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Fountainview at Gonda Westside Opens

By Ruth Orbuch, Editor

The Los Angeles Jewish Home and our Fountainview have given birth to our big sister Fountainview at Gonda Westside in Playa Vista. The new Fountainview is currently opening its doors to residents in 175 independent living apartments. The facility includes a rooftop pool and spa with sundeck; fully equipped fitness center with separate studio for group instruction; state-of -the-art theater for film, theatrical and musical performances; upscale and casual dining venues; full service salon and day spa;

creative arts studio; library; card room; and bar-lounge for socializing. The walkable community of Playa Vista features the entertainment destination of movies, shops and restaurants surrounding (the new) Fountainview. Laurie Nussbaum, Director of Marketing and Assistant Executive Manager of Gonda, informs us that it is now 60% occupied in the three months since opening, with move ins continuing through the summer.

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Residents

No photo available at this time

Ed and Ruth Young Carmen Posner Lee and Anita Levy

Fountainview at Eisenberg Village Reseda, California Spring 2017

www.fountainviewjha.org/fountainview-living/publications

UptheDownStaircase

ByGuestReporterEvelynCouzen Surelymost,ifnotall,ofusatFountainviewhaveaplaceinourheartforaparticularschoolteacherwhoseinfluenceinourlivesisfelttothisveryday.Likewise,wehaveamongusretiredteacherswhostillremembersomeformerpupilswithgreataffection.RosalynHeyman,anativeAngeleno,isonesuchpersonwithanoutstandingcareerinthefieldofeducation,havingtaughtfrom1947‐1967andservedinothercapacitiesfortheL.A.UnifiedSchoolDistrictuntilsheretiredin2006. Despiteherunpretentiousdemeanor,oneisalwaysamazedathermanyimpressiveawardsandcommendations.Fortrue“Up‐the‐Down‐Staircase”stories,readon. ShewasselectedbynolessthanourvenerableU.S.SupremeCourtJusticesastherecipientoftheAmericanEducatorsMedalinthe1980’s.(Wow!)(drum‐roll!!) OneofherfavoriterecollectionsisaboutconvincingtheFordMotorCo.tohelpprovide40dual‐controlautomobilestohighschoolsintheDistrict.Shewasresponsibleforintroducing“BehindtheWheel”traininginhighschoolsthroughoutthecity. Asprincipalassignedtoimpoverishedinner‐cityBerendoJuniorHighSchool(population:2,700pupils,requiring2policementopatrolits3buildings),Rozinstilledinstudentstheincentivetoremove,beforeandafterclasshours,thegraffitithatdefacedtheschool’sbuildingsandtocleanupthecampus.

FirstintheNationwithComputers Childrenwhocametoschoolhungrypromptlygotlunchvouchers,noquestionsasked.Thelunchroomoperatedonafinancialdeficit.Evertheproblem‐solver,sheworkedwiththeteachersandtheschool’sscholasticratingwaseventuallyupgraded.Berendowasthefirstpublicschoolinthenationtoreceivecomputers,becauseofRoz’sefforts. Soonthose“adolescing”students,previouslyknownas“littlestinkers”,became“seriousthinkers”!And“terribleBerendo”becameknownas“beautifulBerendo”!Ingratitudeforherachievementsattheirschool,bothteachersandparentspetitionedforandsucceededinhavingtheirauditoriumnamedTheRosalynHeymanAuditorium. Officially“retired”,shestillconductstheScholasticAptitudeTesttoover2,000studentspersession,thelargesttestgroupwestoftheMississippi!TrulyaforceinandbeyondtheL.A.U.S.D.,herliferemainsdedicatedtoimprovingacademiceducation.

  RosalynHeyman,HonoredatLACC

Yom Hashoah…In Observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day

By Lil Baker

Sandy Weiss and her daughter, Lauren Schneider, presented the Sunday Afternoon Salon at Fountainview on April 23, 2017, the poignant story of Sandy’s Holocaust experience and some of its affects. In the audience were many survivors, friends and family as well as residents. Empathy was intense especially for those who have been unable to speak about their earlier lives. Lauren, LCSW, author of books and documentaries and whose impressive professional experience with grief, especially in younger children, acted as interrogator. Sandy, trying to minimize her emotions, was able to relate her story of leaving her home with most of her family to live in an attic without heat or light for two years; and of their flight through Europe to Italy where HIAS housed them and helped with their education. Just when they were supposed to leave for Israel, their VISAs and tickets to America came from her father and uncle.

She told of her marriage and career as a business woman and of her one grand desire: just to be an American woman. Assuredly, she is more than that.

A Reflection

By Ruth Waller

Those of us who shared the childhood of Sandy Weiss remain stunned by the heroism of her survival. Her vivid recollections of confounding torment held every one of us spellbound with her overwhelming terror. Hardly old enough to be aware of her own immediate world, this little girl was plunged into a worldwide struggle that clouded the entire planet.

Each day, as I sit beside her in our Dining Room, I cannot help but marvel that her vision of a future has never allowed her to relent. Her personal conviction to her goals are a shining symbol for each of us. Truly, Sandy’s inner resolve is to be greatly admired. We are all especially blessed that Sandy has chosen to share this intimacy with us. This is the level of comfort each of us now feels for each other. Thank you, Sandy.

Saturday Night Very Lively

By Lil Baker

How fortunate that on April 8, those who attended the packed house to see the very funny, entertaining upbeat Linden Waddell were so delightedly entertained! She and her accompanist, Marjorie Poe, gave a scintillating five-star presentation that had us captivated to the very last song. We laughed, clapped and kept beat with the old, old songs of Allan Sherman (remember “Hello Faddah, Hello Muddah. Here I am at camp Granada”?) Her enunciation was clear and her performance tickled us pink. We look forward to her return.

Theater Beat

By Evelyn Bauer

On March 23, we had the pleasure of seeing the national tour of Broadway’s “An American in Paris”. It was at the Pantages Theater where the 1951 film version won the Oscar for best picture. The film starred Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron with the music of George Gershwin. The music is still there, of course, but the characters are a bit different. Garen Scribner and Sara Esty dazzled us with their dancing. It was ballet with jazz accents backed by a large, accomplished ballet corps. The sets were imaginatively conceived by Bob Crowley, changing frequently and quickly, too much so in the first act, which made it a bit frenetic. The second act seemed calmer as the story unfolded and the dancing took over. It was a joyous experience in a wonderful historic theater. On April 9, we went to CSUN to see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights”. This was exciting! Although it was a student production, it was truly one

of the highlights of my theater experiences. Yes, I I loved it; the clever hip-hop rhymes, the exuberant dancing, and the professional singing. Some of our group were not as enthusiastic as I, but I stand by my praise. I laughed out loud when the lead character “US Navi” told us how he got his unusual name. He was named after one of the first sights his parents saw when they arrived from the Dominican Republic – a ship with US Navy written on it. The characters were all colorful, especially Abuela (grandmother) and the Piragua Guy (selling snow cones from a cart.) “In the Heights”, that’s Washington Heights, the Latino community in upper Manhattan, was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first success. He wrote and starred in it on Broadway where it won 4 Tony’s in 2008. Thank you, Lauri, for getting us to CSUN early for the best seats in the house. And thank you for securing tickets to see Lin Manuel’s “Hamilton” in the fall.

George Gross, a Man for all Seasons

By Joyce Edelman

George Gross is not one to resist trying new experiences. After moving into Fountainview recently, George dived into a bevy of activities. George joined a Spanish class for the first time. Now he is known as “Jorge.” He entered the water color class although he had never painted. Now he is a budding Winslow Homer. George signed up for circuit training though he never was a gym rat. Now he pumps iron in our fitness center. He also brings his live-wire personality and humor to the Men’s Club, the Poker group, Bingo, and Trivia. When asked, "Why have you jumped into so many activities like Spanish and painting for the first time?" George answered, "I like learning new things. I find it fun and stimulating. I am surprised at my ability to absorb new skills at this stage of my life. " One new activity that George plans

to undertake is learning to play the piano. In his prior life, George lived in the Bronx and graduated from New York University with Bachelor and Master degrees in education. He taught American

History in New York City junior high schools before he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany during the Korean War. As Chief of the Information and Education Department, he gave weekly lectures on military subjects. But after the war, he decided that teaching wasn't for him. He moved to Los Angeles, became an optometrist and ran his own practice in Northridge for 35 years. Before moving into Fountainview, George checked out many places but decided that the educated and outgoing residents would make it a fun

and stimulating place to live. He was right. Residents like George make Fountainview all the better.

Strength Fitness at Fountainview

By Guest Reporter Micah Roberts, Manager – FV Fitness Studio Owner, In Touch Fitness, LLC

Do you take advantage of the personal trainers in the Fitness

Studio here at Fountainview? They are available to you Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Currently, every resident is offered two complimentary sessions per month with a trainer. When coupled with an additional monthly training package – several are available - your training rate is only about $15 a session! Try to find training that inexpensive anywhere else! Private training with an instructor differs from the classes in one major way...it's private, focusing on your specific needs and weaknesses.

Also, do you know about our Strength Training Circuit class available to residents every Monday and Friday at 12 noon in the Fitness Studio? This class is a great way to take advantage of all the benefits strength training has to offer! It’s a simple way to learn how to use the equipment in the gym, too.

Studies recommend two to three 30-minute strength training sessions weekly, however, you should always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program -- and when you do, expect your doctor will most likely be thrilled with your decision! Once you get your doctor's go-ahead, come down to the gym and visit one of the trainers to set up your sessions.

“To your strength and success.” Micah, Maisy and Eric

Women’s Career Day

By Lil Baker

Our residents of Fountainview represent a goodly collection of retired professionals. On Thursday, March 30 – Career Day – we honored Women’s Day with eight lovely volunteers: Evelyn Bauer, Zita Gluskin, Fran Shuster, Malkah Schulweis, Joan Kagan, Rikki Levine, Joy Picus, and Sandy Weiss, to speak to us about their lives. Almost each one looked forward to a higher education. Most had the support of their families, although some revealed the resistance of one or both of their parents as to what direction the choice of their career would take them.

A future in the business world at that time was more rewarding lucratively as well as a hopeful opportunity to meet eligible mates. Two of our speakers did end up with businesses of their own, the

others entered the professions. Most of us in the audience listened attentively while thinking of our own beginnings. Yes, this program could be

repeated over and over again with another cadre from our audience. What a wealth of fascinating experiences.

How We View Father’s Day Today

By Rabbi Mervin B. Tomsky

Father’s Day this year will be observed on June 18, but it’s not as big a deal in terms of celebration as is Mother’s Day. And yet, it is a good occasion to consider the role and importance of fathers in our Jewish tradition and life today. In the Jewish tradition, males, and fathers in general, play a dominant role. Some of our sacred prayers begin with the words, “Eloheinu vei-lohei Avoteinu – Our God and the God of our Fathers.” We learn in the Book of Proverbs, “Children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers”. [Prov. 17:6]. The Talmud teaches, “A father is obligated to circumcise his son, redeem him, teach him Torah, take a wife for him, and teach him a trade”. Some authorities say teach him to swim, also. What is the reason? His life may depend on it. [Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 29a and 30b]. And the immortal words of Scripture give direction to men for all time. For example, the Prophet Micah instructs us, “It has

been told you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: only to do justice, to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God”. [Ch. 6 vs. 8]

Of course, in modern times, the roles of men and women, husbands and wives have changed. Fathers used to have the responsibility of being the provider and mothers looked after the children and household matters. Today, there is more sharing of these responsi-sibilities and, in some cases, the roles have even been reversed. But after all is said and done, the father still can be the role model in upholding and transmitting the values and ideals of the Jewish and American tradition in reflecting the respect, dignity, equality and reverence for life.

May fathers be honored on Father’s Day by letting them know how important they were [and are] in our lives, and how proud we are of what they have accomplished in their lifetime. Happy Father’s Day!

Israeli Independence

Day

A myriad of special activities highlighted Israeli Independence

Day, including a unique trivia competition testing our

knowledge of the state’s history.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

A Poem by Shirley Lazar

Awhile back, I anticipated what senior life would be, Relaxing, lots of traveling, and so easy. Well, now I know It’s just not so Age is only a number, said some wise old sage, But it’s a really big number when you reach my age. So many new problems, both physical and dental, With other challenges – especially mental.

At this age the “No. 1” MUST Is learning to accept and to adjust. I am accepting, but not easily That the facts of life won’t change for me. When I first used a walker, it was like a curse. Soon I realized that without it would be a lot worse.

It annoyed me when I couldn’t recall a word, name or phrase. Now I know I’ll recall them, but it may take a few days. Yes, I still miss traveling, dancing, driving and so much more But with friends, the classes and extras I do at Fountainview My life is not a bore.

I’ll end with two profound sayings from the same old sage: “Old age is not for sissies,” “A good attitude helps any age”. No more anticipating what the future holds for me. Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be.

I was the first one in the Dining Room for breakfast one morning. I heard a voice saying, "You look so pretty this morning. The outfit you are wearing is very becoming."

I looked around. There was no one there. Then I realized it was the breakfast talking. It was complimentary.

And Now a Smile…

Yesterday is History

Tomorrow is a Mystery

But today is a Gift

That is why it is called the Present

Why I Like Retirement

Courtesy of Rita Lipshutz

Question: When is a retiree’s bedtime? Answer: Three hours after falling asleep on the couch.

Question: How many retirees does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: Only one; but it may take all day.

Question: Why don’t retirees mind being called Seniors? Answer: The term comes with a 10% discount.

Question: Why do retirees count pennies? Answer: They are the only ones who have the time.

Question: What is a common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire? Answer: NUTS !

Question: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage? Answer: They know as soon as they do, one of their adult kids will want to store stuff there.

Question: What’s the biggest advantage of returning to school after retiring? Answer: If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.

A Bi Gesunt (As long as you’re healthy)

By Harry Shragg

In the last issue of the View, I began identifying the facilities and functions that make up the Los Angeles Jewish Home (LAJH). Please refer to the map that was included with the Winter issue. Two campuses were identified: Grancell and Eisenberg Villages. I identified the two most

important buildings on the Grancell Campus: Joyce Eisenberg Kieffer (JEK), a long term and skilled nursing facility with 239 beds; and Mark Taper, a long term, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility with 105 beds.

Adjacent to Taper is the Schulman Medical Building. On the first floor is the Brandman Center

for senior citizens from the community, as well as LAJH residents, who receive care on an outpatient basis 5 days a week. Administrative offices are

located on the second and third floors. In addition, a psychiatric unit of 10 beds is attached to JEK. The Schulman Activities building also contains a synagogue and additional administrative offices. Buildings 1,2,3 and 4 are empty and are to be replaced in the future.

On the Eisenberg Campus, we have Fountainview with 108 apartments. Adjacent to Fountainview is the Goldenberg-Ziman (G-Z) special care facility with 96 beds for dementia patients. Adjacent to G-Z is the Max Factor skilled nursing facility with 70 beds. The Newman and Weinberg buildings provide long term residential care for

275 residents. The Papp Center provides the support services for these residents containing a very large dining hall and kitchen. It also includes a synagogue, a library, and arts and crafts facilities. This hall provides space for

other activities requiring a large open venue. Between these facilities is the Levy-Kime Sephardic Medical Center providing outpatient care, a bank for residents and administrative offices. In total, the Jewish Home provides various types of residential and medical care for 903 people, plus services

for the Brandman Center as well as the Skirball Hospice program, with those offices offsite. Intertwined among and between the buildings on these campuses are beautiful grounds with gardens and many sculptures on display.

Top Players: DAKIM

The following residents knocked it ‘out of the ballpark’ again in playing DAKIM during the last quarters! CONGRATULATIONS! November Irene Nathan December Irene Nathan January Irene Nathan February Charlotte Markus March Bess Alderman April Evelyn Weinstein and Shirley Wolfson – TIE!

In Memoriam

We remember our recently departed friends Bob Steres and Evelyn Weinstein. May their memories be a blessing.

Blossoming cherry tree on Eisenberg campus

the VIEW Staff

EDITOR: Ruth Orbuch

REPORTERS: Lillian Baker,

Evelyn Bauer, Joyce Edelman, Harry Shragg, Rabbi Mervin Tomsky, Ruth Waller

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mike Maroko, FV Staff

STAFF SUPPORT: Shelley Smilen, Concierge Team

PRODUCTION/DESIGN: Cary Haskin