March 25 - JFS Weekly Insider

WEEKLY Insider Welcome to the updated Weekly Insider!

We value your feedback and welcome any suggestions to enhance our offering.

MARCH 25TH 2024 ISSUE

RETRACTION RE: COVID-19 LEAVE PAY While the CDC did indeed issue new guidance as described below, there has been confusion surrounding the pay requirement.

We are thrilled to be launching a new opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate and raise funds for JFS' critical, life-saving programs and support and we want to invite you!

This event will take place Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Temple Beth Zion, and will feature food, drinks, live music, dancing, awards and more! Each year, this event will have a theme, prompting guests to dress up to match it. For our first event, the theme is GOLD! We are looking for 10-15 volunteers to support the event. If you're interested in volunteering, please fill out this form: Volunteer at the Matzah Ball!

(Volunteers will not need to purchase a ticket to attend the event.)

If you would like to attend the event as a guest, we are happy to offer staff and one guest a discounted general admission ticket ($25/ each). Please use code JFSSTAFF at checkout.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

The prior correspondence stands corrected as NYS continues to maintain a COVID-19 Sick Leave Law for related isolation or quarantine that is separate and apart from any other sick time or PTO already provided. While the Department of Health previously issued orders of isolation and quarantine at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State now follows the CDC’s guidance on isolation and precautions for individuals with COVID-19. At this time, under the new CDC guidance, the amount of New York COVID-19 sick time an employee testing positive for COVID-19 may be eligible for will be case-dependent upon: (1) whether the employee is experiencing any symptoms (as an employee experiencing no symptoms is now under no advisement to isolate); and (2) how long the employee’s symptoms (including any fever) last.

The NYS Executive Budget for fiscal year 2023 includes a proposal that would sunset the requirement to provide this sick leave as of July 31, 2024.

However, until and if such measure passes, any employee who is unable to work due to Covid should continue to reach out to HR. We apologize for any inconvenience stemming from this miscommunication. If you have been negatively impacted during this timeframe please discuss directly with HR. Thank you.

JFS PARTNERS WITH STITCH BUFFALO FOR HEALING CIRCLES By: La-Verne Blades, PSS The project of integrative healing circles has come to the attention of the PSS Program through a project known as “Common Threads.” In January, the PSS program set out on a journey with Stitch Buffalo and its Executive Director, Dawne Hoeg, to use fabrics and textiles with women from four different countries tell their stories and visions. The project was a wall hanging or pillow.

The process focused on a way to use cloth, story and vision to address trauma. This allowed for making connections, emotional safety, self-expression, selfregulation, gradual pace, and mastery.

Every week for six weeks, the PSS team and interns worked effortlessly to transport and provide supportive play to the women and their children. The women in the program expressed how relaxing the process was for them and their need to release stress. Some women commented that it was a wonderful experience meeting women from other countries. Many women are still on a sign-up list to be a part of this process.

The project started with a blank canvas of creating designs and stamping designs on the canvas. It then progressed to using original designs to create the women’s individual visions or stories into a final creation using a sewing machine. Thanks to Stitch Buffalo, any interested woman would walk out of the group with a sewing machine donated by Stitch. The final products also showed that many of the women possessed extraordinary gifts to create fabulous work.

APRIL RETREAT RESCHEDULED The staff retreat scheduled for April 8 will be RESCHEDULED. JFS offices will be closed on April 8th and managers are asked to plan to have their staff working remotely/off-site in the morning. All staff are dismissed from work at 12:00pm.

SHOUTOUT! By: Danielle Bernas, RICH Our RICH team would like to thank two of our UB MSW Interns, Kathleen Riley and Kristen Oberholtzer, for leading two beautiful meditations with all JFS staff to celebrate World Social Day. Kathleen and Kristen are always willing to support staff and clients and help out where needed. Thank you Kathleen and Kristen for your continued dedication to our team and the community!

By: Bijoux Bahati, TST-R

CONGRATULATIONS ADAM!

Heartfelt congratulations to Adam El-Fawal, TST-R Lead Cultural Broker, for getting accepted into the University at Buffalo School of Social Work for MSW Program. What timely news as we celebrate World Social Work Day, March 19th this year. The team is cheering you on!

When asked about this exciting news, Adam humbly expressed, "I would like to thank the TST-R Team, the RICH team, Bijoux, Lien, and Danielle whose example inspired me to want to learn and grow, and for supporting me when I have needed it the most. I would not have considered pursuing this course of study if I didn't work with so many Congratulate Adam here! examples of excellence in the field!"

INTRODUCING JFS EMBRACES Here at Jewish Family Services, we pride ourselves on exemplifying the four core Jewish values of cultural responsiveness, trust, person centered care and partnership.

As a new initiative in the Insider, we'd like our staff to highlight each other's embodiment of these values by nominating one another to be recognized for such values in upcoming editions of the Insider. JFS’ inaugural nominee is David Jankowiak, who was nominated by his Development and Community Engagement colleague, Sierra Johnston.

While Sierra says he exemplifies all four of our core values, the one that stuck out the most was cultural responsiveness. Congrats David!

If you'd like to nominate a colleague to be highlighted for their dedication to one or more of our core values, please fill out the form below.

LOOK OUT FOR THE LEADING EDGE SURVEY JFS is committed to creating an incredible place to work, so we want to hear from you! Each year, Leading Edge launches a survey to help us learn about how our team is doing and compare that to other Jewish agencies across the US. The survey tells us how we can better support you and the important work you do.

Look out for a link on April 9th from surveys@leadingedge.org.

3/25, Sarah Gelnett - Career Services Buffalo

3/28, Brett Jarczyk - Health Home Buffalo

3/27, Sydney Schmidt - Development

3/29, Erin Fisher - Behavioral Clinic

NOMINATE HERE

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY REMINDER JFS greatly respects the opinions, beliefs, and perspectives of all staff and greatly appreciates that each person has a right to communicate their opinions, beliefs, and perspectives in their private lives. However, please remain cognizant that as an employee of JFS, when you use public social media, your posts and communication are visible to a broader community and reflects on the agency regardless of what you as an individual intends.

The agency has a commitment to ensure the safety of our organization, staff, and clients. Our ability to do this can be compromised by divisive or controversial posts made by agency staff. If JFS is made aware of communications that are conflicting of our mission and values or compromise the capacity of the organization to ensure our ability to effectively serve our constituency, you will be asked to remove the post or ensure that your communications are restricted to a private audience.

By: Matilda Lorenzo, HR

GOODBYE JENN!

We are sad to announce the departure on April 1st of Jenn McNamara who has been an invaluable member of our HR team. During her time at JFSWNY, Jenn has exemplified dedication and a deep commitment to the well-being of our employees. She will be missed not only for her professional contributions but also for her warmth, empathy and team spirit – always with a smile on her face and a hand extended to help.

Jenn will be embarking on her next adventure at a small nonprofit agency where she will be responsible for their HR function. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her service and wish her the very best in her future endeavors. Thank you Jenn for everything that you have done for the agency. Your impact will be felt long after you depart!

JFS STAFF JOINS RAHAMA FOR SERENITEA By: Danielle Bernas, RICH

In early March, JFS staff from RICH and Community Services enjoyed various treats and teas from around the world while supporting community partner, RAHAMA, at their annual SereniTea fundraiser event. RAHAMA (Resources And Help Against Marital Abuse) is the only female- and Muslim-led nonprofit organization in Western New York that specializes in underserved immigrant, refugee, and Muslim women facing domestic violence.

Danielle Bernas, our Director of RICH, was an executive board member for RAHAMA for seven years and has witnessed the growth of RAHAMA over the last 10 years. RAHAMA is an organization and partner to be celebrated for the work that they do. RICH will be working with RAHAMA on future collaborations and anticipates the extension of PSS Wellness Groups to support women enrolled in RAHAMA’s programming. Likewise, Family Support maintains an active MOU with RAHAMA to provide parenting support for RAHAMA clients throughout the year. The event offered attendees a beautiful, moving, and powerful opportunity to connect and reflect on the power of the female spirit.

HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

March is Women’s History Month. In celebration, we will be highlighting a local woman in history every Insider. This week’s highlighted woman is Gerda Weissmann Klein (1924 - 2022) It’s hard to say which of her noble and philanthropic endeavors Weissmann-Klein was most known for once she settled in the Buffalo community in 1947. As a Holocaust survivor herself, Gerda was fiercely dedicated to Holocaust education and awareness in the Buffalo community and was a founding member of the Holocaust Resource Center.

In addition to this dedication to sharing her story and supporting others with similar experiences, she also devoted her time to raising awareness of and providing resources for those with developmental disabilities by founding the Blue Rose Foundation. A true pioneer of social justice – she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 by Barack Obama.

UPCOMING EAP TRAINING

COACHABILITY, FEEDBACK AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Thursday, March 28 from 12pm to 1pm This event is open to all EAP members. We recommend watching this 3-minute C+FS EAP Quick Start Guide prior to this event.

Learn more and register here for: Coachability, feedback and personnel management

March 25th

March 31st

OPEN Refer a new employee and get a bonus!

JOBS

Every two weeks, JFS staff receives an email titled, "Job Referral Opportunities." To ensure that you receive credit for the referral, make sure that the applicant either uses the links provided in the email or lists your name as the referring party.

Click here for all the open positions at JFS.

LET US KNOW YOUR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS To sign up for committees, contact the following people: Employee Engagement: Meghan Stith (mstith@jfswny.org) or Kara Kane (kkane@jfswny.org) Health & Wellness: Meghan Stith (mstith@jfswny.org) JEDI, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Sierra Johnston (sjohnston@jfswny.org) or Danielle Bernas (dbernas@jfswny.org) Safety: Todd Warfield (twarfield@jfswny.org)

In an effort to be sensitive to all staff allergens and dietary restrictions, please take this anonymous survey to advise the Employee Engagement Committee for future events.

Specifically, we are going to be utilizing the results of this survey for the Agency Potluck.

This survey will be available to complete until the end of March.

Insider Contributors: Meghan Stith Madison Ruffo Kara Kane Nikki Ronan

Lauren Maguire Molly Carr Matilda Lorenzo

Bijoux Bahati Danielle Bernas La-Verne Blades Jenn McNamara

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