January/February 2015 Family Matters

FamilyMatters Volume 25, No. 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Phyllis Chin: “JFS Saved My Life” Family Safety Net page 6

BRIGHT HOLIDAYS Program Spotlight page 8 HANDLING HEARTBREAK Mental Health Matters page 10 GAY AND GRAY Seniors Matter page 11

A PUBLICATION OF

From the CEO A Growing Need….

The work of Jewish Family Service—its programs and strategic

direction—has always been built around the needs of our community. Over the years, our programs and direction have changed significantly.

We used to resettle Holocaust survivors and then Russian refugees. Years ago, we were an adoption agency.

Today we’re serving seniors in our community, providing mental health counseling to kids in school, and helping people stay in their homes by providing food and financial aid. We’re offering these services today because that’s where the need is.

Our responsiveness and Yana Vishnitsky innovation are the qualities that have propelled our growth and established our reputation for excellence.

Our impact is increasing. We are touching more and more lives each year—25,000 lives

in just the last year. But moving forward, we are faced with a challenge. How are we going to meet the growing demand for services? The trends are eye-opening: • The number of seniors in the Denver metro area is expected to grow by 150% by 2030.

• One in five people will experience a major mental health disorder in their lifetime.

• One in five children in Colorado live in poverty and experience hunger.

• Housing costs in the Denver metro area are continuing to rise at unprecedented levels while wages remain flat.

Who is going to respond to these needs?

Jewish Family Service is. We have to. It’s our mission and our obligation. But to meet these future needs, we must prepare now, and we’re going to need your help. I hope I can count on you to join hands with us for the long haul. It’s important. Our community is counting on us.

B’shalom,

Yana Vishnitsky, LCSW President & CEO

Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome life’s challenges to live fuller, more meaningful lives. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently in their homes, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis. Every year, the agency benefits more than 25,000 people of all ages, faiths, incomes, and abilities.

For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org.

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FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

February Is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month Breaking from the tradition

of having one event in recognition of Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month, Jewish Disabilities Network (JDN) and our supporting agencies are planning activities throughout the year for clients and their families and for anyone who would like to join us in promoting inclusion.

We are rolling out a new version of “No Shush Shabbat,” which we are calling “Chessed Without Boundaries.” This program is a Kabbalat Shabbat program that enables us to welcome Shabbat with different congregations in the community. The format is teaching and reaching within ourselves to fill our souls with the special feelings of Shabbat. There will be a strong musical component to this service and in some cases (where permitted), we will add the sounds of musical instruments.

There will be special service booklets, which we will share with congregations who would like to host this special Shabbat program.

BMH-BJ will host the first “Chessed Without Boundaries” service on Friday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m.

FOLLOW US!

In February, events will highlight disability awareness and inclusion throughout our community: • February 1: Magical Mitzvah Tour—Congregation B’nai Havurah • February 8: Tu B’Shvat Seder— Rodef Shalom • February 21: Concert with Rick Recht— Temple Micah • February 22: YACHAD Disability Sensitivity Training—Hebrew Educational Alliance (HEA) Please watch the JFS website to find out what other programs that support our mission of inclusivity and awareness will be happening during the upcoming months. If any synagogue or temple would like to host a program that supports disabilities awareness or inclusivity, please contact Lynn Rubenstein, JDN program coordinator, at 303.623.0251 x204 or lrubenstein@jewishfamilyservice.org.

www.facebook.com/jfscolorado

STAFF Anniversaries

www.twitter.com/JFS_Colo

Congratulations to the following staff members celebrating their anniversaries in January and February:

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

10 years: Arleen Gershen, psychotherapist, and Lisa Ruby, SHALOM Denver TANF case manager 5 years: Chad Livermore, pantry supply coordinator

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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JFS Raised Record Amount at

Real Hope 2014!

More than 550 people

hit the red carpet at Sports Authority Field at Mile High to pay tribute to Sheila Bugdanowitz and Sheryl Goodman at JFS’s fundraising event, Real Hope.

Everyone enjoyed the fabulous party, complete with cocktails, decadent food stations, and passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Epicurean. A surprise highlight during the cocktail reception by Frequent Flyer Productions included stilt walkers, silk rope aerialists, and an object manipulator.

The honorees, Sheila and Sheryl, shared their personal, heartfelt connections to JFS after receiving their awards. Both women received standing ovations from the packed room. JFS Senior Solutions client and Holocaust survivor Eddie Fiss told his touching story of how JFS helped him in the 1950s when he moved to this country and continues to help him today. At the end of the evening, guests were treated to an amazing live performance by state champion a capella group MIX, from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Thanks to the hard work of our Real Hope co-chairs Barry Curtiss-Lusher, Debra Herz, Arlene Hirschfeld, Don Kortz, Dean Prina, M.D., Carol Sobel, and Irit Waldbaum, the Real Hope committee, and our honorees, this event raised $566,000, which made it our most successful fundraiser ever! Thank you to Elaine and Max Appel for providing the matching gift opportunity. A special thank-you to all the wonderful community-minded individuals, organizations, and corporations that supported the agency through this event.

Please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/realhope to view Real Hope 2014 photos.

Honorees Sheila Bugdanowitz and Sheryl Goodman with JFS Board Chair Eric Pollock and JFS President and CEO Yana Vishnitsky.

Photo credit: Jack Greene

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Event co-chairs Barry Curtis-Lusher, Debra Herz, Irit Waldbaum, and Carol Sobel. Not pictured: Arlene Hirschfeld, Don Kortz, and Dean Prina, M.D.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors: Chief Executive Larry and Carol Mizel Presidential

Steve and Elizabeth Kris Joyce Zeff Chief Operating

Jack and Celeste Grynberg Brent and Julie Morse Philip and Elle Winn Chief Financial

Marshall and Helene Abrahams Elaine and Max Appel Barry and Gay Curtiss-Lusher Rick and Sheila Bugdanowitz Tom and Cydney Marsico Roberta and Bernie Naiman Eric and Ellen Pollock Executive VP The Chotin Foundation— Steven and Robin Chotin Collegiate Peaks Bank Freeman Family Foundation David and Michelle Friedman Ken and Rebecca Gart Peggy Goldman Lynda M. Goldstein Jon and Sheryl Goodman Charlie Gwirtsman and Nancy Reichman Debra Herz Gary and Debbie Mandelbaum MassMutual Colorado David & Laura Merage Foundation The Moskowitz Family Foundation

Pluss Family Foundation Richard and Michele Right Rose Community Foundation Rose Medical Center Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Ron Vaughn and Karen Robinson Gary & Terri Yourtz Foundation VP Linda Alvarado Joel and Tiffany Appel—Moda Man Michael S. Asarch Atlas Metal & Iron Corp.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Children’s Hospital Colorado CoBiz Financial Elway’s Steak Restaurant and Hacienda Colorado The Feiner Family Foundation— Michael and Debbie Feiner Will and Sheri Gold Barbara Goldburg A. Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld Julian Izbiky and Jennifer Rothschild Robert Kaufmann and Jennifer Gilbert-Kaufmann Michael Opatowski and Ruth Malman Julius and Rose Pluss Meyer and Geri Bader Saltzman Chet and Louise Schwartz The Sturm Family Foundation Warren and Ruth Toltz Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Associate Acme Distribution Centers Philip and Nancy Anschutz Gary and Donna Antonoff Larry and Marilyn Atler Dan and Carla Bartell Charles and Regina Biederman Justin and Tobey Borus Alan and Gayle Boxer Steven and Jo Ellen Cohen Colorado Real Estate Journal The Colorado Trust Fred and Maxine Davine

Denver Health Foundation Feldman Mortuary, Inc. Rabbi Steven and Senator Joyce Foster Susan Friedman and Bobbi Lou Miller Marvin and Nancy Gart Sally Striker Gart Thomas and Marjorie Gart Lezlie Goldberg Tim and Karen Griffin David and Ronnie Hauptman Ian D Gardenswartz and Associates Karsh Fulton Gabler Joseph PC Randall and Susan Karsh Robert and Kathleen Klugman David and Judith Koff Don and Mary Lou Kortz Gary Kortz and Kathleen Odle Buzz and Shelley Krovitz Bradley Levin and Patti Robinson Gary and Connie Levine Marvin and Bebe Levy Evan and Evelyn Makovsky Howard Miller and Amy Toltz-Miller Rick and Mindy Miller MorEvents—Gareth Heyman and Betsy Mordecai Heyman Rob and Robyn Naiman New York Deli News Michael and Devra Ochs Jordon and Essie Perlmutter Andrea Pollack and William Hankinson Robinson Management Company Seff Group, P.C. Shanahan’s Shanghai Kitchen Stephan and Kerry Shelanski Louis and Lori Sigman Carol Sobel John Spafford and Andrea Shpall Springwood Retirement Campus Temple Sinai Andrew Thompson and Cynthia Hilb Jorge and Francine Topelson TriCuzz Productions Irwin and Carol Wagner Art and Irit Waldbaum

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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FAMILY Safety Net

Phyllis Chin: “JFS Saved My Life”

In just one day, Phyllis Chin’s life

completely fell apart. First she lost her job and then she lost her husband.

On a fateful October day, Phyllis had gotten into an especially heated argument with her boss. She had worked for him for 18 years. This time, he pushed her over the edge. She wanted out and demanded that he let her go so she could qualify for unemployment. He finally did. She was relieved to finally leave a very stressful situation.

When she came home, her husband, Walter, suggested they go out to celebrate.

They decided to head up to Central City for a nice dinner and a little gambling.

The evening turned out to be far from a celebration. In the middle of their meal, Walter fell off his chair. He had a major heart attack. Despite the best efforts by first responders and hospital personnel, he didn’t make it. Phyllis was devastated. “I was shocked,” recalls Phyllis. “I wasn’t prepared to lose my husband so suddenly.”

Phyllis’s troubles Phyllis Chin were just beginning.

She was destroyed emotionally, but took comfort in knowing that she would be okay financially. Walter had often talked about his life insurance policy and she assumed the best. She soon learned that he hadn’t paid the premiums and the policy had lapsed. His death was not covered.

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FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Other than un“JFS is my go-to employment, Phyllis organization had no income, but when I’m trying she did have considto help friends erable debt. Before and neighbors long, her world in crisis.” started to collapse.

Within a few months, —Phyllis Chin she lost her home to foreclosure. She had to give up two of her three beloved dogs, which broke her heart, and lost her car. She was forced to have an estate sale to sell whatever belongings she could.

All of the trauma left Phyllis deeply depressed to the point that she was contemplating suicide. Thanksgiving and Christmas were especially tough. She eventually experienced what she believes to be a nervous breakdown.

Phyllis started looking for help from various agencies in town, with little luck. She was able to gain access to some food, but she needed more than that. She needed a long-term living solution that she could afford. In addition, she needed financial help to get her back on her feet.

She finally called JFS and met with Shelly Hines, director of Family Safety Net Services.

That’s when her situation began to improve.

“Shelly was an angel from heaven above,” says Phyllis. “She bent over backwards to help and believe me, I needed a lot of help.”

“Shelly spent hours researching a housing solution that I could afford,” recalls Phyllis.

“She completed mountains of paperwork and helped me access some benefits.” Now Phyllis is living in an attractive HUD-subsidized, one-bedroom apartment in Englewood that costs her just $289 a month. It’s a living situation she can afford on her limited income.

“JFS also helped me move in by paying the down payment.”

Support JFS While Shopping at King Soopers!

“JFS saved my life,” says Phyllis. “Everything in my life turned completely upside down in one fateful day. I thank the Lord every day for JFS.” That happened more than a decade ago, and JFS continues to support Phyllis. The agency helped her get glasses and paid her rent after she had surgery and was struggling financially. She has been treated so well by the agency that she refers others who have fallen on tough times. “JFS is so responsive to people in need,” she says. “It’s my go-to organization when I’m trying to help friends and neighbors in crisis. People are always treated with dignity and respect and I know the staff will do everything they can do to help.”

Raising funds for JFS is as easy

as going grocery shopping. Simply purchase a reloadable King Soopers gift card from us for $20. Take your gift card to your King Soopers store and load more money on it before you start shopping, then swipe your gift card like you would a credit card to pay for your groceries. It’s that easy!

Every time JFS supporters reach $5,000 or more in reloads (as a group, not just you individually), we will receive a rebate check for 5% of the total amount.

Learn more and purchase a card by visiting www.jewishfamilyservice.org/ KingSoopers!

Spiritual Healing Bereavement Group Begins February 4 Rafael Spiritual Healing Services, a program of

Jewish Family Service, will offer a weekly bereavement group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group will meet on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., beginning on February 4 and running through March 25. This unique eight-session group not only supports people through the process of grieving but also fosters connections with self, faith, and community by integrating Jewish traditions and rituals.

The group will be cofacilitated by Rabbi Eliot Baskin, D.Min, Jewish community chaplain, and Arleen Gershen, LCSW, a JFS psychotherapist. The cost for the eight sessions is $100; arrangements can be made for those who may have difficulty paying.

For more information or to sign up for the group, contact Arleen Gershen at 720.248.4598 or agershen@jewishfamilyservice.org.

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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PROGRAM Spotlight The Weinberg Food Pantry

Behind the Scenes with Bright Holidays

is a very visible part of our Family Safety Net department, but a lot happens behind the scenes. We just wrapped up a successful holiday season in which we provided Thanksgiving meals to nearly 250 families and Bright Holidays gifts to 400 individuals. What does it take to distribute these holiday meals and gifts?

Some important ingredients are spreadsheets, employees with excellent organizational skills, more spreadsheets, and great volunteers!

Preparation for both holiday programs starts in August with internal planning meetings to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Shelley Tait, Family Safety Net administrative assistant since 2011, plays an integral role

Andrea Stillman and Shelley Tait pose with a few of the many Bright Holidays gifts.

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FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

in facilitating the food and gift distribution for these holidays. For Thanksgiving she organizes the client registration process, tracks all of the donated food, helps secure food donations from corporate partners, and checks clients in when they come for their Thanksgiving food.

At the same time, Shelley also coordinates the Bright Holidays program, which entails matching nearly 100 donors with 400 gift recipients before Thanksgiving so that the donors have plenty of time to shop. Sounds simple, but a lot of time, creativity, and care go into this matching process. Not only is she working with individual donors, but there are many businesses, synagogue groups, and schools that participate.

“Since I have been overseeing the Bright Holidays program for the last few years, I have built strong relationships with many of the donors who give each year,” says Shelley. “I try my best to fill the donors’ requests while making sure the clients’ needs are being met. A lot of donors really like involving their kids or grandkids with shopping. Other donors do not have kids or that many people to shop for, but everyone is happy to help.”

In the matching process, Shelley reads all of the client information provided by our case managers and therapists. As she learns about the various situations of refugee families, seniors, and others whom we help, she is inevitably brought to tears.

When donors are matched with gift recipients, they receive a brief description of the family and their current situation; how JFS is helping; each person’s age, ethnicity, and gender; the requested items; and clothing sizes.

“Many of the families only ask for warm clothes and boots or household necessities,” says Shelley. “Most donors like to supplement with

toys, games, or other fun things, too.”

As all of the gifts come in, Andrea Stillman, a dedicated volunteer, helps Shelley organize them so that everything gets to the intended recipients. The gifts are then given to the case managers and therapists to deliver to their clients. Thank-you letters go out at the end of December and then Shelley and the rest of the Family Safety Net department gear up for Passover and Lunchbox Express.

Shelley puts her heart into this project and it shows! We get countless letters and calls from gift recipients saying how much they appreciate the thoughtful gifts. Parents are teary-eyed knowing that their kids got to celebrate the holidays, and seniors really enjoy receiving things that they could not otherwise afford. Donors tell us how much they loved the experience of providing these gifts.

“It’s really unique to see the whole Bright Holidays program come full circle,” says Shelley. “From getting the referrals from the staff and enrolling the donors, to receiving the

gifts and distributing them, I “It’s really unique get to witness how everyone to see the whole involved benefits.”

Bright Holidays In addition to all of program come the work Shelley does for full circle.” these holiday programs, she —Shelley Tait handles all of the data entry for grant reporting, runs in-kind donation reports, tracks all donated and purchased food for the pantry, helps in the pantry when it is busy, conducts housing inspections for grants, and pitches in wherever necessary.

Shelly Hines, Family Safety Net director, says, “Shelley has to know about every program in our department because she helps in all areas. Her ‘other duties as assigned’ seems to be the main part of her job! She helps our department in countless ways.” Shelly adds, “Thank you to our entire department for working so well together at all times of the year, but particularly during the busy holiday season.”

Clean Out Your Closets to Help JFS! An easy way to help JFS serve those in

need is by cleaning out your closets! Your donation of gently used clothing, shoes, and household items through Healing Minds generates funds that support the mental health programs at JFS and subsidize the cost of counseling services for our clients. Schedule a home pickup online at www.healingmindspickup.org or by calling 303.232.4483.

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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MENTAL HEALTH

Matters

Handling Heartbreak

By Marcia Jo Vaziri, MA, LPC

The ending

of a love relationship can be devastating. You feel blindsided, rejected, and abandoned. “I’ve been dumped.” “How could they do this to me?” “I don’t deserve this.” Your emotions are all over the place. You can’t drive without crying or having a panic attack. You fear you might be having a mental breakdown.

How can this be so painful?

Heartbreak is universal. The response is visceral. We physically feel pain in our chest and our heart actually hurts. It can be hard to breathe or even remain standing. We can’t eat or sleep.

Our body is going into a grief response.

As humans, we are meant to attach from the moment we are born. When we find someone to love, we attach to them. We connect with a strong bond. When someone breaks that bond, we’re lost. Our world is off its axis for a while. We’re not even sure what Marcia Jo Vaziri to do first. Some immediately begin to reach out to friends and family for support, as they have a sense that they can’t go it alone. Others are embarrassed, ashamed, and don’t want to tell anyone what’s happened for fear they’ll be judged. These people sit alone with their pain and sadness, often leading to depression. Though not always, men often have a harder time seeking support during this time and they are more likely to experience depression.

Often you can only talk about this for so long to friends before they lose compassion and patience. They advise you to get over it and start saying things like “At least you weren’t married” or “You broke up, big deal. People break up.

Get over it and move on.” “Lucky you found out now what kind of person he/she was.”

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FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Or “There’s plenty of fish in the sea.” You’re thinking, but I want that fish, my fish. You can’t let go.

How do you let go? Here are some things you can do: • Remember that you cannot control another person. Resist the urge to idealize and perseverate on the past.

• Get those endorphins going; it’s the body’s natural painkiller. Exercise, volunteer, or find a passion.

• Lean on your support system.

• Examine your own part in the relationship and identify lessons learned. Write about the experience in a journal, poem, or book.

If you feel stuck and unable to move forward with your life, you may want to join a support group or begin individual therapy with a therapist who can help you navigate those deep, resistant waters of letting go.

I work with many people who’ve experienced the loss of a love relationship, and I can say that there is hope. Your heart will indeed heal and ideally you will muster enough strength to take the risk of opening your heart again.

Marcia Jo Vaziri, a licensed professional therapist with 30 years of experience providing psychotherapy to adults and couples, has worked with JFS since 1995. Her specialty areas include anxiety disorders and depression, trauma, grief counseling, marital therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Marcia also facilitates Strength Through Sharing, a support and educational group for those dealing with a mentally ill family member.

SENIORS

Matter

By Cathy Grimm, LCSW, JFS Senior Solutions director, and Laura Harter, MSW, LCSW, JFS Senior Solutions care manager

The aging baby boomer

population is taking our country by storm.

In Colorado today, one in eight residents is over the age of 60, and by the year 2020, Colorado’s population of those aged 60 and over will more than double! Just as important as serving aging America is the need to serve a growing yet often overlooked segment of that group: the aging gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Aging Initiative estimates that between one and three million Americans over the age of 65 are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. The number and proportion of GLBT seniors are expected to increase rapidly in the coming years, reaching roughly four million people by 2030.

Currently, the healthcare system and federal programs designed to assist seniors are not well equipped to serve the unique needs of the GLBT community. As a result, gay seniors often end up in isolation or are forced to compromise their sexual orientation or gender identity to access medical services and care. Strong quality of life is a desire for most people, and for the GLBT community it takes on new meaning. It means access to culturally competent senior service providers and an accepting climate among eldercare agencies.

So where can GLBT seniors turn?

Jewish Family Service is prepared to meet the needs of the aging GLBT community.

Through its Senior Solutions program, JFS provides a variety of services to help older adults stay strong, well, and independent.

Senior Solutions is managed by a staff of experienced care managers who provide consistent, high-quality care for all seniors and their families.

Gay and Gray Through its Hearts and Hands Homemaker program, JFS also provides homemaker services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the Denver area. Homemaker services include laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and grocery shopping, and are provided at no cost. It’s the only program of its type in the state of Colorado.

The numbers don’t lie. The aging GLBT population is a growing force, in both size and influence.

Now is the time for senior care providers to modernize and Cathy Grimm expand their programs to ensure culturally competent services and an accepting climate for the gay and gray in America. It’s also the time for GLBT seniors to seek out and demand senior solutions in their community that ensure good quality of life now and later in life.

For more information about how JFS is providing supportive and sensitive services, contact Cathy Grimm at Laura Harter 303.597.5000.

Cathy Grimm, LCSW, director of JFS at Home, JFS Senior Solutions, and Boulder JFS, develops and implements programs and services for the senior community. She has served JFS since 1995 and is a recognized expert in the field of aging.

Laura Harter, a licensed clinical social worker, provides care management and counseling in the JFS Senior Solutions department. Laura has worked with individuals and families across the lifespan, but enjoys the vibrancy and thoughtfulness that seniors personify.

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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THANK YOU for Caring!

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

The following donations reflect tribute gifts received from October 1 to November 30, 2014. 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.

Micah Rosenbaum Martin and Melissa Rosenbaum Jane E. Rosenbaum James and Ladeen Pluss Marilyn Rosenberg Terry Rubin Ed and Marlin Barad Jordan Saliman Arthur and Dorothy Malman

IN HONOR OF ANNIVERSARIES

IN HONOR OF MARRIAGE

Gary and Joyce Lozow Roger and Linny Pretekin Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Micky and Louann Miller Barry and Randie Winograd Carolyn Steele Joel and Eileen Yager Daniel Savin and Jill Levy

Jeff Olson and Laura Michaels Ellin, David, and Elizabeth Keene Ann Cohen, Renae Levin, Audrey Friedman Marcus, and Rachel Pollack

IN HONOR OF BAT MITZVAH

Sheila Bugdanowitz Firefly Fund Cathy Hall Stuart and Judy Heller Gilbert and Jane Hermann Elliott and Gloria Husney Jack and Andrea Hyatt Larry and Helayne Jones Ron and Gale Kahn Leslie Karotkin Eileen Naiman David and Helene Pollock Scott and Ellen Robinson Frank and Dena Schneider Robert and Julia Sherry Barry and Regina Silvestain Alan Tedeschi and Elaine Gampel Sheryl Goodman Mike and Tammy Abramovitz Peggy Brody Ken and Sheryl Feiler Firefly Fund Brian and Cathy Fleischmann Kenneth and Judy Friednash Zelda Friednash Barry and Karen Goldberg Hy Goren Lorna Gray Andrew and Lynne Greene Stuart and Judy Heller Elliott and Gloria Husney Richard Huttner and Lisa Schwartz Jack and Andrea Hyatt John and Leslie Keith Jeffrey and Jocelyn Kraus James and Elaine Moses Pam Naiman Rabbi Richard Rheins Discretionary Fund at Temple Sinai Richard and Phyllis Bleznak Family Philanthropic Fund Suzanne Robinson Michael and Ilene Rosen Michael and Patti Ross

Rebecca Chapman Cynthia Chapman Barbara Mayer Susan Schweppe Judy St Clair IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF A BABY Charlotte Rae Goldstein Larry and Susan Siegel Lucy Isabella Miller Michael and Harriet Greenstein Leonardo Valore-Caplan The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS Millicent Fieman Penny Berenbaum Sally Friedman Grace Horvat Ida Goldberger Betty Naster Judy Heller Jack and Celeste Grynberg Debra Herz Halene Weisbart Marsha Kempton Marvin Tyor Sylvia Levenson Regina Reichman Rikki Mor Martin and Marilyn Warren Larry Plotkin Eudice Lewkowitz Sherman Rich Don and Linda Neuman Amelia Rittenbaum Albert and Janice Dinner Dick Robinson Mimi Karsh Gerald and Linda Kernis

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W. Edward Schenkein and Judy Bloomberg Robert and Julia Sherry Mark and Leslie Sidell Barry and Regina Silvestain Fred and Lauren Sternburg Alan Tedeschi and Elaine Gampel Gareth and Carol Weiner Ellen Bleznak Wiss Bernard and Sharon Witkin IN HONOR OF ROSH HASHANAH Marie Cardin Grant-Cardin Family Philanthropic Fund

Justin and Sharon Roth Syril Beinhorn Kim Scholz Jeff Greenstein and Gail Krovitz Mirella Schreiber Marion Goldstein Evan Silverman Pegi Touff Sonya Singer HealthFirst Sandy Solove Lisa Solove Barbara Gould Joseph Kelly Temple Sinai JFS Staff and Volunteers Rabbi Richard and Rabbi Susan Rheins

IN HONOR OF IN HONOR OF THE RECIPIENT OF AN HONOR

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

IN MEMORY OF Rabbi Eliot Baskin Congregation Beth Evergreen Rabbi Discretionary Fund JFS Staff Members Feggy Bernstein George Brauchler Mike and Leora Wechsler Rabbi Deborah Bronstein Joseph Kelly Steve Ellis and Cathy Summer Hal and Risa Aqua Cathy Summer Brad Armstrong and Julie Dolin Douglas Johnson and Tamara Hertz Daniel Recht and Elaine Selsberg Anna Feldman Evie Cohen Morris Garnek Howard and Tilly Rollin Erna Garner Mirella Schreiber Esther Gershuny Sarah Bracha Gershuny Arnold and Susan Greenberg Kenneth Greenberg and Anna Maria Menza Steven Kris Martin and Gloria Trotsky Family Foundation Mo Levine Doris Fasbender Justin and Cari Levy Gayna Warren Mike Licht Howard and Susan Licht Leonard and Sylvia Litvak Elaina Block Gary Lozow Jerry and Terry Rubin Max Margules Todd Margules Sam, Joseph, Jack, and Hank Orzynski Tania Orzynski Sherman Rich Milton and Linda Brandwein David Rosenthal Richard and Rae Negreann

Arlene Abady Ralph and Marge Fisch Stanley Averch Penny Berenbaum Kristi Dinner, Melvin Dinner, and Wendy Dinner Charlotte Dubin Ron and Joyce Fishman Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Kathy Jolly Shirley Leff Pam Naiman Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Barbara Sidon Alan and Karen Stein Marlene Weiner Steve and Enid Wenner Betty Axelrod Klapman Marlene Siegel Arlette Baer Halene Weisbart Harvey Baer Lisa Saliman Madge Banks James and Wendy Berenbaum Julian Bernat Syril Beinhorn Margaret Bourne Mirella Schreiber Marvin Brilliant Oscar and Selma Sladek Janice Burnstein Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Harvey and Carol Karsh Larry and Susan Siegel Renee Singer, Cindy Polger, and Helen Rae Cohen Howard Coleman John and Barbara Martinez Daniel Cramer Mark and Susan Barter Lou and Andrea Rosenthall Evelyn Davidson Cynthia Chapman

Deceased Members of the Malina and Youngleman Families Sy and Horty Youngelman Diane Dinner Wendy Dinner Mildred Duhon Joe and Tsai Bilett Elliott Epstein Marcie Bayaz and Peggy Markson Kalman Flomenhaft Michael Silverman and Elizabeth Hoffman Barbara Freedberg Seymour and Shirley Beck Zelda Friednash Linda Levin Jonathan and Lisa Perlmutter Phillip A. Yeddis Company Frank and Dena Schneider Bill and Sandra Shefrin Susan Sulsky Carol Wilson Barbara Friedman Barr The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Marvin and Jackie Cooper Craig and Vicki Eskanos Kenneth and Linda Heller Harvey and Carol Karsh Barton and Marci Rivkin The Wenner Group, LLC/Transitions Wealth Management, LLC James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Howard and Sherrie Zeppelin Sid Friedman Joe Friedman and Mary Biondolillo Darrick Furer Bobbi Furer and Linda Scherrer Marion Gampel Alan Tedeschi and Elaine Gampel Stanley Gampel Alan Tedeschi and Elaine Gampel Bill Gold The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard David and Michelle Friedman Jon and Sheryl Goodman Kenneth and Linda Heller Eric and Ellen Pollock Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Arnold and Karen Stein James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Gerald Goldberg Cynthia Chapman Stephen Goldberg Lisa Saliman Steve Goldberg Joe and Tsai Bilett Robert and Diane Cohn David and Beth Lippa Larry Londer Gary and Joyce Lozow Allan and Sherry Tenenbaum

Walter Goldberg Dr. Anne and Mel Wernimont and Family Donor Advised Fund David Goldstein Bob and Rosey Godshaw Dorothy Grossfeld Phyllis Jacobs Joyce Miller Jerry Grossfeld The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Phyllis Jacobs Joyce Miller James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Jack Grubbs Kristi Dinner Keri Hale Myra Schneider Bertha Haugen Ruth Epstein Gloria Hendler Carolyn Roy Piney Hendler Carolyn Roy Jackie Hunt Marvin Tyor Thelma Hutt Joe and Tsai Bilett David and Beth Lippa Tiffany Radcliff Dee Isaacson Jeffrey and Sandra Barter Paul Isaacson Jeffrey and Sandra Barter Edel Jacobs Larry and Debra Jacobs Roselyn Jacobs Larry and Debra Jacobs Harriet Joseph The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Morris and Helen Ginsburg Andrew Goldberg Jon and Sheryl Goodman Robyn Hedly Dan and Candace Hepner Gary and Joyce Lozow David and Peggy Marks Pam Naiman Richard and Michele Right Chuck and Sharon Rosen Arnold and Karen Stein Howard and Sherrie Zeppelin Selma Jultak Joe and Tsai Bilett Don Larson The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Jeffrey Levine Larry and Carol Mizel Dorinda Levy Margot Cook Barbara Goldburg

Marc Goldburg and Elizabeth Noerdlinger Thomas and Susan Hilb Justin and Cari Levy Bradley and Sara Nieder Henry and Kathryn Rosquete Robert Rottman Robert and Doris Truhlar Alan Lottner Michael Blumenthal Henry Lowenstein The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Fredrick Glick Swanee Hunt Martin and Marsha Rubinowitz Gerald Luper Lawrence and Joann Litvak Adeline Lutz Seymour Rubenstein and Charlene Loup Abby Meisterplass Jon and Debbie Meisterplass David Miran Belle Miran Sol Miran Belle Miran Benjamin Moore Margaret Schaff Mom, Uncle Yous, Rubie, and Poppy Phillip and Marcie Munishor Nancy Neusteter Kenneth and Linda Heller Garth Nielson Cynthia Chapman Adrean Pepper Jon and Betty Heller Barton and Marci Rivkin Arnold and Karen Stein Ellen Pomerantz Kristi Dinner Ben and Robyn Friedman Bradley and Lisa Kornfeld Peter Schwartz Carol Reflow David and Gayle Ann Weinstein Louise Rickles Michael and Harriet Greenstein Elaine Rosenberg Andrew and Cari Friedman Gary and Joyce Lozow Bertram Rothschild Deborah Rothschild Phoebe Sadie Sarah Bracha Gershuny Paul Saliman Mark and Rachel Saliman Geri Saltzman’s Mom Jeffrey and Sandra Barter Michael Schatz Mark and Rachel Saliman

Earl Schlifkin The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Samuel Cheris and Susan Perlman Tad Herz Rosalie Martin David and Toni Roitman Brian and Rosen Leland Rudofsky Raphael and Nancy Schwartz Thomas and Sally Stich Charles Schneider Myra Schneider Minnie Schneider Myra Schneider John Schreiner Joe and Tsai Bilett Sol Shafner Mark and Susan Barter Joe and Tsai Bilett Marvin and Jackie Cooper Craig and Vicki Eskanos Shirley Gilman Rita Lundgren Lou and Andrea Rosenthall Myrtle Shor Sidman Morris Shander David Shander Pearl Shucard Hal and Karen Shucard Sidney Shucard Hal and Karen Shucard Gerald Sigman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Kenneth and Linda Heller Debra Herz Don and Janey Lozow Gary and Joyce Lozow Pam Naiman Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Halene Weisbart John Sigman Ben and Robyn Friedman Gary and Joyce Lozow Sandie Simons Sheri Ogilvie Bernard Singer HealthFirst Ilana Michelle Solomon Ari and Rachel Harrison Howard, Ivy, Anni, and Eythan Barbara Steinmetz Gladys Stern Feldman Mortuary, Inc. Lisa Saliman Beryl Tesler Joe and Tsai Bilett Aaron Tuneberg Tim and Gale Boonstra Lillian Weisbly Cathy Hall

Continued on page 15

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Mourning the Loss of Jill Friedman Fixler

By Nancy Benyamin, JFS Volunteer Services Director

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, volunteer professionals

around the world lost a powerful voice and strong advocate. Jill Friedman Fixler, a Denver native, lost her battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. Jill’s close family will undoubtedly mourn the loss of a mother, a wife, and a daughter. Jill’s loss will also be mourned by literally tens of thousands of followers of her progressive thoughts and forward thinking in the volunteer engagement field.

While I had known Jill for years, I was fortunate to run into her not long after I began working at Jewish Family Service as the volunteer coordinator in 2006. Jill would later tell me that she saw fear in my eyes as we began talking about my new role in the organization. Jill generously offered to take me under her wing and teach me the ins and outs of engaging volunteers within the nonprofit context. It wasn’t as if Jill had lots of

Jill Friedman Fixler

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free time. She had started her own consulting firm, JFFixler Group, to help nonprofits across the country engage volunteers to enhance the resources needed to “serve more clients, deliver more programs, strengthen staffs, and spread organizational messages more widely.” Jill kindly offered to meet with me on a monthly basis to help me navigate the sometimes choppy waters of working with staff and volunteers.

We met for the next three years, as student and teacher. I know, as the student, that I was like a sponge, trying to absorb all I could from my willing teacher. She helped me gain the self-confidence necessary to lead more than 900 volunteers. She also taught me the skills needed to implement a volunteer engagement program that would help my coworkers recognize and embrace volunteers and realize that they are at the core of a healthy organization. Jill imparted to me that volunteers deserve a strong and reasoned voice to advocate on their behalf, and it takes leadership to be that voice.

The lessons from this teacher changed my life and also impacted the lives of many other volunteer professionals. As I come into contact with volunteer professionals across the country, they often look at me with admiration in their eyes when I tell them that I worked with Jill (or more accurately, Jill worked with me) during those three years. Jill’s efforts and dedication redefined the way we see the role of volunteers in organizations. Like ripples in a pond, the thoughts and ideas of Jill Friedman Fixler will continue to extend into our lives and will be felt for years to come.

Join the JFS Legacy Society!

If you want to ensure that Jewish Family Service is here to serve future generations,

support the agency with a legacy gift! The JFS Legacy Society is donors who have confirmed that JFS is listed as a beneficiary in their estate plans through bequests in a will or is a beneficiary of an insurance policy, retirement account, or trust.

Join Bruce and Jennifer Bendell, who say, “Our community benefits in so many ways from the breadth and expertise of all of JFS’s programs. We know our Live On pledge will have a direct impact on our community and ensure the future maintenance and retention of these valuable and greatly needed programs.”

If a legacy gift is in your future, please contact Dawn Richard, development director, at 720.248.4605 or drichard@jewishfamilyservice.org. If you have already remembered JFS in your will, please let us know so we can acknowledge your vision and include you in the Legacy Society.

JFS has partnered with Rose Community Foundation for Live On: Build Your Jewish Legacy, a two-year initiative to help Jewish schools, agencies and synagogues, and their leaders raise endowment funds through estate gifts.

THANK YOU for Caring!

IN MEMORY OF Roslyn Weiss Joe and Tsai Bilett Marshal West Stacy Pocrass and Terri Tilliss Laurie West-Roberts David and Anita West Richard Wooley Joe and Tsai Bilett Czarna Wulf Mark and Susan Barter The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Melba Kolling Reb Zalman Schacter Aaron Claman and Tova Jacober Robert Zinn Linda Roberts Zinn WITH GRATITUDE FOR Betty Goldstein Howard Susskind Myrtle Goldstein Howard Susskind Allan Sulzer Richard and Patricia Levenberg

WITH WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY Louis Bobrick Phyllis Goodman Beth Breinan Sarah Bracha Gershuny Barbara Goldburg The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Peggy Brody Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Marsha Kaplan Michael and Harriet Greenstein Gary Levine Richard and Michele Right Chet and Louise Schwartz Estelle Miller Joseph Kelly Rob Naiman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Dick Robinson The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Fred and Maxine Davine Joann Rollnick Chet and Louise Schwartz

Continued from page 13

Robert Rottman Peggy Brody Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Sheila Rudofsky Cynthia Chapman Diane Samet Michael and Harriet Greenstein Marge Tepper Ben and Robyn Friedman In Kind DONORS Argosy University Congregation B’nai Chaim Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Congregation Beth Evergreen Congregation BMH-BJ Congregation B’nai Havurah Congregation Hebrew Educational Alliance Congregation Nevei Kodesh Congregation Rodef Shalom Denver Regional Council of Governments Ekar Farm Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill Safeway Temple Emanuel Temple Micah Temple Sinai Trader Joe’s Whole Foods at Tamarac

FAMILY MATTERS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

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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 80231-4394

DENVER, COLORADO PERMIT NO. 1217

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED tel: 303.597.5000 fax: 303.597.7700 www.jewishfamilyservice.org

Beneficiary Agency of JEWISHcolorado and Mile High United Way

Social services for Jewish Nazi victims have been supported by a grant from The Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

SAVE THE DATE JFS Executive Luncheon Featuring Keynote Speaker

EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON Thursday, May 7, 2015 Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center Sponsorships available.

Contact Lisa Benoit, 720.248.4633, lbenoit@jewishfamilyservice.org.