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GREETINGS
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Dear JCS Volunteers,
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for devoting your time and energy throughout the year to improving the lives of those we assist at Jewish Community Services. Your selfless acts of volunteering have a tremendous impact on so many people's lives and help to strengthen our community.
Without JCS many people in our community could not look forward to the New Year with hope and promise. Your commitment to our clients and the work of JCS are a critical part of ensuring that hope.
On behalf of the JCS Board and Staff, we want to wish you and yours a happy, healthy and sweet New Year. May this year bring much joy, peace and fulfillment for all.
L'Shana Tova,
Allison Magat
President
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Beth Land Hecht
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
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L'Shana Tova
Wishing you and your family
a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year
From the JCS Volunteer Services Staff:
Bracha Goetz
Deborah Hamburger
Beth Land Hecht
Rozi Rice
Amy Meyers Steinberg
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OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN BUSY
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 Our Holocaust Survivors Social Club has been engaged in three events over the summer and early fall. JCS is fortunate to have a dedicated cluster of volunteers who are always willing to help register the guests, serve lunch, clean-up and socialize with the members of this club. Recent events included a brunch and film on June 8th, a brunch and trip to the Kennedy Center on July 23rd, and a luncheon and concert by a "Sinatra" duet on September 12th. Our volunteers are always encouraged to stay for lunch and the program that follows on site. Most events are held at the Weinberg JCC on Park Heights Avenue.
Volunteers are always needed and encouraged to engage in our group events. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Rozi Rice at 410-843-7325 or
[email protected]
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COMMUNITY SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE A SUCCESS!
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 JCS extends its thanks to everyone who generously donated to our 2017 Community School Supply Drive. A special shout out to the residents of Weinberg Village for their participation in donating supplies that were distributed to JCS clients and area schools to help students start the school year successfully.
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CHANUKAH TOY DRIVE
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 Help support the JCS Chanukah Toy Drive! Our agency collects donations of new toys, games, crafts, and store gift cards which are used to help families from our community who are affected by financial hardship and are receiving help from JCS.
This year, our Toy Drive will run from November 13, 2017 through January 2, 2018. Donations may be dropped off during normal business hours at
JCS in Park Heights and Owings Mills. Toys, books and crafts should be new and unwrapped. Gift cards may be purchased from stores such as Target, Walmart and Toys R Us and should have a value of $10 or less.
JCS also offers the option to anonymously "Sponsor a Family." You will be assigned a family with children ranging in age from birth to 17 years old. Requests for specific ages and genders may be accommodated.
Thank you for helping to make Chanukah brighter for families in need. To sponsor a family or for more information, please contact Deborah Hamburger at
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BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER
TRAINING & MATCH ACTIVITY
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 Join us for a Big Brother Big Sister Match Activity and Training Session for Bigs and Littles on
Sunday November 12 from 2:00-3:30pm. Martial Arts Basics and Self-Defense
Discussion and Practice will be led by Jen Lake, Director of Comprehensive Survival Arts (CSA) at the Weinberg JCC. Watch your inbox for more information coming soon. RSVP to Bracha Goetz at 410-843-7453 or [email protected] by November 9th.
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SAVE THE DATE - NOVEMBER 29th
VOLUNTEER TRAINING PRESENTATION
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Person-Centered Trauma Informed Care of
Holocaust Survivors (PCTI)
presented by
Lisa Shifren, Coordinator of Immigrant Services, JCS &
Karen Nettler, Director, Community Connections, JCS
Jewish Community Services will be providing a valuable training to our volunteers, many of whom work with and interact with Holocaust survivors. PCTI is a holistic approach to service provision that promotes the dignity, strengths, and empowerment of individuals who endured trauma. PCTI care incorporates knowledge about the impact of trauma within agency programs, practices and procedures. This will be a 60 minute training presentation exclusively for our volunteers. Watch your inbox for more information coming soon.
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MAKING AN IMPACT
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Volunteer Services occasionally receives thank you notes from volunteers and clients. Here is a sample of just some of the kind letters received:
Volunteers say....
I've been a MM volunteer driver for almost 10 years, it's always been satisfying... and a very rewarding experience.
Clients say....
My daughter says that her match is wonderful. She said that they went ice skating on Sunday, and she had so much fun, and spending time with her Big Sister really helps her on so many levels. I am very thankful to the Associated for having such a program.
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MEET HOWARD CAPLAN
By Carol Sandler
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 In 2004, after a 16-year career as a butcher at Eddie's on Roland Avenue, Howard Caplan, whose parents had owned a grocery store and who himself once owned a small supermarket in Carney, underwent shoulder and wrist surgery. He says that while recuperating, "sitting around doing nothing," he saw a piece in the Jewish Times about the need for Mitzvah Mobility volunteers, and contacted JFS.
What does Howard like about volunteering? He explains: "I'm not staying home, I'm out meeting clients, and driving doesn't bother my shoulders. You become attached to people, I have a lot of repeat 'customers' and I get to know them. For example, I've had breakfast with one or two, and helped another with gardening."
Driving 3 or 4 times a week, sometimes completing two assignments in one day, Howard says: "I follow through on what I need to do. I look forward to continuing to help our community."
A former member and Brotherhood president of Winands Road synagogue, he currently is active at Moses Montefiore. At that synagogue, he was asked to become Brotherhood president two weeks after joining, and graciously accepted.
Not surprisingly, considering his food-related background, Howard enjoys cooking, both for the Moses Montefiore Brotherhood and for dinners at home with his wife, Nancy, who has worked as a dental receptionist for 42 years. The couple have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Baltimore, Monsey, N.Y. and Israel.
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WELCOME NEW & RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
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Ken Besser - Big Brother
Miriam Diskind - Big Sister
Devorah Eisenberg - Big Sister
Rus Yaffa Flamm - Big Sister
Allen Honick - Jewish Legal Services
Sara Isaacson - Big Sister
Baila Kulik - Big Sister
Basie Levi - Big Sister
Leora Pushett - Office Volunteer
Stuart Sheer - Big Brother
Miriam Sidell - Big Sister
Jordan Steinfelder - Big Brother
Nathan Straus - Special Connections
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KNOW ANYONE WHO WANTS TO VOLUNTEER?
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 JCS is looking for more volunteers! Do you have friends or family members that would like to join our fabulous group of volunteers? Please help us increase our pool of volunteers by referring them to JCS. We are currently looking to add to the following volunteer opportunities:
- Friendly Visitor to provide companionship and conversation to an older adult client who is home-bound.
- Tutor to provide assistance with job applications and proof reading for an older adult client with a visual impairment.
- Math Tutor for a high school student.
- Mitzvah Mobility Drivers to provide escorted rides for older adult clients to medical and other necessary appointments.
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WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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Staff are here to help our volunteers.
Office Hours:
MTWTh 8:30-5:00; F 8:30-3:00
Bracha Goetz, JBBBS 410-843-7453
[email protected]
Office Hours:
MTTh 8:00-4:30
Deborah Hamburger, Pro-Bono Services, JBBBS, Client Services
Office Hours:
MTWTh 8:00-4:00
Office Hours: MTWTh 8-4:00; F 8-3
If you are unable to reach your designated Volunteer Coordinator,
Beth Hecht (410-843-7456) and Amy Meyers Steinberg (410-843-7457) are
available to
speak with you Monday through Friday during JCS office hours.
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NEW! SUPPORT GROUP FOR
DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
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 Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. JCS has partnered with the Alzheimer's Association and the Myerberg Center to offer a monthly "Support Group for Dementia Caregivers." The group meets the third Monday of each month from 10:00-11:30am at the Myerberg Center, 3101 Fallstaff Road, Baltimore 21209. Attendance is free and provides a safe and confidential environment for conversation, support, resources and education. Click here for information.
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CONFRONTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Free Community Forum
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 Join us on Tuesday, November 21, 6:30PM at the Myerberg Center, 3101 Fallstaff Rd, Baltimore for important information you need to fight this threat to our families and our community. Keynote speaker is Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Associate Dean, Public Health Practice & Training, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The program will also include a panel discussion with treatment professionals and people whose lives have been impacted by addiction as well as overdose response training by the Baltimore City Health Department including how to administer Narcan.
For more information visit jcsbaltimore.org or call 410-466-9200.
Co-sponsored by Jewish Community Services, the Baltimore Board of Rabbis,
Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc.,and Myerberg Center
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ONGOING PROGRAMS
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JCS, in collaboration with numerous community partners, is offering several community programs this fall that may be of interest.
Click on a program title to learn more.
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