Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan NJ

  The Three Weeks is a period of mourning that occurs in the summer every year leading up to Tisha B’Av. We mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and the  exile of the Jews from Israel . Observing and relearning the details of these events helps us to recognize the weaknesses which brought about these tragic happenings. We do this through the process of “teshuva,” which means self-reflection with a commitment to become better. With “teshuva,” everyone has the power to turn tragedy into joy. The Talmud actually states that after the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, these days will be altered as weeks of happiness and celebration.  History has a tendency to repeat itself, if we don’t learn from it. That’s why it’s so important to shed light and observe even the most tragic times. With that said, here are some observances and more information regarding Tisha B’Av that  the team at JCHC  has put together.   What Happened on Tisha B’Av?  On Tisha B’Av...

Father’s Day is just around the corner! Meaning it’s time to celebrate the special father figures in our lives, including grandfathers. Taking the time to acknowledge and honor grandpa for Father’s Day will go a long way. If there’s one thing that all grandfathers have in common, it’s their love for their kids and grandkids. Grandfathers truly value that quality time with their family, so give them a day they’ll treasure for years to come!  If you’re not sure where to start, our assisted living team at Lester Senior Living in Morris County has put together some  great ways to celebrate grandpa on Father’s Day .  Create a personalized calendar for him.  Many websites like Shutterfly, Vistaprint and Zazzle can customize calendars to include pictures of your family. You could also mark special dates within the calendar, like each grandkid’s birthday. Grandpa will not only appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gift, but will also appreciate the subtle reminders of special...

  If you’re sick of hard boiled or scrambled eggs, try shakshuka! This popular Israeli egg dish is healthy, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. Not to mention, it can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For breakfast or lunch, you can eat shakshuka with bread, pita or matzah. And for dinner, you can eat shakshuka with a fresh mixed green salad. Before you start to drool, here is the JCHC’s recipe for shakshuka that serves 4-6 people.  Shakshuka Ingredients:  Eggs (4-6)  Diced tomatoes (3-4 cups) Tomato paste (2 tbsp) Onion (½) Bell pepper (1) Olive oil (1 tbsp) Garlic clove or garlic powder (1-2 tsp) Chili powder (1 tsp) Cumin (1 tsp) Paprika (1 tsp) Salt & pepper to taste OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: Chopped parsley, pinch of cayenne pepper and/or jalapenos for extra spice!  Shakshuka Instructions:  Pour your olive oil into a deep pan or large skillet with medium heat.  Once olive oil is warmed in the pan, add chopped onion and saute until the onio...

  Everyone deserves a vacation – especially senior caregivers. Juggling multiple responsibilities along with caring for your senior parent can be exhausting without the occasional break. If this sounds like you, now is the time to consider  respite care at Lester Senior Living . Not to mention, respite can be an effective way to broach the subject of assisted living to mom. In this article, we’ll cover what respite care entails and how it is provided to our residents at our senior community in Morris County, NJ.  What is respite care? Respite care gives you the opportunity to take a temporary break from your senior caregiving duties. It’s completely up to you to determine how long respite care will last for mom. It can be arranged for a week or up to several weeks at our assisted living community. At Lester, you won’t need to worry about mom’s safety, care or socialization while you are away! When planning for your much-deserved getaway, we recommend keeping mom in the lo...