FamilyMatters Volume 23, No. 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

Providing a Social and Jewish Connection for Rafi Mednick Disability and Employment Services page 6

JFS AT HOME Program Spotlight

page 3

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS Volunteer Spotlight page 4

REEL HOPEMeet 2013 the Honorees

A PUBLICATION OF

page 8

From the CEO Dear Friends,

I often hear

JFS donors bring up a metric commonly used in deciding which charitable organization to support: the percentage of a nonprofit’s expenses that go to administrative and fundraising costs. I think that measuring overhead as the primary gauge of an agency’s performance is misguided, especially when it is used in isolation. There’s so much more to the equation. I want you to pay attention to every factor of our performance, including transparency, innovation, leadership, and most important, impact. I don’t want to suggest that overhead has no role in ensuring accountability. It’s something we watch very carefully. JFS’s overhead ratio last year was 18%, which is very good by industry standards. It means that for every dollar we take in, 82 cents goes to support our programming and only 18 cents is used for administration and fundraising. It means that we are careful stewards of your contributions. The overhead ratio can provide insight and offer a valid data point for identifying fraud and poor financial management. But in most cases, focusing on overhead without considering other critical aspects of financial and organizational performance does more harm than good.

Yana Vishnitsky

Nonprofits need to spend more on overhead, not less. Overhead includes important investments like training, planning, evaluation, and internal systems, as well as efforts to raise funds that make programming possible. These investments help JFS sustain itself and improve. When donors focus solely on overhead, it can create a culture of starvation. You can starve an agency by removing its ability to grow, innovate, and build the infrastructure it needs to operate and deliver on its mission. When you’re making your charitable giving decisions, consider the big picture. The people and communities served by agencies like JFS don’t need low overhead, they need the tools to deliver excellence. 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 at home, 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 20,000 people of all ages, faiths, incomes, and abilities. For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org. 2

FAMILY MATTERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

PROGRAM Spotlight

JFS at Home

Did you know that Jewish Family

Service runs a licensed homecare agency called JFS at Home? Whether you are an older adult in need of extra help at home, recovering from surgery, living with a chronic illness, or helping an older parent find services, you can turn to JFS at Home to deliver excellent care. Our care managers will work with you to create a customized care plan to meet your individual needs, including full- or part-time, long- or short-term, or 24/7. Our compassionate care providers offer assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, hygiene, and eating; medication reminders; light housekeeping; laundry; cooking; shopping and errands; transportation; and arranging social activities. In a recent JFS at Home client survey, 93% of clients were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” that “our JFS at Home care provider did things the way the client wanted them done, was compassionate, and took an interest in the client as a person.” Comments included: • “Our caregiver was outstanding in every way.” • “All activities were top-notch.” • “We were very satisfied with your service and will use again if we come back to Denver.” One client, Eileen Price, shared her story and experience with JFS at Home: “For 60 years, my husband and I shared all the fun and chores of daily life. Since he died a year ago, the fun is gone but all the chores remain to be dealt with—alone. At first, family, friends, and neighbors saw to it that I was well cared for. But I quickly realized that relying on friends was a temporary solution. I needed some stability in my life to maintain my independence. JFS at Home was a great solution for me. My goal was to stay in my home. I am getting the little bit of help that I need so I can still have my independence. It was a positive

Eileen with her caregiver, Sandra.

experience from the start. When I called JFS, the response was quick, cordial, and efficient. The staff worked with me and we decided to start with three hours each week. It has worked out beautifully. I adore my caregiver, Sandra, and couldn’t have asked for a better match. She’s a perky, sweet person with a generous smile who would do anything for me. We love to chat. We’ve really developed a special friendship.” Cathy Grimm, JFS at Home director, says, “The quality services we provide give family caregivers a much-needed break and provide peace of mind that their loved ones are well cared for. If you are taking care of a family member or need some extra assistance yourself, I encourage you to give us a call to see how we can help!” For more information about JFS at Home, please call 303.750.4000 or visit www.jfsathome.com. FAMILY MATTERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

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VOLUNTEER Weinberg Food Pantry Spotlight Weekly Volunteers We could not operate the

Weinberg Food Pantry without our group of dedicated weekly volunteers! Each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday that the pantry is open, 39 kind, knowledgeable people report for duty to stock the shelves, greet customers and help them shop “We could not serve the number for their food, load the groceries into some clients’ cars, and of families we keep things running smoothly. do without our Recently, the Weinberg committed corps Food Pantry staff held volunteer of volunteers.” appreciation events each day —Myrna Maldonado the pantry was open for a week. In addition to praise and thanks from staff, clients wrote beautiful messages of gratitude—in several languages—to the volunteers on a giant card that now hangs in the pantry. Below are a few of the comments in the card: • “The volunteers have helped my family with incredible help and strength!” • “I really appreciate everything you guys do in this pantry. I am including the rest of the offices inside this building connected to the food pantry. The pantry has helped me and

my family for almost eight years now. G-d bless you.” • “Gracias por toda la ayuda brindada para mi familia. Muchas gracias.” • “Thank you for being nice. G-d is love.” “Each year we distribute nearly 450,000 pounds of food to more than 1,600 households,” says Myrna Maldonado, Family Safety Net coordinator. “With limited staff, we rely on these volunteers to ensure that food is sorted, shelves are stocked, clients’ needs are met, and people are treated with dignity and respect when they visit the pantry. We could not serve the number of families we do without our committed corps of volunteers!” Thank you to the following weekly volunteers: Dick and Olga Ashworth, Judy and Lyle Baumgartner, Cecilia Castagnozzi, Ted Clark, Gail Cohen, Dan Dinner, Avi Grinberg, Simon Kaganov, Camran Kazemian, Cindy Klasco, Aubrey and Kay Knight, Sherry Levitt, Gail Levy, Steve Lubell, Toby Lubell, Mindy Levy Peckar, Karen Robinson, Suzanne Rothman, Diane Rubinstein, Susan Schneckner, Mickey Siegel, Andrea Stillman, Lori Stonbraker, Gary Uhlmann, Glenn Wallis, Justin Weiss, and Esther Wershaw.

Tuesday pantry volunteers (L to R): Susan Schneckner, Gary Uhlmann, Gail Cohen, and Simon Kaganov. Not pictured: Diane Rubinstein, Karen Robinson, and Esther Wershaw.

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Thank you to these volunteer delivery drivers who bring food to homebound clients: David Benyamin, Steven Goldstein, Stephen Green, Don Griss, Robert Guttsmann, David Klein, Ellen Lemberg, Mark Melnick, Brent Morse, Neil Serafin, and Michael Williamson. We also greatly appreciate the following businesses, synagogues, Wednesday pantry volunteers (L to R): Steve Lubell, Lori Stonbraker, and other organizations that brought Avi Grinberg, Sherry Levitt, Dan Dinner, Cecilia Castagnozzi, Ted Clark, groups to sort food in the pantry last and Camran Kazemian. Not pictured: Suzanne Rothman and Justin Weiss. fiscal year: Aish Denver, Argosy University Denver, BMH-BJ, B’nai Havurah, Denver School of Nursing, J Connection, South Denver Fencing Academy, Temple Emanuel, Temple Sinai, Tiemeier & Stitch, Walgreens, Wenger Women’s Group, and YAD Cares.

Weinberg Food Pantry by the Numbers

(data from fiscal year 2013)

• 335 people spent a total of 4,898 hours volunteering in the pantry • The dollar value of volunteer service in the pantry was $108,442 • 12 delivery drivers spent 241 hours delivering meals to homebound clients • 242 people spent 550.5 hours sorting food in the pantry • 19 teens volunteered for 110 hours during monthly Mitzvah Corps sessions • 18 people spent 44 hours sorting, packing, and distributing food for Thanksgiving

Friday pantry volunteers (L to R): Lyle Baumgartner, Olga Ashworth, Mindy Levy Peckar, Mickey Siegel, Kay Knight, and Aubrey Knight. Not pictured: Judy Baumgartner and Dick Ashworth.

Family Matters is published bimonthly by Jewish Family Service of Colorado, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver CO 80231 www.jewishfamilyservice.org FAMILY MATTERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

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Disability and Employment Services Providing a Social and Jewish Connection for Rafi Mednick

For Rafi Mednick and his mother,

Ellen, the Jewish Disabilities Network (JDN) has been a blessing. Rafi lives with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes behavioral and learning challenges. Rafi was born in Israel in September 1973 and spent his one-month birthday in a bomb shelter when the Yom Kippur War started. Rafi’s family moved to New York when he was 18 months old and he was diagnosed as having developmental disabilities at age two. “Doctors told us he would never be able to ride a tricycle,” says his mother, Ellen. “We didn’t know what kind of life Rafi would lead, if he would be able to attend ‘regular’ schools, or if he would ever be able to live independently.”

Rafi Mednick working at SHALOM Denver.

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As Rafi got older, his cognitive challenges increased and it took him longer than other children his age to do most things. His family didn’t have a name for his disability until age 16, when he was formally diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. “We were relieved to finally know what Rafi’s condition was so that we could get the right help and see specialists,” explains Ellen. Growing up, Rafi was in self-contained classrooms in school and graduated from high school at age 21. “He definitely had cognitive challenges, especially in math, but he did quite well in school,” says Ellen. He and his brother, who is five years younger, were in high school together. “My younger son is a doctor at NYU Medical Center and a lot of his empathy comes from having Rafi as a brother. He always had the idea that he was going to cure his brother, which motivated him to be a doctor,” Ellen says proudly. The Mednicks moved to Denver 15 years ago and got involved with the Jewish Disabilities Network two years later. Ellen attended all of the parent meetings, got resources and referrals for services that could help Rafi, and received support from staff and other parents. Rafi and Ellen went to many social activities and enjoyed classes where they learned about Jewish customs and holidays. “Those parent meetings and cultural classes were so helpful to me for many years,” says Ellen. Rafi moved into his own apartment seven years ago. He

lives independently with connection. Having JDN and “Rafi’s ability to assistance from a caregiver SHALOM in his life adds to the communicate, who helps him prepare his of his life, brings him joy, interact with others, quality dinner. About two years and gives him the opportunity to and bring joy to ago he started working at participate in the community.” people is amazing.” Rafi has attended many Jewish SHALOM Denver doing —Ellen Mednick mailing and assembly holiday events, Shabbat dinners, projects on the production and Summer Magic camp at floor. “I like it at SHALOM!” says Rafi enthusiShwayder. “The ropes course was my favorite astically. “The people are nice and I like getting part of camp,” says Rafi with a smile. Ellen a paycheck.” It’s obvious when you see him at says that the Jewish aspect of these programs work that he has a lot of friends at SHALOM is important because it creates a connection to and enjoys being there. Judaism that he wouldn’t otherwise get. His mother adds, “Since he’s been working Rafi just turned 40 in September and lives at SHALOM, he sees Inna Ermakov [JDN a full life; he works at SHALOM Denver four coordinator] and finds out the schedule of days a week, attends many outings and holiday social activities. He’ll then call me and tell me events with Jewish Disabilities Network, and which ones he wants to go to, so it’s great that lives independently. That little boy who doctors he is leading his own social life more now!” said wouldn’t ride a tricycle now mountain Ellen says that the social connection Rafi bikes, downhill skis, and even has a gold gets from both JDN activities and his job medal in cross-country skiing from the Special at SHALOM is very meaningful. “He looks Olympics! Rafi’s dad, Larry, is amazed at his forward to going to work and to the social achievements. Ellen says, “He has made so activities. He often calls me during the day to much progress. He is certainly disabled, but his tell me he’s doing great work and to ask if I’m ability to communicate, interact with others, proud of him,” says Ellen. “Even if he had a job and bring joy to people is amazing.” somewhere else, he wouldn’t have that social

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.

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Meet the Reel Hope 2013 Honorees! Reel Hope, Jewish Family Service’s

annual benefit film screening, returns for its 18th year on Monday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. The 2013 gala event will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Kevin Taylor, a short program, and a film screening (to be announced). The highlight of the evening will be the recognition of three special individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to Jewish Family Service and our community for many years: Norman Brownstein as the Kal Zeff Business Leader of the Year and Rabbi Steven and Colorado Senator Joyce Foster as the Jack Shapiro Community Service Award recipients. The event efforts are being led by cochairs Ed Barad, David and Allison Foster, Danny and Becky Foster, and Debbie Foster. Tickets are $180 and sponsorship packages start at $1,500. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/ReelHope or contact Lisa Mehl at 720.248.4633 or lmehl@jewishfamilyservice.org.

Learn more about the honorees! Norman Brownstein, 2013 Kal Zeff Business Leader of the Year A founding member and chairman of the board of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Norm Brownstein is nationally recognized for his extensive experience in real estate law, commercial transactions, and public policy advocacy. He is also widely acknowledged for his commitment to community service. The National Law Journal named Brownstein one of the 100 Most Influential

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Lawyers in America, and he was named one of Lawdragon’s 500 Top Leading Lawyers in America. He has also been included in Best Lawyers in America and Colorado Super Lawyers. Active in community affairs, Brownstein is involved in many activities on behalf of the University of Colorado and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), where he is currently vice president. He is presently a director of National Jewish Health and a trustee of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. He is a past presidential appointee of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council (19962006). He and the firm are longtime supporters of Jewish Family Service. “When my brother and I were bereft at the loss of our family, Jewish Family and Children’s Services (now Jewish Family Service) stepped in and gave us the wherewithal to redirect our lives,” says Brownstein. “JFS has sustained those in our community who need help for 141 years, and G-d willing and with the support of our entire community, they will continue to do so. Their good deeds and acts of loving kindness exemplify the highest Jewish values.”

Rabbi Steven and Colorado Senator Joyce Foster, 2013 Jack Shapiro Community Service Award Recipients Both Rabbi Steven Foster and Colorado State Senator Joyce Foster have dedicated their careers to serving our community. They have both supported and advocated on behalf of many nonprofits, including Jewish Family Service. Rabbi Foster spent his entire 40-year rabbinate at Temple Emanuel until he retired in 2010. He is now rabbi emeritus for the congregation and also works as the Jewish chaplain for The Denver Hospice. He is recognized as a civil rights leader who always stands up for what’s right, not necessarily what is politically correct or popular. Senator Joyce Foster has a long legacy with Jewish

Family Service that includes leading, working for, and supporting the agency. She was a JFS employee for 16 years and served as a board member and board chair. She was a Denver City Council member for 10 years and served as its president. Most recently, she served as a Colorado state senator from 2008 to 2012. Joyce says, “I’ve received many awards in my career, but being honored by JFS means the most to me personally. There are lots of wonderful organizations in Colorado, but JFS is the agency that does the heavy lifting and that helps everyone.” Rabbi Foster adds, “I appreciate JFS because it absolutely epitomizes Jewish and American values regarding our obligation to be supportive of people in crisis.”

Norman Brownstein

Thank you to the following sponsors to date (as of August 6, 2013): Producers

Norman and Sunny Brownstein Production Designers Brent and Julie Morse Directors Charlie Gwirtsman and Nancy Reichman Casting Directors First Western Trust Bank Associate Producers Arvada Residence Group, LLP Jordon and Essie Perlmutter Robinson Management Company Meyer and Geri Bader Saltzman

Rabbi Steven and Colorado Senator Joyce Foster

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MENTAL HEALTH

Matters

Change is Coming— Health Insurance and Access to Mental Health Services

By Stacey Weisberg, LPC Mental Health Director

The Affordable Care Act that

President Obama signed into law in March 2010, is now being implemented. Proponents of the legislation hope that the new laws will lower the cost of health care for everyone while providing health insurance coverage for more Americans. While the passage of the Act has been controversial, it should provide more people with health insurance, including coverage for mental health services. Jewish Family Service Mental Health Specialists accepts most insurance plans and with more people with health insurance coverage, we look forward to serving more people who need quality therapy. It’s a huge step forward. Colorado’s Health Insurance Exchange If you or members of your family don’t have health insurance, now is the time to get it. Beginning on October 1, individuals, families, and small businesses can buy insurance through our state-run exchange, Connect for Health Colorado (www.connectforhealthco.com), which operates as a health insurance clearinghouse. Colorado’s health exchange planners expect 960,000 Coloradans to purchase coverage through the exchange in its first three years of operation. It is hoped that with more people contributing to the health insurance pool, the cost of family health insurance premiums will be reduced by Stacey Weisberg between $1,500 and $2,200 a year. Of course the key to the program’s success is whether more people will buy health insurance, particularly younger people with lower risk of health problems. There is a penalty for not participating.

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A Healthy Colorado Not only will more Coloradans have health care coverage, but there’s a concerted effort by our state government to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. In May, Governor John Hickenlooper unveiled his plan for improving Colorado’s health; the “State of Health” is the first overarching health-related vision issued by the governor since he took office in 2011. It elevates health as one of his top priorities and promotes the work underway by many groups across the state, including Jewish Family Service. What got my attention most was the state’s new emphasis on improved access to mental health services for all Coloradans, which has not been a high priority in the past. Under this new initiative, there is a conscious effort to integrate physical and behavioral health systems to provide comprehensive services for the “whole” person. I applaud the effort and look forward to JFS playing an active role in this integration. We are already seeing the integration of our school-based KidSuccess counseling program with health programs in schools. Mental health has been ignored for too long and I’m optimistic that these initiatives—and the funding to support them—will make a difference in improving access to quality mental services for people who need it. Change is coming to our health care system. It opens doors to those who may have been shut out. Coloradans will have affordable health care coverage and access to quality mental health services. We can treat physical illness and mental disorders early, and have a chance to decrease costly late-stage treatment which is often less effective. Stacey Weisberg, a licensed professional counselor, directs Jewish Family Service Mental Health Specialists. Stacey has treated individuals and families in a variety of settings, including at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where she worked for four years. Her main areas of focus are parent-child relationships, blended and step families, and mediation.

Join JFS and the Mizel Museum for Babi Yar Memorial September 29 Jewish Family Service and the

Mizel Museum are collaborating once again on this year’s Babi Yar Memorial. This annual event honors those massacred at Babi Yar, on the outskirts of Kiev, Ukraine, and other victims of the Holocaust. The event is being held at Babi Yar Park from 11:00 a.m. to noon on Sunday, September 29, the 72nd anniversary of when the Nazis entered Kiev and forced all Jewish residents to take their valuables and other belongings to the Babi Yar ravine. When it was over, 33,771 Jews had been killed, representing one of the deadliest single events of the Holocaust. For the second year, Jessica Milstein, granddaughter of JFS’s own Anna Tsesarsky, will host this one-hour program. Jessica is passionate about educating people about the horrors of

THANK YOU for Caring! 9Cares Colorado Shares Albertsons-Lowry American Jewish Committee Americorps Members - Boomers Leading in Health Arapahoe County Victim’s Assistance Argosy University

the holocaust, to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. If you’ve attended the annual memorial, you know that the setting of Babi Yar Park, just west of Havana on Yale Avenue, inspires reverence. Stories of two local residents who survived Babi Yar, or one of the other yars, will be featured in English and Russian. Gifted violinist Sandra Wong will perform a short concert. For more information, please contact Deanne Kapnik at the Mizel Museum, 303.749.5019, or Alla Milstein at JFS, 303.597.5000. Check the Mizel Museum’s website calendar for more meaningful programming for adults and students during this program year: www.mizelmuseum.org.

In-Kind Donations MAY-JULY 2013

BMH-BJ Congregation Boulder Jewish Community Center Boulder Jewish News Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Congregation Hebrew Educational Alliance Congregation Rodef Shalom

Crown Poly, inc. East Side Kosher Deli Food Bank of the Rockies Hip Jazz Records Inc. King Soopers Reclamation Newberry Brothers Greenhouse & Florist Private Labels Manufacturing

Safeway South Denver Fencing Academy Temple Emanuel Temple Sinai The Red Hat Society of Shalom Cares Whole Foods at Tamarac

FAMILY MATTERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

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SENIORS

Civically Engaged Matter Remaining After Retirement

By Buffy Fox, MSW, JFS Senior Solutions care manager

In 2011,

the first baby boomers began turning 65 and entering retirement. Baby boomers make up the largest, healthiest, most independent, most financially secure, and best educated population of retired adults in American history. Newly retired baby boomers are hungry to remain civically engaged through meaningful paid and volunteer work. Civic engagement is good for individuals and their communities: • Volunteers remain more physically active and maintain better overall health as they age. • Volunteers have better mental health and greater self-satisfaction. • By continuing to work, retired volunteers keep their skills up-to-date and have the Buffy Fox opportunity to learn new technologies and approaches. • Retired volunteers build relationships and intergenerational connections in the community. • Volunteers contribute time and services to organizations and individuals who need them most. • Organizations that use retired volunteers report higher-quality services and programs. Communities, organizations, and government agencies are only just beginning to realize the tremendous value of this untapped national resource. JFS is ahead of the curve in working with retired adults who want to be engaged in their communities. Our JFS Colorado Senior Connections (CSC) NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) program in Edgewater focuses on recruiting senior volunteers to strengthen communities and connect generations. 12

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The CSC volunteer program connects retired professionals with volunteer opportunities that put their invaluable skills and experience to good use. In fact, the program is supported almost entirely by retired or retirement-age volunteers. Reading buddies tutor elementary school-aged children in reading skills; life coaches mentor high school students who are at risk of dropping out; medical volunteers provide classes and health clinics; and volunteers run all of the program’s senior groups, clubs, and events. Retired individuals can volunteer in other JFS programs: • Help feed the hungry in the Weinberg Food Pantry • Provide spiritual support to seniors in non-Jewish nursing homes and hospitals • Visit with homebound seniors to provide much-needed social companionship, transportation, and support • Assist our office staff The key to success for the JFS volunteer program is to find opportunities that draw upon the strengths, knowledge, and skills of our volunteers. If you are interested in connecting to your community through meaningful volunteer work, please call Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services, at 303.597.5000, or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/volunteer. Buffy Fox, MSW, is a new care manager with JFS Senior Solutions. Before beginning as a care manager, she worked in the JFS Colorado Senior Connections NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) program in Edgewater, where she coordinated with retired and retirement-age volunteers to run senior programs, improve students’ education, and strengthen their community for all generations.

Spiritual Healing Bereavement Group Begins October 2 A bereavement group for people who have experienced the

loss of a loved one will begin October 2 and run through November 20. 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.

Support JFS While Shopping at King Soopers! 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!

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STAFF Anniversaries Congratulations to the following staff members celebrating their anniversaries in September and October: 20 years: Sara Leeper, SHALOM Denver coordinator of client services 10 years: Sue Frakes, accounts payable specialist 5 years: Kim Finnestead, JFS at Home community relations representative

www.facebook.com/jfscolorado

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THANK YOU for Caring! The following donations reflect tribute gifts received from May 1 to July 31, 2013. 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 Paul Bogan Harold and Marilyn Lande Alan and Sue Cohen Allan and Alberta Sulzer Joel and Elaine Goldstein Bennie and Joan Bub Neil and Sarah Goldblatt Allan and Alberta Sulzer Steven Kaye Jon Lozow and Ellen Welner Shelley and Buzz Krovitz Michael and Harriet Greenstein IN HONOR OF BAR MITZVAH Erik Helmstetter Jonathan and Roslyn Steeler David and Nancy Benyamin Nikolai and Inna Ermakov Judith Reaven Barbara Woodward Liam Kaplan Zoe Schneider IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF A BABY Poppy Goldstein David and Nancy Benyamin Barry and Diane Samet Janet Smith Isabella Green Jon and Sheryl Goodman David and Beth Lippa Sylvie Nieder Bennie and Joan Bub Nathaniel Sabban Harold and Marilyn Lande Langston Trasen Howard and Donna Lutz Nora Zimmerman Royce and Tara Zimmerman IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS Howard Bellowe Julian Izbiky and Jennifer Rothschild Robert Cohn Marguerite Oxman Cate Esstman Alfred and Dana Peterfeso Irwin Hoffberg Morton and Helene Zerobnick David Kazzaz Oscar and Selma Sladek Jeanne Levin Irene Mayer Laurie Levy Mike and Tammy Abramovitz Laurie Levy Kim Schneider Malek Eric and Ellen Pollock Gareth Heyman and Betsy Mordecai Heyman Mike and Tammy Abramovitz David and Vicki Dansky Eric and Ellen Pollock

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

Leba Munishor Philip Stahl Bernard Naiman Cynthia Chapman Robert and Robyn Naiman Muriel Sigman David Naiman Cynthia Chapman Luba Rodman Gaile Weisbly-Waldinger Mark Rosenblum Mike and Tammy Abramovitz Barbara Sidon Jay H. and Barbara Chapman Cecille Silverberg Harold and Marilyn Lande Marvin Stone Elliott and Gloria Husney Marvin Tyor Roger and Marsha Kempton Morris Zelinger Ralph and Susan Barocas I. Bernard and Leba Munishor IN HONOR OF FATHER’S DAY Leonard Strear Les and Linda Liman IN HONOR OF GRADUATION Jordan Appel Claire Seiden Nikki Naiman Robert and Robyn Naiman Alec Sarche Cynthia Chapman Colton Steinberg Howard and Donna Lutz Sarah Steinberg Howard and Donna Lutz IN HONOR OF MARRIAGE Jerry Gordon and Laura Goff Neil Weiss and Daisy Berl Larry and Judy Zepelin Ben and Katherine Rubin Dean Prina IN HONOR OF MOTHER’S DAY Svetlana Shalevich Mikhail Kavutskiy and Zoya Kavutskaya IN HONOR OF Corinne Ablin Janie Leiser Ariel Benjamin Allan Hoch Rabbi Efraim and Gitty Brody, and their children Joe and Sandy Bean Deborah Bronstein Joseph Kelly Cathy Summer Rick and Gerry Accomazzo Sheryl Goodman Lezlie Goldberg Debra Herz Mandelbaum Family Foundation Simon Kaufman David and Nancy Kaufman The Jewish Community of Mexicali, B.C. Mexico Jeffrey and Roni Cruz

FAMILY MATTERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

Stuart Kritzer Lindsay Kritzer Howard Lutz Alan and Peggy Mayer Laura Michaels Rachel Pollack Ann Reilly Gareth Heyman and Betsy Mordecai Heyman Janet Mordecai Mindy and Steven Peckar Mike and Tammy Abramovitz Saliman Family Children and Bonnie Saliman Jordan and Bonnie Saliman Marc Soloway Rachel Amaru Josh Spielman Michelle Shedro Barbara Gould Rick and Gerry Accomazzo Albert Wolf Bob Barrett Consulting Engineers, Inc. Lisa Zales Robert and Harriet Gewelb

Robert Davidson Alan and Karen Stein Frank Dubin Martin and Barbara Dubin Maurice Dubinski Joseph Bilett Barry Fey Ben and Robyn Friedman Sharon Fitzsimmons David and Gayle Ann Weinstein Evelyn Flaxer Ronald and Andrea Linkow Sarah Friedman Douglas and Gail Walter Gordon Friednash Zelda Friednash Steven Gershon Ronald and Andrea Linkow Sofia Geselkovich Gary and Joyce Lozow Thomas Getchell Ronald and Andrea Linkow Mary Goldberg Barry and Ann Saliman Joel Goldberger IN MEMORY OF Ronald and Andrea Linkow Ralph Auerbach Miriam Goldstein Ronald and Andrea Linkow Robert and Carole Adelstein Morris Averch Brenda Jacobs Zelda Friednash I. Bernard and Leba Munishor Zelda Averch Richard and Rae Negreann Zelda Friednash Claire Seiden Mickey Barter Sandra Simons Jeffrey and Sandra Barter Ralph Goodman Bruce and Nora Schrutt Aaron and Ellen Bregman Phillip Berger Jodi Cooper Shirley Bemel Michael and Harriet Greenstein Helene Berzin Eddie Grossman Gerald and Candy Bertchie David and Gayle Ann Weinstein The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Sandra Heyman of Colorado Scott and Andrea Stillman Larry Colbenson and Marjorie Freedman Mollie Burnett Hirsch Courtyard Travel Ltd. Ronald and Roni Brown Paul and Nancy Fink Elliott and Gloria Husney Michael and Ann Frank Gary and Joyce Lozow Alan and Ann Handel Theodore and Sandra Pomeranz Pamela Polizzano Arnold and Karen Stein Charlotte Tambor Ernest Jacobs Michael Bowser Larry and Debra Jacobs Joseph Bilett Roz Jacobs Kay Brandt Larry and Debra Jacobs Bruce and Nora Schrutt Jacob Kaplan Leon Brystowski Marvin Tyor Myron and Nancy Neusteter Roberta Karsh The Wenner Group, LLC Joseph Bilett Howard and Sherrie Zeppelin Marvin Tyor Daniel Bulow Roslyn Klein Mark and Susan Barter Judith Axelrad John Davis and Lisa Shimel Mark and Susan Barter Elly Valas Paula Riemer Harold Cohan Basia Kononov I. Bernard and Leba Munishor Dmitry Kononov and Olga Titova Shirley Cohen Eric Kronfeld Mel and Ann Cohen The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Barbara Cook of Colorado Paul and Lynn Coffee Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Myron and Nancy Neusteter James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Shirlee Cook Sol Landow Jay H. and Barbara Chapman Arnold and Karen Stein Joseph Cruz Zelda Leff Jeffrey and Roni Cruz Shirley Leff

Maurice Cohen Mark Berkowitz Anne Levisohn Ronald and Andrea Linkow Ruth Levitch Paula Levitch Les Levitt Philip Stahl Bob McWilliams Cynthia Chapman Genevieve Mellman Natalie Aronson David and Karla Berman Joseph Bilett Ely Birnbaum and Shirley Londer Blue Sky Physical Therapy, PC The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service of Colorado Arthur and JoAnn Boss Aaron and Ellen Bregman Ronald and Roni Brown Alan Bucholtz Ina Cherington David Cohen Lisa Culhane David and Vicki Dansky Dale and Dianne Dawson Albert and Janice Dinner Daniel Edwards and Joan Heller Ruth Epstein Stephanie Frankel Ben and Robyn Friedman Don and Janie Friedman Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Phil Gans and Patricia Moffatt Gans Louis and Marian Gelfand Shirley Gilman Liz Givan Martin and Renee Gross Edward and Elka Haligman Gilbert and Jane Hermann Debra Herz Leonard and Abbey Kapelovitz Maxine Karsh-Safer Genevieve Knapp Allan and Susan Lackner Harold and Marilyn Lande Burt LeMaster Meg Lemon Mark and Nancy Leonard Jeanne Lerner Paul and Ruth Levisohn Brad and Dana Licht David and Beth Lippa Lawrence and Joann Litvak James and Abby Lochhead Chester and Debra Luby George Mansfield Paul and Phyllis Marcus R. Joseph Marilley Saralyn Mark Maxine And Jack Zarrow Family Foundation Allen and Teri McRae Arthur and Arlene Moss Eileen Naiman Pam Naiman Myron and Nancy Neusteter Bernard and Carol Papper Joseph Pells Eileen Price Ronald and Rhoda Resnick Richard and Michele Right Scott and Ellen Robinson Judy Rogell Justin and Sharon Roth Herbert and Doris Rothenberg Seymour Rubenstein and Charlene Loup Claire Seiden

Norman and Brenda Sheldon James and Debbie Shpall Marlene Siegel Craig Silverman Howard and Jill Snyder Philip Stahl Irwin and Barbara Suson Lynn and Lisa Taussig Richard Wedgle and Susan Mason Marlene Weiner Gaile Weisbly-Waldinger James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Barry Melnick Mark and Linda Loewenstein Terri Tilliss and Sandra Barter Douglas and Amy Rittenberg Albert Miller Joseph Bilett Joe Milzer Claire Yoelin Myrtle Nieder Bennie and Joan Bub Ralph Nordhauser The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service of Colorado Current Events Club at the JFS at the JCC Evelyn Mendelsberg Philip Stahl Keith Olsson Scott and Andrea Stillman Gertrude Palakow Gerald and Kathy Berenstein The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service of Colorado Brian and Cathy Fleischmann Jill Lee Aaron Pfeffer Keith and Mimi Pockross Jeff and Helen Resnick James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Sylvia Plotkin Ely Birnbaum and Shirley Londer Barbara Dey Philip Stahl Verne Primack Ronald and Andrea Linkow Leonid Reyf Marlene Adam Doug and Margaret Antonoff Max and Elaine Appel Irv and Roz Ash Gregory Banks and Sandra Radetsky Banks Robert and Samantha Baumgarten David and Nancy Benyamin Ark Bogatiryov and Victoria Martysh Rick and Sheila Bugdanowitz Stephen and Cheryl Cohen JFS Counseling Center Staff Randy and Rebecca Davis Robert and Sandie Eichberg David and Michelle Friedman Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Marvin and Nancy Gart Adele Gordon Gerald and Lorna Gray Andrew and Lynne Greene Jack and Celeste Grynberg Robyn Hedly Julian Izbiky and Jennifer Rothschild Phyllis Jacobs Betty Karsh Harvey and Carol Karsh Robert and Shelley Krovitz Steven and Doreen Larson William Lehman Mark and Linda Loewenstein Gary and Joyce Lozow Howard and Donna Lutz

Alan and Peggy Mayer Morse Family Foundation Donald and Linda Neuman Michael Opatowski and Ruth Malman Gail Pennington Eric and Ellen Pollock Richard and Michele Right Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Seymour Rubenstein and Charlene Loup Meyer and Geri Saltzman Claire Seiden Evelyn Shamon Larry and Susan Siegel Marlene Siegel Carol Sobel Sheldon and Janice Steinhauser Lynn and Lisa Taussig The Chotin Foundation Jorge and Francine Topelson Charles Van Gundy and Debra Zimmerman Dan and Ann Veenstra Rochelle Watters Gaile Weisbly-Waldinger Martin and Shira Zimmerman Larry Robbins Howard and Donna Lutz Stuart Rogell Ronald and Andrea Linkow Harold Rosenblatt Ronald and Rhoda Resnick Sherry Roth Ronald and Andrea Linkow Evelyn Saliman Barry and Ann Saliman Paul Saliman Barbara Carr Marvin and Jackie Cooper David and Michelle Friedman David and Gayle Ann Weinstein Arnold Siegel The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service of Colorado Aaron and Ellen Bregman Harvey and Judith Cohen Alan and Barbara Freis Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Adele Gordon Harold and Marilyn Lande Gary and Joyce Lozow Gaile Weisbly-Waldinger James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Sharon Siegel Jack and Celeste Grynberg Stuart Simon Ronald and Andrea Linkow Mildred Singer Judith Axelrad Shirley Leff Ruth Stark The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service of Colorado Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard James Steadman Daniel and Calista Schwartz Harold Steinberg Joseph Bilett Alan and Barbara Freis Irwin Hoffberg Brenda Jacobs Scott and Andrea Stillman Gaile Weisbly-Waldinger Steve Steinberg Gaile Weisbly-Waldinger Hershey Sternberg Cynthia Chapman Jack Strauss Robert and Linda Weiss

Natalie Strauss Robert and Linda Weiss Irving Strear Martin and Barbara Dubin Morris Trachten The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service of Colorado Jon and Sheryl Goodman Ronald and Andrea Linkow Donn and Eileen Spector James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky Samuel Tyor Marvin Tyor David Valas Mark and Susan Barter David Valas Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Johnny Vita Robert and Suzi Malman Rabbi Stanley Wagner Ronald and Andrea Linkow Scott and Andrea Stillman Maria Weinberg CHIP Colleagues Aaron Weiss Robert and Linda Weiss Marshal West Jeffrey and Sandra Barter Anne Wolfson David and Debra Flitter Ida Woodrow Donn and Eileen Spector Charlotte Zaler Aaron and Ellen Bregman Arnold and Karen Stein Lillian Zerner Donna Zerner WITH WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY Diane Dinner Phyllis Goodman Ron Fishman Ronald and Roni Brown Barbara Tasky Barry and Randie Winograd Mickey Gershtenson Justin and Sharon Roth The Wenner Group, LLC Alan Groussman Gary and Janet Friedland Myron and Nancy Neusteter Leonard Kline Marvin and Jackie Cooper Berta Goodman Sharon Marks Jay H. and Barbara Chapman Barbara Sidon Peter Norton Pam Naiman Ronny Pepper Jay Spivak Lea Sanderson Cynthia Chapman Chester Schwartz Justin and Sharon Roth Stephen and Enid Wenner Leslie Sidell Myron and Nancy Neusteter Beryl Tesler Cynthia Chapman Barbara Toltz Cynthia Chapman Pam Naiman Seymour Rubenstein and Charlene Loup Claire Seiden In-Kind Donations, page 11

FAMILY MATTERS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013

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NON PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID DENVER, COLORADO

Jewish Family Service of Colorado

PERMIT NO. 1217

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

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

How to Be a Friend to a Friend Who’s Sick Sunday, October 20, 2013, 6:00 p.m. Phillips Social Hall at the MACC/JCC, 350 South Dahlia Street $10 General Admission; $8 Students and Seniors Don’t miss this insightful talk by nationally renowned author and speaker Letty Cottin Pogrebin as she speaks about her new book, How to Be a Friend to a FriendHomecare Who’s Sick. from Our Family to Yours Everyone knows someone who is sick, yet many of us feel uncertain about how to comfort these friends. During her recent bout with breast cancer, Pogrebin gathered stories and perspectives from fellow patients, veterans, and others with chronic health conditions, seeking to discover what they wished their friends knew about how to comfort, help, and even just talk to them. This event is being held as part of the JAAMM (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies, and Music) Fest, featuring an array music, literature, film, theatre JFS of at Home offers non-medical, fully licensed, customized homecare by screened, compassionate, and and dance events highlighting the beauty insured of Jewish caregivers.culture. For more · Hourly to 24/7 personal information, visit www.maccjcc.org/jaamm. care · Assistance with dressing, grooming, and hygiene

Supported by

· Light housekeeping and cooking · Transportation and shopping · Companionship

Denver’s Jewish Mortuary