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PLAZA PRESS The Newsletter for Jewish Federation Plaza Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Chanukah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays. Related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited. After reciting the blessings, the first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and is placed in its holder. Each night, another candle is added from right to left. On the eighth night, all nine candles are lit. It is traditional to eat fried foods on Chanukah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes. The traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts of money. Another tradition of the holiday is playing dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top. Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression, those who wanted to study Torah, an illegal activity would conceal their activity by playing gambling games with a top whenever an official or inspector was within sight. Wishing all JCHC residents a Happy Chanukah! December 2015 Celebrating December Chanukah December 6-14 Bingo Month Safe Toys and Gifts Month Antarctica Day December 1 Special Kids Day December 2 Lost and Found Day December 11 World Choral Day December 13 Christmas December 25 Boxing Day December 26 Kwanzaa December 26January 1 New Year’s Eve December 31

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PLAZA PRESS

The Newsletter for Jewish Federation Plaza

Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also

known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival

beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of

Kislev. Chanukah is probably one of the best known

Jewish holidays.

Related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. The

candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a

menorah that holds nine candles: one for each night,

plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the

first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The

shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings)

are recited. After reciting the blessings, the first

candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and is

placed in its holder. Each night, another candle is

added from right to left. On the eighth night, all nine

candles are lit.

It is traditional to eat fried foods on Chanukah because

of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among

Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes. The

traditional gift of the holiday is "gelt," small amounts

of money. Another tradition of the holiday is playing

dreidel, a gambling game played with a square top.

Most people play for matchsticks, pennies, M&Ms or

chocolate coins. The traditional explanation of this

game is that during the time of Antiochus' oppression,

those who wanted to study Torah, an illegal activity

would conceal their activity by playing gambling

games with a top whenever an official or inspector was

within sight.

Wishing all JCHC residents a Happy Chanukah!

December 2015

Celebrating December

Chanukah December 6-14

Bingo Month

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

Antarctica Day

December 1

Special Kids Day

December 2

Lost and Found Day

December 11

World Choral Day December 13

Christmas December 25

Boxing Day

December 26

Kwanzaa

December 26–January 1

New Year’s Eve

December 31

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Manager’s Corner

The holidays are quickly approaching! Jewish Federation Plaza wishes all of our

Residents and their families a wonderful holiday season. The first night of Chanukah is

Dec. 6th, beginning at sundown. Happy Chanukah to all that celebrate!

Residents are encouraged to stop by to see Laura Berkin, Resident Services Coordinator.

Her office is on the 4th Floor Promenade next to the mailboxes. She can

assist you with transportation issues, local doctors, businesses, and any other questions.

If you want to attend the Sunday Brunch, Laura can sign you up too!

Building reminders:

Out of consideration to all of our driving residents, please park in your assigned parking

spots and limit using the handicapped spots, if at all possible. We appreciate your

cooperation.

Electronic Arm-please remind your visitors to stop at the arm and follow the directions on

the sign for entry.

IMPORTANT!-Residents should not open the door or hold the door at building one for any

reason! All guests, aides, workers, etc., are to always come thru the main door and sign in

at security.

Ann Marie Bass-Site Manager

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Winter Traditions The sweet smell of gingerbread and a glimpse of evergreen are two sure signs that the holiday season is upon us. While gingerbread can be delicious to eat, many will be using it as a construction material on Gingerbread House Day, December 12. Author DeeAnn Mandryk traces the origins of the gingerbread house to the early 1800s in Germany, after the Brothers Grimm published their collection of fairy tales. One tale in particular—that of Hansel and Gretel lured into a house made of bread and sugar—inspired bakers of a traditional German gingerbread, known as lebkuchen, to become architects on a miniature scale. Why build houses out of gingerbread? They’ll last a long time.

Mandryk credits the first gingerbread people, however, to Queen Elizabeth I. The queen would honor important visitors with gingerbread people fashioned in their likeness. It’s unknown whether the queen actually liked to eat these hard, spicy treats.

Many winter evergreens—such as holly, mistletoe, and even such conifers as fir, spruce, and pine—were revered in ancient times by Druids, Celts, and the Vikings. Botanist Larry Stritch explains how these cultures believed evergreens were sacred due to their ability to withstand snow and freezing cold. Decking the halls with boughs of holly provided both winter decoration and protection and good luck for the home. On December 19, which is Look for an Evergreen Day, bundle up and venture outside to find winter greenery. Or set up a chair near a cozy window and enjoy the beauty of the season with a warm cup of mulled cider or hot cocoa.

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Upcoming Events

CEO Chat

Floral Design Workshop

Crossword Fun

Iris Berman Preschool Hanukkah Program

Irving’s and Farmers Market

Etz Chaim Hanukkah Program

Short Story Group

Tenants Association Hanukkah Party

Ike’s Bagel Café, Livingston

Life Long Learning

Meditation & Relaxation

Poetry Workshop

Essex Green

JCC Hanukkah Celebration

JCHC University: Waves of Jewish Immigration at Lester

Trader Joes, Florham Park

JCHC University: Successful Aging at Plaza

BINGO

JCHC University: Jewish History & Jewish Women at Lester

Book Club

Salt & Electrolytes with Roberta

JCHC University: Brief History of Jewish Surnames at B’nai Brith

Hirschhorn: You’ve Come a Long Way Bubbeleh by Deborah Schapiro

Rabbi Study Group

Gamefest

Tenants Association New Years Gala Celebration

And much, much more. Please be sure to check your calendar for dates and times of all events.

JCHC University: Genetics The 2 part series

presented by Mark Grebenau took place at

Village Apartments.

JCHC University speaker Roberta Atti

presented the topic “Herbs and Spices—Health

in a Pinch.”

The JCHC University lecture entitled “Journey

of the Mind” was presented by Sandye Garrison,

Joan Bender and Gertrude Freeman.

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Happy December Birthday

Boris Reynus Dec 03 Tessie Schpiro Dec 04 Marvin Davidson Dec 04 Ralph Loschialpo Dec 10 Preeti Cholera Dec 11 Ronald Rames Dec 14 Alice McNealy Dec 16 Saul Brazer Dec 24 Bica Bercovici Dec 27 Joan Bender Dec 27 Dolores Lederman Dec 28

Outside the Lines

Looking for that perfect gift for someone on your “nice” list? Consider a coloring book.

Coloring books are no longer just for children. Adult Coloring Clubs meet up at bars after work. Executives gather employees in conference rooms for impromptu “coloring sessions.” Just look at Amazon’s bestseller list, which recently included three coloring books for adults. The hottest is by Scottish artist Johanna Basford, whose Secret Garden offers dozens of elaborate illustrations. There’s also Steve McDonald’s Fantastic Cities, with vast cityscapes to fill. Think outside the crayon box and opt for colored pencils or even gel pens.

Why are adults suddenly so drawn to coloring? Media such as ABC, Fox, Yahoo, and even the New Yorker have tried to explain the faddish phenomenon. Clinical Psychologist Ben Michaelis explains that the amygdala, the part of our brain responsible for our fight or flight response, takes a rest while we focus on coloring. The process creates a calming effect. Dr. Michaelis is such a believer that he both prescribes coloring to his patients and uses it at home with his own family.

Kid’s Cookies n’ Concerts:

Iris Berman Early Childhood Center Will proudly present

Hanukkah Program

Thursday, December 3rd

1:15 p.m.

Dining Room

All are invited to attend!

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HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

WISHES

To: Ethel Kendler

From: Dorothy Kleinert

Clara Beckerman

& Aggie

Sandye Garrison

Sarah Moskowitz

Rhoda Morris

To:

Thelma Gottlieb

From: Dorothy Kleinert

Rhoda Morris

Clara Beckerman

& Aggie

Sandye Garrison

To: Judith Cohen

From: Clara Beckerman

& Aggie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

WISHES

To:

Evelyne Lerner

From: Dorothy Kleinert

Clara Beckerman & Aggie

Sandye Garrison

Sarah Moskowitz

Rhoda Morris

Millie & Joe Podnos

To: Esther Torres

From:

Sandye Garrison

Rhoda Morris

MAZEL TOV

To: Sarah Moskowitz

on granddaughter's

wedding

From: Ilse Frank

Pearl Berkowitz

Dorothy Kleinert

To: Miriam Lateiner

on the birth of her

great granddaughter

From: Ilse Frank

Sandye Garrison

To: Ethel Kender

on the birth of her

great granddaughter

Quinn

From: Dorothy Kleinert

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THANK YOU

A sincere Thank You

to my friends

for the many

tributes

I received

From:

Evelyne Lerner

GET WELL

WISHES

To: Dolores Lederman

From: Helen Boll

LIBRARY

DONATIONS

From:

George Aptecker

Alyce Atkins

Helen Boll

Shirley Linker

Ed Schwartz

Esther Schwartz

Norma Tooter

Florence Widelitz

Life Interrupted

We live in the Digital Age, where computers allow us access to vast amounts of information and almost-infinite social networking. To put it another way, it’s a near-endless amount of distraction. Gloria Mark, University of California professor of informatics (the science of computer data), likens it to a candy store with unlimited offerings. And, as many know, an endless stream of candy is bad for our health.

What better way to ring in the new year than with No Interruptions Day on December 31? Research conducted by Mark and her colleagues shows that work interruptions cost us hours in productivity each day. But what of those who believe work itself is an interruption? Then you, too, can participate. Take time on the 31st to unplug and spend quality time with someone special—face-to-face, heart-to-heart.

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DECEMBER 2015 PLAZA Calendar is subject to change

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 11:00 EXERCISE 1: 00 Seeing Eye

Puppy 2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY 7:15 CEO CHAT

2 10:45 Livingston &

Short Hills Mall 11:00 Move Today &

Walking Club 3:00 Floral Design Workshop 7:15 BINGO

3 10:45 Rt 10 &

Irvings & Farmers

Market

11:00 Exercise 1:15 Kid’s Cookies n’ Concerts: Hanukkah Program with Iris Berman Early Childhood Center 3:00 Plaza Men’s Club

4 9:00

SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

5 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

6

Hanukkah

begins at

sundown 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

7 Hanukkah,

1st Day

10:15 TOWN BUS

10:45 Ike’s

Bagel Café,

Livingston

11:30 TAI CHI

7:00 Life-Long

Learning 7:15 BINGO

8 Hanukkah,

2nd Day 11:00

EXERCISE

2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY 7:00 Etz Chaim Hanukkah Program

9 Hanukkah, 3rd

Day 10:45 Essex Green

11:00 Move Today & Walking Club 12:15 Life-Long

Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 7:15 BINGO

10

Hanukkah,

4th Day 12:30 JCC Hanukkah Celebration 11:00 Exercise 2:00 Short Story

Group featuring

Pearl Kaufman

11

Hanukkah,

5th Day 9:00

SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

12 Hanukkah,

6thDay 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE 11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE TBA: Tenant Assoc Hanukkah Party on the Promenade

13

Hanukkah,

7th Day 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

14 Hanukkah,

8th Day 10:15 TOWN BUS

11:30 TAI CHI

1:15 JCHC

University:

Waves of Jewish

Immigration @

Lester 7:00 Life-Long

Learning 7:15 BINGO

15 11:00 EXERCISE

1: 00 Seeing Eye

Puppy 2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY

7:15 Meditation & Relaxation

16 10:45 Trader

Joe’s Florham

Park

11:00 Move Today &

Walking Club 12:15 Life-Long

Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 7:15 BINGO

17 10:30 Exercise with Tami Social Event for class participants only 12:30 JCHC

University

Successful Aging

@ Plaza 2:00 Poetry

Workshop 7:00 Book Club

18 9:00

SHOPRITE

10:00

SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

19 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

20 11:00

BRUNCH

2:00 MOVIE

2:00 Salt &

Electrolytes

with Roberta

Atti

21 Winter

Begins 10:15 TOWN BUS

11:30 TAI CHI 2:45 JCHC

University: Jewish

History & Jewish

Women @ Lester 7:00 Life-Long Learning 7:15 BINGO

22 11:00 EXERCISE

2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY 8:00 Senior TV Movie

23 10:30 Whole

Foods & Target in

Union 11:00 Move Today &

Walking Club 12:15 Life-Long Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 6:45 Jewelry Making Workshop 7:15 BINGO

24 11:00 Exercise 9:00 SHOPRITE

10:00 SHOPRITE

1:00 ONEG

SHABBAT

2:00 Watercolor

Paint in the

Recreation

Room

25

Christmas

Office &

Dining

Room

Closed

26 9:00 SHABBAT

SERVICE

11:00 KIDDUSH

7:00 MOVIE

27 11:00

BRUNCH 2:00 MOVIE

Gamefest

after Movie

28 10:15 TOWN BUS 11:30 TAI CHI

12:15 JCHC

University: Brief

History of

Jewish

Surnames @

B’nai Brith 7:00 Life-Long

Learning 7:15 BINGO

29 11:00 EXERCISE 1:15 Rabbi

Study Group

2:00 CURRENT

EVENTS

6:00 LIBRARY 8:00 Senior TV Movie

30 10:30 Walmart Rt

22, Christmas Tree &

Panera 11:00 Move Today &

Walking Club 12:15 Life-Long

Learning 1:30 CHORAL GROUP 7:15 BINGO

31 New

Year’s Eve 11:00 Exercise 9:00 SHOPRITE 10:00 SHOPRITE 2:00 Hirschhorn:

You’ve Come a Long

Way: Bubbeleh by

Deborah Schapiro 7:30 Tenants Association New Years Eve Gala