FamilyMatters N E W S F R O M J E W I S H F A M I LY S E R V I C E O F C O L O R A D O T H E G R E AT E S T I M PAC T. F O R T H E G R E AT E R G O O D .
See page 2 for info on the Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program
Caring for Holocaust Survivors JFS is dedicated to providing financial assistance and resources to Holocaust survivors so that they can live with the peace, comfort, and dignity they need and deserve. Each day, the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, and they deserve special attention and care. For many in this population, the struggle to afford basic needs such as food, rent, caregiver assistance, and mental health support is daunting. JFS’s Serving Our Survivors Holocaust Survivors’ Assistance program is here to provide the programmatic and financial support many survivors in our community require to maintain a good quality of life.
programs to help maintain community connection and engagement, which is vital for our overall well-being. In addition, JFS advocates on behalf of survivors with the application process and recertification to receive the financial restitution to which they are entitled through a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. This grant allows JFS to assist survivors with the cost of homecare, medical and dental expenses, home safety modifications, and food. Russian-speaking care managers are available. In our last fiscal year, 74 survivors received these essential services to stay healthy and remain in their residence of choice.
JFS provides care management, in-home services, food, counseling, financial support, and companionship to survivors of the Holocaust. We also offer social
Learn more about the Serving Our Survivors Holocaust Survivors’ Assistance program at jewishfamilyservice.org/services/aging-adult-holocaust.
SPRING 2022
Dear Friends, Spring is a season of new beginnings. With flowers starting to bloom and days getting longer, to me, it feels like an awakening and brings a general sense of renewal and hope. Our 150th anniversary, which we are celebrating this year, also gives us hope and an opportunity to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and everything that lies ahead. Recently, however, I was reminded that every day allows for new beginnings and promises of a better life—even days that are on the darker side. As I write this letter, our community is struggling, and transitions are happening all around us in various ways—from the devastating fires in Boulder County to resettling Afghan evacuees, lives are changing in unimaginable ways. One constant, though, is that everyone at JFS is working tirelessly to make a real difference for those who need us most in times of need. For our Boulder-area friends, JFS is partnering with JEWISHcolorado’s Boulder Fire Relief Fund, generous JFS donors, and Community Foundation Boulder County to provide mental health counseling and emergency financial assistance to those financially impacted by the catastrophic fires. We are providing financial assistance to help pay for essential needs, such as temporary housing assistance, and emergency funds for food, clothing, household needs, mortgage payments, technology needs, and more. I hope that we relieve some burdens, so the affected families can focus on themselves and rebuild their lives.
THANK YOU F O R YO U R SUPPORT
In January, JFS became a temporary Afghan Refugee Resettlement Agency, providing wrap-around services to evacuees arriving from Afghanistan who are starting new lives in the Denver area. We will offer cultural orientation, support with benefits, housing, employment, food, school enrollment, referrals to language classes, and more to individuals and families starting over in every way. Each day, I realize how fortunate I am to work with a team, including our supporters, who refuse to give anything less than their absolute best as they continue to guide our clients through some of the most challenging times in their lives. And, as JFS celebrates its 150th anniversary throughout 2022, we will acknowledge our legacy and impact in our community as we continue to strengthen our resources to help the individuals and families who come to us each year to rebuild and transform their lives. We will continue to provide the hope of better days to come today and for our future. With warm regards,
Linda P. Foster President and CEO
We are grateful to everyone who supported JFS in 2021! Whether you donated to one of our programs or services, attended an event, purchased holiday gifts or Thanksgiving food, volunteered your time, or shared a social media post, you played such an integral role in improving the lives of individuals and families in our community. You made a difference, and we thank you.
C E L E B R AT I N G 1 5 0 Y E A R S
JFS has been providing vital programs and services to those who need us most for 150 years. that’s… 1,800 months which is 7,821 weeks and equals 54,747 days or 1,313,928 hours equivalent to 78,835,680 minutes And still counting…
150 TH CELEBRATORY EVENTS
41 ST ANNUAL VIRTUAL ADL GOVERNOR’S HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE PROGRAM
JFS Executive Luncheon 150 Laughs Over Lunch With Amy Schumer April 4, 2022 | Noon to 1:30 p.m. Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver Mile High Ballroom 2022 Virtual Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program Co-Presented by ADL Mountain States Region & JFS April 28, 2022 | 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom JFS Family Concert: Rocking Colorado for 150 Years featuring a solo acoustic performance by Nathaniel Rateliff August 28, 2022 Doors open 1:00 p.m., performance at 3:00 p.m. Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver Experience JFS Boulder: Impacting Communities September 18, 2022 Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Ave., Boulder Details to come. Gala Celebrating JFS: 150 Years in the Making November 5, 2022 | 6:30 p.m. Sheraton Denver Hotel, 1550 Court Pl., Denver Visit jewishfamilyservice.org/events for more information about these events and ways to support our 150th celebrations!
Family Matters is a quarterly publication of Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231
02
On Thursday, April 28 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., the ADL Mountain States Region and Jewish Family Service of Colorado will present the 2022 Virtual Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program. One of the largest such events in the United States, this annual proceeding allows people of all faiths to come together to honor Holocaust survivors, remember those who perished, educate the community about this horrible crime against humanity, and translate those lessons into contemporary action. The 2022 program, offered in partnership with Jewish Family Service of Colorado in honor of JFS’s 150th anniversary, will be held virtually on Zoom. Panelists include Scott Levin, Regional Director of ADL Mountain States, Linda P. Foster, President & CEO of JFS, Gregory Schneider, Executive Vice President of The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, and Marion Goldstein, Holocaust survivor. Learn more about the ADL Mountain States Region and the 2022 Virtual Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program at support.adl.org/GHRP2022.
PA R T N E R S P OT L I G H T
Dependable Cleaners At JFS, we work collaboratively with partners who support our mission, programs, and services, creating a community of success to help those who need us most. When we work together, remarkable things occur—through grants, donations of funds, food, and supplies, or volunteering—and our partners’ commitment makes all the difference. The Toltz family has supported JFS for decades, and Steven Toltz, president of Dependable Cleaners, continues their legacy of giving. “Besides a generational understanding, I have several friends and family who have volunteered at JFS or sat on its Board,” said Toltz. With a long history of giving back, the Toltz family has supported JFS in various ways over the years, including providing financial support through event sponsorship, annual fund contributions, donating food for drives, and naming JFS as a beneficiary for the Coats for Colorado program, which helps our most vulnerable population stay warm on chilly days.
“ W E SUPPORT JFS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING THE SECULAR COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.” “We support JFS because they understand the importance of including the secular community as well as the Jewish community,” said Toltz. “As a third-generation Denver native, I support the needs of the greater community, too. To this day, I regularly encounter people who know nothing about Jews other than the Holocaust, and JFS helps increase awareness in the city.” Everyone at JFS is grateful for the Toltz family’s commitment to the agency. “In the last few years, we’ve lost a lot of the great philanthropists in Denver’s Jewish community,” said Toltz. “It’s going to take a lot of people stepping up to replace those dollars.” With our generous partners and supporters like the Toltz family, JFS continues to be there for so many in our community. Thank you!
APRIL 4, 2022 NOON - 1:30 P.M. COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER MILE HIGH BALLROOM Learn more and purchase tickets at jewishfamilyservice.org/luncheon. The health and safety of our community and attendees is our top priority. We request that only fully vaccinated individuals attend our 2022 events. Proof of vaccination will be required.
Affected by Wildfires? JFS Can Help! The devastation and loss caused by the recent Boulder-area wildfires is shocking. We know recovering from such a disaster can be an emotional and overwhelming process, and we’re here to lend a hand and offer support if you or someone you know has been impacted. JFS has partnered with the JEWISHcolorado Boulder Fire Relief Fund and other generous donors to provide emergency financial assistance for things like housing and utility bills, technology needs, and car payments. We have also partnered with Community Foundation Boulder County to offer free mental health crisis counseling. Visit jewishfamilyservice.org/boulderrelief to learn more. If you would like to support JFS’s efforts to provide comfort and resources to those affected by the wildfires, visit jewishfamilyservice.org/services/jfs-boulder.
When Is Helping as Easy as Shopping? Did you know that every time you buy milk or fill your gas tank at King Soopers or purchase that Instant Pot or latest bestseller on Amazon you can help those who need it most through JFS? The King Soopers Community Rewards program makes supporting JFS easy by donating to the agency based on your shopping. Once you link your loyalty card to Jewish Family Service of Colorado, all you have to do is shop at King Soopers and swipe your card or enter your alternate ID at checkout. It’s that easy for your purchases to count toward a quarterly rebate earned by JFS! (Some items are not included in the program, such as alcohol, tobacco products, and postage stamps.)
Each quarter, the AmazonSmile Foundation makes donations to JFS based on the previous quarter’s purchases— and the donations add up!
Who shops at Amazon? OK, maybe a better question is who doesn’t shop at Amazon? Individuals and families who turn to JFS can benefit from the AmazonSmile program every time you shop on Amazon. You’ll find all the same products available through Amazon, but when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the price of eligible purchases to a customer’s selected nonprofit organization.
If you’re looking for a simple, convenient way to support JFS by doing what you usually do at no additional cost to you, visit the King Soopers Community Rewards page at kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards or the AmazonSmile page at smile.amazon.com to join today. Be sure to tell your friends and family about these programs, too!
04
L E AV E A L E G ACY
Creating a Legacy Today
When you make a legacy gift to JFS, you’re leaving your mark on our community. It’s a personal gift that will continue to deliver the values that are important to you, long after you’re gone. It’s your legacy. As a planned giving donor, you can help ensure that the life-transforming work of JFS will endure for generations to come. There will always be needs from vulnerable members of our community, and your gift will provide a safety net of hope.
“ A s a longtime board member and volunteer, JFS has been an important and meaningful part of my life. My involvement has enabled me to see firsthand the impact JFS makes on the lives of so many. I’m very proud to be part of an organization that exists to fulfill one of the most important Jewish values, that of Tikkun Olam, the obligation to make the world a better place. And I’m honored to be a Legacy Society member to ensure that the important work that JFS does in the community continues in the future.” —JOHN KEITH, LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBER
Thank you to the following JFS Legacy Society members who had the vision to include JFS as a beneficiary in their estate plans. The following list is current as of January 30, 2022. Lani Kae Abbott z”l Gloria Abrams z”l Sanford Alpert z”l Judy Altenberg Joy Anderson-Jones z”l Anonymous Elaine and Max Appel Dr. Hilary and Rabbi Eliot Baskin Michael Baum z”l Samantha and Robert Baumgarten Jennifer and Bruce Bendell Gerald M. Berenstein Sandy and Steve Berkowitz Jack Bernstone z”l Joscelyn Blumenthal Alan Boxer Mel Brody William Bromberg z”l Janice and Abe Burnstein z”l Bobbie and Jerry z”l Carr Barbara and Jay Chapman Alissa and James Cohen Allan Cohen Larry Cohn Tamra and Rabbi Bruce Dollin Jana Eisinger and Scott Bergstrom Sheryl and Ken Feiler Gloria Fine z”l Terry Fisher z”l The Honorable Joyce and Rabbi Steven Foster Linda and Bill Foster Melanie Foster Max Frankel z”l Laurie and Brad Friedman Nicolette Gagliano Lynn and Bill Geller Rob Gettinger Annie Sarah Gilbert z”l Richard Gilbert z”l Lillian and Benjamin Ginsburg z”l Melvin Goldberg z”l Lewis J. Goldsmith z”l Richard C. Goldstein z”l Sheryl and Jon Goodman Ann and Sidney Grazi z”l Cindy Gross Melanie and Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald Louise F. Guggenheim z”l Zelda and Jerry Gutman z”l Betty Ann Halperin z”l Leanna and Jamie Harris Isaac Heller z”l Dr. Linda Heller Peggy Hermann
Lisa Herschli Betsy Mordecai Heyman Gareth Heyman Jacquie and Irwin z”l Hoffman Alan Hurst Leland Huttner z”l Eleanore z”l and E. James Judd Barbara Kabakoff Gale and Ron Kahn Ruth and Sterling Kahn z”l Melinda Kassen Margit Katz z”l John Kayser z”l John Keith Nathan Khodadad Lottie and Rafael Klebe z”l Joan and Albert Klinger Elizabeth S. Krash z”l Elizabeth and Steven Kris Shelley and Robert Krovitz Alan Laff z”l Marilyn and Harold z”l Lande Mary Latanik z”l Blanca and Howard Lerman Rona and Guscile Levin z”l Myra B. and J. Leonard Levy z”l Edith Lewitt z”l Sylvia and Leonard z”l Litvak Robyn and Bob z”l Loup The Malman-Opatowski Family Rima Manas Irene Mayer z”l Barbara Altenberg McDonald Bonnie Merenstein Estelle R. Meskin Sally Steele Metzger Robert F. Metzler and Rosemary M. Metzler z”l Edith Schwartz Meyer z”l Walter Mielziner z”l Lois and Jay Miller Ruth Milzer z”l Susie and Perry Moss The Novins-Montague Family Gail Nussbaum Joseph Steven Oliner z”l Mindy Levy Peckar and Steve Peckar Gail Pennington Essie and Jordon z”l Perlmutter Shirley Politzer z”l The Pollock Family Dean Prina, M.D. Gerald Quiat z”l A and R Raabe Irene Rantz z”l 06
Henry Rasof Alexander Rezmovits z”l Dawn Richard Tedrah and Duncan Robertson Jane E. and Stanton z”l Rosenbaum Lore and John Roth z”l Minnie Rothchild z”l Corinne Rottman z”l Robert Rottman Ruth and Merle z”l Sachnoff Evelyn and Richard Saliman z”l Joanne and Dr. Richard Sanders Alec Sarché Daniel Sarché Jamie and Jon Sarché Louise and Chet Schwartz Jean B. Seeman z”l Marian and Dan Seff Pearl Shames z”l Evelyn Shamon Amy Shapiro in honor of Esther Shapiro Helen Shapiro z”l Melanie and Lee Siegel Debbie and Donald Silversmith Regina and Barry Silvestain Teena and Bud Slatkin Adele Sollender z”l Alida Anisman Stein z”l Elsie Stein z”l Lillian Stein z”l Samuel H. Sterling z”l Susie Strait z”l Cathy Summer and Steve Ellis Lisa and Lynn Taussig Francine and Jorge Topelson Barbara and Thomas Trager Marvin Tyor z”l Irma and Walter Vasen z”l Ann and Dan Veenstra Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Alan Irwin Wandel z”l Lori and Lary Weintraub Sandor Weisz z”l Rhonda and Bruce Wildman Mary Ann Wilner Elle and Phil Winn z”l The Winters Creasey Family Lenore Wolpa z”l Joyce and Kal Zeff z”l Debbie Zimmerman and Charles Van Gundy Tara and Royce Zimmerman Shira and Marty Zimmerman
NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT NO. 1217
Jewish Family Service of Colorado Joyce and Kal Zeff Building 3201 South Tamarac Drive Denver CO 80231-4360 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Social services for Jewish victims of the Holocaust have been supported by a grant from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Fill the Seder Plate! Please give generously to the Sally Steele Metzger Passover Fund and help bring Passover to Jewish households in our community.
jewishfamilyservice.org/donate/Passover