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the sydney jewish report | july 2021
AROUND
T H E
COMMUNITY
Jewish House responds to new COVID-19 restrictions
JEWISH HOUSE Jewish House has responded swiftly to the latest COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the eastern suburbs. Through its innovative COVID-19 crisis portal, clients can access their muchneeded online support and resources to help them through the lockdown. Jewish House’s COVID-19 crisis portal was launched in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Its aim is to keep support and services to vulnerable people in the community ongoing 24/7, while simultaneously keeping people up to date with the most current information, fact sheets and resources to stay socially connected while in physical isolation. Rabbi Mendel Kastel, OAM, the CEO of Jewish House, said that the organisation was determined to continue providing its services regardless of the circumstances it or its community are facing. “The continuation of support for our clients is our primary focus here at Jewish House,” he said. “We need to ensure that we are providing the same level of service no matter what the restrictions that we face are.
“The COVID portal uses the power of
Thanks to the generosity of Jewish
technology to offer our clients a reliable
House supporters Good Food Kosher
and
Catering, Jewish House has provided its
up-to-date
resource
platform,
giving them comfort and reassurance that there will be a constant source of giving and nurturing made available.” Jewish House Covid Safe Food Parcels
Everyone is a JEM JEMS As COVID-19 cases keep climbing and the virus has spread, the city has slowed down and people are staying at home more. Jems is always looking to find ways to brighten up the community. It decided to tackle many ready-made projects to make individuals and families happier. As soon as lockdown began, Jems and Obk began a Grand Challah Bake via Zoom. Families could collect readymade dough and join in the fun. For Motzie Shabbat, Jems was responsible for a Grand Havdala. The following week, Jems offered those in isolation contactless delivery as part of a Grand Babka bake. More than 100 families participated. Then a Jems’ staff member came up with a great idea. As, at the moment, we cannot get together with friends to celebrate a birthday, Jems gave the community the opportunity to nominate someone to receive a special birthday pack. Within 48 hours of that idea going live, there were 100 requests – a fabulous result. A huge thank you to all those that helped with the packing and delivering. It means the world to so many in these trying times. Feel free to contact us for sponsorship or to help with more activities. Jems.org.au
clients with COVID-safe food packs. COVID-safe procedures and protocols play an essential part of Jewish Houses service delivery.
“Not only are the packs delicious, but they are an effective and a COVID-safe way of providing food to our clients,” said Rabbi Kastel. “It’s a brilliant concept by Good Food Kosher Catering and we are so grateful to have the support of people like Tracy Freinkel, who is always so generous.” Early in the pandemic, the World Health Organisation recognised the potential for COVID-19 to impact mental health and wellbeing. Studies have shown a drop in homelessness across Australia as the pandemic took hold has begun to reverse, as government income and housing support are wound back. Jewish House provides care to people in the Jewish community and all other communities irrespective of religion. It offers a safe place and support for people who have or are experiencing trauma and personal crisis by providing individuals and families with a range of services. These include access to temporary and crisis accommodation, day-to-day living support, children's services, addiction support, reemployment services, living-skills workshops, mental health clinicians, case managers and food and clothing.
