SEPTEMBER 2020 ELUL-TISHRE 5780 VOL 20 NO 11

Editor’s Comments ...................................1Resident of the Month .............................2Rosh HaShanah Food ..............................3Rosh HaShanah Food ..............................4

Health Notes ...............................................5High Holy Days Schedule .......................6 Resident Council Elections ....................7Marketing ....................................................8

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Rosh HaShanah—5781

Staff

Emma Davis, Director of Programming 415-345-5098 Adrienne Fair, Assistant Executive Director 415-345-5077Ira Kurtz, Executive Director 415-345-5080Eric Luu, Chief Financial Officer 415-345-5083Christine Leung,Business Office Manager 415-345-5073Samson Legesse, Director of Facilities 415-345-5088 Candiece Milford, Managing Director of Marketing 415-345-5072Corey Weiner, Director of Food and Beverage 415-345-5066Elizabeth Wyma-Hughes, Director of Resident Services 415-345-5085

2180 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115

415.345.5060; 415.345.5061 (fax) www.RGPlaza.org RCFE #385600125

Rhoda goldman plaza

Don AbramsonKaren Aidem David DossetterNancy GoldbergDr. Carl GrunfeldDr. Lawrence HillBernie NebenzahlJaimie SanfordPaul SiegelJim ShapiroJosh SmithRonna StoneMartin TannenbaumDr. Anita FriedmanKaren Staller

Board of Directors

Olive Press Page 1

Rosh HaShanah

I’m sure many of us are feeling the accumulated mental/emotional fatigue of COVID and political theater to the point that we feel that we have been living this miasma forever. But, while the trifecta or multi-fecta of societal and national issues cloud the future and may make life seem bleak, we should not forget that everything, eventually ends. Beauty salons are open! Family visits restarted! And New Year is approaching. Rosh HaShanah—an oasis in the desert, a spiritual recharge. A beginning.

Preparations for Rosh HaShanah begin before the holiday arrives, but the most intense period is the ten days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur called Days of Awe or High Holidays. These ten days constitute a period of refection, a time of repentance, to forgive, and restart the new year with plans to make the world a better place, to repair the world.

And especially this year, even as every year, Rosh HaShanah offers hope, opportunity, an obligation to make the world better

By deciding that making the world better is for other people to do, and by abdicating any personal vision for Good, I could completely forfeit this opportunity by doing nothing. But, by evading my role, as I have come to realize, I will miss out on the energizing and uplifting effects of joining in and doing my part. This year I want the satisfaction and joy of feeling I actually did something to make the world a little better.

What can I do? Donate to a food bank, register voters, sew masks, tutor, the list of repair work is endless.

After ten days, Yom Kippur arrives, Day of Judgment—the day when G-d determines people’s fate for the year ahead. Our refections and repentance are important.

There is much to do.

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Resident of the Month—Ruth Ellen JacobsonCuriosity is the thread throughout my life,” Ruth said. “There are many other threads in my life, but curiosity ties them together.” It connects opera and modern art….marketing and politics… film production and financial planning…..Ruth was born in Wilmington, Delaware and grew up there. Her mother was a teacher, her father an accountant, one grandfather was in real estate, the other was a tailor. Both grandparents were Orthodox. “I remember my grandmother who lived in a Victorian duplex and my great-grandmother who lived with her making matzah-ball soup.At that time, women were expected to be either a secretary, nurse, or teacher. But I didn’t want to be a teacher.… I attended Temple University, studied political science and wanted to go into business. I realized business was not a good fit for me, so I completed my BA in Political Science. While at college, I discovered opera— La bohème—and have been an opera lover since then. When I was about twenty-two, I went to Europe for seven weeks—a trip that transformed me. There, I saw the vast range of Western Civilization’s creative expression which changed my life. I visited many museums, saw art from all periods, but I realized that I preferred modern art and artists like Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg.After college, in 1965, I returned home, met my husband, got married and moved to Greenwich Village, then to New Jersey. I attended Seton Hall University, got an MA in reading and taught third grade boys how to read. Although I got a lot of satisfaction from my students, I didn’t like teaching. Sarah, the oldest, was born 1971 and Lee 1974.We moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota (1982) And for thirteen years I was a docent at The Walker Art Center. I loved that job; it was like getting a master’s degree in Modern Art. Famous people in the art world came to lecture at the Center which was very exciting. I enjoyed explaining art and artists to Center visitors.

We lived in Minneapolis from 1982-1995. When my husband opened his financial planning business, I did the marketing. I loved marketing and brought in many new clients. Working with my husband, I met many interesting people who simply didn’t know how to save their money; people who worked their entire lives, but had not saved for retirement. It was gratifying to be able to help people

plan their lives. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, I was involved in the Women’s Movement, and was inspired by Gloria Steinem. We started consciousness raising groups where we talked about Women’s Rights. Activism was very familiar to me since my mother was a union organizer; I understood the dynamics of political activism. I continued to be involved in the Women’s Movement and joined the Million Mom March in 2000.Having children was very important to me. Both my daughters were bright and creative; one was a film-maker, the other a photographer. They shared my enthusiasm for political activism and Women’s Rights. Through my older daughter I got into film production; I helped her produce her film which was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. That was quite exciting —we were invited to Robert Redford’s home for brunch. My older daughter then went on to work for a television network started by Oprah Winfrey in New York. I moved to Rhoda Goldman Plaza, last September, to be near my younger daughter, but due to COVID I haven’t been able to see her as often as I would like. I hope when the situation improves, I will be able to meet more fellow residents.”

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Making the world a better plate….one plate at a time.How do I do this? Let me count the plates.

Corey Weiner,Director of Food and Beverage

Round challahSymbolizing the cycle of life.

Head of the fish-head of the year

At the melodic blast of the shofar which brings tears to my eyes and pain to my ears, I become enwrapped in the High Holy Days in their awe and traditions. Food, after praying, is really important. Moreover, we eat special New Year foods to our show commitment to making the New Year good and sweet through action.

We eat apples and honey for a sweet New Year. This a kind of life insurance for the new year ahead. Do not get your masks all sticky now!

Then on to the fish (see picture). You are supposed to eat the head; is that to get smarter? Really—it’s not usually the raving favorite entrée. According to tradition, having fish on the table is a plea for blessings in the year to come, “that we be fruitful and multiply like fish.” Any of you practicing your fruitfulness lately?

Another symbol is the round Challah, which symbolizes the circular/cyclic year. I do not know; my calendars are usually squares or rectangles; not too many round calendars out there. As always, the challah is yummy food for

a Jewish holiday. I wonder which came first, the food or the reason. I have a whole lot of reasons for chocolate, caramel and coffee in any shape or form. I will reason out whatever I have to, to justify my “dietary needs”.

At this time of year, we repent. We do this by scattering bread on the water (whole wheat, gluten free, seed free, non-dairy, vegan, no tomato, and no nuts). With nothing left to eat, we have time to repent, regret, and rue.

Tashlikh-throwing bread upon the waters, symbolically casting off one’s sins

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Dates. The Hebrew word for dates, is t’marim, also indcates the ending of our own prejudices

Yom KippurThe Fast

Pommegranates are one of the seven spieces of Israel and symbolize love, fertility, and mitzvot.

Now the meaning and symbolism of dates—that is a little vague and esoteric. Something about word play…. the Hebrew name, t’marim, is related to the word “end” and by inference, the troubles of the past year will also end. That forecast however, does not specify when all these

troubles will end... day 364? But dates are good for you anyway.

Back to that wonderful fruitfulness, the pomegranate with it’s 613 seeds (I count every seed). Fruits with other numbers of seeds are obviously not kosher. Add 613 seeds to fertility and fruitfulness, and we have a population problem.

With all these sweet foods, we eat to excess and have nothing left, so we go on to Yom Kippur. I have nothing to say about this, as there is nothing for the plate. The glass is neither half empty or half full, they

are both empty, bare, desolate and in despair. The glass has no hope of getting full for at least twenty-four hours.

Happy New Year.

September Birthdays

Dr. Milka Rols 1Maxene Greenspan 2Lillian Finkel 7Raisa Bykhovsky 18Marilyn Hartwell 22Josephine Staub 22Jane Cutler 24Muriel Price 27Bob Erickson 29Dr. Jack Leibman 29

Before

The Beauty Salon is Open!!

After

I thought you said you had a red cane.... ?

Olive Press Page 5

Honey Health

Adrienne Fair, MSN, RN, Assistant Executive Director

Health Notes

Shana Tovah! Along with introspection and refection of Rosh HaShanah, comes the sweetness of apples and honey. May you have a sweet New Year. So, in keeping with the theme, I decided to look into the health benefits of honey. In addition to tasting delicious with apples and in honey cakes, honey has a number of measurable health benefits. The information below is derived from clinical reviews published in Pharmacognosy Research and Medical Sciences.

Wound Care In health services, we commonly see MediHoney as a wound care treatment. It helps the skin to heal, creates a pH that is inhospitable to bacteria, and helps remove necrotic tissue. It is particularly used for pressure ulcers and burns. This medical grade honey comes from Leptospermum (AKA Tea Tree) nectar.

Cancer Honey is under research for ways in which it can treat and prevent cancer. “Investigations have indicated that honey has anticancer properties through its interference with multiple cell-signaling pathways.”1 These pathways include apoptosis (cell death), antimutagen (resisting mutation), antiproliferation, and anti-infammation.1

Cardiovascular Health Investigations have shown some promise with regards to honey polyphenols and heart health. Polyphenols are tiny compounds with antioxidative benefits. The polyphenols may help with infammation, preventing blood clots, promoting vasodilation, and preventing oxidation.1 Oxidants (free radicals) can build up in the body due to stress.

Neurological Health The anti-infammatory properties of honey polyphenols may also boost brain health. Honey polyphenols, particularly from Tualang honey of southeast Asia, have been shown to improve memory and promote learning. 2 This is thought to be related to the antioxidative and anti-infammatory properties of the honey.

Gastrointestinal Health Studies have shown that honey is antibacterial for the gut—and honey can also aid in rehydration after suffering from diarrhea.1 I would also propose that tasting delicious should count as a benefit for the digestive system.

While widely used in wound care, honey is not commonly used for other medical applications. Based on the initial research mentioned above, maybe we will one day see the development of honey pills, infusions, or injections. In the meantime, please enjoy some honey cake—it comes with a potential antioxidative health bonus—in addition to making the New Year sweet!

(1) Samarghandian, S., Farkhondeh, T., & Samini, F. (2017). Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy research, 9(2), 121–127.

(2) Othman, Z., Zakaria, R., Hussain, N., Hassan, A., Shafin, N., Al-Rahbi, B., & Ahmad, A. H. (2015). Potential Role of Honey in Learning and Memory. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 3(2), 3–15.

Dorothy Auerbach

I do not consider myself an introspective person, yet as Rosh HaShanah approaches, I feel the need to do a kind of spiritual fall cleaning: What have I done wrong during the past year? Whom have I hurt, and how? Is there something I can do besides apologize? Have I made the world, or even my own corner of it, better in any way? Every year, I hope that the awe-inspiring High Holy Day services, the beautiful music, the powerful liturgy, and the challenging sermons, will help me find answers to those questions, and every year, they do.

Melanie Miguel

The sound of the shofar affects me viscerally, I know in my soul that it’s time to stop and take measure of my life, my world. Even though I’ve attended many different synagogues, in many different cities, the cadence and pace are always the same. I find it grounding like meditation.

This year there is a lot to refect upon, my father’s passing, Covid-19, Black Lives Matter, the effects of climate change. This account taking we do, this bringing of awareness, at this time of year is not just our tradition, but our obligation. Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, to fix whatever we can, to improve things even in small ways. We can all do something, I’ve already started my list.

Paulette Aroesty

Rosh HaShanah is kind of a resting place in the middle of the COVID lives we are leading. It is a place to refect. A time of repentance and redemption. Rosh Ha Shanah means “head of the year”; we start the year with redemption and forgiveness. A period of refection to think about those whom we may have wronged, to make amends. A time to pause and recharge. Think about your relationships with others, to forgive. Forgiving, getting rid of old baggage, frees one up to start the year. I like the ritual of eating apples dipped in honey—an act of hope that the new year will be sweet.

I appreciate Judaism; it is a beautiful religion based on kindness, compassion, and justice. New Year gives us an opportunity to review our spiritual condition, to make a new beginning, to change direction, not only for ourselves, but also in the community where we live. We are all a work in progress, never completed. Rosh HaShanah reminds us that we can always do more, and do better.

18 Friday Erev Rosh Hashanah3:30 Prerecorded Shabbat Services with Rabbi

Me’irah (994) 4:00 Rosh Hashanah Message from Rabbi Me’irah

(AR/994)6:00 Temple Emanu-el Erev Rosh Hashanah Service

(AR/Z) 19 Saturday Rosh HaShanah10:00 Temple Emanu-el Morning Rosh Hashanah

Service (AR/Z)2:00 Rosh Hashanah Concert with Cindy Paley (994)

27 Sunday Erev Yom Kippur4:00 Yom Kippur Message- Rabbi Me’irah (994) 7:00 Temple Emanu-el Kol Nidre Service AR/Z)

28 Monday Yom Kippur10:00 Temple Emanu-el Yom Kippur Service (AR/Z)1:30 Reading of the Yizkor (AR/Z)

Rosh HaShanah at RGP

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What Rosh HaShanah Means to Me

Resident Council Candidates

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Jeanne HalpernSomebody has to do it. I’ll take my turn. Who knows? It might be fun. And I do love living here!

Len Sperry

I have been on the Resident Council in various positions about four times over the period of time I have lived here. I enjoy the interactions between residents and staff and like hearing the committee reports at meetings. I look forward to when the Resident Council will be able to meet in person so we can share with each other what has been happening.

Carl KerwickSince arriving three years ago, I have grown to value being a member of the RGP community. I would like to participate in the Resident Council to contribute my skills to this welcoming and accepting community. I will work to support

the ideas and hopes we all share for this community. I thank you for this opportunity to be a member of the Resident Council Board.

Dorothy AuerbachI think it is important that the administration hear and consider the residents’ voices. I see the purpose of the Board to be an advocate for those voices, and hope that, as a member of this Board, I can help make that happen.

I have not yet met every resident here, but intend to. Although I am a new resident, I feel it is important to contribute to my new community, Rhoda Goldman Plaza. I have served on a number of nonprofit boards, often on the finance committee. I enjoy helping an organization in meeting its mission.

Stephen Kaufman

Olive Press page 8

Many Flowers Grow In the Jewish Garden

Candiece Milford,Managing Director of Marketing

Inquiries about Rhoda Goldman Plaza come from people all over the United States and not just from our website. Our excellent reputation travels widely by word of mouth and we are sometimes surprised by how far away these inquiries come. For example, I just had a person on the East Coast call me upon the recommendation of her local physician. Some people are specifically attracted by knowing Rhoda Goldman Plaza was founded by Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Mt. Zion Health Fund. Others are attracted to us because of the location, others come for liveliness and community.

I am often asked if one must be Jewish to qualify. There is no requirement of religious affiliation. However, we do have age, health, and financial requirements. Rhoda Goldman Plaza refects the great diversity of San Francisco and we work to ensure that those who come from outside San Francisco are made to feel welcome.

Will you see a Christmas tree in December? No. We observe Jewish holidays, have a Rabbi, offer Friday Shabbat services, have our own Torah and many mezuzzot. Every Friday, Dining Services provide the most delicious home-baked Challah. We hold large Passover seders for residents and their families. The Jewish tradition is deeply welcoming and non-Jewish residents are welcome to participate in Jewish services. People are free to practice any religion, or none at all.

So, if the food is kosher, what does that mean? Will there be chocolate? Caramel? Roast beef? Peet’s Coffee? Yes, and so much more. Most of our food, from soup to nuts, is home-made from scratch and represents a wide variety of cultures—American, Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Greek, Italian, Hungarian etc. You will be introduced to and may grow to love a good kreplach! We offer a wide range of eating experiences—comfort food, gourmet, and adventure-meals in the blink of an eye. Rhoda Goldman food is almost legendary. A word of advice—bring your scale when you move in as it is way too easy to gain weight with all the choices laid before you.

Oddly, being kosher has put us ahead of burgeoning dietary restrictions, allergies, and special diets that have proliferated in this world. Learning to find alternatives has become an ingrained habit. Being kosher, we don’t mix meat and dairy, so we had to find ways to make that work seamlessly. Adding umami to underscore dairy meals without actually using butter, or to add richness to meat meals without that delicious cream! Our Executive Chef is the master of gluten-free, dairy-free, and most other “free” diets.

So as to those “fours” growing in our garden…we’ve got something for everyone.

Rhoda goldman plaza 2180 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115

415.345.5060 415.345.5061 (fax)

www.RGPlaza.org RCFE #385600125

Founded by Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Mount Zion Health Fund

Rhoda Goldman PlazaThe appeal of Rhoda Goldman Plaza is undeniable. Older adults and their families prefer our unsurpassed assisted living and memory care community enriched by culture and tradition.Residents enjoy superb, “made-from-scratch” cuisine that is always well reviewed by our most vocal critics; our residents! While our dining selections please the appetite, accommodations showcase spacious, private apartments designed to maximize space and comfort. In fact, we’re re-defining your life as Living Well With Assistance—we believe our community is every bit as good as a five-star hotel. And, professionally trained, courteous staff promotes your health and well-being with choices of activity programs both on and off-site.

Our Terrace Memory program provides specialized memory care to residents through therapeutic activities that enhance physical, mental, and emotional health. Both privacy and companionship are afforded on our self-contained Terrace. Living Well With Assistance is more than a promise, but a way of life for our like-minded residents and staff who share the vision of our upscale community.

Visit Rhoda Goldman Plaza today by calling 415.345.5072.

Founded by Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Mt. Zion Health Fund in 2000, Rhoda Goldman Plaza (RGP) was established as a non-profit assisted living facility to provide a better and more secure life for older adults.