FAMILY Matters V O LU M E 29, N O. 1 • W I N T E R 2019
FACES OF JFS 2018 RECAP page 4
MEET OUR NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO, LINDA FOSTER page 8
JDA FOCUSES ON INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION page 14
A PUBLICATION OF
Serving people of all faiths, ages, incomes, and abilities
RECOGNIZING THE STRENGTHS OF A DIVERSE WORK TEAM Client Spotlight, page 6
From the
CEO
Dear Friends,
I am truly honored and humbled to have been called to serve as the president and CEO of Jewish Family Service of Colorado. I have been given the greatest gift—and opportunity—of my lifetime. It’s the personal gift of working with an organization that shares my values and belief system to deliver on a mission that is making such a meaningful difference in people’s lives. It’s the opportunity to join forces with a talented staff, dedicated volunteers, and an army of supporters to create something truly worthwhile and good. The agency’s 146-year legacy of service to the greater Denver community is a testament to the vision and commitment of the staff, Board, and volunteers over many generations. JFS has always been a beacon of light and hope for people in need in our community. The agency has always been guided by the deeply held Jewish value of Tikkun Olam and our obligation to make the world a better place. That will never change. As I have been immersing myself in all things JFS, what is most impressive is the profound impact that this agency is having on people’s lives. JFS is truly transforming lives and doing it with patience, compassion, thoughtfulness, and love. JFS is helping people overcome difficult life situations to become everything they can be. It’s important work and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
In considering today’s volatile and uncertain world, the need for the vital services that JFS provides has never been greater. This is the time for all of us Linda P. Foster to dream together, to work together to become stronger, to continue meaningful conversations, and to make our world a better place. Indeed, we can all play a part in making JFS even better and stronger. Together, we have the talent, the will, and the drive to accomplish great things. Thank you for putting your trust in me. I look forward to meeting you and working closely with you to fulfill JFS’s critical mission to enhance well-being for those in need throughout our community.
With warm regards,
Linda P. Foster President and CEO
Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS)
believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. The agency has a strong reputation for quality, high-impact services that each year benefit nearly 24,000 people. JFS helps seniors maintain a high quality of life, provides quality mental health counseling to children and adults, offers training and job placement to people with significant barriers to employment, and works to reduce hunger and prevent homelessness for families in crisis. JFS serves people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes, and abilities. Family Matters is published quarterly by Jewish Family Service of Colorado, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver, CO 80231 / jewishfamilyservice.org
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TOUCH down!
Peyton Manning to Headline JFS Executive Luncheon
It’s a big win for JFS as we welcome one of the
most winning and beloved players in NFL football history. Peyton Manning will keynote the JFS Executive Luncheon on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time MVP award-winner, and among the most recognized players in NFL history. He is the only starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises and, at age 39, was the oldest quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl. You don’t want to miss this on-stage interview with Peyton to hear tales from his football career, his
thoughts on what makes a great team, and his views on the importance of giving back to the community. The 2019 JFS Executive Luncheon Committee is co-chaired by Vic Sulzer and Sam Zaitz. Secure your sponsorships today—we expect this event to sell out! Contact Kate Shephard at 720.248.4633 or kshephard@jewishfamilyservice.org for details.
JFS TO HOST FREE WORKSHOP for 50+ Job Seekers FREE WORKSHOPS AND COACHING FOR 50+ JOBSEEKERS
You have the experience. Now regain the confidence.
Jewish Family Service will host a two-hour
workshop on Tuesday, January 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive. The workshop is free and open to anyone 50 years of age or older.
JFS is partnering with AARP Foundation to equip Denver area unemployed and under-employed older adults with the skills and resources to increase their financial stability and overcome existing or future challenges. Adults age 50 and older face the largest overall increase in long-term unemployment, the longest spells of joblessness, and the least likelihood of finding jobs. Older workers also typically experience longer bouts of unemployment than their younger counterparts. The BACK TO WORK 50+ program provides the strategies older jobseekers need to compete for full-time, in-demand jobs. Workshop participants can also apply for a free coaching program offering ongoing skills training, job-search guidance, and more. Seating is limited. To register, call toll-free, 855.850.2525.
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FACES OFSoirée JFS 2018 Winter
Thank you for being a Face of JFS!
Nearly 350 people joined us at the
Hangar at Stanley Marketplace to pay tribute to David Asarch and Mindy Levy Peckar at the Faces of JFS 2018 Winter Soirée. Everyone enjoyed the festive party, complete with cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, a photo opportunity from A Custom Look, and upbeat entertainment by Club Femme of Moments Notice. After mingling, guests took their seats for a dinner and brief program. Rabbi Rick Rheins, senior rabbi at Temple Sinai and JFS Board member, provided a meaningful d’var Torah. Associate Director of Development Bonni Raderman served as event emcee as she welcomed everyone and thanked event sponsors and the committee. Board Chair Charlie Gwirstman introduced new JFS president and CEO Linda Foster who shared thanks for the warm welcome to the JFS family she has received.
ew President and CEO Linda Foster addressing the Faces N of JFS audience
After an inspiring video showcasing the diversity of JFS clients, volunteers, and staff, the honorees’ spouses, Anna Asarch and Steve Peckar, took to the stage to announce a matching opportunity by Elaine and Max Appel. David and Anna’s 10-year-old son, Sam, also made a heartfelt plea for people to support the work of JFS and to make his dad proud. Board member Aaron Hyatt and former Board member Steve Kris presented Mindy Levy Peckar with the Joyce and 4
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Kal Zeff Humanitarian Award and David Asarch with the Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award. The honorees graciously received their awards to standing ovations as they were recognized for their outstanding work in the community on behalf of JFS.
Top: Board member Aaron Hyatt with Joyce and Kal Zeff Humanitarian Award recipient Mindy Levy Peckar Bottom: Yana Vishnitsky Leadership Award recipient David Asarch with former Board member Steve Kris
Thanks to the hard work of the event committee and our honorees, this event raised more than $450,000! A special thank-you to all the wonderful community-minded individuals, organizations, and corporations that supported the agency through this event.
JOIN US FOR
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS TOP-LEVEL SPONSORS Chief Operating Sponsors—$25,000 Steven Peckar and Mindy Levy Peckar Chief Information Sponsors—$15,000 David and Anna Asarch Charlie Gwirtsman and Nancy Reichman Brent and Julie Morse Joyce and Kal Zeff Foundation Chief Financial Sponsors—$10,000 Marshall and Helene Abrahams Chad and K. Nicole Asarch Kris Family Fund MorEvents—Gareth Heyman and Betsy Mordecai Heyman Marty and Melissa Rosenbaum Executive VP Sponsors—$5,000 All Packaging Company; Ken and Vicki Pepper, Brett and Kati Pepper, and Andy and Leslie Heins Adam and Olivia Asarch Richard and Elaine Asarch The Chotin Foundation—Robin and Steven Chotin Colorado Real Estate Journal Dauby O’Connor & Zaleski, LLC FTK Construction Services Stuart and Judy Heller
Executive VP Sponsors (continued) Aaron and Niah Hyatt Mindy and Rick Miller and Jaime Miller Altman and Seth Altman Monroe Group Ltd. Michael Opatowski and Ruth Malman Zoni Pluss; Jim and Ladeen Pluss; Doug and Catherine Pluss PNC Real Estate Ellen and Eric Pollock Polsinelli PC Michele and Richard Right/Katzson Brothers Inc. Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Chet and Louise Schwartz Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe VP Sponsors—$3,500 Michael S. Asarch Bank of Colorado Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Julian Izbiky and Jennifer Rothschild Lewis, Bess, Williams & Weese National Equity Fund, Inc. David and Toni Roitman Temple Sinai Photos by Photography by Avital. Please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/events/event-photos to view more photos. FA M I LY M AT T E R S W I N T E R 2019
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CLIENT Spotlight
Recognizing the Strengths of a Diverse Work Team
Eric Baylor was a
job-seeker with a developmental disability who needed assistance showcasing his many job skills. Ekus Parts was struggling to find an employee who would thrive in their newest position. They both just needed the opportunity to connect. Eric is a dedicated, hard worker who, with a little help from SHALOM Denver, is starting to realize his full potential. He has struggled with getting Eric Baylor and keeping jobs in the past, so when he came to SHALOM Denver for employment support, that was the focus. He started working in the prevocational program sharpening his work skills and habits. It wasn’t long before he was ready for a position in the community. He got that job and now he’s thriving. David Rapport owns Ekus Parts, a successful local small business that sells recycled and refurbished automotive parts, including visors, overhead consoles, plastic bezels, dashboard covers, and cargo covers. The company specializes in parts for late-model cars, 10 years old or newer. The majority of Ekus Parts’ business comes from online sales. David had a problem. Ekus Parts deals in used auto parts that usually come in dirty and grimy and not ready for resale. One of the business’s biggest pain points was getting parts cleaned up. Each part must be meticulously cleaned before it is photographed and uploaded to the company’s website for sale. It’s a mission-critical task that no one on his team liked to do, so it often didn’t get done, creating a bottleneck that was negatively impacting his business. David was desperate to find someone who could help with the cleaning task. He consulted his wife, who suggested he reach out to SHALOM Denver. He called and was connected to Leah Wing, job developer, who arranged a meeting to assess David’s needs and visit his facility. Once she had a good idea of the job requirements, she went
to work trying to find a client with the right skills to be successful and the right personality to enjoy the position. David was surprised when Leah called back in two weeks with a great candidate. “I have the perfect person,” she said. As it turns out, she was right.
Eric Baylor carefully cleaning an auto part
When Eric arrived for his interview, he and David instantly clicked, and he was hired on the spot. Eric was offered $11.50 an hour, well above minimum wage. That was five months ago, and David is already talking about increasing his hourly wage to $12.00 an hour. “Eric is super motivated and is already cleaning more parts than anyone ever has in the past,” says David. “He takes great pride in his “Eric is super work and enjoys tracking motivated and is the number of parts he can already cleaning clean in a day. Plus, he’s such more parts than a nice guy. He fits into our anyone ever has team well. Everyone enjoys working with him. It’s been a in the past.” win-win solution.” —David Rapport
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“I’m part of the team! I love it because the other workers are not just friends, they’re my family. Everyone is so proud of me and it makes me happy.”
friends, they’re my family. Everyone is so proud of me and it makes me happy.” If you’re interested in exploring how your business could benefit from employing —Eric Baylor an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities, please contact Leah Wing at 303.623.0251 for more information.
Ekus parts owner David Rapport and Eric Baylor
David encourages other business owners to consider working with SHALOM Denver and to hire people with intellectual and developmental “Everyone disabilities. “If you’ve got the needs a chance right position and are willing to to succeed and work one-on-one to get them this program is trained, it can be a great fit,” he giving people says. “Everyone needs a chance succeed and this program is with disabilities to giving people with disabilities that chance.” that chance.” —David Rapport SHALOM Denver also provides a coach to work with the employees it places to ensure they are meeting the needs of employers and training them on specific work tasks. Eric’s coach, Kristopher Avila, used to visit every two weeks, but Eric’s performance has been so on target that those visits have tapered off. Eric loves working at Ekus Parts. “Sometimes I just want to cry because I got a job,” says Eric. “I’m part of the team! I love it because the other workers are not just
From left to right: Leah Wing, Eric Baylor, David Rapport, and Kris Avila
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MEET OUR New CEO
Linda P. Foster
After a wideranging national search,
Linda P. Foster was selected as Jewish Family Service’s new president and CEO. Linda joined JFS in late November and is already hard at work learning about JFS and building relationships with supporters, volunteers, staff, and clients. Linda relocated to Denver from the Chicago area, where she served as head of school at Solomon Schechter Day School for the past nine years. Prior to that role, she spent four years as the school’s executive director in charge of business operations. Linda has an impressive background as a leader of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations and business units in a variety of industries, ensuring mission fulfillment and sound financial viability. She has extensive organizational, operational, and management experience, and has successfully led capital campaigns, endowment growth, and donor cultivation and stewardship efforts. She brings the vision, passion, and experience to take JFS to new heights of service to the Denver and Boulder community. Prior to her tenure at the Solomon Schechter Day School, Linda was the owner of RCLA, a successful residential property development company in Highland Park, Illinois. Before launching her own company, she was president of TJW Residential, a privately held commercial real estate finance company, also in Highland Park. Linda earned a BA degree from Wellesley College and has participated in the Kellogg School of Management Center for Non-Profit Management at Northwestern University. “Linda is both an accomplished leader and relationship builder with a long-standing and deep devotion to the values that we at JFS hold dear,” says Laura Michaels, Search Committee chair. “In getting to know Linda, it became clear to the committee that we found a wonderful match
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for the organization. We are thrilled to welcome her to our community and are confident that our partners, donors, and constituents will find her to be a uniquely capable and dedicated CEO. We believe she is just the right person at the right time to move JFS forward.” Linda is passionate about Jewish Family Service and its mission. “I am truly honored and humbled to lead this incredible and impactful organization and to have the opportunity to work with all the talented people invested in it,” she says. “I am truly “JFS’s mission and core honored and values bring together so humbled to lead much of what is important to me, both personally this incredible and professionally. I look and impactful forward to meeting JFS’s organization supporters, volunteers, and to have the and partners to build and strengthen relationships and opportunity to work with all the the agency’s impact in the talented people greater Denver community.” Linda is married to Bill invested in it.” and they have three grown —Linda Foster children: Jeremy, 36, who has Down syndrome; Rachel, 34, a public health dentist who is married to Bobby and lives in Vermont with their two children, Maddie and Olivia; and Daniel, 31, who is married to Jordan and lives in Skokie, Illinois. Daniel was one of the first openly LGBTQ candidates to run for the Cook County Board of Commissioners. The family has close Colorado ties and has a home in Steamboat Springs. The Board and staff are grateful to the Search Committee for their diligent work in the search process. Special thanks to Laura Michaels (chair), Charlie Gwirtsman, Leanna Harris, Jean Marshall, Eric Pollock, Jane E. Rosenbaum, Chet Schwartz, and Dan Seff. Join us in warmly welcoming Linda! She is eager to meet those involved in the work of JFS and welcomes feedback and ideas. Please feel free to contact her directly at lfoster@jewishfamilyservice.org.
JFS’S DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE Ensuring Everyone Feels Welcome and Included at JFS Jewish Family Service values an
inclusive environment for all people, regardless of their faith, age, race, gender, gender identity, ability, education level, political affiliation, income, language, or sexual orientation. This applies to clients, staff, volunteers, supporters, vendors, partners, and others with whom the agency interacts. It’s a tall order that requires thoughtful evaluation and scrutiny.
“We must all learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.
To ensure that JFS is providing culturally relevant services in a climate of inclusion, the JFS Diversity and Inclusion Committee was established in 2013. The committee is charged with creating a culture of inclusion by promoting the acceptance and appreciation of the differences of all people. The committee is focusing on a program that promotes ongoing education and activities that strive to maximize knowledge of, sensitivity to, and inclusion of all cultures and backgrounds represented among clients, volunteers, and staff at JFS. What does it all really mean? It means that JFS has a thoughtful plan in place and outwardly demonstrates a spirit of inclusiveness. It’s a sensitivity to all the cultures, customs, and beliefs of those we serve. It means ensuring people feel honored, respected, and valued. Most importantly, they feel welcome. Some recent accomplishments of the committee include: • Commissioning a large welcome banner for the lobby atrium that states, “All are welcome here.” • Posting “inclusive space” signs around the building. • Including multiple languages on signage and documents. • Hosting a lunch ‘n learn session on how to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ people. • Hosting a multicultural potluck luncheon featuring foods that represent the cultural heritage of staff members.
From left to right: Committee members Leah Wing, Chris Van Fleteren, Hannah Nusz, Jean Marshall, Sara Leeper, John Kayser, Heather Seiden, and Dicia Kemp
• Promoting the inclusion of more ethnic food choices in the Weinberg Food Pantry so that those served will find the foods they want. • Publishing a quarterly staff e-newsletter with information on diversity and inclusiveness. • Hosting a training on the fundamentals of Islam so that staff and volunteers can be more sensitive to the culture and beliefs of our Muslim clients and staff. • Updating a booklet on Jewish customs and traditions so that non-Jewish staff are sensitized to the needs of Jewish clients. • Planning a training on the tenets of Judaism so that non-Jewish staff have a better understanding of the traditions, customs, and beliefs of those we serve. • Planning a sensitivity training on how to respectfully interact with people with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities. The result is a more inclusive Jewish Family Service that is inviting and safe for everyone. It’s making JFS aware of and responsive to the diverse needs of all people by respecting the cultures, belief systems, behaviors, and emotions of different people so that they will have a positive experience. The work of the committee is ongoing as we strive to promote a culture of open-mindedness, compassion, and inclusiveness throughout the agency. FA M I LY M AT T E R S W I N T E R 2019
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MENTAL HEALTH Helping Refugees Adjust Matters to Their New Home By Lawahiz “Lulu” Abbas, Refugee Systems Navigator
JFS serves refugees
through a variety of programs, but the most focused of these is the Refugee Mental Health program, which provides specialized, culturally sensitive, and compassionate mental health care to those with refugee status who have been welcomed into our country. Many of the refugees JFS serves have experienced severe trauma and loss in their native Lulu Abbas countries and need to heal from deep emotional wounds before they can succeed in their new Colorado home. The team of trained therapists provides individual, family, and group therapy to refugees and assists them with case management and connection to psychiatric services, if needed. Beyond mental health care, a systems navigator helps refugees access a variety of resources, including helping them enroll their children in schools, access health care, connect to housing resources, and search for sustainable employment. The team can also connect these clients to other services at JFS, including the Weinberg Food Pantry and Family Safety Net resources. By connecting clients to resources, within JFS or the greater community, the Refugee Mental Health team hopes to help refugees feel more connected so they can start integrating into their new home. The Refugee Mental Health program at JFS is highly regarded by the refugee population. Refugees know they will find caring support, whatever their situation may be. They are comfortable coming to JFS and know they will be treated with sensitivity and respect. The JFS staff is very warm and welcoming, creating a safe, comfortable place for clients to share their feelings and heal. While there is often a language barrier between therapists and refugees, it is easily broken with a quick smile, a calming greeting, and a listening ear. Therapists work with interpreters as needed when in session with refugee clients, but also try to learn a few words in their 10
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clients’ languages to be able to connect with them and provide comfort. As a newer member of the JFS Refugee Mental Health team, I am already “I see my therapist seeing the happiness smiling at me every and satisfaction on our clients’ faces. Every day time I come here, and every time she I hear positive feedback and thankful responses makes my day.” from those we serve. One — Refugee Mental Health Client of our clients recently shared, “I see my therapist smiling at me every time I come here, and every time she makes my day.” By receiving a variety of support services at JFS, our refugee clients can experience less daily stress, which allows them to work on improving their emotional stability. I recently worked with a Syrian family that struggled with the trauma of their past as well as the challenges of moving to a new and strange place and not being able to speak the language. The mother was especially traumatized at the beginning, but with the help and support she got from the JFS Refugee Mental Health team, she is now going to school to learn English, has enrolled her children in school, and is able to go to doctor appointments on her own. She is even learning to drive! She is much more confident now and has hope for her future. What can the community do to help welcome and embrace refugees? We can start with the basics, including a smile, an act of kindness, and keeping an open mind about cultural differences. We can also continue to support JFS in providing quality services to those in need. Since starting at JFS, I’ve seen the dramatic changes in many clients’ lives and it makes me proud to be part of the Refugee Mental Health team. Lawahiz “Lulu” Abbas joined JFS in August 2018 as the refugee systems navigator in the Refugee Mental Health department. An immigrant from Sudan, she is a native Arabic speaker who can communicate and relate well with other immigrant and refugee clients. Lawahiz was a licensed physician in Sudan before coming to the United States six years ago.
SENIORS Matter
Addressing the Issue of Invisibility Among Older Adults
By Sarah Lukosi, Senior Solutions Intern
Age should not define a person or diminish
respect from others. There is a generation of people overlooked every day and little attention is paid to this growing problem. As people age, they may become less visible within their communities. It can seem like people who once smiled as they walked by begin passing without a glance. Seniors may feel like unwanted outsiders in society. Sadly, many participate in their own “invisibility” by withdrawing into isolation. People who do not feel connected are at increased risk of depression, dementia, and poor self-esteem. According to the American Psychological Association, self-perception is related to physical and mental health and overall life satisfaction. In a society that idolizes youth and youth culture, it can be difficult to understand and address the challenges older adults face. When we are young, imagining what our life might look “Most important, I like when we are will learn that being older is practically incomprehensible. As old is a badge of honor, not a reason to a result, the needs of adults are not hide in shame. I will older well understood by refuse to be invisible.” younger populations. —Finny Hansen The experience of feeling invisible can be shocking and painful, but having support can help to positively navigate this time in a person’s life. At JFS, the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized. We strive to create meaningful changes in the lives of older adults by involving and empowering them in all aspects of their lives. The JFS Senior Solutions department takes a holistic approach and provides services to help older adults stay supported, connected, and engaged. JFS care managers and interns help to meet the needs of older adults by offering supportive services. Friendly visits between the
seniors and care managers offer stimulation and social contact, which can create a sense of connectedness. Older adults have a lifetime of experiences to share and by compassionately listening, JFS staff help them to feel heard. JFS care managers and interns can ease anxieties that may come with aging. Many older adults are concerned about who will care for them as they age. Care managers help older adults create a plan that allows them to stay in their homes Sarah Lukosi and communities while ensuring that their basic needs are met. Care managers and clients work together to identify strengths and increase knowledge and problem-solving skills that can be used to help older adults remain engaged in society. Sarah Lukosi is a care manager intern in the Jay and Rose Phillips Senior Solutions Center at JFS. She is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver and will graduate in May 2019. Sarah looks forward to pursuing her passion of working with older adults and helping them thrive in their homes and communities. She grew up in Wheat Ridge and served in the U.S. Air Force in the Middle East.
FOLLOW US! facebook.com/jfscolorado twitter.com/JFS_Colo instagram.com/jfscolorado
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VOLUNTEERS
Matter
Ruth Leland and Janet Johnstone: Giving Back Through Volunteer Service
Ruth Leland and Janet Johnstone
Every Wednesday morning, you can
find two bright-eyed friendly faces offering warm smiles and helpful hands to visitors of the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry. Ruth Leland and Janet Johnstone are dedicated volunteers who are quick to roll up their sleeves and do whatever needs to be done to serve the hundreds of people who come through the pantry each week. Sometimes it’s sorting produce and stocking shelves. Sometimes it’s helping people shop. Other times it’s listening to people’s challenges and life stories. Many JFS clients know Ruth and Janet by name and have come to appreciate their helpfulness, compassion, and empathy. Janet and Ruth enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life and learning about their backgrounds and cultures. Ruth, a returning JFS volunteer, was looking for a new opportunity at JFS in which she could interact with clients and decided to help in the food pantry. “I want to make people’s lives a little better and I thought working in the food pantry would give me that opportunity,” Janet came to JFS after being referred by another agency. She interviewed several nonprofits and decided
that JFS was the right fit for her. The chance to work in the pantry was the most interesting to her. “I enjoy helping people one-on-one and the pantry allows me to do that.” By chance, Ruth and Janet ended up working together in the warehouse helping clients with their shopping. What neither anticipated is that they would develop such a meaningful friendship. “We just kind of clicked,” says Ruth. “We work really well together and have fun,” confirms Janet. The pair occasionally gets together outside of JFS for lunch and hopes to build on their friendship. What keeps them linked is their passion for the work and people they serve. They appreciate the impact they are having on people’s lives. They like interacting with clients and getting to know them. When Ruth started volunteering, she assumed that JFS served primarily people of the Jewish faith, but quickly experienced the diversity of individuals representing different races, faiths, and ethnicities. “I absolutely love it,” she says. “It enriches me to be exposed to people of different cultures. This experience has given me a new perspective. You quickly realize that we are all more alike than different.”
“This experience has given me a new perspective. You quickly realize that we are all more alike than different.” — Ruth Leland
Ruth Leland with one of the pantry clients she assists 12
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“I see so many people at JFS whose lives have been turned upside down because of an unanticipated crisis. The pantry is such a lifesaver for them.” — Janet Johnstone
For Janet, the experience of working in the pantry opened her eyes to the idea that hardship can come to anyone at any time. “There but for the grace of G-d go I,” she muses. “I see so many people at JFS whose lives have been turned upside down because of an unanticipated crisis. The pantry is such a lifesaver for them.”
Giving back by volunteering at JFS has been rewarding for both Ruth and Janet. They are enjoying their newfound friendship and the opportunity to help others in a meaningful way. “When you do volunteer work, you walk away with so much more than the people you are trying to assist,” says Ruth. JFS and those we are privileged to serve are grateful to Janet and Ruth for their dedicated service. If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportunities with JFS, contact us at volunteer@ jewishfamilyservice.org.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DAWN RICHARD Retires After 18 Years
Dawn Richard,
our beloved development director, is retiring on January 18 after 18 years of service. After spending five years as campaign director for JEWISHcolorado, she joined JFS in 2000. Through her passion for the work JFS does and the people it serves, she helped significantly grow the revenue base of the agency, while creatively diversifying the revenue streams. Linda Foster, president and CEO, says, “Dawn built strong relationships with donors and had a profound impact on both the JFS family and the community at-large. She has been a valuable partner in the short time I’ve been with JFS and I appreciate all she has done to ensure the agency’s strong financial position. I only wish I could work with her longer!” As Dawn approaches her final days as a JFS staff member, she reflected upon the journey. “It is fitting that my career here has been 18 years because it brings to mind
chai, or life,” she says. “What has my JFS life witnessed? The most beautiful opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people, be they colleagues, donors, volunteers, board and committee members, or vendors. Each relationship has truly felt as if it was a partnership. This is an amazing group of people with the same goal... to support and grow an organization with the sole purpose to care for our community. The work of JFS is done with such dignity that is has truly been an honor to be a part of this family. I hope to keep many of the relationships that were built during my JFS years. Thank you to each and every one of you who made this part of my life filled with meaning and purpose. I look forward to seeing you around the ‘hood. L’Shalom.” For annual and legacy giving questions, please contact Bonni Raderman, associate director of development, annual giving, at 720.248.4659 or braderman@jewishfamilyservice. org. For special events, please contact Kate Shephard, associate director of development, special events, at 720.248.4633 or kshephard@jewishfamilyservice.org.
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INCLUSION Matters
Jewish Disabilities Advocates Focuses on Inclusion and Community Connection
Imagine you walk into a synagogue and
people just stare at you—or worse—through you. It’s like you’re not really there at all. You know it’s because you look different, sound different, or stand out when all you really want is to blend in. People almost seem afraid of you and don’t seem to know what to do to interact with you. Imagine you are mobility, vision, or hearing impaired and you want to go to services to observe a Yahrzeit of a loved one. You somehow manage to get there, but when you go inside, there is no one there to help you get to your seat, follow the service, or stand to say Kaddish. You can’t participate. Being disabled is lonely and separates those with disabilities from community when community is what they need most. The goal of Jewish Disabilities Advocates (JDA) is to break down barriers to connection and open doors that welcome and include all who want to engage in Jewish life. Its mission is to promote full participation and inclusion of Jewish people with disabilities into the Jewish community and the community at-large. To facilitate this important community work, Carol Morris, PhD, joined Jewish Family Service as the JDA coordinator in October 2018. She has worked in the Denver Jewish community as an educator, trainer, event planner, administrator, and advocate for Jewish education and connecting Jews to Jewish life for more than 25 years. She brings her passion for inclusion and connectedness to this position. Through her role as JDA coordinator, Carol oversees the Jewish Disabilities Inclusion Committee, which is comprised of leadership from participating synagogues, Jewish agencies, and family members of people with disabilities. She is also continuing as director of education at B’nai Havurah and works with the committee to make the religious school and synagogue more inclusive and welcoming. Thanks to a grant from the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Colorado, JDA is working on a full inclusion evaluation of current efforts. Based on the results, Carol will create and implement inclusion plans for programs and services that meet the needs of Jewish people with disabilities and their families. 14
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She is currently assembling a monthly calendar to connect JDA participants with holiday events, services, or other communal programs happening around town at synagogues and local Jewish agencies. “Rather than creating programming for JDA participants to attend by themselves, our goal is to work with community organizations to be more inclusive of people with disabilities and welcome them to their events,” says Carol. She is also working on a program to partner synagogue members with JDA clients, so that when people with disabilities arrive at an event, they feel comfortable and welcome there.
“...our goal is to work with community organizations to be more inclusive of people with disabilities and welcome them to their events.”
Carol Morris
In addition to the work Carol is doing to build relationships between clients and synagogues, several local synagogues are involved in the JDA Inclusion Initiative. As part of the initiative, these synagogues have committed time, resources, and energy to creating communities where individuals of all abilities can participate fully and experience a sense of belonging. The synagogues are working with Erica Baruch, a local consultant, on this initiative and understand this work to be a long-term organizational change process. They take advantage of opportunities to learn from each other and share successful practices. Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) in February presents an opportunity to expand our awareness and understanding of many disability issues. Consider attending one of the events listed here and/or find out what your synagogue may be doing as part of JDAIM.
COMMUNITY INCLUSION EVENTS First Friday Program: Telling Our Stories: Voices of Jews with Disabilities Friday, February 1, 8:00 p.m. Congregation Bonai Shalom 1527 Cherryvale Road, Boulder, CO 80303 Those who join for the program are also invited to attend services at 6:00 p.m. followed by a catered dinner (cost associated with dinner). Please RSVP at bonaishalom.org or 303.442.6605. Belonging, Behaving, Believing: Reconstructing Judaism’s Values and Creating a More Inclusive Community Saturday, February 9, 9:30 a.m. B’nai Havurah 6445 East Ohio Avenue #600, Denver, CO 80224 All are invited to attend this special service that will address how a congregation can become more inclusive. Family and Youth Social Action Sunday Disability Awareness Program Sunday, February 10, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Congregation Rodef Shalom 450 South Kearney Street, Denver, CO 80224 Families with students in grades K-7 are invited to attend this program which will focus on understanding the strengths and needs of students with a variety of disabilities and how all students can support inclusion in the classroom and on the playground. Friday Night Service and Youth Shabbat Service Friday, February 22, 6:00 p.m. Congregation Har HaShem 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303 Both services will speak to understanding and including individuals with a broad range of mental health conditions. All are welcome. The main service is held in the North Building. Youth Shabbat is appropriate for students in 3rd through 12th grade and is led by the youth group board. It is held in the South Building. Disability Awareness and Inclusion Shabbat Service Saturday, February 23, 9:30 a.m. Congregation Rodef Shalom 450 South Kearney Street, Denver, CO 80224 All are welcome at this Shabbat service with a focus on raising awareness and strengthening inclusion efforts. Contact Carol Morris, Jewish Disabilities Advocates coordinator, at 303.623.0251 or cmorris@jewishfamilyservice.org for questions. If you or someone you know needs accommodation to attend one of these events, please contact the synagogue. Each synagogue is committed to inclusion and will do its best to meet your needs.
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NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF COLORADO Joyce and Kal Zeff Building 3201 South Tamarac Drive Denver CO 80231-4360 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED tel: 303.597.5000 fax: 303.597.7700 jewishfamilyservice.org
Beneficiary Agency of JEWISHcolorado and Mile High United Way
Social services for Jewish victims of the Holocaust have been supported by a grant from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
DENVER, COLORADO PERMIT NO. 1217