Village by the Shore Spring 2020
give your time: Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of JFS’ Village by the Shore, which was built on the concept of neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers can sort and stock the Food Pantry, deliver meals every Thursday, take a neighbors’ trash/recycling to the curb, pick-up groceries and provide a friendly conversation with phone check-ins. They give of their time at luncheons, social gatherings, events and more. There’s always something to be done and always a need for volunteers. At JFS, we are more than happy to create a volunteer opportunity based on your interests and skills. For example, one of our volunteers started a knitting group and another teaches a memoir writing workshop. In 2019, the Village collectively had hundreds of hours of volunteerism. Whether our volunteers provide an hour or a day helping our members, the exponential impact they make to our community is truly meaningful. And the benefits are two-fold. People have shared that volunteering provides a healthy body and mind, offers them new experiences and just as importantly, leaves a legacy in their community. As actress Audrey Hepburn said, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands – one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” It would be great for each Village member to not only enjoy receiving volunteer services, but also give back in any way they can. So, we ask you, “Can you spare some time for a phone call or assist with bringing in a neighbors’ trash cans? How about helping with a grocery order?” For information on becoming part of the JFS Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), funded by AmeriCorps, contact Mary DeMarco at 609.822.1108 x512 or mdemarco@jfsatlantic.org. At JFS, we recognize, celebrate and appreciate the men and women who selflessly give their time, talent and compassion to continue to build a more cohesive, stronger community. *Volunteer Opportunities may be altered due to COVID-19
2 I Program Spotlight 3 I Volunteer Spotlight
4 I Boomer Spotlight 5 I Special Events
6 I Member Spotlight
Program Spotlight Holocaust Survivor Services Throughout our lives, younger generations are taught to respect and take care of their elders. Watch over them, provide for them, be there for them. We are all aging and would want the same from the next generation when we are seniors. At JFS, it is our duty and pleasure to care for the 40 Holocaust Survivors living in our community. Whether that means driving Selma to a doctor’s appointment, assuring Irv’s safety by providing a companion aide, delivering nutritious Kosher Meals on Wheels to Samuel, assisting Ruth with keeping a tidy home or making sure Ben has the necessary care coordination, it is our responsibility, honor and pleasure to take care of every Holocaust Survivor. These life-enhancing programs and services help Survivors age with dignity in their own homes and our community. We also ensure our Holocaust Survivors enjoy events including monthly luncheons, guest speakers and intergenerational programs. This provides them with the opportunity to spend time with many of their friends in a warm and comfortable environment.
“I really like the Meals on Wheels and Shop from Home services. Everyone does a good job to make sure I’m well taken care of,” shared Yechiel Lehavy, who is a regular among social programs as well.
Holocaust Survivor Fund For more than 20 years, Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties has maintained a Holocaust Survivor Fund to pay for their vital care. However, the essential revenue is virtually depleted, while the cost of helping each Survivor continues to increase. To assure the needs of each Holocaust Survivor in our community can be provided for, JFS has set a goal to raise $200,000. This will provide us with the financial resources to continue to take care of their essential needs for their entire life. Please consider making a much-needed donation. With your contribution, we’re one step closer to assuring Survivors can spend their remaining years in comfort with the care they deserve.
Please support the JFS Holocaust Survivor Fund today. To donate, contact JFS Senior Director of Communications & Donor Relations Beth Joseph at 609.822.7409 or visit jfsatlantic.org.
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Volunteer Spotlight Jack Greenberg Volunteerism is in Jack Greenberg’s heart and soul. A full-time Gaming Auditor at Caesars Atlantic City, Jack still finds time to be an RSVP volunteer at Jewish Family Service at least once a week and for his company’s HERO programs. Raised in the Atlantic City Inlet, Jack always had ‘sand in his shoes’ and a love for his community. While he briefly lived away when attending Rider University and working in Princeton and New York, he always knew he would return to Atlantic City. In 2004, he moved back and discovered JFS from his neighbors who are members of the Village by the Shore program. Jack saw how his neighbors were benefiting from Village volunteers and decided he could help too. For more than five years, Jack has taken a bus from his home in Atlantic City to JFS to help stock the Food Pantry, serve guests at a Holocaust Survivor Luncheon, and stuff and seal envelopes for events. He’s also a consistent volunteer at several annual events including the Golf Tournament and Herb Dinner. Jack firmly believes volunteering gives you a different purpose in life. As he shared, “Giving back is a social responsibility. A person volunteering benefits two – yourself and the organization.” "Jack is an amazing volunteer who is a great asset to our RSVP team. He is dedicated, reliable, and always willing to help. I know that I can always count on him to do a great job,” said Vanessa Smith, JFS Volunteer Services Supervisor. For Caesars Entertainment, Jack donates his time at the Salvation Army, Career Opportunity Development, Inc. (CODI), and Community FoodBank. And his volunteerism hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2019, Jack’s commitment to helping others was recognized by his company when he was selected from more than 8,000 employees and presented with the property and regional Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Community Service. Jack is self-motivated in his quest to make a positive difference in the lives of others. He firmly believes it’s very healthy to support the community where you live and work. As Jack said, “It’s a mitzvah. Even when I retire, I would still volunteer. It’s good to serve a purpose in our community.” For more information on volunteer opportunities at JFS, contact Vanessa Smith at 609.822.1108 x249 or vsmith@jfsatlantic.org.
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Boomer Spotlight Medical Marijuana The use of medical marijuana, especially amongst older adults, has become as common as talking about taking aspirin for a headache or Benadryl for allergies. With this new avenue of medicating, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Unlike its association with Reefer Madness, Woodstock and “stoner” films, medical marijuana stems from pure, uncut cannabis plants. Marijuana growers cultivate different strains that can be genetically guided to treat certain diseases and/or medical conditions.
What is Medical Marijuana Used for? Cannabinoids, an active chemical in medical marijuana, is similar to chemicals the body makes that trigger appetite, memory, movement and even pain. As such, medical marijuana has been known to help with Alzheimer’s, Glaucoma, Arthritis, Epilepsy, and Migraines as well as Multiple Sclerosis by relaxing tight or stiff muscles, and Nausea caused by Chemotherapy. The drug has also been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety, help with insomnia and sleep-related disorders.
How Do You Take Medical Marijuana? There are several options for taking medical marijuana, and the usage depends on each person’s preference. They include: • Inhale through a device called a vaporizer that turns it into a mist • Eat it – specially-made brownies, cookies and lollipops are some favorites • Apply to your skin in a lotion, spray, oil or cream • Place a few drops of the liquid under your tongue • Smoke it
How Do You Get Medical Marijuana? While medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 states, including New Jersey, a patient must initially have a condition that qualifies for the use of the product. Then, they need a written recommendation from a licensed doctor and in some cases, a person must obtain a medical marijuana ID card. Once someone has all of the required documents, they may visit a dispensary – a store that is permitted to sell the product. There are six dispensaries within the State of New Jersey, including one in Egg Harbor Township. This article was written with information provided through a presentation from Bratton Law Group. Please consult with a medical professional in greater detail before considering or starting medical marijuana.
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Community Connections
Decoupage Creativity • Using paper cut-outs, ribbons and photographs, guests created their one-of-a-kind Happiness Jar at the Decoupage Class in March. Hosted by local artist, Nikki Myers, each participant will fill their uniquely crafted jar with family treasures, heirlooms and other keepsakes.
Tu B’Shevat Program for Holocaust Survivors • More than 20 Holocaust Survivors and 25 JCC students enjoyed a Tu B’Shevat program of storytelling, planting of seeds and lunch in February. The intergenerational group spent part of an afternoon together placing dirt and parsley seeds in handmade, recycled plant holders for the herbs to grow into the spring season to use at Passover Seder.
#WeRemember • JFS staff members Naomi Jones, Jamie Reichelt, and Donald Cassidy showed their support for the #WeRemember campaign in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. This program, started by the World Jewish Congress, strives to share knowledge and awareness of the Holocaust and pass on lessons to younger generations.
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And the Winner is . . . • Congratulations to Dr. Howard Gross for being randomly selected as the winner of the Albert Einstein signed photograph. JFS raised $19,000 raffling off this donated piece of history to benefit JFS programs including Village by the Shore.
Crafting Fragrant Soaps • Senses were abound when Village by the Shore members and guests learned the art of soap making. Perch Cove owner Dee Mason shared techniques with Village member Jo Cohen (right) and 12 other participants on how to make beautifully fragrant handcrafted soaps from scratch. Attendees enjoyed selecting their soap colors and design style to create a custom bar to use at home.
Member Spotlight Diana Gray Residents join the popular JFS Village by the Shore for a number of reasons – socialization, meals, discounts, care coordination. As Diana Gray explained, her desire to join the Village was for one reason only – “I was just looking for a ride.” After years of climbing onto the small, cramped shuttle intended for Atlantic City seniors, Diana needed a change. The coughing passengers and sometimes dirty shuttle conditions were not ideal for staying healthy herself. Waiting for the elevator in her apartment building, Diana saw a flier promoting a visit from JFS Village Membership Director, Tina Serota. Diana decided to attend the seminar on that blustery November afternoon to learn more. She was fascinated with the scope of services for members but it was hearing about the personalized rides from another tenant that piqued her interest most. She was sold - “sign me up,” she said. Finally, Diana would be able to go shopping on her own schedule. As Diana shared, “I love the door-to-door service. Whether its Alan, Hank, Ronald or Karen, I love their conversation, patience, politeness and respect.” The vigorous, spirited woman with a sharp as a tack mind, Diana’s conversation with the drivers often includes her life experiences. Growing up in Camden, at the age of 15, with a strict and loving grandmother, Diana enjoyed writing letters and poems and felt that you needed to make your way with both life experiences and education. While Diana briefly attended Temple University to become a teacher, it was her work with the GE Secretarial Development Program through Pierce Business College, starting in the aerospace industry at the age of 17, where she earned enough money to help her family and enjoy a taste of the business world. From Camden to Atlantic City to Trenton to Los Angeles, Diana took every opportunity to experience work environments at different locations and in many industries. Throughout her coast to coast career, she worked at the Beth Israel Synagogue as a secretary to Rabbi Schechter, NJ Education Association in communications as a mock-up graphic artist, Superior Stamp & Coin Company designing camera-ready copy for catalogs and in advertising and publicity planning at Warner Bros. Studios. These were just some of the positions she enjoyed because of her learning and creative potential. Now, Diana attends the Village Memoir Writing Workshop where the teacher affectionately calls her “the seeker” since she consistently scours her memory to capture life experiences. Keeping active in her well-deserved retirement, she also participates in the monthly Coffee Klatch and Lunch Around Town. “With the Village, I’m able to meet new people and socialize with positive, intelligent conversation and different points of view while really enjoying so much more of the area,” said Diana. Like so many who join the Village, it’s for one specific reason or another. For Diana, she was looking for a dependable ride and as she exclaimed, “I found reliable transportation and a fun, fulfilling life with the Village.”
Village by the Shore 609.822.1109 villagejfs@jfsatlantic.org 607 North Jerome Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402
jfsvillagebytheshore.org
JFS is an affiliate agency of the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties and a partner agency with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in Atlantic County.
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