JFS Weekly Insider - May 13

WEEKLY INSIDER

TIMECARD APPROVAL FOR MEMORIAL DAY

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.

JOIN JFS’ NEW STAFF BOOK CLUB!

The Health and Wellness Committee is starting a Book Club!

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

IT’S TIME FOR THE MATZAH BALL!

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.

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!

We will be having our first meeting in early June to discuss further details and to announce our first book 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!

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.

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

SAHMSA website

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

By: Danelle Bernas, RICH

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

RICH INTERN SHOUTOUT!

RICH had the opportunity to host f . Interns included Jasmine Brundage, a BSW with Daemen; K ley, UB MSW Foundation Students; Ajaylah Humphrey, UB M ; nce 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!

MONDAY, MAY 13,

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

MONDAY, MAY 13,

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

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

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

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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!