"My Mission to Israel": Sarah Blitzstein Shares Her Experience

Today's post comes from Sarah Blitzstein, JFS Director of HaMercaz & Special Needs Programs. Sarah recently returned from a weeklong mission to Israel with families, professionals, and other leaders of the disability rights community here in Los Angeles. The goal of the mission was to foster a collaborative relationship with our Israeli partners that will ultimately serve the adults with disabilities in both our communities.

Take it away, Sarah!

On July 20th I joined 35 members of the Los Angeles special needs community on a first of its kind trip to Israel. Sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, social workers, therapists, parents, educators, community activists and young adults with special needs embarked on a journey through Israel to learn about programs for young adults with autism and special needs. 

Beginning in the hills of the Galilee we visited Kibbutz Kishorit, home to over 100 people with special needs where they breeds prize winning schnauzers and beautiful hand-made toys, two of the many micro-enterprises that generate income for the kibbutz. In the Negev desert at Aleh Negev we saw people with severe special needs living productive lives in a long term care facility, each room designed to meet their specific needs. In the coastal city of Ra’anana we toured Beit Issie Shapiro, a world class research and therapeutic facility where children of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to participate in aquatic therapy, occupational therapy and more. In Jerusalem we visited a sensory garden at Israel Elwyn, engaging each of the senses so that every person could experience the garden in their own way. 

As a group we bonded over delicious Israeli breakfasts and long bus rides through the hillsides and highways of this ancient and yet modern country. We appreciated being disconnected from our work emails and having the ability to experience and learn from the programs we visited and from each other. We came together from different places, looking for magical solutions to the challenges we face here in LA.  

 

There is no magical solution, the answer is in each of us, and as we return to our daily lives here in Los Angeles we know that no matter what happens, we are forever changed from the 7 days we spent together in Israel.  

Please click here to view the daily journals from the trip!

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A Personal Client Story: Meet Deborah

JFS Communications enjoys bringing you important updates about our agency through our blog. Today, we're launching a new feature, where we share personal client stories and vignettes about how JFS was able to make a difference in their lives. 

We are so proud to be able to help those in our community who need it most! 

Deborah's Story:

Deborah, a 35 year-old Jewish woman who lives with her husband and four children in Los Angeles, initially approached JFS requesting financial assistance.

 

Both Deborah and her husband Jacob had been working for many years as professionals, but their family had experienced a great loss of income due to the economic downturn – Deborah was laid off from her job in accounting, while Jacob’s insurance agency had been severely impacted by the recession. Their family was struggling with paying for mortgage, bills and food.

After meeting with a JFS social worker at SOVA, the social worker provided an overview of services that would be helpful for the family to get back on their feet. One of the first suggestions was obtaining food through SOVA. Deborah was initially apprehensive about going to SOVA. She never thought she would be in this situation and was nervous about the process. The social worker was able to personally walk her through the registration process and introduce the client to SOVA services.

As a result, Deborah’s family started receiving groceries immediately. She and Jacob have expressed their gratitude and satisfaction with the high quality and amount of food she was able to receive from SOVA. Their family continues to work with the social worker for short-term case management services, and they continue to receive groceries regularly from SOVA.

In order to continue bringing these important programs and resources to those who need it most, we need your support. We cannot do it alone.

You can help by making a donation today! We are thrilled to announce that donations up to $30,000 will be matched by a local supporter!

Please click HERE to help shop our Virtual Food Drive, stock our shelves, and provide the vulnerable members of our community with the essentials they need most! For more information about making a donation  to JFS {SOVA, please contact Carol Bar-Or at cbaror@jfsla.org.

Another Special Recipe From Our JFS Chef!

We’ve gotten wonderful feedback from the last two recipes we posted from JFS Chef Hugo Perez, so we thought we’d share another one today!

This salad is perfect for the end of summer and as we transition into fall. Here is the recipe:

Summer Grains Salad

Makes 20 servings

Ingredients:

¾ cup EACH brown rice, quinoa, whole buckwheat or kasha, and pearled barley

7 cups of water

For the dressing:

½ cup EACH green bell pepper and red bell peppers

½ cup diced red onion

¾ cup dried cranberries

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ cup lemon juice

1 bunch fresh chopped parsley

2 tablespoons kosher salt

½ tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning

½ tablespoon black ground pepper

¾ cup olive oil

¾ cup balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. In a stockpot, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add barley and rice and bring them to boil. Reduce heat and cover; let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until water is absorbed and grains are soft and non-sticky.
2. In another stockpot, bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add kasha and quinoa and bring them to boil. Reduce heat and cover; let cook for about 10 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.
3. Cool grain in shallow pans and keep refrigerated till ready to use.
4. To make the dressing, wash and dice or chop all vegetables. Combine them all with the rest of ingredients in a bowl after tasting to adjust for seasoning.
5. Add grains and toss everything together. Keep salad covered and chilled till serving (note: salad can be made a day in advance – it holds well cold.)

Looks delicious - we hope you enjoy it! 

Shabbat Shalom!

Volunteer Spotlight: Daniela Mordechai!

From time to time, we have the opportunity to interview some of our valued JFS volunteers for a little Q&A about their role within the agency. Today, we are excited to share an interview with Daniela Mordechai, who volunteers at JFS { Freda Mohr Multipurpose Center!

How long have you been volunteering with JFS?

I’ve been a volunteer at Freda Mohr since May 10, so over three months now!

How did you originally come to get involved? Where did you hear about JFS?

My great-grandmother is a member at the JFS { Israel Levin center in Venice and she introduced me to JFS.

Can you describe what you do as a volunteer?

In my position as a volunteer, I do outreach and promotional work as well as help with activity coordination for the JFS { Freda Mohr Multipurpose Center.

What’s the best part about volunteering?

I feel as though I am actually doing some very valuable work. People are warm and grateful here and I enjoy my job.

Can you share a special story or memory that you have made as a JFS volunteer?

Towards the end of May, we had our annual health fair at JFS { Freda Mohr. There were so many people and everyone was constantly busy and running around. Even with all the last minute cancellations and other logistical issues the day went very smoothly and a lot of people came. This really marked a point where I started to realize that the kind of work I would be doing as a volunteer is exactly what I’m cut out for!

Food For Thought

Today we wanted to share with you some recent important facts about hunger in our community. For more information about how JFS reaches out to provide free groceries and other supportive services to people in need, please visit www.jfsla.org/SOVA.

• Since 2007, the number of children living in poverty in California has increased by 30%.

• 48% of all Americans (and 57% of children) are considered "low-income" or are living in poverty.

• Today, one out of every seven Americans (and one out of four children) relies on food stamps to have enough to eat.

• Over 40% of all working age Americans have unpaid medical debts.

• One out of three Americans would not be able to make a mortgage or rent payment next month if they suddenly lost their current job.

• Every month, JFS { SOVA distributes an average of 18 pounds of food to more than 12,000 people. That's over 100 tons of food given to the hungry members of our community every single month. 

• Nearly 1/3 of the food distributed by JFS { SOVA is fresh fruits and vegetables and more than 20% is food high in protein.    
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For more information about how you can help and to learn more about donation opportunities, please click here. Thank you for your support!

All About JFS { Tools For School Community Day!

This past weekend, JFS held our second annual JFS { Tools For School Community Day in partnership with Westfield Century City Mall. JFS Director of Communications Jennifer Levitt shares her thoughts on the experience below!

What would you do with 9,000 pencils, 72,000 crayons, 6,000 spiral notebooks, 500 pairs of shoes, 3,000 backpacks, 9,000 glue sticks, and 1,000 bagels?

JFS, in partnership with our friends at Westfield Century City, took those materials and other supplies and provided 3,000 K-5^th graders living below the poverty line with brand new backpacks filled with school supplies. We believe that every child deserves to start the school year off with the tools they need for success in the classroom. Studies prove that children who are prepared with proper supplies are more confident and motivated in the classroom. 

All throughout the year, JFS { Young Leaders took the lead in collecting supplies, recruiting volunteers, and soliciting donations. This past Sunday, August 5th, 2012, over fifty volunteers from JFS { Young Leaders and the JFS Board gathered at Westfield Century City mall to fill the backpacks and celebrate the many generous donors who make this project possible year after year. Several hundred of the students who are the recipients of the backpacks, along with their parents and friends, joined in the fun. 

Check out some of our favorite photos from the day!

To view more photos from the event, please click here.

If you would like to donate to next year’s Tools for School program, log on to www.jfsla.org/tools.

JFS { SOVA & Fromin’s Deli – Teaming Up to Fight Hunger in Our Community!

have teamed up to fight hunger in our community! On the first Monday night of each month, Fromin's will donate 25% of all dinner proceeds directly to JFS { SOVA. Fromin's Delicatessen & Restaurant 1832 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403 Dinner is served from 4:00 – 10:00 pm Dine-in only
Be a part of the team fighting hunger!

Volunteer Spotlight: Allen Edel!

From time to time, we have the opportunity to interview some of our valued JFS volunteers for a little Q&A about their role within the agency. Today, we are excited to share an interview with Allen Edel, who volunteers at JFS { Freda Mohr Multipurpose Center leading a special Current Events Discussion Class!

How long have you been volunteering with JFS?

I have been volunteering with JFS since April 2011 – almost a year and a half!

How did you originally come to get involved? Where did you hear about JFS?

I first became aware of JFS years ago when I was head of Public Affairs for the Jewish Community Relations Council in Sacramento. I had also been volunteering through Schools On Wheels as a tutor at a Womens Shelter run by JFS. I called JFS to ask how I could help, and was sent to talk to Susan Belgrade at the JFS { Freda Mohr Multipurpose Center. She was the one who suggested that I run the Current Events Discussion Group. Rebecca Kraemer, the Coordinator of Volunteer Services, then mentioned it to a staff member at the Pico Robertson Center and got me involved there as well.

Can you describe what you do as a volunteer?

Mostly, I present the topics for discussion, brief the group on the known facts, and get out of the way, only interfering to keep the discussions moving and orderly. Group members come from a rich diversity of backgrounds and bring a lifetime of experience to bear in formulating their opinions.

I am fascinated by their stories as well as their sometimes very original take on world events. Where possible, I try to bring in topics that have larger moral and political implications. For example, a recent discussion of one of the excised provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act that would have reimbursed doctors for family and patient discussions about end-of-life care (this was branded "death panels" by opponents) led to a very heartfelt discussion about the importance of quality of life, and the morality and need for assisted suicide.

I try to keep discussions lively, challenging and interactive. I want group members looking forward to our meetings as much as I do. I try to create discussions that are both intellectually and emotionally stimulating, and will sometimes play devil's advocate in order to engage and provoke. I try to get members interacting with one another. I think that friendships have developed over time within the groups.

I have only three rules. (1) I am the arbiter of facts. Opinions about the facts are free game for discussion, but facts themselves are inarguable. I do a lot of research before each group to make sure I get my facts straight, and am able to document good sources if challenged. When someone in the group posits a fact, I will always challenge the source. (2) Lashon harah (gossip) or ad hominem attacks are forbidden. That is, one may not insult another person in the group, or a person in the news. One may disagree with a person's actions or policies without castigating the person. I try to keep discussions civil, even on hot topics. (3) I do not give my personal opinions. While I am the authority on facts, I do not want to position myself as the authoritative opinion on a subject, because that might stymie discussion. All opinions are welcome.

What’s the best part about volunteering?

These seniors I work with are incredible people -- so interesting and diverse. I get to benefit from their cumulative wisdom developed over a lifetime of experience. How great is that!

Also, I'm a writer and I love to hear their life stories. I should probably keep the discussions more strictly to the topics at hand, but their stories are often engrossing.

Aleinu's Safety Kid Needs Volunteers!

The JFS { Aleinu Safety Kid program is looking for some assembly volunteers! 

Participants in the program receive kits to take home, and we are in need of some great volunteers who can help package kits at our Pico Robertson Family Resource Center. Volunteers can come any day of the week for a few hours at a time. No computer skills necessary. 

What's Safety Kid, you ask? 

The JFS { Aleinu Safety Kid program is a coordinated effort between schools, parents and children to establish a secure environment for a child’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. The model includes a comprehensive training program for schools, parents and children based on the ABC’s of Safety: Ask for Help, Bring a Friend, Check First, Do Tell and Explore the Internet Safely.

If you're able to volunteer, we would love to have your help! 

Please contact the JFS { Volunteer Department for more information at rkraemer@jfsla.org.

To fill out a volunteer application online, please visit www.jfsla.org/volunteer.

Thanks for spreading the word! Shabbat Shalom!

JFS { Young Leaders Dodgers Sunday Funday Fundraiser!

Calling all JFS { Young Leaders! You won't want to miss this fantastic day of fun featuring drinks, snacks, and everyone's favorite national past time - BASEBALL! 

Click here to see a larger version of this flyer

Tickets cost just $45 and all proceeds will go directly to JFS { Tools For School, which  provides children living below the poverty line with the tools they need to achieve confidence and success in the classroom.

JFS { Young Leaders hopes to see you there! Go Blue!