THE NEWMARK PAGES
RACQUETBALL’S (very Jewish) ST. LOUIS STORY THE PIVOTAL ROLE ST. LOUIS JEWS PLAYED IN THE ’70s AND ’80s Read more on page 12-13
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Jewish Family Services connects older adults with social support services BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Brian Byers is a Jewish widower who spent his career working as a paramedic in Texas. His job often meant transporting and caring for older adults with physical limitations. Byers moved to St. Louis last year to be near family after he wa s d ia g no se d w it h Parkinson’s disease. Suddenly, he found himself in the same situation as many of the patients he used to assist. “I never thought about it before,” said Byers, 69. “I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll be fine. I’ll be able to get around and do everything I want to do.’ I’ve had to use EMS services a couple of times. I’ve fallen at times, and I just couldn’t get up. I was too weak. My brother and his wife noticed that I couldn’t clean my own toilet. And they wondered about the apartment where I planned to move in. Like if it was going to be upstairs or downstairs, and how many stairs I’d have to climb to do my laundry.” Earlier this year, Byers made a phone call that opened up a new world of freedom. That call was to Jewish Family Services (JFS) and the ElderLink assessment, information and referral service. The specialists at JFS connected Byers with numerous resources, just as they do every day for many other older adults in the St. Louis area. The JFS ElderLink assessment team often gets calls from potential clients like Byers, or a caregiver who may be a family member or friend reaching out for lifeline. “Usually, they’ll call and talk with our case manager,” said
Miriam Seidenfeld, JFS CEO. “The case managers have a wealth of knowledge on all sorts of resources and other programs for the elderly. There’s definitely a growing need for assistance. It has been growing for a number of years, and it’s expected to continue for the next two decades.”
ing situation. It’s not a one-sizefits-all approach, said Bethany Goff, JFS older adult services director. “We look at everything that may impact the person,” Goff said. “For example, is their housing secure and safe? Often, we find people can’t afford their living sit-
Cantor Seth Warner PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN
Warner to helm national cantorial association BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
This month, Congregation Shaare Emeth Cantor Seth Warner will be installed as president of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) for a three-year term. The Jewish Light recently checked in with Warner, 48, to learn more about the ACC, his work and how he decompresses.
Sarah Levinson, Brian Byers and Bethany Goff. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN About 52 million people age in the United States are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the next 10 years, seniors are predicted to outnumber children. Seidenfeld said caring for older adults is one of JFS’ most important services and one that’s consistent with Jewish values. “JFS of St. Louis definitely uses a holistic approach,” she said. “We’re really proud of the work we do to make sure that we have all the things that Brian and others need.” When a new client contacts JFS, the first step is to determine what services would best meet their liv-
uation because their support system has changed, so they need to look for other housing options. Are they able to get transportation? That’s often a barrier to get to doctor appointments. We look at food insecurity, which is significant. For older adults, nutrition may start to deteriorate, and that causes other problems. And so we look at things holistically and comprehensively to make sure we address all the areas a person needs help with.” For Byers, one of the first needs See JFS on page 7
What has the ACC meant to your professional development? It has provided me with a community of colleagues who I can trust across the planet, friends and colleagues and mentors and people who get the work that we do in a very deep way, and I can learn so much from them just by their friendship. The ACC challenges me to be a better version of myself and to challenge myself to look ahead. Is the ACC working to encourage interest among students to consider a career as a cantor? The American Conference of Canters works very closely with especially the director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College to help send potential students to the school. The hardest thing right now is finding people who are willing to give five years of their graduate school to learn the music of today, the music of yesterday and history, and be willing to move to Israel for a year and then study in New York for four more years. When did you realize you wanted to do this for a living? The cantor I worked with in my conservative synagogue growing up in Southern California made the synagogue a safe See WARNER on page 7
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! WHO’S ELIGIBLE:
Jewish adults and youth who have made a meaningful impact on the greater metropolitan community. Jewish and non-Jewish adults and youth who have made a meaningful impact on the local Jewish community.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 @ 5PM
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