Have You Ever Been Hungry?
Have you ever been hungry… not known where your next meal was coming from…or how you were going to feed your children? What a tough situation to be in – to have to put your children to bed with empty bellies.
Hunger is a very large problem in Central Florida. 17% of the population of the state of Florida has food insecurities – that’s nearly 1 in 5 people!
At Jewish Family Services we are doing what we can to alleviate hunger. But we need your help! We are getting ready for the annual Feinstein Challenge – our biggest food drive of the year. The campaign runs from March 1st through April 30th. This is a nation-wide event and community participation is essential. Please let us know if you can help by doing a food drive, or just bringing in some food items to our pantries. Next time you’re at Publix or Winn-Dixie and they have a Buy-One-Get-One, pick up one for yourself and one for someone in need. Or when Albertson’s has the 10 items for $10, buy a couple for yourself and donate the rest to help stock JFS’ pantries.
If you are interested in doing a food drive and don’t know how to start, please visit our website www.jfsorlando.org and follow the link on how to run a food drive.
There is plenty of food to go around – we just need to make sure that everyone has access to this food. Hunger does not need to be a problem in this country. Help be part of the solution.
Adrienne Cooperman
JFS Emergency Services Program Manager
Together, We are an Ocean
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” – Ryunosuke Satoro
This quote that I came across, was intended to inspire our employees on Valentine’s Day. As someone who oversees Human Resources, I’ve experienced firsthand that the staff at JFS is without question the most hardworking group of people around. There is no doubt that it is the combined efforts of ALL our employees that makes our agency function. Together, we are 100% committed to serving and helping our community get through trying times.
Throughout the years, I’ve learned much from working at JFS. I am reminded each day that the people picking up food from our pantry are folks like you and me. I’ve seen people leave in tears because they were embarrassed to be seen with handouts of food. I’ve seen children squealing with delight over a box of cereal in their grocery bag.
When I was new to the agency, I asked, “How do we know these people really need the food?” The answer was one that has stuck with me…as long as we help ONE hungry person, our work is not in vain. Help us at JFS, and you’ll find that you’ll feel good about giving.
Here are a few ideas:
- Pick up one of the BOGO buys while you are grocery shopping—keep one, and bring the free item to JFS.
- Arrange a food drive. Click here to visit our website – there’s a link for food drive materials to get you started:
- Give a cash donation – any amount will help JFS keep food on the shelves for families in need.
- Give of your time. Volunteers are ALWAYS needed.
Drop by drop, JFS is working to provide an ocean of relief for the hungry.
Angie Jensen
JFS Finance Manager
Economic Turndown Easing for Whom?
A few weeks ago I attended a meeting in Orlando, at which time two significant community leaders announced that the economic turndown was easing. Charitable donations to non-profits were increasing, business profits were up and the sense among the “downtown” crowd was that the worst was over.
I raised my hand and with all the respect that I could muster, questioned those pronouncements.
Perhaps, the economic turndown is in fact, turning around slowly. Perhaps, individuals and businesses that have always supported non-profits in our community are feeling more comfortable with their personal finances and are again able to support those agencies.
What is clearly evident is that many in our community – from all walks of life - are still being considerably affected by this economic turndown with little hope in sight. And the demand for services provided by Jewish Family Services and agencies like JFS continues to increase. More good folks need financial aid to pay their rent and utilities. More good folks knock on JFS’ doors requesting food. More and more older adults call our offices in search for money to pay their bills, care management and friendly visitor services.
How can you help? Make a donation – of your time, talent or treasure – to assist JFS in this challenging time. Write a check, take up a food collection drive among your family at your business or place of worship, or volunteer at one of JFS’ two food pantries. JFS is about to embark on the annual Feinstein Challenge March 1-April 30, so now is a great time to have your contributions matched.
After this economic turndown has passed and our children ask what we did to help those less fortunate than us during that time, I hope that we have the right answer to give to them – that we stepped up to the plate to help.
Eric Geboff
Executive Director, JFS
Support for the big “C”
For the last several decades, I have seen cancer become an illness in the forefront of our society. It is not only a physical illness, but can destroy the well-being of the individual affected and their family members as well.
JFS is looking to provide a resource for women going through different stages of the disease. Whether newly diagnosed, they have been diagnosed and need support, or survivors who have come through the other side and want to share their experience, we want to offer a source of knowledge, comfort and a support system for those affected by the big “C”.
In this initiative, we have partnered with Sharsheret, which is a national Jewish outreach program that links women who have been diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer.
We are also partnering with MD Anderson to create a medical roundtable to increase cancer awareness for Jewish women, with an emphasis on breast cancer.
JFS feels this component of a support system is lacking in the Greater Orlando area – so we are passionate about moving forward with this cause. We are planning a two part series for March and April. Stay tuned through the JFS website jfsorlando.org and Facebook page to learn about the upcoming dates.
Susan Weissmann, MSSW, LCSW
JFS Clinical Director
What are you doing to serve others?
Dear Friends:
This week we celebrated the life of a man who acted on behalf of mankind: Martin Luther King, Jr. I want to share one of King’s famous quotes: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing to serve others?”
The answer to this crucial question is something that I learned many years ago. I have many fond memories and stories of family members, who in their own way, extended themselves to make a difference in someone’s life.
If a neighbor or friend was ill, my bubbe would always cook and take a delicious warm meal, including chicken soup, of course, to help them feel better. When extra hands were required at the synagogue for whatever project was needed, my Aunt Irene was there to lend a hand. And if I was selling cookies for my Brownie troop, B’nai Brith or many other clubs I was involved with to help raise money, mom and dad were always there to support me.
Fast forwarding to today, I look with pride to my family. My children- all four of them- are involved with activities from feeding the hungry on Thanksgiving, to conducting toy drives to help children and families in need. And my father, now nearly 84, and stepmother come to JFS to volunteer when they visit Florida for the winter.
My parents taught me a valuable life lesson that has stayed with me and I am now passing those values to my children. We did not have a lot of money growing up, but helping someone doesn’t necessarily require money.
Jewish Family Services, JFS, needs volunteers to help fulfill its mission of helping people in need. Critically needed right now are people to help in the Pearlman Pantry in Winter Park and the Darden Restaurants Foundation Pantry on S. Apopka Vineland Road.
Call JFS. Come with a friend or with your child. It won’t cost you a dime. Volunteering does the heart good!
I end by following up with King’s statement and ask, what are you doing to serve others?
Warmest thanks,
Es Cohen, MA
Director of Development
Motivation is the key
FSP Interview
On Thursday I met with a woman residing in Orange County who came to JFS to learn about our Family Stabilization Program (FSP). She found out about FSP through her cousin, who has been in the program for several months and is making positive changes.
The applicant is a single mom with 5 children, ranging in age from 17 to as young as 6 months. She works full time as a shipping clerk, but cannot manage her bills, and with a family of six, she is in desperate need of learning how to budget. She was excited to learn about FSP and is ready to make some big adjustments in her life. She wants to return to school to further her education, so she can attain a more rewarding and higher paying career. I fell in love with her desire to achieve and be a good role model for her children.
She seems a perfect candidate for FSP. The only thing that will prevent her from joining the program is her level of commitment. Because of the intensity of the program, if a client is not truly motivated to transform their life, they won’t reach their full potential in the program.
I am hoping she makes the right decision and sees it through. If I can change one small part of her life – let me rephrase – if JFS can help her make the appropriate choices in her life, I know she will succeed.
Learn more about FSP: http://jfsorlando.org/program.html#emergency
Adrienne Cooperman
JFS Emergency Services Program Manager
The Roots of Social Services
On a recent trip to Philadelphia, my family and I had the opportunity to visit the National Museum of American Jewish History http://www.nmajh.org/, located in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. The museum’s four floors were dedicated to the more than 350 years of Jewish life in America. Visitors are self guided through exhibitions, photographs and interactive media. Of course, we visited the obligatory gift and snack shops!
Of striking interest to me was the early growth of social services in America. These were first created through the synagogues in the southern colonies, then with agencies in New York and finally traveled with those who expanded the country. That growth was based upon the response to the Jewish values of feeding and housing the poor, and caring for the widowed and the orphaned. Many who arrived at the shores of America needed a helping hand; others needed a loan; and still others needed to learn the language and customs of their new country. Service to others was based on the belief that all human beings are intrinsically holy and as such, have the same value in life as others. However, life’s circumstances place some of us in different places at different times of our lives.
The growth and development of Jewish social service agencies in America – of which Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando is a product – is a direct result of that historic and immigrant experience. As long as people will be in need of a helping hand, Jewish Family Services will be here to extend that hand.
Eric Geboff
JFS Executive Director
End of Year Giving
As we sit with our families at our tables enjoying our holiday meals this season, it gives us time to pause and reflect on our successes this past year. For many of us, we are indeed fortunate that we have good physical, mental and emotional health, food to eat and roofs over our heads. Our families are happy and we don’t need much to complete our lives.
However, not all families are as complete.
Our tradition teaches us that we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Caring for the needs of our local “family” has long been a mandate of Jewish Family Services (JFS). For more than three decades, JFS has worked aggressively to provide food, shelter, emergency assistance and counseling services to the neediest of children or adults in our community. Daily, JFS responds to requests to lessen the pain felt by those affected, knowing that anyone could be one paycheck away from losing everything.
Imagine, just for a moment, how it would be for a family in need to have a hot, nutritious meal at this holiday season. Imagine also how it would feel for YOU to help make that meal a reality!
Time and time again, our community has responded favorably when we have asked for support and for that we are very appreciative. Whether or not you have partnered with JFS in the past to help, please know that we need your help now. Too many of our friends are having a hard time and JFS is, and will continue to be, there to help. But we can’t do it alone.
Please take a few moments to think about how you can lessen the anguish of a family in need this season. Your end of the year donation will be used to help continue the critical programs and services that JFS extends to children and families. Your act of kindness is easy…simply click here: Donate Now
Thank you in advance for considering a donation to Jewish Family Services this year. From our family to your family, best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Eric Geboff
A Sukkot Message by Executive Director Eric Geboff
This evening and for the next eight days, Jews around the world celebrate the 3,000 year old holiday of Sukkot. Most of these celebrations include prayer services in synagogues, the building of sukkot or huts at their homes and the eating of fall fruits and vegetables. These celebrations are reminiscent of two sets of events in Jewish history. Over 3,000 years ago, when the Israelites travailed in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt, they lived in temporary dwellings called sukkot, travelling from place to place on their trek to the land of Israel. Once in Israel, Jews recalled that desert experience and their new found occupation as farmers, by dwelling in those same sukkot while they gathered the fall harvest.
One could look at the Torah (Old Testament) only as a history book that records the history of a people who encounter and follow the laws of a new god. A better interpretation the Torah is that it is the history of a people that encounter and embrace a new way of life – that requires both acceptance of the new god and following a new moral and ethical code of living that takes in the people and environment in which they live. While ritual observance remained a critical tenet of Judaism, gmilut hasidim – acts of loving kindness, now defined Jews. There was no option; Jews were required to care for the hungry, the widowed, the elderly and the orphaned and to set aside a portion of our income to help those who were in need at a time in their lives.
Based on that new code, Jews left the corners of their fields and left behind anything that dropped to the ground during harvesting for those in need in the community. This 3,000 year old tradition of caring for those in need is the mission of Jewish Family Services. Through our Emergency Services Department, people in our own Central Florida community in desperate need receive food, are helped with living expenses and are guided on the road to self sufficiency. With the continued support of the community, Jewish Family Services will be able to continue the tradition of helping those in need and building a better society.
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