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GREETINGS
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Dear JCS Volunteers,
This has been a very busy year for JCS and we could not have achieved all that we have without your incredible dedication. We are celebrating Chanukah and soon, the New Year. Our JCS Chanukah Toy Drive is in full swing. So many have contributed to make the holiday a special time for families who are experiencing hardship.
As the New Year approaches, it is an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the year. The New Year symbolizes renewal, time to make change and bring hope for the future. You, our 200 JCS volunteers, continue to impact the lives of so many in our community, making their lives brighter and better. Your time, efforts and care are appreciated by both our staff and the community members who are most fortunate to connect with you. We appreciate and celebrate YOU for your selfless acts of kindness throughout the entire year. Whether you are driving and escorting clients to appointments, shopping for clients who are home-bound, bringing friendship to our clients with special needs, or offering guidance to a child, you make a difference to those you help.
January is National Mentoring Month. Our Big Brother and Big Sister mentors have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of over 70 Jewish children each year. On behalf of those children and their families, we wish to thank and honor you for your encouragement, dedication and support.
Thank you, JCS volunteers, for making our agency and our community stronger.
We wish you good health, happiness and many more opportunities to share and give to one another in 2017!
Ronald Attman
President
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Beth Land Hecht
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
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Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year to our dedicated JCS Volunteers and their families!
From the JCS Volunteer Services Staff:
Rachael Abrams
Maureen Davidov
Bracha Goetz
Deborah Hamburger
Beth Land Hecht
Rozi Rice
Amy Meyers Steinberg
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IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR MITZVAH MOBILITY
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Beginning January 2017, in order to be consistent with privacy laws, all written communication from JCS that includes client information must be password protected in order to protect the privacy and confidentiality of clients. This includes all Mitzvah Mobility Requests.
We will be changing the way we send volunteers request forms. The forms will now be sent as an attached Word Document. When you open the document a small box will appear on your computer screen that will require you to enter a password. When you enter the password, the form will be displayed. The password will be the same for every Mitzvah Mobility request form and will need to be entered for each request that you receive. We will be sending you this information in an upcoming email. The password will be sent separately.
Please write the password down in a secure location. If you misplace the password, please contact us and we will be glad to email it again. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of us.
We appreciate everything that you do every day. Thanks so much! Be safe and drive carefully.
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SPECIAL CONNECTIONS
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Through our Special Connections program, volunteers enjoy spending time approximately twice a month socializing with an adult in our community who has special needs. Fun activities include bowling, board or card games, crafts, watching movies, and going out for pizza or ice cream.
The JCC and JCS held a joint Chanukah Dance Party for adults with disabilities on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC. When they weren't snacking on latkes and doughnuts, the guests danced to the top forty hits played by the DJ who kept the dance floor filled.
JCS also participated in Jewish Volunteer Connections' Mitzvah Day on Sunday, December 25 with an event at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC for the adults with developmental disabilities who live in JCS' residential homes. The guests spent an afternoon playing bingo, singing karaoke and lighting the Chanukah candles. We were delighted to include 12 volunteers in the celebration.
Here are some highlights from our Mitzvah Day party
.
Volunteer with us this spring! Here are our next events
:
- Purim Party - Thursday, March 9, 2017 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Weinberg PH JCC auditorium - Celebrate with us, costume or not. DJ spinning top hits and beads for all!
- Model Seder - Thursday, March 30, 2017 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Weinberg PH JCC auditorium - Be a Seder table leader (for adults) or participate in dinner service (for teens)!
Space is limited at these events. To volunteer, please contact Rozi Rice at
rrice@jcsbaltimore.org
/ 410-843-7325.
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A FOND FAREWELL TO
JEWISH PRISONER SERVICES
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JCS's Jewish Prisoner Services volunteers met for one last time on December 22nd to bid each other and the volunteer program a fond farewell. For over one hundred years, volunteers have been visiting Jewish inmates in Maryland prisons, providing fellowship, prayer, and education to this isolated population. Our volunteers visited prisons in and around the Baltimore metro area, Jessup and even several in Hagerstown. With a decline in the number of Jewish inmates housed in institutions within the greater Baltimore area, the difficult decision was made to sunset the program at the end of 2016. We are truly grateful to all of the volunteers who devoted their energy and passion to the Jewish Prisoner Services program and we wish them well in their future endeavors.
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CHANUKAH TOY DRIVE
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 The JCS
Chanukah Toy Drive is underway and runs through Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Donations of new toys, games, books, craft items, and gift cards (such as Barnes and Noble, Target, Walmart and Toys R Us) with a value of $10 or less may be brought to either Jewish Community Services location- 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills (Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC) or 5750 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore. All donated items must be new and unwrapped.
For more information, please contact Rozi Rice at 410-843-7325 or rrice@jcsbaltimore.org.
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HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS SOCIAL CLUB
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The Holocaust Survivors Social Club (HSSC) celebrated Chanukah with a party at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC on Sunday, December 18. They had a luncheon followed by a concert with a 10-piece klezmer orchestra. Some of the guests sang and danced to the music. The gathering of approximately 40 people was joined by 9 volunteers from Jewish Community Services. Everyone had a wonderful afternoon and vowed to return next year.
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BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER
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What would you do if your Little Brother asks you if you ever experimented with alcohol when you were younger? Or if your Little Sister calls you several times a day, at home and at work, and you are unsure if the amount of time you are spending on the phone with her is appropriate? These are two of the scenarios discussed at our most recent Jewish Big Brother and Big Sister Training Event held on November 7th. Jewish Big Brother Big Sister holds two training events each year to help our volunteers develop their mentoring skills, ensuring that their mentoring experience remains a positive one. Two of our experienced Big Brothers and Sisters also gave our newer volunteers some valuable advice on fun, low-cost activities to share with their Little Brothers and Sisters. The evening was capped off with a delicious dinner from Eden Café. Our next event is bowling at the Pikesville AMF Bowling Alley on February 26th and we hope to see many of our Big Brothers and Sisters there!
Did you catch the Jewish Times December 16th cover story on 100 years of the Jewish Big Brother Big Sister program?
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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....
"Great first time experience. She was such a pleasant and intelligent woman. And she brought me a chocolate bar!" - A Mitzvah Mobility volunteer
A Big Sister and her Little Sister spent the entire day together enjoying a Ravens game with tickets donated to JCS. They "enjoyed it very much" and said "it was so much fun." They also went out to dinner afterwards. The Big Sister said that she really enjoys spending time with her Little and expressed "gratitude for this incredible program."
Clients say....
"As a client of Mitzvah Mobility, I greatly appreciate your service to allow me to keep my doctor appointments. They always come on time. Special thanks to JM and EE."
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WELCOME NEW & RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
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Jacob Fader - Big Brother
Avigail Goetz - Big Sister
Ben Harris - Big Brother
Rachel Itzkowitz - Big Sister
Naomi Kraut - Mitzvah Mobility
Sarah Mersky - Big Sister
Miriam Schwartz - Big Sister
Valentina Shumyatsky - Mitzvah Mobility
Steven Whelchel - Office/Special Projects
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MAUREEN DAVIDOV
By Carol Sandler
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 Maureen Davidov, who has recently retired as a volunteer coordinator, will now have more time for one of her favorite hobbies, needlepoint. I asked her: If you could design a canvas to describe your work with volunteers, what would it look like?
Maureen says: "Since most of my time is spent with Mitzvah Mobility, I'd include lots of cars and telephones connecting me to volunteer drivers---we have about 35. I also work with volunteer tutors so I'd show them helping clients with English skills, and probably stitch a word or two in Russian! But I really interact with all volunteers, especially at the annual Volunteer Appreciation brunch we hold in the spring."
On staff for 24 ½ years, Maureen started as a volunteer herself in Jewish Information Service, and in 1992, was hired to manage several programs. In her current position since 2008, Maureen says: "I'm constantly in awe of the commitment and altruism shown by our volunteers. It is a blessing that JCS is here for the community, and volunteers make a major contribution when they supplement and enhance the agency's work."
In her retirement, Maureen looks forward to volunteering again, perhaps with JCS Mitzvah Mobility. She and her husband, Howard, can spend more time with their son, Jason, daughter-in-law Jaime, and two granddaughters, Kayla and Hannah, ages 8 and 6, who live locally, and perhaps expand their travel adventures overseas and in Florida. She'll also have more time to read, a favorite pastime, and, of course, do needlepoint!
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FAREWELL FROM MAUREEN
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Dear JCS Volunteers,
It has been a joy and a pleasure to work with JCS Mitzvah Mobility and Tutor volunteers - you are special people who take time from your busy lives to help improve JCS clients' lives. You do your volunteering so willingly and selflessly, and demonstrate a serious commitment to the Jewish community by your actions. Each of you is a wonderful role model to others.
I look forward to maintaining my connection to JCS volunteers by becoming a JCS volunteer.
Talk to you soon!
Maureen
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STAFF UPDATES
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 As we say farewell and congratulations to Maureen on her retirement, we are busy making changes here in the office. Beginning January 3rd, the following staff members will assume the following roles:
- Rozi Rice will take the lead on Mitzvah Mobility while continuing her role with Special Connections and the Holocaust Survivors Social Club.
- Deb Hamburger will assume responsibility for the Toy Closet, Tutors, Friendly Visitors and Shoppers while continuing her role with Jewish Legal Services and Jewish Big Brother Big Sisters.
- Amy Steinberg will move into her new role as Volunteer Coordinator where she will assist with Mitzvah Mobility and other programs while continuing her administrative role for Community Engagement.
- Bracha Goetz and Rachael Abrams will continue their roles as Match Coordinators for JBBBS.
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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
Office Hours:
MWTh 8:30-3:00
Bracha Goetz, JBBBS 410-843-7453
bgoetz@jcsbaltimore.org
Office Hours:
MTTh 8:00-4:30
Deborah Hamburger, Pro-Bono Services, Prisoner Services, JBBBS, Client Services
Office Hours:
MTWTh 8:30-4:30
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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BEREAVEMENT GROUP FORMING
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The death of someone we cared about can leave us with a range of emotions and reactions.
For those who are bereaved and trying to cope with the death of someone important in their lives JCS offers an
8-week bereavement support group beginning Monday,
January 9, 2017 at the Edward A. Myerberg Center, 3101 Fallstaff Road, Baltimore. Pre-registration required and space is limited. For information and to register call 410-466-9200.
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LOVE AND RELIGION:
An Interfaith Workshop for Jews and their Partners
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This exciting new program will be offered in partnership with the JCC and Jewish Community Services (JCS) and is for interfaith couples that are seriously dating, engaged, or newly married. The couples will benefit from the workshop by being in a forum with other couples that are addressing similar issues. Led by Beth Land Hecht and created by Marion Usher, an Interfaith couples expert. For information and to register visit
interfaithbaltimore.org or contact Lara Nicolson: 410-559-3532;
lnicolson@jcc.org.
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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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READ, RESPOND AND SUBSCRIBE!
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