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Learning
the value of volunteerism. Making tzedaka an everyday act. Developing leaders for tomorrow’s Jewish community. |
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Teen Leadership provides
a learning, volunteer outlet for young Jews, grades 9-12. For those
not affiliated with USY or JCC youth groups,
Teen Leadership provides a major link to other Jewish teens in the community. |
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Get Involved! -Teen Leadership Program of Jewish Family Services
The youths involved in the Teen Leadership
Program select and participate in a number of different volunteer projects
throughout the year. Some are ongoing, such as visiting nursing home residents,
mentoring younger kids or working in soup kitchens around town.
Other projects are short-term such as volunteering
for the Equinox Thanksgiving Day Dinner or the AIDS Council Wrap-a-Book
program during the holiday season.
Participants have a bi-monthly in-service workshop on a subject of concern such as teen suicide, homelessness and caring for seniors. Graduates of the program have found their involvement to be good preparation for college by introducing them to possible careers in social services and human services.
Teen Leadership is group-driven. Participants
have complete ownership of their activities and, therefore, have a vested
interest in making the program a personally rewarding experience. Perhaps
the most important aspect of Teen Leadership is that those who are involved
learn the importance of performing acts of lovingkindness and develop
leadership skills as future leaders of the Jewish community.
The Norek
Family TRANSITIONS Program
Thanks to a generous endowment from the Norek family, Jewish Family Service
is pleased to now offer the Transitions Program. With the Transitions
Program, individuals and families can receive assistance and advocacy
in dealing with major life events including illness and the passing of
loved ones.
Dealing with illness and the loss of a loved one can be one of life’s
most stressful times. The Transitions Program has been designed
to help not only those who are ill themselves, but also those who are
affected by the illness, by providing a wide range of integrated support,
referral, and advocacy services.
The Norek Family Transitions Program provides one-on-one emotional
and spiritual assistance to individuals and families of all faiths through
counseling and family support services, as well as guidance in locating
other resources related to health issues, bereavement, and estate planning.
The program’s coordinator, Rita Schachne, M.S., brings a wealth
of experience in public health and advocacy to the Transitions
Program. Holding a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with many years
of clinical nursing experience, Schachne served as executive director
of the American Cancer Society of the Capital Region for fifteen years,
developing outreach programs and patient services.
If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, please call Rita Schachne at Jewish Family Services at (518) 482-8856.
INCLUSION PROJECT
Jewish, gay and wondering
how you fit into the Jewish community?
Your grandchild has two mommies and you really don’t know how
to explain it to your friends in shul?
Wondering how to reconcile your Jewishness and your sexuality?
The Inclusion Project of Jewish Family Services is an outreach
program
for lesbian and gay Jews and for Jewish families with lesbian
and/or gay
family members.
Break Down Barriers! - Inclusion Project of Jewish Family Services
For too long, lesbian and gay Jews have
been considered “the other” in the Jewish community. The Inclusion
Project was established to break down those barriers of homophobia and
create welcoming places of worship for lesbian and gay Jews in the Capital
District.
Coming out within a synagogue setting is
not easy for lesbian and gay Jews. It can be equally as painful for families
with lesbian and/or gay family members to be open and honest about the
lives of their children, siblings, grandchildren and other loved ones.
Imagine not being able to talk about a son who has died of AIDS or a grandchild
who happens to have two mothers. The Inclusion Project works with area
rabbis and congregations to help make it easier to be honest and open
about who our family members really are.
The Inclusion Project outreach programs
include:
• A Community-wide Break Fast
for Yom Kippur
• Lesbian and Gay Jewish Film
Festival
• An Inclusion/Diversity Seder
for Passover
• Purim Party
• Annual Community Forum on an
issue of concern, and
• Speakers bureau for area Jewish
organizations
ABSORPTION and CITIZENSHIP
Jewish Family Services’ Absorption and Citizenship Program.
Since 1988, over
1,300 Jewish New Americans from the former Soviet Union have resettled
in the Capital District.
Each New American family has found safe,
affordable housing, sustenance and access to medical care.
Many of these New Americans are senior
citizens who face issues of acculturation and aging at the same time.
While they identify as Jews, many know nothing of their religion and traditions
because of persecution they faced in their native land.
Where have these New Americans turned to for help and continue to do so
as
they face new challenges
JFS’ staff understands the challenges New Americans face and helps
them to make new lives in their new country.
Among the services JFS provides
for New Americans are:
• Bi-lingual orientation materials
re: Jewish and American culture
• Assistance to anchor families
in finding safe, affordable housing, furniture
• Access to English language
classes and healthcare
• Case management
• Assistance through the naturalization
process including tutoring, citizenship
workshops and citizenship resources
and study materials
• Holiday programs and activities
for New American families who want to reconnect
with their Jewish heritage
• Beit Ami-an education, acculturation
and Judaic workshop program
• The Culture Club, an after
school program at the Albany J.C.C. for children
of New American families
• Monthly New American newsletter
• Outreach services are offered
at the Albany and Schenectady J.C.C.s and the Albany
and Schenectady B’Nai Brith senior
housing facilities
• Networking and membership opportunities
with local synagogues