Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 14, 1986 Page 13 1/ Chaim People doing unto others... by Robyn Freedman Spizman When I used to walk into the lobby at the Jewish Home to see my grandpa, Morris Freedman, I imagined that I heard the melo dies of a symphony in the room. I visualized children playing and sounds of laughter filling the halls. As the elevators on the third floor would open the sounds faded into the background, as I thought that this would have been just the way grandpa would have liked it. This was my dream. Thus, it was quite a coincidence when I was asked by Gilbert Deitch two years ago to come to a public relations brainstorming meeting at the Home. I suggested the idea of developing a play group for toddlers and yet never imagined the possibility of it really hap pening. When newly appointed com munity relations director Susan Milberg heard this idea, as well as others, she set out to make the dreams into reality. Simultane ously, another priority of Susan’s was to establish an auxiliary—a network of women to actively support and create programs to perpetuate the goals of the Jew ish Home. Susan, a self-motivated optim ist, committed herself to doing just that. With the cooperation and mutal support of the admin istration and board, a vital auxil iary was formed which has hun dreds of members. And now exists another dream come true... “Play-Day at the Jewish Home.” It wouldn’t be possible with out the vivacious and dedicated auxiliary member, JoAnne Birn- brey. Over 44 mothers and their young children meet Wednesday mornings from 10 to 11:30 to play at the Home. JoAnne recalled when her mom, Joel Lowen- stein, invited her to a steering committee meeting. JoAnne’s daughter, Robin, was 18 months old, so, JoAnne was a natural choice to initiate this program. Before that meeting ended, Jo Anne had written over 25 names of friends and people she knew with young children, ages up to 3; she set out to make what is now known as “Play-Day” hap pen. During the planning stages, JoAnne and 1 spoke a few times, developed a name and the next thing I knew she had the entire program coordinated and in full swing. To call JoAnne “dynamic” puts it mildly. This is one indi vidual who knows no limits. She said, “The purpose of Play-Day is to provide opportunities for socialization among young moth ers, their children and our Jewish Home residents. “Recent stud ies,” she adds, “have demonstrated the play group organized in nurs ing home environments provides positive benefits for both resi dents and children.” Not until I had the chance to go and play at Play-Day did l really realize how effective and 636-7877 E c5?rfoMoods Custom Framing Prints • Poster Art Joan Schwartz, owner Toco Hill Shopping Center Next to Kroger’s WEEKLY QUOTE FROM LESTER S BOOK “When we stop moving forward we cease to grow. When we cease to grow. we begin the process of dying. ” Lester Pazol 21 YEARS HeNNESSY (jctdiPPac JAGUAR CALL FOR A TEST DRIVE 261-5700 squeeze, a hug or a kiss. Yet the credit really goes to JoAnne, the auxiliary and the Jewish Home for their dedica tion and hard work. Susan Mil berg said, “JoAnne is truly a role model for other young leaders to follow. She has poured her heart and soul into it.” Play-Day is a dream come true, thanks to the efforts of JoAnne. Since Play-Day is sponsored by the auxiliary, one prerequisite for being a part of it is to join the auxiliary. Another is to bring a new toy in its original box. From story telling, to music time, the activities are planned and well- organized. Expecting our second child at the time of my visit, 1 felt lucky that soon I too could join in and participate. It is with much admiration that this month’s L’Chaim fea ture is dedicated to Jo Anne, Susan and the volunteers and individu als who strive to bring life and beauty to the residents and smiles where perhaps there might not otherwise be. It is also to dreams and those individuals who weave them into reality, that we say L’Chaim. Because of their efforts, the halls of the Jewish Home, the beauti ful new greenhouse and newly decorated interior are filled with happiness. My grandfather, who recently passed away, is no longer at the Home, but thanks to these volun teers my symphony and his plays on. JoAnne Birnbrey and Robyn visit with Gertrude Bereznitsky. incredibly touching this hour- and-a-day would be. I saw a gentleman who was confined to a wheelchair. He held in his arms 6-month-old Hallie Rosenberg. She looked up into his eyes and smiled and cooed with such affection. In return this gentleman lit up with a smile that had no bounds. These two were destined to be a team. Hallie’s mom, Laurie, com mented “They told me he has not smiled in months, until now that and wonderful for their daugh ter, 19-month-old Adrienne. In fact, it seemed all the mothers agreed it was both a special and rare opportunity. Likewise, the volunteer corps and the staff are delighted with the program and not one person can walk by without joining in, even if it’s just for a pinch, a is. That’s why I come to Play- Day.” Even when L’Chaim’s dedicated volunteer photographer Harold Alan came to photograph “Play- Day,’ he was so touched he plans to come back and bring his 15- month-old son, Michael. Margo Edlin told me that Play-Day has been so satisfying Empire*** Number One Kosher Turkey! FEATURING THE Pop-up Timers! PURE, CLEAN AND LEAN! FOR THE BEST. SELECT A BIG. EMPIRE KOSHER TURKEY... CONVENIENT READY-TO- COOK OR PRE-COOKED TURKEY DRUMSTICKS, TURKEY BREASTS, PAN-ROASTS, ROLLS & SLICES! "The Most Trusted Name in Kosher Poultry.' KOSHER Empire POULTRY €©i=0 WATER PROCESSED — DISTRIBUTED BY i.K S Kosher Foods, Inc*. Supreme Foods. I lie. (404) (404) 872-737:2