy of women as they prepare for the eight-day festival. Added to the fact

that Shavuot is only a two-day festival is the happy news that Shavuot makes few demands on anyone. Shavuot

is the time when we get our constitution, the Torah, informing us of the laws by which we are to live our Jewish

lives.

Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, has more than one name. Shavuot is known as Z'man Matan Torah,

the time of the giving of the Torah. On Pesach G-d redeemed us from slavery and brought us to freedom and on

Shavuot we get the constitution, the Torah, our laws. It is also known as the holiday of the harvest of the first

fruits, hag ha-bikkurim: wheat, grapes, olives, pomegranates, figs and dates. Finally, Shavuot is known as the

holiday of weeks, for Sjhavuot comes exactly seven weeks after Pesach. (Shavua=week; Shavuot=weeks)

Shavuot gives us the opportunity to fulfill one of our great Jewish principles. We are repeatedly told to honor the

stranger in our midst for we were strangers in the land of Egypt. We do so by honoring Ruth who becomes the

great-grandmother of the noble King David, from whose line the Messiah will come. Naomi, her husband

Elimelech and their two sons had gone to Moab to seek food for there was a famine in the land of Canaan. Both

Naomi's sons grew up and married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After the death of the father and his two

sons, Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem and she suggested to her daughters-in-law that they go back

to their families. Orpah obeyed but Ruth refused, and in a universally known entreaty, made clear to Naomi that

she had chosen to stay with her. There follows a story of two great women who, for the first time in the Bible,

each became responsible for the other woman. By choosing the Jewish way, Ruth, as Tamar had done before

her, became the prototype for the convert and the progenitor of the Davidic line.

Finally, although Shavuot began as an agricultural festival, that aspect of the holiday was lost once the Temple in

Jerusalem was destroyed and Jews no longer had a place to which to bring their sacrifices. Thereafter the kind of

Judaism we practice today with its focus on the synagogue took over. Shavuot became a holiday celebrating the

centrality of the Torah in our lives. Included in this new view of Shavuot is the emphasis we place on

education. Many schools hold various kinds of commemorative ceremonies at this time marking the students'

educational achievements. Moreover, Jews no longer tilled the soil but earned their bread by other means. Not

until the rebirth of the Jewish state in 1948, did Jews once again become farmers, a phenomenon that is widely

celebrated in Israel today.

Shavuot is a sweet festival when we eat cheesecake and blintzes to remind us that Israel is a land flowing with

milk and honey. May you and yours have a sweet Shavuot.

Thelma Borodkin is a Heller resident

P a g e 5

T h e L e s t e r C h r o n i c l e

Life Cycle Kiddush

will be on

Celebrate a Simcha, Observe a Yahrzeit;

May 2nd, 16th & 30th

For those attending Shabbat morning services,

Kiddushim will be immediately following.

If you have not already filled out a Yahrtzeit information

form, please contact Estelle Berger, Rae Benet, or

Dr. Mervin Eisenberg (for Heller residents),

or Bea Freiheiter, Teddy Halpern or Helen Heller

(for Weston residents).

Lester Congregation

Corner Cultural Arts Series

May Features:

Tuesday, May 5th

The Film “Big Eyes”

& Tuesday, May 19th

Itzhak Perlman & Cantor Y.M. Helfgot

Showing in the Heller Multipurpose Room at 7 P.M.

JCHC Tribute Cards

Send cards to family and friends and support the JCHC

Get Well cards /Mazel Tov cards

In Memoriam cards/Blank cards

Cards can be purchased at the Business office or call

Marcia at (973) 530-3966

Total Hearing Care of Morristown has been making monthly

site visits to Lester.

TOTAL HEARING CARE OFFERS:

FREE Complete Evaluation of Your Hearing

FREE Cleanings and Checks of Your Hearing Aids

FREE On-Site Monthly Visits

The next Hearing Screening is scheduled for

Friday, May 22nd 9:30-1:30 PM

in the 2nd Floor Heller Card Room

For More Information or To Make An

Appointment Call: 973-656-1100