With Support and Funding from the Jewish Federation of
Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren
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January Listener
Proving support for life’s challenges…… one person, one family at a time
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We all have our own Egypt/Mitzrayim. In the words of Rabbi Yudin, there are no Bible stories they are only Bible lessons(1). And in the words of Rabbi Mendy Herson, discussing one of the lessons we learn when we see the Torah (Bible) “as a personal roadmap“, “Some of life’s greatest straitjackets are our own less-than-productive habits and patterns.”(2)
One of the core missions of JFS, and our original one, is providing mental health counseling, particularly to those who are unable to obtain it elsewhere. Sometimes freeing ourselves from these straightjackets takes a little help. When you’re ready to say “a little help here,“ JFS can be here for you.
We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Walters LCSW is the new Clinical Director of our counseling program. She has been at JFS for 7 years and appreciates that “JFS has a thorough and thoughtful approach to helping. We address gaps in service when we see them”. She came to JFS after working in several hospital programs, partial hospital programs and an alternative middle and high school in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. She appreciates that at JFS, counselors have the autonomy to be sure people get what they need, and loves working with “the dedicated staff [who] relentlessly show up for others.” She only wishes that JFS had more staff and volunteers so that no one would have to wait for help.
Congratulations Jennifer and thank you for all you do for those we serve!!
JFS’s Betty and Arthur Roswell Counseling Center is a NJ State licensed community mental health outpatient provider. Our experienced, compassionate professional staff provide individuals, couples, child, family and group therapy.
Our doors are open to the whole community. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale and payment arrangements can be made (we also accept third party insurance).
If you need us, please call.
Wishing everyone health, happiness and freedom.
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(1) Many a JM-in-the-AM Friday morning D’var Torah (available on Apple Podcast as well).
(2) Rabbi Mendy Herson, Weekly email, “Breaking Free“ 12/23/21.
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JFS Friend Campaign
We wish to thank all of our donors who contributed to this year’s Friend Campaign. With your help we raised over $55,000 and these funds will go directly to support our programs and services
Holocaust Survivor Support Program
The Betty and Arthur Roswell Family Counseling Center
Expanding Horizons Special Needs Programs
Career Counseling Services
Senior Services
Family Mentoring and Volunteer Services
The Evan Jaffe Memorial Fund for
Emergency Financial Assistance & Hebrew Free Loan Program
Ohr Tikvah-Light of Hope Community Outreach
Thank You for Become a Friend of JFS
Alex Marcus, MD David Singer Jerry Starr
President Friends Co-Chair LCSW, Executive Director
“Take hold of him that he fall not and come to need” Maimonides”
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JFS Thanks
JFS thanks Logan Edelman and his family for making and delivering food baskets to a number of our Holocaust Survivors living in Somerville as part of his bar mitzvah project. Logan is the grandson of long time board and staff member Ruth(and Morey) Edelman.
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JFS thanks the Somerset Brandeis National Committee for their generous donation in helping us address the increasing challenges our clients face as this incredibly difficult year comes to a close.
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JFS extends our condolences to the family of Shuey Horowitz. Shuey, a co-founder of JFS, was a driving force helping to establish the agency in 1980. Shuey was also the founder and Director at Home Sharing Inc. in Bridgewater for over 20 years.
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Expanding Horizons Parent Group for Parents of Neurodiverse Children and Young Adults
8pm on Zoom on the following dates:
Jan 24, Feb 21, March 21, April 25, May 9
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Staff Spotlight
Natalia Black
Senior Shopper Program Coordinator
Natalia Black is the Senior Shopper Program Coordinator. She got her M.S. in Nonprofit Management from The New School for Social Research, New York, and her Degree in Pedagogy from Moscow State Pedagogical University. Natalia has over 20 years of experience working for local and international nonprofit organizations, including Doctor without Borders, TOLI, Center for Non-profits and Princeton Adult School. During her career Natalia has been working with seniors, children and families in need.
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Life and Legacy Program
The Jewish communal institutions of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Counties have proudly joined together to strengthen our roots through the launch of our Life & Legacy program. Our community-wide Life & Legacy program will create a unified approach to Legacy Giving across our organizations to ensure that our community will flourish for generations to come.
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Partner Organizations: Chabad of Greater Somerset, Congregation B'nai Israel, Congregation Kehilat Shalom, Flemington Jewish Community Center, JCC Camp Ruach, Jewish Center of Northwest New Jersey, Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Counties, Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Counties, Or Chadash, Shimon & Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth-El, and Temple Sholom
With the guidance of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer & Harold Grinspoon Foundation's Life & Legacy program
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JFS is now a PayPal confirmed charity!
JFS benefits from a discounted processing rate and a verified checkmark.
A new way to donate to JFS is via this QR code. Scan this with a smartphone camera and watch what happens!
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Volunteer with JFS
WANT TO DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR SOMEONE ELSE?
WANT TO LEARN NEW SKILLS OR SHARPEN EXISTING ONES?
JFS VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDING IMPORTANT SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC. JOIN US!! VOLUNTEERING HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER!
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“While new to JFS, I can tell you (volunteering) brings instant gratification and a sense of fulfillment. I was drawn to JFS because their activities are rooted within the local community and thus have a direct impact on our neighbors. …I am thrilled to do something so simple and yet so vital to a senior’s life.” Jill
To discover what we have to offer, follow these links:
As part of our team you will receive: Training - Supervision – Support
For more information, please contact us at 908-725-7799 or admin@jewishfamilysvc.org.
All volunteer activities are fully supported by JFS licensed clinical social workers.
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Follow us on Instagram to check out our latest posts!
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Sponsor Spotlight
We are gearing up to begin our 2022 Sponsor Campaign
Click here to learn more about being a JFS Sponsor
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JFS Tributes
To share a joyous occasion or acknowledge a sadness, click here.
This Month's Tributes:
To Mr. Walter Yosafat, In Memory of His Father, Matthew Yosafat, From Robert and Elise Prezant, From Joan Flynn, From Steven and Jeanmarie Feldman, From Jerry Starr and Pamela Keen, To Steven and Joan Handel, From the Board and Staff of JFS
To Ms. Suzanne Cooper, In Honor of the B’not Mitzah of Your Daughter, From Elise Prezant
To Ms. Carol Rubnitz, In Memory of Your Mother, From the Board & Staff of JFS
To Ms. Joan Handel, In Your Honor, From Martin and Nancy Polevoy
To Mr. and Mrs. Brian Kaplan, In Memory of Sandy Wexlin, From Mindy Cohen
To Ms. Hilary Kaplan, In Memory of Sandy Wexlin, From Jacqueline Mandell and Family, From Ross and Jenn Katz, From Andrew and Risa Glenn
To the Rabner Family, In Memory of Ann Rabner, From the Board and Staff of JFS
To Mrs. Nancy L. Lee, In Memory of Her Husband, Arthur L. Lee, From Robert Singman
To Mrs. Ronni Lederman, In Memory of Her Mother Corynne Klein, From Jerry Starr and Pamela Keen, From the Board and Staff of JFS
To JFS, In Memory of Chiarifka-Sarah, From Ellen Roth
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Celebrate Your Simcha with a Mitzvah Beautifully Designed Bimah Baskets
We transport to and from your event.
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Your tax deductible donation directly supports our Emergency Assistance and Holocaust Survivor Programs.
Mazel Tov on Your Bar and Bat Mitzvahs!
Ean Driscoll
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Upcoming JFS Program & Events
CAREER SERVICES
Job Seeker Success Group
Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Maximizing LinkedIn presented by Ken Sher, President of Sher Coaching and developer of the “TRUST Success Model. Contact Elise Prezant at eprezant@jewishfamilysvc.org to register and to receive the Zoom invitation.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR SUPPORT SERVICES
Cafe Europa
A Monthly Group for Holocaust Survivors held via Zoom
Call Elise Prezant at 908-725-7799 X108 for more information
EXPANDING HORIZONS
Call 908 725-7799 x123 for more information about groups during the current coronavirus crisis. Supporting individuals with special needs and their families.
Social Club for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Developmental Disabilities
Monthly Meetings, Tuesday, 4:00-6:00pm
For info or to enroll contact JFS 908-725-7799
Social Learning Group
A 10-week program for youth ages 10-13, or 13-16, meets on Sundays, focuses on social, relationship and communication skills for youth struggling with peer relationships. Contact Jennifer Walters, LCSW at JFS 908-725-7799 for information.
Parent/Caregiver Support Group for the parents and/or caregivers of children with special needs. One Sunday afternoon a month. Please contact Jennifer Walters, LCSW at JFS at 908-725-7799 for more information.
Preschool Consultation for children with special needs. Staff training and consultation are also available. Please contact Jennifer Walters, LCSW at JFS at 908-725-7799 for more information.
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Upcoming Jewish Life Events |
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Click here for more information on Jewish LIFE program and events.
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2021 Sponsors
Platinum Level
Steve and Kathy Harris
Nancy L. and Arthur E. Lee
Gold Level
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies
of Johnson & Johnson
Jill and Eric Lavitsky
Silver Level
Dr. Arthur and Mrs. Debby Feldman
Roundview Capital, LLC
Bronze Level
Advantage Promotions, LLC
Atlantic Health Systems
Susan and Steven Darien
The Doctor is In
EMKA Home Care Services
Dr. Steven and Mrs. Heidi Ginsberg
Alex and Debbie Marcus
Preferred Pension Planning Corporation
Senior Helpers
Somerset Pediatric Group
Joan and Steven Handel
The Wilf Campus for Senior Living
Friends
Dogwood Farms
Investment Title, LLC
Kearney Bank
Peapack Private
Radiant Webscapes
ShopRite of Hunterdon County
Skydell Contracting, Inc.
SSG Executive Advisory Group of Raymond James
Suplee, Clooney & Co
Helaine and Allan Weisberg
Walter and Denise Yosafat
Herz Biotechnology Consulting, LLC.
Additional Supporters
Creative Print Group, Inc.
Marcus Business Machines
Wiss & Company, LLC
Personally Yours
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Board Officers
Board Officers
President
Alexander Marcus, MD
Vice President
Jill Lavitsky
David Singer
Walter Yosafat
Treasurer
Joan Handel
Recording Secretary
Carolyn Katz
Immediate
Past President
Walter Yosafat
Past Presidents
Betty Roswell*
Alvin Levine
Rabbi Michael Abraham*
Kenneth Segal
Gilbert Pelovitz
Dossie Weissbein*
Jules A. Swickle*
Marc D. Geller, PsyD
Linda Jerrow
Stephen Offen
Ruth Edelman
Nancy Gorrell
Steve Harris
Nancy L. Lee
Charles N. Singman, PhD
Joan Handel
Helaine Weisberg
Walter Yosafat
Board Trustees
Bea Abrams, PhD
Cathy Binder
Olivia Edelman
Brian Engelstein
Debby Feldman
Jill Fuerst
Leora Isaacs, PhD
Steven Kraus, Esq
Nancy L. Lee
Kari Scaglione
Gabrielle Walborsky
Helaine Weisberg
*Deceased
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Resources for Those That are Unemployed
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The first is a recent article in the Star Ledger – “A Survival Kit for all in NJ who are newly unemployed” which highlighted some useful information. Click here to read the article.
- LinkedIn is also a good source of information on companies that have an immediate need to increase their workforce as a result of the Coronavirus.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elise Prezant, Career Counselor at 908-725-7799X108 or eprezant@jewishfamilysvc.org with any specific questions or concerns regarding your job search.
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Employers
Did you know that JFS can advertise your job openings to hundreds of job seekers at no cost to you.
Send job leads to eprezant@JewishFamilySvc.org.
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Donate Your Unwanted Vehicle to JFS through the CARS program
Please call CARS at (877) Jfs-4-Cars or (877)537-4227. Proceeds from your donated vehicle directly support JFS programs and services.
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The Evan Jaffe Memorial
Hebrew Free Loan Program
One-time interest free loans offered to address a specific financial problem. Loans range from $500 to $1,500 interest free. To request an application, contact JFS of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties at 908-725-7799 or visit our website:
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FAST, FREE & CERTIFIED TAX PREPARATION
United Way of Northern New Jersey is partnering with NORWESCAP and Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church to offer free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Call: 973-993-1160 x521
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Apply for FREE Legal Help (908) 231-0840
Legal Services of Northwest Jersey (LSNWJ) is a private nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services to seniors and to people with limited income and assets in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren Counties.
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Keshet is a national organization focused on LGBT+ in the Jewish community |
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Coronavirus Vaccine Information
A vaccine call center to assist individuals to pre-register for vaccine and make vaccine appointments, including those with no computers, will go live with call agents on Monday, January 25th. Call center hours of operation are 8 am-8 pm.
The call center number is: 855-568- 0545.
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NJ's Register Ready
“Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters” allows New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends, caregivers and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency.
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Sharsheret is a Jewish breast cancer organization that helps women and their families face breast cancer
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Sign up with Amazon Smile
and JFS benefits when you make a purchase
Click here to see how JFS Changes lives every day.
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