January/February 2012 Family Matters

FamilyMatters Volume 22, No. 1 • January/February 2012

Family Matters is published bimonthly by Jewish Family Service of Colorado, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver CO 80231

Supporters Packed the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for JFS’s Annual Movie Fundraiser

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ast month, Jewish Family Service supporters headed downtown to the fabulous Ellie Caulkins Opera House for Reel Hope 2011, the agency’s annual film benefit. More than 500 attendees celebrated with honorees Harvey and Sue Allon and Ken and Rebecca Gart and enjoyed the U.S premiere of the spy thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Attendees sipped “Vodka Reels,” the signature cocktail for the event, before enjoying a delicious boxed dinner prepared by Kevin Taylor.

Thanks to co-chairs Debra Duke and Kerry Shelanski, advisor Carla Bartell, and emcee Lisa Belkov-Snyder for their roles in making Reel Hope an evening to remember. The hard work of our outstanding co-chairs, committee, honorees, and staff made the event a huge success. And a big thanks to an anonymous donor who generously provided a $25,000 match, allowing us to raise additional funds during the event. In the end, Reel Hope grossed $435,000. Our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful community-minded individuals and organizations who support the agency through this event!

Please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org to view Reel Hope photos, the heartfelt video Chain Reaction of Good, and the electronic tribute journal. l Reel Hope sponsors page 2, more photos on pages 2 and 8

Front (L to R): JFS Board Chair Alan Mayer, Harvey and Sue Allon, JFS President and CEO Yana Vishnitsky, Ken and Rebecca Gart; Back (L to R): JFS Development Chair Doug Antonoff, Emcee Lisa Belkov-Snyder, Event Advisor Carla Bartell, and co-Chair Kerry Shelanski

In This Issue Volunteer Spotlight 3 Spotlight on Staff 4 Bereavement Group 4 Thanksgiving Generosity 5 Para-Chaplain Training 5 Taking Control 6 Thank You for Caring! 8 Boulder Update 10 Disabilities Awareness Day 11

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Reel Hope 2011 Thank you to all of our generous sponsors: Producers: $25,000 Ken and Rebecca Gart Steven and Elizabeth Kris

Directors: $5,000

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Tim and Libby Brown Foundation Joyce Zeff Production Managers: $10,000 Marshall and Helene Abrahams

Will and Sheri Gold Charlie Gwirtsman and Dr. Nancy Reichman

Phil and Elle Winn

Sam and Nancy Gary Jack and Celeste Grynberg

Eric and Ellen Pollock Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Specialty Sports Venture/Vail Resorts Gary and Teresa Yourtz Casting Directors: $2,500 Argonaut Wine & Liquor Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Vicki and David Dansky Dependable Cleaners Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard First Western Trust Bank David and Michelle Friedman Green Manning & Bunch, Ltd. Marty and Marie Herzog James and Joy Hoffman Hogan Lovells Alan and Peggy Mayer Harvey and Stephanie Milzer National Jewish Health Julius and Rose Pluss The Rifkin Foundation Meyer and Geri Saltzman Seff Group, P.C. Stephan and Kerry Shelanski UMB Bank Colorado

Associate Producers: $1,500 Brian and Elise Barish Dan and Carla Bartell Ellen Beller CBIZ/Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. Brent Cohen and Dana Klapper Cohen Barry and Gay Curtiss-Lusher Stephen and Melissa Elken Feldman Mortuary, Inc. Rabbi Steven and Senator Joyce Foster John and Martha Gart Marvin and Nancy Gart Thomas and Marjorie Gart Rachel Grynberg and Rick Shepis Hyde Park, Inc. Rob Kaufmann and Jennifer GilbertKaufmann David and Judith Koff Buzz and Shelley Krovitz Howard and Blanca Lerman Adam Lipsius and Linda Appel Lipsius Mankwitz Family Foundation David and Laura Merage Foundation Miller Global Properties, LLC Rocky and Suzi Miller Rob and Robyn Naiman Michael Opatowski and Ruth Malman Jordon and Essie Perlmutter Richard and Michele Right Robinson Management Company Dr. Richard and Mrs. Jo Sanders Chet and Louise Schwartz Jorge and Francine Topelson Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Marty and Shira Zimmerman

Sue and Harvey Allon, Kal Zeff Business Leaders of the Year Jack Shapiro Community Service Award Recipients Ken and Rebecca Gart on the red carpet

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Volunteer Spotlight

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Jill Miller

or Jill Miller, volunteering and giving back to the community are values she has instilled not only in her own two children, but in hundreds of children through her business, the South Denver Fencing Academy. For 11 years Jill and her family have donated to and volunteered at the Weinberg Food Pantry at Jewish Family Service.

“We got started through the Read to Feed program at Herzl (now the Denver Jewish Day School) when my youngest son was in kindergarten,” Jill explains. “Through that program, the students collected food for the pantry and each month a different grade would take a field trip to JFS to count and sort the food, tour the pantry, and shelve the food. It was a wonderful program and the kids really enjoyed the whole process!”

Jill says that it is important to teach her children that they need to help others and that they can make a difference. When “Food is such a her older son, now 19, basic need and it became a Bar Mitzvah, ‘feeds’ us to be able he collected more than to help people in 2,000 pounds of food and $600 for the pantry. “That this way.” experience has stuck with —Jill Miller him and it’s part of his motivation to continue helping JFS,” says Jill.

Several years ago, Jill organized a group of family members and friends to sort food in the pantry. Anywhere from 4 to 12 people volunteer every month and bring their children during school breaks. “Food is such a basic need and it ‘feeds’ us to be able to help people in this way,” Jill says. She has also volunteered with JFS to can food at the LDS Cannery four or five times. “I enjoy the camaraderie of all the volunteers and the cannery staff,” she says.

“Plus, there is great satisfaction knowing that so many cans of food are coming back to the Weinberg Food Pantry!”

Jill hasn’t stopped with her family’s personal contributions to the Weinberg Food Pantry. She has found creative ways for hundreds of students at the South Denver Fencing Academy to give to JFS as well. Once a year, the Fencing Academy offers a

$10 discount on dues when students bring in 10 cans of food. In 2011 they collected 300 pounds of food! In addition, when fencing students leave water bottles or other personal items at the school, she’ll ask the kids to buy them back with canned food or a donation to the pantry. “I like to teach my kids— both my own and the students—that helping others can be fun and doesn’t have to be drudgery,” Jill says.

As a longtime supporter of the food pantry, she has seen firsthand the increase in the number of people we serve. “When the JFS Food Pantry was located at Monaco and Evans and later on Colorado Boulevard, about 400 people each month came to the pantry. The staff was excited one month Jill Miller when it spiked to 500,” Jill says. “Now knowing that number has multiplied to 1,600 individuals per month really shows how many people in our community need help.”

Jill adds that she has loved working with the JFS staff over the years. “One person is nicer than the next and we always feel welcomed and appreciated.

I feel like we’re part of the great team that works there.” l

Follow JFS on: www.facebook.com/jfscolorado www.twitter.com/JFS_Colo

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Spotlight on Staff

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Allison Miller

Allison Miller

llison Miller’s affinity for people and numbers is a perfect fit for her job as data collection and research coordinator. She studied anthropology at her hometown school, Slippery Rock University, in Pennsylvania and received a master’s degree in sociology and applied demography from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

After working for a dating service in Florida, she got a job offer in Colorado from an activities club for singles. She accepted the job and headed west in 1995. After working there in a marketing research capacity, Allison worked as a research analyst for Denver Public Schools in the English Language Acquisition department and for the College for Financial Planning before joining JFS six years ago.

At JFS, Allison’s job is all about the numbers. She administers the client database that handles records, billing, and reporting; scores and rates psychological evaluations for

the counseling “I love working for department; an organization generates agency that has such a great annual statistics reputation for helping for reports and grants; and helps others in need.” with anything else —Allison Miller that has to do with agency data.

“I love working for an organization that has such a great reputation for helping others in need,” Allison says. “I also like helping to secure much-needed grant funding by providing data about the people we serve and being able to showcase the impact we make to funders.”

At home with her husband of 11 years, Eric, Allison enjoys reading fiction, exercising, watching movies, and playing with her yellow lab, Jackson, and “black ball of fury,” Samson. l Congratulations to Victoria Martysh, citizenship coordinator, who is celebrating her 15th anniversary with JFS in February!

Spiritual Healing Bereavement Group Begins February 1

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afael Spiritual Healing Services, a program of the Counseling Center and Jewish Community Chaplaincy of Jewish Family Service, is offering a bereavement group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group will begin on Wednesday, February 1, and run through March 21, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

This unique eight-session group will not only support you through the process of grieving but also foster connections with self, faith, and community by integrating Jewish traditions and rituals.

The group will be co-facilitated by Rabbi Eliot Baskin, D.Min, Jewish Community Chaplain, and Arleen Gershen, LCSW, a JFS psychotherapist.

The bereavement group is held at Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, in Denver.

Participants are asked to commit to attend all eight sessions. The cost is $100, but arrangements can be made for those unable to pay.

“These bereavement groups not only provide valuable support during the sessions, but we find that the participants connect deeply with each other and often remain friends long after the group has ended,” says Rabbi Baskin.

For more information or to register, contact Arleen Gershen at 720.248.4598 or agershen@jewishfamilyservice.org. l A program of Jewish Family Service

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Thanks for Putting the GIVING in Thanksgiving!

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hanks to the generosity of many organizations and individual donors, more than 100 families (approximately 400 individuals) who otherwise would not have had a Thanksgiving meal received the ingredients for a complete feast with turkey and all the trimmings from the Weinberg Food Pantry. We also received more than $6,000 in cash donations to support the effort!

Recipients of Thanksgiving meals included several home-delivery clients who are elderly, ill, or have special needs and cannot get to the pantry. Our regular home-delivery volunteers, as well as several new volunteers, helped get premade Thanksgiving dinners to each of these families in addition to their regular monthly delivery, which the clients greatly appreciated.

Thank you to the organizations who held Thanksgiving food drives or donated turkeys, including Denver Rescue Mission, FoodWorks, and Temple Sinai Preschool.

A special thank-you to all the volunteers who helped pack and distribute the meals to our clients: Marissa Goldman, Vicki Goldman, Leena Kaye, Lori Kaye, Rabbi Steve Kaye, Sydney Mayer, Harrison Miller, Mindy Miller, Jakob Rheins, Joshua Rheins, Rabbi Susan Rheins, Elana Richardson, Jerry Simons, David Sternburg, Fred Sternburg, Lauren Sternburg, Michael Titus, Matthew Ward, Jill Young, and Nicole Young. l Top: Temple Sinai Kindergartners check out the Weinberg Food Pantry truck after collecting Thanksgiving food.

Bottom: Families package Thanksgiving food to distribute to clients.

Make a Spiritual Connection

JFS Seeks Volunteers for Para-chaplain Training in April

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elp create a warm Jewish connection for isolated members of the Jewish community by becoming a Bikur Cholim (Visiting the Sick) para-chaplain. As a para-chaplain, you will visit seniors or conduct holiday services in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, prisons, or hospitals. In order to be a para-chaplain, you must be Jewish, but do not need to have an extensive Jewish education. If you wish to lead services, a deeper understanding of Jewish traditions is desirable.

We urge you to sign up for the 2012 para-chaplain training, which will be held in the evenings of April 25, May 2, May 9, and May 16. Training is provided by Beth Lippa, Senior Solutions volunteer coordinator; Rabbi Eliot Baskin, JFS community chaplain; Nancy Benyamin, JFS director of volunteer services; and expert guest speakers.

For more information or to sign up for the training, please contact Beth Lippa at 720.248.4599 or blippa@jewishfamilyservice.org. l

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Stories of Hope

Venessa Cadena

Taking Control Against the Odds

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t 21 years old, Vanessa Cadena has seen it all—and lived unspeakable hardships. The mother of two young children, she’s been homeless, living in shelters, in cars, and on countless floors.

Growing up, she watched her parents and brothers fall into a destructive cycle of drug and alcohol abuse that made her life miserable and scary.

This was not the life Vanessa wanted for herself or her children.

Vanessa came to SHALOM Denver to participate in the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program, a last resort for welfare recipients.

Vanessa Cadena and client This federally funded program has one goal: to move single parents from welfare to work. Since July 2011, the program has placed more than 50 people in employment—a remarkable achievement in this difficult economy.

Meeka Houston, TANF program manager at SHALOM Denver, remembers meeting Vanessa for the first time. “This was a girl in deep trouble,” she says. “Vanessa was on her last legs. She didn’t even have any shoes except for the flip-flops she was wearing on that snowy spring day. She had no money, no food, and two small children to care for. Before we could even think about enrolling her in the TANF classes, we had to cover her immediate needs.”

Meeka called the JFS Family Safety Net Program, which responded with boxes of groceries for Vanessa and her children. JFS and SHALOM Denver staff and donors rallied to provide the family with clothing and shoes.

Vanessa enrolled in the TANF program and learned to take control of her life. “Our program teaches people how to be in the driver’s seat and control their own destinies,” says Meeka. “So many welfare recipients are passengers in life with no freedom and no control. We work to get them to understand that they can make their life better. With a job, they get freedom.”

Through the TANF training, Vanessa learned essential work skills, from computer training to attire to interviewing techniques. She also learned how to manage her life, cover childcare, and keep a job once

Join the chain re

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she got it. Most of all, she learned a work ethic.

As part of her training, Vanessa was placed in an internship with the SHALOM Denver Pals program working with developmentally disabled adults. She loved the experience and realized that it was just the kind of work she would like to do on a permanent basis.

“Where I grew up, there was a boy in my neighborhood with Down syndrome and I spent lots of time with him, Vanessa recalls. “I was his only friend and I helped him with his anger management problems and learned how to treat him with respect.”

“People don’t understand people with disabilities,” she says. “I get mad when I hear people talk about them.”

During Vanessa’s two-month internship, a full-time community facilitator position opened with SHALOM’s Pals Program and Vanessa was very interested. “I never thought that I could have a job working with people I like so much,” she confides. She worked with the TANF staff on her résumé, and with the skills she learned in training she landed the job.

Vanessa loves her work and is good at it. She helps coordinate activities for special needs clients, from lessons to crafts to dancing and singing. “I

eaction of good.

milyservice.org

push them to be active and “Our program teaches engaged. If I see a client people how to be in the sitting on the couch, I get driver’s seat and control them to read a book. If their own destinies.” they aren’t doing something productive, we find an —Meeka Houston, activity,” she says.

TANF program manager With her steady job, Vanessa has a new lease on life. She and her children recently moved into their own apartment. She beams with pride that she paid rent for the first time in her life—all by herself. She put enough aside to buy Christmas presents for her children and has committed to save $100 from every paycheck so she can eventually get a better car.

“Having a job is the best thing that has happened to me. I can give my children the life they deserve,” she says. “I don’t ever want to be homeless again. No more sleeping in cars or on floors. I was depressed all the time and now I’m happy.” l The TANF program at SHALOM Denver is funded in part through Denver’s Office of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development.

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Thank You for Caring!

The following donations reflect tribute gifts received from October 1, 2011, to November 30, 2011. Due to space limitations, we are only able to list tribute gifts received during this time, but all contributions are greatly appreciated.

Please accept our apologies for any omissions or errors.

IN HONOR OF ANNIVERSARIES Rick and Susie Grossman Chet and Louise Schwartz Susan and Marshall Krauthamer Joel and Frieda Levine Renee and Andy Raabe Bob and Jodi Eisen Michael and Patti Ross Jane E. and Stanton Rosenbaum Gary and Joyce Lozow IN HONOR OF BAT MITZVAHS

Sarah Humphries Teri Hanke Miss Zoe Miller Brett Miller and Heather Taussig IN HONOR OF BIRTHS Gabriel L. Slatkin Michael Asarch

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hank you for your generosity! Your support makes our life-transforming work possible.

Louis Gelfand Edward and Elka Haligman Marvin and Shirley Leff Barbara Glaser Marianne Cohn David Goodman Isidor Mehl Marsha Kempton Marvin Tyor Estelle Klubock Ilene Bergsmann Robyn Loup David Miller and Lisa Farber Miller Sandra Lustig Dolores Furman Jeffrey Mehl Isidor Mehl Lola Miller Marc and Rhoda Silverglade Rikki Mor Martin and Marilyn Warren Devin Nutt Douglas and Marion Nutt Julius Pluss David Miller and Lisa Farber Miller William and Susan Pluss Donna Sheldon Henry Strauss Melvin and Diane Dinner Albert and Janice Dinner Jim Wilson Phyllis Goodman IN HONOR OF MARRIAGE

IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS Susan Beckerman Marion Goldstein Richard Bleznak Benjamin Newman & Marcee Gordon Newman Cokie Crane Howard and Donna Lutz Gloria Davis Agnes Davis Randy Davis Justin and Cari Levy Lisa Farber Miller Bob and Robyn Loup Tony Freidenson Sherman and Lois Rich Sam Gary The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service

Adam and Jennifer Bernstein Edward Stanley Sanditen Steven Harmon and Therese Rose The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Matthew Krovitz and Hillary Bloom Burt and Claire Seiden IN HONOR OF George and Cookie Berman Harvey and Carol Karsh Cynthia Chapman Jon and Sheryl Goodman Inna Ermakov Jon and Sheryl Goodman

Ralph Fisch Morey and Joni Troy Thomas Rardin Daisy Flynn Tracey Kraus Gordon and Zelda Friednash Kenneth and Judy Friednash Arnold and Susan Greenberg Kenneth Greenberg and Anna Maria Menza Steve Kris Martin and Gloria Trotsky Family Foundation Al and Judy Levin Kenneth Greenberg and Anna Maria Menza Jimmy Lombatos’ restaurant opening Jerry and Peggy Goldberg Alan Mayer Marvin and Nancy Gart Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Brent and Julie Moore Jocelyn Blumenthal Hilda Moskowitz Nina Judd Fefe Passer and Al Bloch Kenneth and Judy Friednash Roberta Reinfeld Dawn Reinfeld Dawn Richard and Terry Fenner Anonymous Mirella & her staff at JFS for caring for Adele Sollender Michelle Segal and Todd Saliman Evan Silverman Daniel Foss and Carole Kornreich Spire Media Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Lauren Sternburg Fred Sternburg JFS’ mailer and Stacey Weisberg’s fine work Margaret Miller Ethan Wolf Marsha Willis Joyce Zeff Rachel Grynberg and Rick Shepis Rocky and Suzi Miller

RECIPIENT OF AN HONOR

Ken and Rebecca Gart David Broida Michael Broida Tad Kelly John and Lauren Lauritano Joyce Zeff Boris and Elena Draznin WITH WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY Albert Dinner Melvin and Diane Dinner Shirley Engbar Diamond Debs Louis Gelfand Les and Estelle Levitt Hyla Greinetz Les and Estelle Levitt Renee and Marty Gross Les and Estelle Levitt Marvin Leff Les and Estelle Levitt Marvin Levy Melvin and Diane Dinner Donald Lozow Sharon Lasky ary and Joyce Lozow Howard Lutz The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Ron and Esther Feldman Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard David and Peggy Marks Don and Linda Neuman Ben and Dee Trasen Dan and Ann Veenstra Alan Mayer Jon and Sheryl Goodman Terry Fenner and Dawn R ichard Stephen and Maxine Miller Morton Miller Donald and Henny Kaufmann Pam Naiman Cynthia Chapman Milford Pepper Les and Estelle Levitt

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IN MEMORY OF Wayne Eckerling’s brother Myrtle Shor Sidman Mr. and Mrs. Harry Flitter David and Debra Flitter Saul Axelrad Norma Axelrad Ruth and Louis Barkan Jeff Greenstein and Gail Krovitz Shirley Barocas I. Bernard and Leba Munishor Mickey Barter Jeffrey and Sandra Barter Selina Begun The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Roz Begun Sylvia Berkowitz Michael and Dona Mandell Harold Bruno David and Gayle Ann Weinstein Bill Burkett Cynthia Chapman Calvin William Chappell The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Bernard and Freddie Eisenstat Philip Stahl Carol Cohan Berger Robert Berger Maurice and Lena Cohen Mark Berkowitz Ed Cohn Janet Trautman Margaret Danies The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Goldye Ellenson Janet Trautman Seymour Epstein Stephen and Lois Nadler Josie Eskanos Barton and Marci Rivkin Joyce Freeman Robert and Carol Adelstein Greg and Sandi Banks Mark and Ruth Brown Barbara Dygert Barbara Goldburg Lynda Goldstein Jack and Celeste Grynberg Gil and Jane Hermann Barnetta Merenstein Cynthia Nakane Rachel Pollack George and Jane Romberg Mitchel Friedlaender Lance and Lynne Forstot

Sally Friedman Grace Horvat Margaret Gelbach Ginny Gelbach Harry Goodbinder Robert Goodbinder Leonard Gordon Selma Gordon Melvin Greene Nancy Harrison Lucy and Jesse Greenstein Jeff Greenstein and Gail Krovitz Dora and Dan Gurion Jeff Greenstein and Gail Krovitz Irving Kaplan Mildred Kaplan Maxine Katzson Nancy Harrison Philip Kaye Marc and Rhoda Silverglade Marion Goldstein Bruce Kippur Jackie and Marvin Cooper Vicki Eskanos Arleen Goldstein Barton and Marci Rivkin Albert Koplen Don Koplen and Barbralu Cohen Dr. Jerry Krone Karen Richards Sally and Abe Krovitz Jeff Greenstein and Gail Krovitz Abe L. Levine Don and Linda Neuman Barry Levine Don and Linda Neuman Mollie Levine Don and Linda Neuman Ruth Levitch Paula Levitch Cindy Levitt Barbara Cook Steven and Elizabeth Moden Barbara Stone Dorinda Levy Justin and Cari Levy Molly Levy Bennie and Joan Bub Hannah Linas Gary and Marsha Blum Tomas Berl and Diane Pincus Jack and Lorraine Lindenbaum Faye Lindenbaum Sam Marcone’s brother Ron and Andy Linkow Bobbi Marcone’s mother Ron and Andy Linkow Norman and Peppy Markman Barry and Randie Winograd

Sherman Markman Barry and Randie Winograd Barbara Mendel’s mother Harvey and Judith Cohen Isaac Milzer Nancy Harrison Gary and Joyce Lozow Karen Stein Lysa Moser Janet Trautman Mark Neuman Don and Linda Neuman Peg Neuman Don and Linda Neuman Jacob Neumann Phyllis Jacobs Max Price Eileen Price Joe Primack Marshall Greenstein and Mary Ellen Rich Paul Prina Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Elizabeth Sadwith Pam Naiman Stuart Sagel Alan and Peggy Mayer The Henden Family Joan Seidenfeld Joyce Miller June Shwayder Marvin Tyor Betty Simmons Anonymous Marianne Cohn Burton Sternburg Fred Sternburg Doris Wershaw Leah Wershaw Harry Winograd Barry and Randie Winograd William and Selma Winograd Barry and Randie Winograd Edward Yabrove Janet Yabrove Roger Young Alan and Peggy Mayer Lilly Zuckerman Harvey and Judith Cohen Clara Zylberberg Anonymous

IN KIND AMC Theater Babies Now Foundation Birthright Israel NEXT Colorado Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Cinzzettis Italian Market B’nai Chaim Congregation B’nai Havurah Congregation Beth Evergreen Congregation Hebrew Educational Alliance Congregation Micah Congregation Rodef Shalom Dave & Busters Restaurant Denver Academy Denver Academy of Fencing The Donut Maker Ekar Farm El Jardin Restaurant European Wax Center Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, LLC Girl Scout Troop #703 Hilton Garden Inn IKEA Isle of Capri Black Hawk King Soopers - Monaco King Soopers Reclamation KRG Capital Partners LLC Littleton High School Key Club Mad Cap Comedy Mubarek and Medina Hussen Pasta More Gourmet Food Pizza Hut at Leetsdale Safeway South Denver Fencing Academy Sunflower Market Temple Emanuel Temple Sinai Temple Sinai Preschool Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Total Escape Enterprises, Inc. Warren Tech Western Hotel Whole Foods at Tamarac Whole Foods at Cherry Creek

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Wonder What’s Happening in Boulder?

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FS is offering a plethora of services and programs in the Boulder area. Most, but not all, are geared toward seniors and people with disabilities. Below is a listing of what is happening at Boulder JFS.

Services: Care management to oversee and coordinate care and provide advice and support to help

seniors and their families, friendly visitor volunteers, referrals, and consultation.

JFS at Home: Our 24/7 homecare services have recently expanded into the Boulder area and we are

happy to provide customized in-home services to this community.

Outreach: Jewish holiday celebrations and monthly Shabbat services at senior residences, and

Shabbat meal delivery.

Programs: Jewish grief group, monthly Active Minds presentations (the first one is January 26 at the

JCC), monthly programs for older adults, and other programs related to health and wellness.

JFS is a proud member of the Boulder community and enjoys collaborations with other organizations, including Boulder JCC, Menorah, Maimonides, CU Hillel, Hadassah, and HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties.

To learn more about Boulder JFS and ways you can get involved as a volunteer or donor, please contact Cathy Summer at 303.415.1025 or csummer@jewishfamilyservice.org.

To learn more about JFS at Home or to schedule an assessment, please contact Doreen Osborne at 303.750.4000 or visit www.jfsathome.com. l

JFS EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON You are not like anyone else.

Neither are your needs for care.

PRESENTED BY

Featuring Christopher Gardner, best-selling author of the autobiographical book-turned-movie, The Pursuit of Happyness.

Customized Care For All (303) 750.4000 www.jfsathome.com

JFS at Home will work with you to create a customized care plan that can help you maintain your independence, safety, and dignity in your own home.

Our screened, supervised, and insured caregivers provide gentle, personal care and relief from chores.

JFS at Home, a division of Jewish Family Service, is a name you can trust as a provider of practical, reliable, and compassionate services since 1872.

Individual Needs. Individual Care. From 1 hour to 24/7.

SAVE THE DATE Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Grand Hyatt Denver SPONSORS TO DATE The Chotin Foundation Steve and Elizabeth Kris The Denver Post Community Eric and Ellen Pollock Green Manning & Bunch, Ltd.

3201 South Tamarac Drive Denver, CO 80231 303.597.5000 www.jewishfamilyservice.org

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Finding the Ability in Disability

Fourth Annual Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day is February 12

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he Jewish Disabilities Network (JDN) will host the fourth annual Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day event on Sunday, February 12 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia Street.

The event, which is free and open to the public, promotes understanding and inclusion in community life for Jewish people with disabilities.

The goals of the day are to increase awareness in both the Jewish and general community of the abilities and contributions of people with special needs, to honor those who care for people with disabilities, and to provide valuable resources for families and caregivers.

Attendees will enjoy a keynote presentation

by Rachel Simon, an award-winning author and nationally known speaker. She is best known for her critically acclaimed, best-selling memoir Riding the Bus with My Sister, which was adapted for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie of the same name.

Her newest book, The Story of Beautiful Girl, is an unforgettably moving love story about the improbable odds faced by a couple with disabilities and a lost child. During her keynote presentation, “Taking the Journey Together,” Simon will talk about the Jewish values that are inherent in our loving and caring for people with special needs. She will also provide tips for surviving the challenges and celebrating the rewards of caregiving.

Through a national Jewish Disability Awareness Month project, “JDAM Reads,” people from across the country are encouraged to read and discuss this book. Simon created a discussion guide for this book based on Jewish values about the inclusion of people with disabilities.

After the keynote presentation, participants can attend one of the following breakout sessions: • From Darkness to Light: Helping the Beautiful Girls Lead Beautiful Lives, presenter Rachel Simon • Respite: A Gift of Time, presenter Ayesha Sharma of the Colorado Respite Coalition • Family and Beyond: How Care Coordination Can Help, presenter Pam Valvano of Colorado Alliance

for Health and Independence (CAHI) • Employment Panel, facilitated conversation with employers of people with disabilities and employment programs, including SHALOM Denver, Goodwill, and King Soopers • Collaborative Quilt Project for all ages and abilities, facilitated by the Voices for Inclusion Program Family members can attend a resource fair and meet with vendors from a variety of businesses that provide services for people with special needs in the areas of employment, estate planning, disability trusts, education, advocacy, socialization, respite, and more.

The afternoon will conclude with a performance by Leonard E. Barrett, a member of PHAMALY (Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League) and winner of the Colorado Theatre Guild Henry and Denver Post Ovation Rachel Simon Awards for Best Actor in a Musical.

A dessert and art reception featuring paintings by Zach Inkeles will follow Leonard’s performance. The refreshments are provided by La Vie Catering with kosher supervision by Vaad.

JDN is comprised of Jewish organizations dedicated to addressing the needs of Jewish people with special needs of all kinds and their families.

It is a collaborative program of Jewish Family Service of Colorado, its SHALOM Denver work center, Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, Keshet of the Rockies, and the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center.

Visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org for more event details or contact Inna Ermakov at 303.623.0251 or iermakov@jewishfamilyservice.org.

If you would like to attend and need specific accommodations at the event, please contact Inna. l

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NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DENVER, COLORADO

Joyce and Kal Zeff Building 3201 South Tamarac Drive Denver CO 80231-4394

PERMIT NO. 1217

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED tel: 303-597-5000 fax: 303-597-7700 www.jewishfamilyservice.org Beneficiary Agency of Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado and Mile High United Way

Reel Hope 2011 Senator Joyce Foster, Rabbi Steve Foster, and honoree Sue Allon

Dean Prina, M.D., 2010 Jack Shapiro Community Service Award winner, greets Yana Vishnitsky, JFS president and CEO See article and more photos on pages 1 and 2

Reel Hope Committee members Ken and Robin Glickstein and Tammy Schiff