JFS Weekly Insider - May 13

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

WEEKLY INSIDER TIMECARD APPROVAL FOR MEMORIAL DAY

IT’S TIME FOR THE MATZAH BALL!

JOIN JFS’ NEW STAFF BOOK CLUB!

Thank you to staff who have already reached out to volunteer and/or purchase tickets for our upcoming Matzah Ball on this Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Temple Beth Zion.

This is open to everyone at the agency. You do not need to be a part of the committee in order to participate!

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 JFSSTAFF25 at checkout. See you all there!

Due to the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday, ADP has changed the payroll processing submission date for our next pay date of 05.24.24. Both employees and managers will need to have their timecards approved no later than noon on Friday 05.17.24.

Please plan accordingly.

The Health and Wellness Committee is starting a Book Club!

We will be having our first meeting in early June to discuss further details and to announce our first book GET TICKETS HERE which we will be discussing in July. Please bring some recommendations for the group whether you have read them previously or not. Please also keep all books to under 350 pages (flexibly) and make sure they are not part of a series.

Please be aware we will be sharing content warnings for all members so that people can decide whether or not they would like to participate for that month based on their comfort. Please be mindful in your choices. We would like to plan on meeting toward the end of the day on Thursdays 3pm-4pm. As this is during work hours, please clear it with your supervisor.

If you are unable to make a meeting, the book selected for the next month will be sent out to all who have registered to be in the club.

We look forward to reading with you!

JOIN BOOK CLUB!

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH! RESOURCES FOR COPING WITH GRIEF By: Danelle Bernas, RICH We may all be in a period of grief right now, that is okay. There have been many things to grieve over for the past several years including COVID, loss of lives on May 14th, loss of lives during the blizzard, and just world events and politics in general. Grief is a complicated and often non-linear process, and you may find yourself going back and forth between stages. If you find that your grief has become so complicated that it impacts your daily living, it's important to seek support. There are many resources you can access including our agency Employee Assistance Program, SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or 211 for bereavement and grief support services.

SAHMSA website

FREE MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS Alison.com Class Central MHTTC

UPCOMING VIRTUAL MEDITATION SESSIONS Tuesday, May 14 at noon with Sierra Johnston Monday, May 20 at noon with Danielle Bernas May 14 - Zoom Link May 20 - Zoom Link

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

MORE ON JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AN EXCEPRT FROM RABBI YONINA FOSTER

Yom HaShoah began Sunday evening May 5, 2024 and ran through May 6, 2024. This is known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day corresponds to the 27th day of the Hebrew calendar of the 27th day of Nisan marking the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising on April 19, 1943, where insurgents inside the ghetto resisted the German troops and police who entered to deport its last remaining inhabitants. The uprising was crushed, the surviving ghetto residents were sent to concentration camps and killing centers. About 700 resisted, another 7000 died, and approximately 42,000 were deported to camps. Between 1939 and 1945 six million Jews were murdered in Hitler’s Final Solution in extermination and work camps. Eastern European Jewry was destroyed.

The following week on our calendars are two more significant related days: Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Yom HaZikaron began in 1949 and 1950, the first two years of Israel’s creation, memorial services were held for soldiers who died in the War of Independence. Services were held at military cemeteries. It is now observed for all Israel military personnel who died in the struggle to establish Israel and killed subsequently while on duty in Israel’s armed forces.

The following day, this year beginning the evening of Monday, May 13 – Tuesday May 14th, is Israel’s Independence Day. Israel was founded eight hours before the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine. While there was reason to celebrate so soon after the murder of six million Jews in Eastern Europe, it was not recognized by the Arab League and most Muslim-majority countries. At the time, a two-state solution was invited. We know the terrible sacrifice Jews and Muslims have have both paid since the founding of Israel. We have witnessed the results over decades since that time. May we find our way to peace soon.

LET’S CELEBRATE PRIDE! With Buffalo’s PRIDE festivities quickly approaching, the PRIDE committee is looking for more staff to walk in the parade and/or table at the the PRIDE village.

If you’re interested in participating in any of our PRIDE contributions, please fill out the form below and someone from the PRIDE committee will reach out to you shortly.

SIGN UP FOR PRIDE

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

By: Danelle Bernas, RICH

RICH INTERN SHOUTOUT!

RICH had the opportunity to host five interns for the 2023 school year. Interns included Jasmine Brundage, a BSW with Daemen; Kristen Oberholtzer and Kathleen Riley, UB MSW Foundation Students; Ajaylah Humphrey, UB MSW Advanced Student; and Cadince Lynn, Keuka MSW Foundation Student. Cadince will be returning Fall 2024 to join us for her advanced year placement in our TSTR program. Our interns this year were phenomenal additions to the team and contributed to quality of care and demonstrated exceptional service delivery. They worked across all RICH programs including CSP, PSS, and TSTR and learned a variety of skills for working with the refugee and immigrant community - whether it be care specialization or mental health services. Our interns focused on both youth and adult populations.

I am also happy to announce that Kathleen won an Outstanding Student award, the Dorothy Lynn Honorary Award. This award is presented to a foundation year MSW student who has demonstrated consistent outstanding performance in class and field. Jasmine also won a Student Leadership award and won a full scholarship to Daemen for the MSW program.

Nicole Cuevas Rios, a Care Specialist in our CSP program, has also been completing an employmentbased field placement with us for her MSW Advanced Year at PennWest. She will be continuing as an intern through early August. We are looking forward to welcoming an MSW to our CSP team and watching her grow in the organization!

Don’t forget to sign up to bring a dish to the Annual Agency Potluck on Wednesday, May 29th at noon. Come enjoy music, food and chill with your coworkers! As a friendly reminder, this potluck is mandatory unless you’ve submitted for PTO. Click the flyer to sign up! See you all there!

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

TUNING INTO TEENS

By: Jill Gavin, Refugee Programs

I wish everyone had the opportunity to witness what I witnessed recently when I observed the first cycle of our Tuning Into Teens parenting group. Nine Arabic speaking mothers from half a dozen countries all came together to learn how to navigate the oft-challenging teenage years. Amidst topics of bullying, sadness and other teenage woes, the room was somehow still filled with laughter, joy, and what seemed to be an overwhelming feeling of safety and companionship amongst the women in the room. A huge Shukran (Thank you) to Nada Al-Batshan, our Arabic Community Liaison, whose skilled leadership is no doubt to thank for creating such a warm and welcoming environment for these women to come and tackle some of parenting’s toughest topics.

I also have to credit the teamwork that makes these groups possible. From Oksana’s logistical organizing, to Salima’s willingness to work after hours to meet data entry deadlines, to Nourah’s diligence sorting through translated participant workbooks…it takes a lot of hands - and hearts - to make this program work, and I’m so grateful for such a committed crew.

On May 18th, we’ll begin our second Tuning Into Teens parenting group, this one for Spanish speaking parents. We’re thrilled to finally be offering this much sought after program in response to years of parents’ requests to “help us with our teenagers.” We look forward for many more groups - in many more languages - in the years to come. Well done, Family Support Team!

CLARA’S CLOSET LUNCHEON RECAP

By: Feben Tesfaye

On April 25th, me and Nicole Cuevas from the RICH Care Specialization program had the honor to represent JFS at a luncheon hosted by Clara's Closet. We were graciously invited as a gesture of appreciation for their connection with JFS in general and with care specialization program in particular.

During the luncheon, we had the opportunity to engage with new acquaintances, including volunteers from Clara's Closet and representatives from other local organizations. Participants engaged in discussions about how Clara's Closet could further its community engagement efforts to positively impact more lives in Buffalo.

We deeply value our partnership with Clara's Closet, as they have significantly improved the lives of many of our clients who arrive with little to nothing. The experience of browsing and freely selecting clothes, toiletries and home items provides a sense of normalcy and peace, relieving them of the burden of worrying about the cost.

DONATE TO CLARA’S CLOSET

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

JFS EMBRACES - BIJOUX BAHATI 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.

This week’s nominee is Bijoux Bahati - nominated by Danielle Bernas. Danielle nominated Bijoux, the TST-R manager, for exemplifying all four values. Congrats Bijoux on the well deserved recognition!

Did you know that JFS staff receive 50% off their membership at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo!?

Benefits included: Access to all facilities including the gym, pool, sauna, etc.

Fitness Classes Personal Training Sports and Recreation Use of your wellness card through Independent Health towards the fee

NOMINATE HERE

Visit the JCC today with your JFS ID to sign up!

HUMAN RESOURCES HAS A NEW EMAIL! JFS’ Human Resources Department now has a centralized email for all HR-related inquiries. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about HR policies, PTO, etc. please email HR@jfswny.org

JFSWNY

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

SIGN UP FOR JFS COMMITTEES! EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT PATTY HOYT, 5/17, OPERATIONS COORDINATOR JAMES SCIANDRA, 5/17, CHILDREN'S HEALTH HOME COORDINATOR

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FABRICE KAUMBA, 5/19, CASE MANAGER EXTENDED/JOB DEVELOPER

JEDI; JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

MAY 6TH EDITION CORRECTIONS Under last week’s “workiverseries,” Anthony DiGesare’s department should’ve been Community Services instead of Health Home.

In last week’s highlight of the Remembrance Service at the Jewish Federation Apartments, it was listed that Rabbi Yonina Foster led the service, when in fact it was coordinated by Janelle Thiessen - a social worker at JFA.

SAFETY

INSIDER CONTRIBUTERS MADISON RUFFO KARA KANE MEGHAN STITH LAUREN MAGUIRE MOLLY CARR KELLY BROWN DANIELLE BERNAS FEBEN TESFAYE RABBI YONINA FOSTER DEE HOWELL STACEY SCHMID AJ MARTHA

HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE INSIDER? WANT TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE? WANT TO PROMOTE AN EVENT? SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS HERE!