Jewish Family Service Home
clear
Family Life Parents Center Russian Resettlement Adoption Center Older Adult Services Counseling
blackrule clear
clearHome

clearFamily ties

clearChat Area

Learn more about JFS

clearBoard of Directors

clearclearAnnual Report

Contributions

clearMake a Donation

clearMake a Donation

Jobs

clearJobs

clearJobs

Copyright
blackrule clear clear

JFS in the News

Cincinnati January 24, 2010
Women’s Education Day: Exploring the Strengths of Our Generations

Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah and Jewish Family Service jointly presented an interactive program, Women's Education Day:  Exploring the Strengths of Our Generations, on Sunday, January 24, 2010.  It was held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rockwern Academy in Kenwood. The theme of the day was generations: how different generational groups identify themselves and share a history and culture, as well as lifecycle transitions leading to different needs and lifestyle changes.  Hadassah Co-Chairs were Bobbi Handwerger and Gilda Schwartz, and Jewish Family Service Co-Chairs were Sandee Golden and Linda Kean.  

The morning began as the participants socialized in a large activity room on the second floor.  At 11:15 a.m., the first of two breakout sessions began in nearby classrooms. Glynnis Reinhart, Financial Advisor at AXA Advisors, led a lively discussion illustrated by PowerPoint slides on how to Take Control of Your Financial Destiny, while Paula J. Gross, President and Principal Designer for the IDEA Group, led a workshop on Lifestyle Design:  Home and Office Transitional Design. In Ms. Reinharts class, financial planning involved anticipating different needs at different stages of life. Ms. Gross class explored how too many possessions can bog one down physically and emotionally.  Several boxes of different sizes symbolized the stuff that we own at different stages of our lives.  All agreed that it is better to downsize a cluttered home before illness or death leaves the job to ones children or survivors.

After a delicious box lunch provided by Northern Hills Synagogue Catering Service, Tobe Snow, President of Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah, thanked the speakers and co-chairs and presented them with beautiful Hadassah certificates.  Then, Linda Kean, Director of Family Life Education at Jewish Family Service, and Lauren Scharf, a member of Hadassah and a Board member of Jewish Family Service, led an interactive game identifying different generational groups, followed by discussions of the characteristics of each generation. Participants separated into different corners of the room, depending on what age group they were in: the Greatest Generation, World War II Babies, Baby Boomers, and Generation X or Y.  Each group had to fill in answers to questions on representative historical events and cultural phenomena.  Then everyone reassembled, and a representative from each group shared the information with the others about their generational group.

The event ended with another breakout session with two possible classes.  Marion Corbin Mayer, Creative Life Coach and artist, demonstrated Accessing Your Creativity at Every Age, showing how important it is to make time for creativity at different stages in your life.  Amy Greenbaum, Jewish educator, spoke on Bridging Generations Through Technology and showed a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating how communication tools have changed from letter writing and telegraph to FaceBook and Twitter.  A handout sheet listed the URLs of a variety of current internet social networking websites.

All of the sessions featured a lot of humor and enlightening observations about the ways our different generations interact and react.  Tobe Snow, President of Cincinnati Chapter of Hadassah said, How interesting it was to see the comparisons and differences between the generations. How the events that occur and the values of the time impacts who we are:  Prohibition, WW11, The Great Depression, the post war increase in education and wealth of the middle class, civil rights movement, women's rights, space exploration, Viet Nam War, even air conditioning. All shaped who we are today. As women, we have so much to share and learn from each other.

Cincinnati. November 10, 2009
Don't Bite Your Tongue

Learn how to maintain close relationships with your adult children while respecting their independence when Jewish Family Service presents Dr. Ruth Nemzoff, author of “Don’t Bite Your Tongue, How to Foster Rewarding Relationships with Your Adult Children, 1-2 pm or 7-8 pm, Monday December 14, 2009 at the Mayerson JCC, 8485 Ridge Road, Amberley, OH. The cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door.  

“As children become adults, parents are often confused what the “parental role” is. Do you let go and stay silent? Do you speak up and share opinions?” asks Linda Kean, director of Family Life Education at Jewish Family Service. 

Nemzoff, who is a leading expert in family dynamics, counters the popular belief that parents must let go of their adult children and silence themselves.  

“Dr. Nemzoff points out that life spans are increasing, which means parents and children can spend as many as five or six decades as adults together. Communication skills are just as important to family life at this stage as they were when their children were toddlers or teens,” says Kean. 

Topics to be addressed include financial issues; lifestyle and partner choice; weddings and other life cycle events; childrearing opinions; and other ever-changing realities of parent-adult child relationships. 

Nemzoff is a resident scholar at Brandeis University’s Women’s Studies Research Center and an adjunct assistant Professor at Bentley University. Her academic training is in American Studies at Barnard College, in counseling at Columbia University and in Social Policy at Harvard University.

Register online at www.jfscinti.org or contact Sandee at Jewish Family Service at sgolden@jfscinti.org or (513)766-3352

Cincinnati
bigg's
holiday bags make it easy to stock food pantry shelves
August 24- September 25, 2009

As the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah approaches, Jewish Family Service and bigg’s are partnering to help people in need celebrate the Jewish New Year.

From August 24 through September 25, 2009, shoppers at the bigg’s Highland and Mason locations can purchase $10 pre-packaged bags containing ceremonial candles and assorted holiday meal ingredients. The bags will then be donated to Jewish Family Service Food Pantry.  

“The items in these bags complement the meat and fresh produce that we provide through Jewish Family Service Food Pantry, allowing everyone in our community to commemorate this important holiday,” says Beth Schwartz, executive director of Jewish Family Service. Traditionally, special meals containing apples and honey are prepared to symbolically welcome in a “sweet” new year.

Each bigg’s holiday bag contains a 64oz bottle of Wild Harvest Organic Apple Juice, a 12oz Flavorite Honey Bear, Flavorite Extra Wide Noodles, 12 Rokeach Shabbat Candles, a Rokeach Memorial Candle, and Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix.

Schwartz says that something as simple as lighting candles is an important part of the Rosh Hashanah holiday observance, which falls this year on the evening of September 18.  

“Unfortunately, people on fixed incomes or low-income families do not have the luxury of spending even a few dollars for the traditional candles when their limited funds are going toward food, medicine, and utilities,” Schwartz explains. 

Fran Gafvert, Jewish Family Service director of Vital Service adds, "I hope that everyone who is shopping for the High Holidays this year will purchase a holiday food bag to give to the pantry. This year, our friends who have relied on us before, and those who are new to that pantry, are really struggling to make it through the month. These holiday bags make our food pantry clients feel cared for and it means a lot to them.” 

Jewish Family Service Food Pantry provides free kosher food as well as personal and household care items for individuals experiencing financial difficulties in the Greater Cincinnati Jewish community. In addition, Jewish Family Service provides emergency financial assistance, guidance, and support for clients of the pantry to help improve their situation and achieve self-sufficiency.   

Jewish Family Service was recently awarded a grant by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, the only American Jewish organization whose sole focus is combating hunger domestically and worldwide.  Funding for the pantry is also provided by Jewish Federation of Cincinnati as well as individual donors. 

“With my work in Jewish Family Service Food Pantry I see the effect the economy is having on our community. We are fortunate to be able to partner with bigg's for help stocking the pantry with Rosh Hashanah foods," says Sandee Golden, Jewish Family Service volunteer coordinator.

A Light Unto the Future
Thursday, September 10, 2009

A luncheon is being held to honor attorney Stanley Chesley and to celebrate our local Holocaust survivor community. A Light Unto the Future, presented by Jewish Family Service and The Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education, will benefit Holocaust education and Social Services for aging Holocaust survivors.

“This upbeat event highlights the power of the human spirit.  The focus will be on Mr. Chesley’s efforts on behalf of the Holocaust survivor community worldwide. Working as pro bono Counsel, Mr. Chesley has secured billions of dollars in international settlements for their losses by Nazi persecution,” says Sarah Weiss, Executive Director of The Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education.  

Chesley is the President and principal of Waite, Schneider, Bayless & Chesley Co., L.P.A.  He has served or currently serves on a number of national boards, and has served as National President of the Jewish National Fund since 2007.   

The two nonprofit agencies are specifically honoring Chesley’s role in helping the Holocaust survivor community.

He served as pro bono counsel for the World Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Restitution Organization representing the Claims Conference in the Holocaust litigation, which concluded in a successful resolution of approximately $9 billion that included the Swiss banks, the Austrian banks, slave labor and property matters, the Hungarian Gold Train litigation and the historic slave labor settlement with Germany.  

The luncheon is Thursday, September 10, 2009 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, 151 West 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH. Tickets are $100 per person and include a kosher-style lunch. Various levels of sponsorships are available. For tickets, sponsorship information, a kosher meal or disability accommodations, contact Sandee at (513) 766-3352 or sgolden@jfscinti.org or visit http://jfscinti.org/jfs-chhe_chesley.asp

Cincinnati. April 6, 2009.
428 Passover meals delivered to Cincinnati homes.

With the help of over 100 volunteers of all ages, the 11th annual Dr. Samuel S. Cincinnati Passover DeliveryRockwern Passover Delivery of Jewish Family Service delivered 428 Passover meals to low-income families Sunday April 5.  

 “The high cost of Kosher for Passover food makes celebrating the weeklong holiday of Passover difficult for many individuals and families experiencing financial difficulties,” says Beth Schwartz, Jewish Family Service executive director.  Each box contained matzah, matzah ball soup mix, macaroons, gefilte fish, Passover candy, grape juice, nuts, apples, and a chicken dinner. Cincinnati Hebrew Day School donated the storage and set-up facilities. 

Area congregations collected the nonperishable, boxed food; the balance was purchased with monetary donations from The Rockwern Charitable Foundation and individual community donors.  

“This project is more than collecting and delivering food,” says Fran Gafvert, Director of Vital Services at Jewish Family Service. “It is about connecting with people. The volunteers visit with the recipients, learning about their families, sharing a caring smile.” 

Anna Zmood, 17, a student at Kings High School, has been delivering Passover food with her mother each year since this project began. Anna, who emigrated from the former Soviet Union when she was 1 year old, sees this as a way to connect with the Russian Jewish community. “When I started delivering at age 6, I was only handing out boxes. Over the years I began to appreciate the tradition of helping other Jews as a whole; helping our community stay together,” she said. 

Bob and Ellen Morris of Blue Ash, volunteered to honor the memory of a Jewish friend who had recently died.  

Rick Lefton,of Montgomery came with his daughter Lil, 13. This was not Lil’s first time helping with a Jewish Family Service hunger assistance program. For her Bat Mitzvah project, she volunteered at Jewish Family Service Food Pantry the only kosher food pantry in the region, located in space donated by Golf Manor Synagogue. 

“Thank you for your help. Thank you for your care. It is very important to us to see your children,” said one recipient of the food to Shep and Hayley Englander of Blue Ash, as she showed her husband’s woodcarvings to their children Jacob 9, and Lila 12. 

Jewish Family Service is supported in part by funds made available from Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, and Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio.

Cincinnati. 11th Annual Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of Jewish Family Service helps over 375 Jewish families in need
Jewish Family Service is kicking off the 11th Annual Passover food drive with a new name. To recognize the generous support by The Rockwern Charitable Foundation, the project is now identified as Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of Jewish Family Service.  

In recent years, The Rockwern Charitable Foundation has taken an interest in supporting this community volunteer project that delivers Passover food to Jewish individuals in need. 

“We are excited that by making a formal and lasting commitment, The Rockwern Charitable Foundation has taken a lead role in launching our fundraising efforts needed to support our community,” says Beth Schwartz, Jewish Family Service executive director.   

Schwartz states that the high cost of Kosher for Passover food makes celebrating the weeklong holiday of Passover difficult for many low-income individuals and families. The rising costs of medical care along with rising unemployment force many to choose between buying food and paying for other necessities such as utilities or medicine. 

With the help of over 120 volunteers, Passover food will be delivered to over 375 people who would otherwise be unable to afford to celebrate the holiday. This year’s Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of Jewish Family Service will take place Sunday, April 5 at Cincinnati Hebrew Day School, which donates the storage and set-up facilities. 

Area congregations are also collecting the non-perishable foods such as matzah, matzah ball soup mix, and macaroons. The cash donation from The Rockwern Charitable Foundation and all donations by individual community members help purchase fresh produce, meats, and additional food that make a Passover meal complete. 

“We are determined that our Jewish friends and neighbors enjoy the Passover holiday – and every day – free from hunger,” says Schwartz. “Unfortunately, the needs continue beyond the holiday throughout the year at Jewish Family Service Food Pantry. Our fundraising goal is to raise $45,000 for all food needs.”  The food pantry, located in space donated by Golf Manor Synagogue, is the only kosher food pantry in the region. 

“We are also pleased to announce that bigg’s, our food partner, is providing mitvah displays at six area locations where customers can purchase and donate pre-packaged bags of Passover food. To help with the holiday shopping, a $5-off coupon, a gift from bigg’s, is available on the Jewish Family Service website, www.jfscinti.org,” says Schwartz. 

Equally essential to the success of Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery of Jewish Family Service is the donation of time. “You can volunteer by collecting, sorting, and boxing food. Or by delivering to the hundreds of households that will be warmed by your company and caring,” says Fran Gafvert, Jewish Family Service director of Vital Services.

To donate money, food, or time, contact Jewish Family Service at 513. 469.1188.

 

Cincinnati. Rabbi Mark Dratch to speak about Breaking the Silence about Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community
Jewish Family Service will host two events to help the general community and professionals increase their knowledge about healthy and unhealthy relationships, strategies for abuse prevention, and best practices for intervention.    

“Domestic violence exists in the Jewish community and crosses all socio economic levels and religious denominations,” says Linda Kean, director of Family Life Education at Jewish Family Service.   

To help address this problem, Rabbi Mark Dratch, founder and CEO of JSAFE: Jewish Institute Supporting an Abuse Free Environment, will share his expertise when he presents Shalom Bayit: Family Conflict and Harmony, a program for the general community, and Few are Guilty, But All are Responsible: The Obligations for Community Professionals to Help Survivors of Domestic Abuse, a workshop for professionals.  

Dratch is a respected leader in the Jewish Domestic Violence community and has a track record of successful achievement – counseling, advising, writing, lecturing, advocating and formulating policy.  Prior to founding JSAFE, Dratch was educated at Yeshiva University and served as a congregational rabbi for 22 years. He was a Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America, and is chairman of its Task Force on Rabbinic Improprieties. He is a member of the Clergy Task Force on Abuse of Jewish Women International, a member of the Jewish Advisory Committee of the FaithTrust Institute, and a member of the Editorial Board of The Journal of Religion and Abuse.   

“Rabbi Dratch has been involved with issues of domestic violence for the past 15 years. We pleased to have him share his experience with our Cincinnati community (as we in Cincinnati work together to raise awareness and improve our community’s response,” says Kean.   

Shalom Bayit, which is Hebrew for peace at home, will focus on the good, the bad and the ugly of family relationships,” she says. Participants will learn pathways to help their own family as well as to take action when others around are in need of help.  

Shalom Bayit: Family Conflict and Harmony, for all members of the community, will be held 7-8:30 pm Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Mayerson Jewish Community Center, 8485 Ridge Road, Amberley Village, Ohio. Admission is free and a dessert reception will follow.   

The other event, Few are Guilty, But All are Responsible: The Obligations for Community Professionals to Help Survivors of Domestic Abuse, is a skill-building workshop for clergy, teachers, mental health professionals, Jewish communal professionals, Jewish agency staff, and congregation staff. Participants will gain insight on domestic abuse in the Jewish community and learn to improve individual, institutional and community responses. 

“The problems of domestic violence (and child abuse) are difficult to address,” says Rabbi Dratch. “While professionals may have a desire to help, they are often unaware of how to recognize problems or how to respond.  This can cause well-meaning professionals to handle situations in dangerous or detrimental ways, or to deny them altogether. In order to make systemic changes in the Jewish community, professionals need be knowledgeable and to work together.”

Professionals have the choice to attend this workshop Thursday, November 13 either in the afternoon 11:30 am - 1:30 pm or in the evening 6:30 – 8:30 pm, both at Mayerson JCC, 8485 Ridge Road, Amberley Village, Ohio. Social Work CEUs and Certificates of Attendance are available. Admission is $18 and includes lunch or dinner (dietary laws observed). Scholarships are available.   

These events are presented by DVASH (Domestic Violence Action, Support, and Healing), an initiative of Jewish Family Service in collaboration with Jewish Women International. The DVASH program receives funding from The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation.

Space is limited and registration is required for all programs.  To register, visit www.jfscinti.org or call (513) 766-3352.  For more information, or for disability accommodations, contact Sandee at (513) 766-3322 or sgolden@jfscinti.org

Cincinnati. Holocaust survivors preserve memories
September 25, 2008
Sara Blicblum, an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor from Blue Ash, smiled as she gently pasted a photo of a young couple to a page in her scrapbook.  The photo, taken in Nazi-occupied Poland in 1940, is of Blicblum and her husband, both only 18 years old at the time. Not only did the couple survive the Holocaust, but they also went on to share over 60 years of marriage. 

Although her husband passed away four years ago, memories of him live on each time she looks at the photo. “He was a smart man,” she said. “He was always such a good storyteller. People would sit for hours listening to him.” 

Blicblum is one of the many Holocaust survivors who participated in a five month long scrapbooking workshop designed to preserve memories.  It was held by the Jewish Family Service’s Center for Holocaust Survivors.  

While some participants chose more recent photos, others chose photos from before the war. Old or new, most were of family.  For Sam Eisen, 82-year-old from Amberley Village, choosing photos to put in his book was simple. “I chose to put pictures of family because after the war, we didn’t have any family,” he said. 

This workshop served a therapeutic activity to help the survivors think about the loving memories and the positive experiences before and after the Holocaust.   

“Reminiscence and life review are vital parts of successful aging,” said Gail Gepsman Ziegler, LSW, director of the Center for Holocaust Survivor program at Jewish Family Service. “It is important for older adults to look back and come to terms with what happened in their lives.” 

“This can be especially difficult for Holocaust survivors who have endured multiple traumas and survived genocide,” she continues. “However, they do not want to be defined only by the events and experiences of the Holocaust. They want to remember - and be remembered for - their whole life, before and after those years.” 

Those that had pre-war photos were fortunate to have them today. Blicblum has her mother to thank for all her old photos.  She had given the photos, along with her wedding dress, to a non-Jewish friend. Others acquired old photos that had been mailed to aunts and uncles in the U.S. before the war. 

 “By placing their photos in a scrapbook, it not only brings back the good times, but also preserves their life’s story for future generations of their family,” said Gail. 

This scrapbooking project was an activity of the Center for Holocaust Survivors’ Friendship Club that meets twice a month for socialization opportunities designed to reduce isolation.  The Jewish Family Service program also provides home visits; case management; counseling and referral; restitution assistance; and free hearing tests and safety/adaptive equipment to over 160 of the estimated 500 Greater Cincinnati Jewish Holocaust survivors.   

Jewish Family Service is a beneficiary agency of Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and United Way of Greater Cincinnati. The Center for Holocaust Survivors receives designated funding from The Bahmann Foundation and Conference on Jewish Materials Claims Against Germany, Inc.

September 11, 2008
Cincinnati. JFS to “InStall Awareness” of Domestic Violence

 

Does your partner make family and money decisions together with you? Act as a positive role model to those important to you? Compromise?

 

Or does your partner ask you to account for every moment? Isolate you from family and friends? Make you feel you don’t have the right to disagree?

 

These are a few examples of Healthy Relationship Green Flags vs. Unhealthy Relationship Red Flags.

 

“Everyone deserves to be in a healthy relationship.  But some people don’t recognize common warning signs of an unhealthy relationship – signs that can lead to domestic abuse,” says Linda Kean, director of Family Life Education at Jewish Family Service.

 

To help spread awareness of relationship abuse, Jewish Family Service of the Cincinnati area is placing posters and cards with emergency phone numbers in the stalls of Jewish community women's restrooms. This Domestic Violence "InStall Awareness" Project is funded by the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Cincinnati.

 

“Our DVASH (Domestic Violence Action Support and Healing) committee realized that, despite the unwillingness to accept it, relationship abuse happens in Jewish homes too. It may not be happening in your home, but abusive behavior may be affecting your friend or loved one. As Jews, we are all responsible for one another,” says Kean.

 

Volunteer for this project and members of the DVASH committee include Rabbi Ruth Alpers, Hebrew Union College; Rabbi Ilana Baden, Isaac M. Wise Temple; Hope Bard; Phyllis Binik-Thomas; Paula Biren; Beverly Bloom; Rabbi Sissy Coran, Rockdale Temple; Jackie Drake, Jewish Family Service; Laura Enzer; Margaret Friedman-Vaughan, Rockdale Temple; Fran Gafvert, Jewish Family Service; Amy Greenbaum; Lynne Haber; Andrea Herzig, National Council of Jewish Women; Pam Hudson; Shelley Ingber; Linda Kean, Jewish Family Service; Yehudis Klafter; Sharon Mirman; Danielle Sabarese, Jewish Family Service; Judge Heather Stein-Russell; Sandy Stern; Sarah Weiss, Center for Holocaust and Humanities Education; Bernice Winkler, Congregation Ohav Shalom; Kathy Wise, Adath Israel Congregation.

 

DVASH, which means honey in Hebrew, recognizes the desire to bring the healing and hope of sweet honey to the horrific problem of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community.

 

The mission of this Jewish Family Service initiative is to support survivors of Domestic Violence; to educate the Jewish Community about all aspects of Domestic Violence; and to coordinate social action and healing programs.

 

Kean explains that relationship abuse is about power and control, not about anger.  It occurs between all ages and all genders; dating teenagers or older adults; couples that are married or couples in a same-sex relationship.

 

“Many victims try to rationalize the inappropriate behavior of their partners,” she says.  They see the good side of the abusive person and hope that things will change.  Often victims blame themselves. What’s most important is that women learn they are not responsible for their abuser’s behavior.”

 

“We ask women to take time to read the Domestic Violence awareness posters in the restroom stalls. Call the numbers available if they recognize any of the red flags of an unhealthy relationship. Help IS available.,” she stresses.

 

The posters will be placed in stalls in congregations as well as other Jewish agency buildings and businesses. They include a brief list of Healthy Relationship Green Flags and Unhealthy Relationship Red Flags. Emergency numbers are provided on a card designed to be small enough to place inside a shoe while in the privacy of the restroom stall.  The card lists Jewish Family Service (513. 469.1188), YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline (513. 872.9259), and other local, state and national support numbers.

 

“We’d like to stress that our work with clients at Jewish Family Service is completely confidential,” says Kean.  “We help victims think through options and make choices for themselves.”

A complete list of Healthy Relationship Green Flags and Unhealthy Relationship Red Flags, as well as all community resource phone numbers, can be also found on the Jewish Family Service website at www.jfscinti.org.

August 7, 2008
Cincinnati. Jewish Family Service to offer Workshops for Professionals who work with Refugee and Immigrant Families
Professionals who work with refugee and immigrant families are invited to join Jewish Family Service (JFS) for two free educational workshops.  

“Working with Pre-Literate Populations”, Monday, September 15, and “Sugar and Spice: Raising a Bi-lingual Child”, Tuesday, September 16, will both be held from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at Jewish Family Service, 11223 Cornell Park Dr., Blue Ash, OH.   

Each workshop includes lunch and the opportunity to earn 5 Social Work CEUs or a Teacher Certificate of Attendance for 5 Contact Hours. 

“Working with Pre-literate Populations,” presented by Mette Brogden, will give participants the chance to explore typical learning and memory styles from various language and culture groups. They will also learn how to adapt curricula to meet the skills of the clients. 

Brogden recently served as Vice President of Refugee Services at Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Tuscan, AZ.  Currently, she serves as the organizational mentor to a new Somali Bantu population in Tucson.   

“Sugar and Spice: Raising a Bi-lingual Child,” presented by Brant Dykehouse, LCSW, will focus on understanding and preparing the inevitable culture clash bi-lingual children face when living in a new country.  Participants will learn techniques they can use to teach parents how to communicate with their children about these issues. 

“Bi-lingual children often want to blend in with other kids and may start distancing themselves from their parents’ culture and way of life.  The parents, in return, enforce their rules in the house and become very worried that their children are being ‘taken away’ from them by American culture.  If not handled well, this can lead to serious family conflict,” said Pat Rosenberg, Refugee Family Strengthening Coordinator at Jewish Family Service. 

Dykehouse has worked in corporate and educational settings in the field of intercultural training in the U.S. as well as Europe and Asia. He currently works with Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS) in Chicago, IL.   

Anyone interested in attending one or both workshops can register by noon, Friday, September 12 online at www.jfscinti.org or with Sandee at sgolden@jfscinti.org or 513-766-3352.  Space is limited so early registration is recommended. 

Both workshops are funded through a grant provided to Jewish Family Service by Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).  For further information, contact Pat Rosenberg at 513-766-3362 or prosenberg@jfscinti.org.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Jewish Family Service Annual Meeting highlights new partnerships

Jewish Family Service (JFS) Board President Cindy Getty, welcomed JFS Board members, friends, and staff to the Annual Meeting June 18, 2008 at Rockwern Academy in Kenwood, Ohio.  The meeting celebrated Jewish Family Service future path of the agency, including its future relocation o the Rockwern campus next year. 

“This is a partnership of two of the finest institutions Cincinnati has to offer,” said Rockwern Academy President Barry Finestone, adding that the move will “enhance our school and our community, and we hope to do the same for you.”

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati CEO Shep Englander also spoke of the importance of partnerships. He praised JFS for proving to be an incredible partner by recently making the courageous decisions focusing on what the agency must do, could do, and need to do to fulfill its mission.  “You made our community proud; our Federation proud. In the process you made sure community resources aren’t wasted and you did this from a position of strength.”

Jewish Family Service Executive Director Beth Schwartz spoke about the future of JFS and finding a new path.  By sharing the heartfelt stories of four JFS clients, Schwartz painted a picture of the many ways JFS helps thousands in our community. “We have a contract with the community. Through your contributions, you use Jewish Family Service as the tools to do the good work in the community,” she said.

She also acknowledged the challenges JFS has faced while transitioning slowly over the past few years, saying, “Change is hard with limited resources. But we are now balancing our budget and living within our means.  And we are moving forward in growth.”  

In her parting remarks as outgoing president, Getty, who is relocating to Atlanta, GA, focused her three goals in the past year: planning, partnering, and developing. 

“We built a foundation so JFS will thrive as a successful social service agency for the next 65 years and beyond,” she said. 

Bruce Baker accepted his position as the new President of the board by saying, “The passion and enthusiasm at Jewish Family Service is contagious.” 

He shared his intentions to increase board involvement by re-establishing standing committees and providing opportunities for more hands-on knowledge. He also stressed the importance of partnering with Federation to build a meaningful endowment because JFS must have the base to affect its own future.  

“We are adaptable to changing times, looking with an eye to the future,” said Baker. 

Newly elected to the executive committee along with Baker was Mike Schwartz as Vice President. Existing officers who were reinstalled include Susan Shorr also as Vice President, Danny Lipson as Treasurer, and Mark Kanter as Secretary.  

Jonas Allen, Andrea Lerner Levenson, and Leslie Miller were all installed to a new three-year term on the board. Through Presidential Appointment, Marcie Bachrach remained on the Board and Evan Leitner became a member of the Board. Pam Sacherman was reinstalled for a second 3-year term. They all join existing board members Gail Friedman, Aaron Fritzhand, Pat Goodwin, Sam Knobler, Bruce Lazarus, Sam Lobar, Liz McOsker, Mark Miller, Lauren Scharf, and Gary Smith. 

During the evening, awards were also presented. The Miriam H. Dettlebach Award, given in honor of the first executive director of Jewish Family Service as recognition of exceptional volunteer service to the agency, was given to Immediate Past President John Youkilis for his leadership.

Volunteers received recognition for outstanding effort, while staff members received gifts for reaching longevity milestones. Terry Susskind was recognized for 15 years of service to Jewish Family Service; Dora Baehner, Fran Gafvert, and Ruth Moeddel were recognized for 5 years of service.  Awards were also given to outgoing board members Marcie Bachrach, Binem Dizenhuz, Debbie Horewitz, and Penny Pensak.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
From Tolerance, To Acceptance, To Celebration
Rabbi David Horowitz will present “From Tolerance to Acceptance to Celebration: Our Connections to the GLBTQ Community” 7 pm Tuesday, May 13 at Wise Center, 8329 Ridge Road, Amberley Village, OH.  The program will include Rabbi Horowitz’s personal reflections as a father and his public commitment as a rabbi and advocate for the GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) community. The evening will include kosher nosh, schmoozing, and planning for the future.  It is free and all are welcome.

Co-sponsors of the event are Jewish Family Service, Adath Israel Congregation, and Isaac M. Wise Temple. Funding was provided through a bequest in memory of Robert I. Kauffman. 

“With this program, we hope to become more knowledgeable, appreciative and respectful of the diversity of our Jewish community and toward individuals of the GLBTQ community,” says Rabbi Michael Shulman of Wise Temple.

Host families for  “From Toleration to Acceptance to Celebration: Our Connections to the GLBTQ Community” include Ginny and Mendy Fisher, Patti and Hirsch Wise, Kathy and Irvin Wise, Susan and Sam Knobler, and Brooke and Daniel Guigui.

Rabbi Horowitz is the rabbi emeritus of Temple Israel in Akron, Ohio. He has been active on many community and religious boards including Chair of Akron’s Community Relations Council, a member of the National Committee on HIV/AIDS for the Union For Reform Congregations, and President of the Akron Area Interfaith Council.. He continues to serve as a past president of the Akron chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and presently serves as secretary of PFLAG’s national Board of Directors. 

The author of the chapter, “David” in A Family and Friends Guide to Sexual Orientation, Rabbi Horowitz was also the topic of a chapter entitled “Every Day the Rabbi Helps Gays” in Dan Woog’s Friends and Family/True Stories of Gay America’s Straight Allies. 

He lectures widely on issues dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender concerns, the challenge of the radical right, as well as a variety of Judaic subjects, to academic institutions, religious institutions, and corporations throughout the United States and in foreign lands.

For information: (513) 766-3395 or sgoldsmith@jfscinti.org

Monday, May 19, 2008 
Woman to Woman
Do Jewish women feel pressured to be in or stay in a relationship because it fits Jewish culture's expectations?

Join Rabbis Ruth Alpers of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Ilana Baden of Isaac M. Wise Temple, and Sissy Coran of Rockdale Temple when Jewish Family Service presents Woman to Woman, a multigenerational dialogue about couples' relationships. This event, open to women only, begins with a dessert reception at 6:30 pm and continues with the discussion at 7 pm, Monday May 19 at Wise Temple, 8329 Ridge Road, Amberley Village, Ohio. Babysitting will be available. 

“Are we in a healthy relationship/marriage? Culture has taught women what an ideal partner should be like, but we sometimes give up or compromise too much to be in the relationship that only looks perfect to society…or to their mother,” says Linda Kean, Director of Family Life Education at Jewish Family Service.

Woman to Woman will use examples of women’s relationships from the Bible to illustrate the myth of the perfect Jewish relationship. The dialogue is sponsored by DVASH (Domestic Violence Advocacy, Support, and Healing), a Jewish Family Service initiative, and Adath Israel Education and Action Group .

Free, but registration recommended. (513) 766-3318 or lkean@jfscinti.org


Jewish GLBTQ Parent Connections
Jewish parents whose sons or daughters are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning are invited to attend a meeting of Jewish GLBTQ Parent Connections. This group provides an outlet for discussions, questions, stories, support, and education with a professional facilitator and with other Jewish GLBTQ parents.
For further information, contact Linda at 513-766-3318 or lkean@jfscinti.org

 

Parenting Mentoring Workshop
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 
Learn how you can plant the seeds of encouragement and appreciation and watch your child thrive: 1)Assist in building your child's self-esteem 2)Build your child's confidence in school and life, and 3)Encourage your child's individuality. 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Rockwern Academy, 8401 Montgomery Rd., Kenwood. Presented by Jewish Family Service and Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati. RSVP to (513)761-3200 or dkozer@bigbrobigsis.org. Free.

 

Cincinnati Pesach Delivery Project a Success
April 6, 2008
            Over 250 households with families in need enjoyed this year’s Passover holiday thanks to the donors and volunteers who helped make Jewish Family Service’s 10th Annual Cincinnati Pesach Delivery Project a success. The Cincinnati Pesach Delivery Project brings food to families that have difficulty providing for their own Passover needs.

Families and individuals ranging in age from 3 to 83 years old gathered Sunday, April 6, at Cincinnati Hebrew Day School to assemble packages including matzah, gefilte fish, apples, juice, and a cooked chicken dinner. They then delivered these Passover packages to homes throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Deliveries were made as far north as Hamilton, OH and south to Northern Kentucky; west to near the Indiana border and east past Anderson Township.

Howard and Stephanie Kaplan of Indian Hill, along with their daughters Hannah, 9, and Sarah, 6, steadily worked at the school to ensure that all of the boxes were properly assembled.

“It’s a great way to give back and to get the kids involved,” said Stephanie as she commented on the importance of volunteering with her family.

The Englander family of Blue Ash agreed. Shep and Hayley and their three children Gabe, 15, Lila, 11, and Jacob, 8, were eager to donate their time to assist in delivering Passover goods to others. “For the kids to do something hands on, where they can be of help, is really important,” said Hayley.

Felicia Zakem of Wyoming and her four-year-old daughter Sydney Heldman were all smiles as they loaded up boxes of Passover food into their car. Felicia emphasized the value of including her daughter in the project. “It is such an easy way to involve children, and it really makes a difference in peoples lives,” said Felicia. “The elderly really enjoy seeing the children, and they are all very welcoming and generous.”

“This project would not have been successful without the support of all members of the community,” says Fran Gafvert, Director of Vital Services at Jewish Family Service. “In addition to the many individual donors, I especially want to thank Rockwern Charitable Foundation as the lead sponsor, the Feinstein Family Foundation, Ma’Ott Chittim, a program that offers financial assistance funded by Adath Israel Synagogue, and Jewish Federation. Our special gratitude goes to Cincinnati Hebrew Day School for offering their facility the past four years, and Golf Manor Synagogue that hosts the year- round Jewish Family Service Food Pantry.”  A full listing of volunteers and donors is available at www.jfscinti.org.

Cincinnati Pesach Delivery Project, which first began in 1999 by a committed group of community members, brought to light the necessity of creating a kosher food pantry to feed those in need throughout the year. Today, Jewish Family Service Food Pantry provides kosher food and personal care items to over 100 people each month.

“The generosity and foresight of this community, its donors and volunteers, has made the mission of serving the Jewish community’s people in need a reality,” says Gafvert. “Maintaining a kosher pantry and working closely with clients whose needs range from food to housing, medical care and other basic essentials, requires resources. We are fortunate to have caring individuals in the community and grateful for all the help Jewish Family Service gets in fulfilling these needs.”
           Information about CPDP   

 


March 9, 2008
Addiction expert Claudia Black speaks at 5th Annual Miriam O. Smith Educational Series symposium
 

Jewish Family Service's 5th Annual Miriam O. Smith Educational Series Sunday, March 9 was a rousing success. Despite digging out from a record snowstorm, close to 500 people attended Straight Talk on Addiction in the Family to hear internationally renowned author Claudia Black, PhD explain how addiction by one family member can impact the rest of the family. Marcie Bachrach and Susan Shorr were co-chairs.

 

"Our Miriam O. Smith Educational Series has earned its own reputation and has achieved status as a premiere educational program for professionals and community members," says Jewish Family Service Executive Director Beth Schwartz, MSW.

 

Pat McCollum, LSW, of College Hill agreed that this event was very helpful to her practice and her personal life. An adjunct professor at University of Cincinnati, McCollum works with an organization that helps women who are addicted. "And I see it in my home with my foster children," said this foster parent of six children ages 5-18 years old.

 

During Straight Talk on Addiction in the Family, Black used stories about families in treatment to portray how being raised as a child of an addict can affect their adulthood.

 

"Dr. Black gave me confirmation for my perfectionist attitude -- having to do it right or I am not okay-that was ingrained in me as a child," said Denise Eichler of West Chester, a member of ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics).

 

Although most people think of addiction to mean substance use, Black explained that addiction includes behavioral addictions such as gambling, eating or shopping.

 

"Everyone can relate to the issues, not just addictive families," said Carol Adkins of Clermont County.

 

Sheraton Cincinnati North Hotel was a Partnering Sponsor of this event; Deborah Smith-Blackmer and Ben Blackmer, Cephalon, and Dr. Philip and Barbara Lichtenstein were Supporting Sponsors. 

Plans are now being made for the 6th Annual Jewish Family Service Miriam O. Smith Educational Series Sunday, March 15, 2009 with Joan Borysenko, PhD.  Borysenko, author of 13 books including the bestseller "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind", is a world-renowned expert on the Mind/Body Connection.  She has appeared on Oprah and Good Morning America, and public television; hosts a radio talk show; and featured in U.S. News and World Report, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Vogue, Ladies Home Journal, and many other magazines and newspapers.

 

 

Surviving Divorce, Grief & Loss, and Mothers in Transition Support Groups Forming

Jewish Family Service is offering three new support groups to guide people through major changes in their lives. Topics include divorce, grief and loss, and a mother’s changing role.

 

“These new groups run for seven weeks and offer therapeutic support,” says group facilitator Shari Goldsmith, MSW of Jewish Family Service. “At the end of the seven weeks, each participant should feel a sense of closure and some resolution with the their issue.”

 

Goldsmith, an experienced licensed professional, applies the principles of individual therapy in the group setting. The therapeutic support groups combine established methods of support, discussion, and education.

 

Surviving Divorce is open to men and women who are considering or experiencing divorce. Participants learn to manage the feelings associated with divorce to improve the quality of life.

 

The second group, Grief and Loss, is for those having a difficult time coping with the loss of a spouse, partner, friend or family member. Participants will be guided through the grieving process while receiving comfort as they regain balance in their lives.

 

Mothers in Transition, the final new group, helps mothers redefine life when their children are grown and married.

 

Jewish Family Service also offers Let’s Get on With our Lives, a twice-a-month Widows and Widowers support group.

The new therapeutic support groups are scheduled according to participants’ availability. The are held at Jewish Family Service, 11223 Cornell Park Drive, Blue Ash, Ohio. For more information, contact Shari Goldsmith at (513) 469-1188 or sgoldsmith@jfscinti.org.

JFS Annual Meeting Highlights Agency Successes
July 23, 2007

photo caption: John Youkilis, Bruce Baker, Cindy Getty,
Danny Lipson, Susan Shorr, Mark Kanter, Beth Schwartz

Cindy Getty was installed as the new President of the Board when Jewish Family Service (JFS) staff, Board members, and friends gathered for the JFS annual meeting July 11, 2007 at Cedar Village in Mason. Passing the gavel was outgoing President John Youkilis who stressed the importance of a strong partnership between Board and staff. 

The meeting began with a D’var Torah by outgoing Immediate Past President Barbara C. Rabkin.  

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati CEO Shep Englander praised the impact Jewish Family Service has on the community, emphasizing that JFS “makes real the Jewish values we learn and teach our children.”  

This was Beth Schwartz’s first meeting as executive director of the agency, although she has been with Jewish Family Service for eight years. In her report, she acknowledged the successes achieved by the sacrifice and dedication of the staff in 2006, including the reduction of a large inherited operating deficit by over 95%. 

“2006 was a year of evolution,” Schwartz said. “We focused on three primary themes: financial discipline, introspection, and integration. Through transition and challenge, JFS continued to do what it has done so well for more than 60 years – strengthening lives.” 

Schwartz and Getty expressed similar visions for the future of Jewish Family Service.  

“The agency will continue to provide the prevention and intervention, or safety net, programs and services that are so vital to our community and will expand into the areas of life enrichment, enhancement, and wellness,” said Getty.  

Also elected to the Executive Committee with Getty were Bruce Baker as a Vice President, Danny Lipson as Treasurer, and Mark Kanter as Secretary. Susan Shorr was reinstalled as a Vice President.  

photo caption: Pat Goodwin, Aaron Fritzhand, Judy Levenson, Ernesto Levy, Lauren Scharf, Bruce Lazarus. Missing from photo: Lisa Levine, Liz McOsker

Mark Miller and Gary Smith stepped down from the executive committee to serve a new 3-year term on the board.  Aaron Fritzhand, Pat Goodwin, Bruce Lazarus, Judy Levenson, Lisa Levine, Ernesto Levy, Liz McOsker, and Lauren Scharf were also installed to a new 3-year term; Binem Dizenhuz was reinstalled for a second 3-year term.  They join existing Board members Marcie Bachrach, Gail Friedman, Alan Gross, Debbie Horewitz, Sam Knobler, Sam Lobar, Penny Pensak, Pam Sacherman and Michael Schwartz. 

Award presentations completed the evening. Staff members received gifts for reaching longevity milestones. Vicki Ventre was recognized for 10 years of service to Jewish Family Service; Barbara Forbus, Rita Gerber, Luda Gikhman, and Paula Tompkins were recognized for 5 years of service. 

The Miriam H. Dettlebach Award, given in honor of the first executive director of Jewish Family Service as recognition of exceptional volunteer service to the agency, was given to Susan Shorr. Also receiving a gift honoring her service to the agency was Barbara C. Rabkin who exited the Board after 25 years. “I am dedicated to JFS because I know how vital our services are to improve lives,” she said.

photo caption: Past Presidents
Barbara C. Rabkin and Barry Morris

 

Goldsmith joins JFS
Jewish Family Service welcomes Shari Goldsmith, MSW to its team of counselors. She will be providing individual and family therapy as well as developing therapeutic support groups.  

Goldsmith earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The Ohio State University and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati. She has a background in business management and social service program development.  She was previously the clinical committee coordinator for Warren County Educational Service, which coordinated support services for the intensively at-risk children in the county. 

“I see my major focus being support groups, which I consider an integral part of the recovery process,” says Goldsmith. “Individual therapy is often needed, but therapeutic support groups fill the need for a network of support.”   

She is now planning two groups. One will focus on recovery after divorce and the other will offer support for dealing with grief and loss.  

To schedule a counseling session with Goldsmith or to find out more information about the support groups, contact Goldsmith at (513) 469-1188 or sgoldsmith@jfscinti.org.

 

JFS to hold 2007 Annual Meeting.
Jewish Family Service invites the community to attend its Annual Meeting Wednesday, July 11 at Cedar Village, 5467 Cedar Village Dr., Mason, OH.  The meeting will begin with a complimentary dessert reception at 7 p.m. followed at 7:30 p.m. by the installation of officers and new board members; highlights of the year, and presentation of awards.

"2006 was a challenging, but truly great year for Jewish Family Service.  I'm excited to invite the entire community to our annual meeting to share what we've been up to and how we've made a difference in the lives of so many people," says Executive Director Beth Schwartz.  This is Schwartz's first annual meeting since being named as executive director in September.

Cindy Getty will be installed as President along with Bruce Baker and Susan Shorr as Vice Presidents, Danny Lipson as Treasurer, Mark Kanter as Secretary, and John Youkilis as Immediate Past President. Mark Miller and Gary Smith are rotating off the Executive Committee and nominated for a three-year term on the Board. Binem Dizenhuz will be re-elected to a second three-year term. 

New Board nominees to be installed are Aaron Fritzhand, Pat Goodwin, Bruce Lazarus, Lisa Levine, Judy Levenson, Ernesto Levy, Liz McOsker, and Lauren Scharf.  They will join existing Board members continuing their terms: Marcie Bachrach, Gail Friedman, Alan Gross, Debbie Horewitz, Sam Knobler, Sam Lobar, Penny Pensak, Pam Sacherman and Michael Schwartz. 

Rotating off the Board are Dana Auer, Sara Behrman, Arna Fisher, Gig Franklin, Kathie Kaplan, Simon Moksin, Sharon Spiegel, Phyllis Tobias and Felicia Zakem. 

The Miriam H. Dettelbach Award, given in honor of the first executive director of Jewish Family Service, will be presented recognizing exceptional volunteer service to the agency.

Staff reaching longevity milestones will also be recognized. This includes Barbara Forbus, Rita Gerber, Luda Gihkman, and Paula Tompkins for 5 years; and Vicki Ventre for 10 years.

To attend the Annual Meeting, and for accessibility accommodations, please RSVP by July 2 to Paula Tompkins at 766-3326 or email ptompkins@jfscinti.org.

Town Hall meeting with Congresswoman Jean Schmidt
Wednesday, May 30
Congresswoman Schmidt is currently in Iraq. Her District Director, Gertrud Fleig and her Medicare Case Worker, Linda Long will be present.
A town meeting with Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, from Ohio’s 2nd District, will be hosted by Jewish Family Service (JFS) and Towne Properties 2 pm-3:30 pm, Wednesday, May 30 in the clubhouse at the Indian Creek Apartment , 5701 Kugler Mill Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Schmidt will discuss the latest Washington DC updates pertaining to senior citizens. She will also bring a Medicare Specialist to respond to questions and concerns regarding Medicare changes.

The community is invited to attend this free event. Reservations are not required.
JFS will offer light refreshments and agency partners will provide information on community services available to senior adults.

For additional information, contact Sandee Golden at (513) 766-3352 or sgolden@jfscinti.org.
 


Passover Delivery makes holiday special

Jewish Family Service thanks community volunteers and sponsors for helping make the 9th Annual Cincinnati Pesach Delivery Project a success.  

115 volunteers of all ages gathered Sunday, April 1 at Cincinnati Hebrew Day School to package and deliver more than 375 kosher Passover meals to Jewish households throughout the tri-state area that have difficulty providing for their own Passover needs. 

The volunteers included families, children, couples, and individuals who delivered the boxes filled with a frozen chicken dinner, matzo, soup mix, macaroons, gefilte fish, horseradish, grape juice, Passover candy, and holiday artwork created by local students.  

“Support from the community, as well as donations from various congregations made this project come together,” said Fran Gafvert, Jewish Family Service director of volunteer programs and vital services.

Rockwern Charitable Foundation was the lead sponsor for the 2nd year.

Other sponsors and contributors include Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation; Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; MAZON; Centerpiece for Tzedakah; Adath Israel Congregation Religious School and Moos Chittim; Golf Manor Synagogue; Cincinnati Hebrew Day School; Yavneh Day School; Temple Sholom Religious School; Congregation Ohav Shalom Religious School and Moos Chitim; Congregation B’Nai Tzedek; Valley Temple; Issac M. Wise Temple; Rockdale Temple; Congregation Beth Adam; Northern Hills Synagogue; Beit Chaverim; Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis; The Feinstein Foundation of Rhode Island; Bigg’s; Irv’s Kosher Market & Deli; and many contributions from individuals in the community.

Cincinnati Pesach Delivery Project was started in 1998 by a group of dedicated volunteers from Northern Hills Synagogue and Yavneh Day School.

Educational symposium a huge success  Photos
Jewish Family Service hosted more than 450 people for the 4th Annual Miriam O. Smith Educational Series featuring best selling author and therapist Harville Hendrix, PhD.

The symposium was held March 18 at Sheraton Cincinnati North Hotel in Sharonville. It was co-chaired by Deborah Smith-Blackmer and Susan Shorr; WCPO-TV reporter Hagit Limor was the emcee. A private reception, hosted by Susan Shorr and Dennis Mitman at their Symmes Township home, was held the prior evening for supporters of the event.

The seminar, titled “Getting the Love You Want: How to Build, Mend & Strengthen Relationships”, taught creative and proven strategies that support the growth and enhancement of healthy relationships.  

The audience included community members from the tri-state area as well as professionals.  Continuing education credits were available for counselors, psychologists, therapists, social workers, nurses, and teachers.

"Dr. Hendrix taught new techniques that I can use with my clients,” said Judy Buka, a therapist from Montgomery.

Connie Hermann of College Hill said, “He teaches us how to break the cycle of negativity, which not only helps our relationship as a couple, but also allows us to model a good relationship to our children so that they can learn what a healthy relationship needs.”  

Sponsors for Getting the Love You Want: How to Build, Mend & Strengthen Relationships included WCPO-TV; Duke Energy; Sheraton Cincinnati North Hotel; Arkadia; Benjamin & Deborah Smith Blackmer; Barbara & Philip Lichtenstein; Rogers Jewelers; United Dairy Farmers; Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP; Arbonne International; Carol & Steve Boymel; Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Professionals; Cincinnati Trauma Connection; County Animal Hospital – Dr. Gary and Leah Smith; Lesha & Samuel Greengus; Dianne & J. David Rosenberg; and Gene Smiley & LifeSpan Solutions, Inc.

This seminar was one of a variety of programs Jewish Family Service offers that focus on the importance of communication in relationships.  Active Communication is a class that teaches the skills to powerfully communicate and successfully resolve disagreements to promote teamwork, respect, and joy in a committed relationship. For more information about this class, contact Linda Kean at (513) 766-3318 or lkean@jfscinti.org

Jewish Family Service will host the 5th annual symposium March 9, 2008. The keynote speaker will be renowned author Claudia Black, PhD, internationally recognized for her work with family systems and addictive disorders.

JFS holds 63rd Annual meeting
Board President John Youkilis welcomed staff, board members, and guests to the Jewish Family Service annual meeting July 27, 2006 at Terwilliger’s Lodge in Montgomery.  Following an inspirational message by board member Arna Poupko Fisher, Immediate Past President Barbara C. Rabkin presented the new slate of officers and board. The executive committee of Youkilis, Vice President Mark Kanter, Treasurer Mark Miller, and Secretary Gary Smith was joined by Susan Shorr as a Vice President. Cindy Getty stepped down as Vice President, and was reinstalled to serve a new 3-year term on the board. 

Gail Friedman, Sam Lobar, Sam Knobler, Michael Schwartz, and Felicia Zakem were also installed to a new 3-year term; Debbie Horewitz was reinstalled for a second 3-year term; and Sara Behrman remained on the board through a Presidential Appointment. Nancy Minson and Vera Sanker exited the board. 

Sanker received special recognition for her 46 years of involvement with Jewish Family Service including over 25 years of dedicated service on the board.   

The Miriam H. Dettelbach Award, given in honor of the first executive director of Jewish Family Service to recognize exceptional volunteer service to the agency, was presented to Getty and Behrman.

In his President’s Report, Youkilis emphasized the importance of JFS working together with others in the community to provide services more efficiently.  He also reinforced his appreciation to the JFS staff and board for their commitment to the mission of the agency, “As long as life just goes on, some will always need help for their lives to be strengthened, to be simply made better.  I know that each of you undoubtedly shares my feeling of privilege to be doing our small parts during our short time to make someone else’s life just a little better.”

 

Cincinnati July 19, 2006
JFS Staff receives Hungarian Holocaust Restitution application training

Holocaust Services Advocate Mark Rothman (2nd from right), from Bet Tzedek Legal Services House of Justice in Los Angeles, trained Jewish Family Service staff and volunteers July 19, 2006 to assist Holocaust survivors with the completion of applications for Hungarian Holocaust Restitution benefits. The program is intended to provide compensation for loss of relatives in concentration camps.  The deadline for the postmarked completed paperwork is July 31, 2006.  Jewish survivors should contact Gail Mermelstein, director of the Center for Holocaust Survivors at Jewish Family Service (513)766-3309.

 

Cincinnati July 14, 2006

Volunteers Transcend Healing Technology to Offer Spiritual Connection

 

Marian Bluestein says she was pleasantly surprised to be offered prayer and Shabbat candle blessings during her stay at Jewish Hospital in Kenwood.

 

Thanks to the Hospital Shabbat Visiting Program, a collaboration of Jewish Family Service and Jewish Hospital, volunteer visitors are helping Jewish patients observe the Jewish Sabbath.

 

"I saw a special need for Jewish patients to have a connection with other Jews, observe Shabbat, and transcend the experiences of being a patient," explains Rabbi Elena Stein, chaplain at Jewish Hospital.  "We live in a time when many strides have been made with the technology of healing; however, with these technologies the personal and spiritual aspect of healing is often lost.  The volunteers are able offer this personal and spiritual connection that is needed for complete healing."

 

Rabbi Abie Ingber, executive director of Hillel, president of the Board of Rabbis agrees, "At a time when a person is hospitalized they feel most alone; all the surroundings are foreign and all their visitors are focused on their illness.  What an important time to bring a little piece of home and a little piece of Shabbat to them."

 

The program is the first and only program of its kind in Cincinnati and offers a personal and spiritual connection during a patient's time of need. Volunteers visit patients on Fridays, which begins the observance of Jewish Sabbath, and provide a listening ear, offer Shabbat lights and prayers of healing, refer patients to a hospital rabbi or chaplain, and contact patient's congregational clergy upon request.  They also deliver colorful get-well cards decorated by local area Jewish children. 

 

The volunteers are organized through Jewish Family Service's Bikur Cholim: Jewish Visiting Initiative. "Bikur Cholim, which means visiting the sick in Hebrew, is exactly what the Hospital Shabbat program does," says Terry Susskind, the project coordinator of Bikur Cholim, which is funded in part by Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

 

Terry says she was delighted when Rabbi Stein came to her with the idea. "This program is a wonderful collaboration because we are able to help Jewish Hospital provide the best care for patients while, at the same time, advancing Jewish Family Service's mission to strengthen lives," she explains.

 

The Jewish Family Service mission of strengthening lives is accomplished for the patients as well as their families.  A daughter of one of the patients, who was visiting from Israel, returned home reassured that her father had the support of the Jewish community in Cincinnati.

 

Additionally, volunteer's lives are also strengthened. "The volunteers benefit because they feel they have received as much as they have given and they are able to fulfill one the Jewish commandments of visiting the sick," explains Elena. 

 

Donna Dansker, who volunteers with her husband Emil, agrees, "Not only does it strengthen lives of those in the hospital, but it also is something nice that my husband and I can share this experience together."

 

CINCINNATI May 16, 2006
Jewish Family Service testifies before Senate Subcommittee on Aging

At the invitation of U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH), Ann Sutton Burke, Jewish Family Service program director of Options Cincinnati, testified May 16 about older adult issues at a hearing before the Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging. Senator DeWine is Chairman of this Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which is considering reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.

Specifically, Burke was asked to speak about the importance and success of providing supportive services to Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), which are neighborhoods where residents continue to live independently in their homes and communities where they are familiar.

“AARP research tells us that 9 in 10 older adults want to age in place and receive the services that allow them to do so,” Burke testified. “In our local experience, we have created a supportive environment to prevent situations from deteriorating to a point where a move (to an institutional facility) is the only choice left.”

Options Cincinnati, the JFS NORC Supportive Service Program, is currently offered at Amberley House and Indian Creek apartments. It allows older adults to age in place with optimal health, dignity, and independence by providing residents with social work services and health, recreational and transportation programs.

Burke explained that the NORC model is flexible and can be adapted across the nation for the changing continuum of care required as older adults age. It is also a natural complement to services and programs already existing in communities.

“A program designed to be proactive, rather than reactive, can help reduce the burden on limited resources and improve the health and social outcomes of the seniors served,” Burke testified.

Senator DeWine also invited Joyce Garver Keller, executive director of Ohio Jewish Communities, to testify at the hearing. Keller, in collaboration with United Jewish Communities and lobbyist Dick Weiland, was instrumental in helping Jewish Family Service secure federal funding for this innovative program.

Options Cincinnati receives support from a grant from Administration on Aging, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, as well as local businesses, including CMC and Towne Properties.

More pictures can be found at the Senate website

Ann's Testimony