FAMILY
MATTERS
Sharing the traditions of
care and compassion.
IN THIS ISSUE
Bright Holidays Program 3
Spotlight on Staff 4
A Publication of Jewish Family Service of Colorado
Volunteer Corner 6
Volume 18, No. 1 • January/February 2008
Thank You for Caring! 8
Executive Luncheon 9
Choices 2008 11
REEL HOPE TAKE 12 RAISES UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT!
ewish Family Service recently honored community
leaders Blanca and Howard Lerman and Steven D.
Kris at the REEL HOPE, Take 12 fundraiser at the
United Artists Continental Theatre in Denver. The
event packed the 870-seat main auditorium and
grossed an unprecedented $524,149, nearly $80,000
more than last year’s event! Our heartfelt thanks to all
the wonderful community-minded individuals and
organizations that made this event such a resounding
success!
REEL HOPE is a movie-themed event, now in its
twelfth year, benefiting the programs of Jewish Family
Service. The event is held in partnership with
Variety of Colorado, the children’s charity with its
roots in the entertainment industry, which helped
secure the special benefit screening of Warner
Bros.’ “I Am Legend.”
Complete with Hollywood-style lighting
effects, a “Walk of Fame” with stars honoring
previous REEL HOPE honorees and movie
premieres, the festivities featured the movie
screening, the showing of the new JFS agency
video, a brief awards ceremony, a box dinner, and
dessert reception. Alan Mayer, JFS board member
and development chair, added the perfect mix of
Event co-chairs: Will & Sheri Gold, Marian & Dan Seff, and
humor and professionalism as Master of
Susie & Perry Moss.
Ceremonies. The agency video, which also paid
tribute to the honorees, was generously produced
by JFS Board Member Lindsey Gutterman, and Steve Pettit of Starwest Productions.
Blanca and Howard Lerman graciously accepted the Jack Shapiro Community
Service Award and Steve Kris was honored with the Kal Zeff Business Leader of the
Year Award. All were lauded for their phenomenal service to the community and to
their dedication to the agency.
J
Continued on page 2
F A M I LY M A T T E R S JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008
REEL HOPE TAKE 12 Continued from page 1
Chet Schwartz, JFS board chair and previous
REEL HOPE honoree, and Bruce Taffet, Executive
Vice President of United Artists, warmly greeted
the gathering.
Event sponsors included Elizabeth and Steven
Kris, BWAB Incorporated, Will and Sheri Gold
and Joyce Zeff, David and Mia Berlin, BNY
Mellon Wealth Management, Chotin Asset
Management Corporation, Dreiseszun Family
Foundation, David and Vicki Goldman, Mark and
Idi Jackson, Alan and Gloria Kris, Gary and Lydia
Kris, MBH Enterprises, Inc., Morse Family
Foundation, Eric and Ellen Pollock, and Jonathan
and Lindsay Vinnik, Brownstein Hyatt Farber
Schreck, The Fearsome Foursome, Chuck and
Anne Gross, Jack and Celeste Grynberg, James
Steve Kris with his family: (L to R) Kaley, Steve,
Elizabeth, and Allison.
2
Hoffman, Howard and Blanca Lerman, Mario and
Bev Moranetz, Larry Mueller, Oak Tree
Foundation, Otten Johnson Robinson Neff &
Ragonetti, Chris Rule, and Gary and Terri Yourtz.
Heartfelt thanks go out to the extraordinary
REEL HOPE steering committee who made the
event such a success: Will and Sheri Gold, Perry
and Susie Moss, and Dan and Marian Seff, event
chairs; Steve and Julie Roitman and Francine
Topelson, sponsor committee co-chairs; Sheryl
Feiler, Vicki Goldman, and Ellen Pollock, ticket
committee co-chairs; Jen Gilbert-Kaufmann,
Nancy Kaufman, Dean Prina, M.D., and Tammy
Schiff, logistics committee co-chairs; and Sharon
Whiton Gelt, Lindsey Gutterman, and Kit
Leventhal, media co-chairs. n
The Lermans with their family: (L to R) Magalie,
Alex, Blanca, Howard, and Howard’s mother,
Adele Lerman.
Jack Shapiro Community Service Award recipients Howard
and Blanca Lerman with JFS Board Chair Chet Schwartz,
JFS President & CEO Yana Vishnitsky, and Kal Zeff Business
Leader of the Year Steve Kris.
Irene Mayer with her son, and the
evening’s emcee, JFS Board
Member Alan Mayer.
Representatives from Variety of Colorado, (L to R)
Tom Bielfeldt, Mike Allen, Bruce Proctor, Bruce
Taffet, and Ernie Johnson.
Photos by Howard Lutz and Blacktie-Colorado.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 F A M I LY M A T T E R S
GENEROUS DONORS BRIGHTEN HOLIDAYS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED
ach year, the staff of the Family Safety Net
program is overwhelmed by the generosity of
individuals and groups during the holiday season.
While gifts do not strictly qualify as “emergency
assistance,” the affirmation of care and thoughtfulness from the community makes a significant
impact on the individuals and families receiving
them. This year, 281 individuals received holiday
gifts donated by 38 organizations, schools,
synagogues, groups, families, and individuals for
the Bright Holidays program.
Diane first came to JFS in need of food for her
family. While waiting for her box of food, Diane
told a case worker of her situation. As she started
to cry, Diane told of recently moving to Denver
from another Colorado city in order for her
husband to begin treatment for leukemia. She
was stressed to the breaking point with worry
about food, finances, her children, and especially
her husband’s illness and future.
Since that time, Diane’s husband has had a
stem cell transplant and is slowly recovering.
However, finances continue to be extremely
precarious for the family. The case worker
referred the family to the
Bright Holidays program
for food and gifts for the
holidays. The group that
adopted Diane’s family
was very moved by the
family’s story and
situation. The staff went
above and beyond expectations to help this family
have a wonderful holiday
together, feel the care
from others, and regain
some hope for their
future.
The donor organization provided gift cards to
restaurants to ease some
of Diane’s burden while
E
caring for her husband. They also sent beautiful
clothing and games for the children and a very
generous Wal-Mart gift card. This business made a
huge impact on this family at a time when they
needed help the most. The care and thoughtfulness that this particular donor provided to Diane
and her family were outstandingly generous.
This organization was not
the only generous provider,
Every single gift in
however. It was obvious to the
the Bright Holidays
JFS staff that every single gift
program was chosen
in the Bright Holidays program
with sensitivity.
was chosen with sensitivity —
from the laundry soap and rolls
of toilet paper, to the fun toys and books, to the
beautiful clothing items. Another group of friends
adopted a single mother and her children. This
mother, Linda, has a life threatening disease and
is raising her children alone. The group worked
hard to make the holiday bright for Linda and her
children — and they succeeded. The gifts of
clothes were beautifully wrapped and chosen for
each child. They also provided food, laundry
supplies, and gift cards so Linda could purchase
additional necessities. Even the
boxes of food were wrapped and
decorated! Linda never expected
to see such amazing generosity
and thoughtfulness and was
delighted with the gifts and the
kindness they represented.
These are just two examples
from the holidays. Each gift
and every donor is greatly
appreciated. We thank you for
making the holidays bright for so
many of our neediest clients and
for encouraging us so much with
your concern for others. n
A small sample of the many generous gifts
received for the Bright Holidays program.
3
F A M I LY M A T T E R S JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008
SPOTLIGHT ON STAFF
DU Interns Serve at JFS through Hartford Foundation Grant
U graduate interns Amanda Bowers and
Robin Lipsker have served the agency
through a Hartford Foundation grant. JFS is one
of eight hub sites served by DU graduate interns
through this grant. This school year, two of the
hub sites are Jewish
“I have truly benefited
agencies — JFS and
from my time with
Allied Jewish
seniors. Their wisdom,
Apartments. The
students each work
life experiences, and
at a primary hub site
lessons are priceless.”
and work on a
—Amanda Bowers
rotation basis serving
at several of the
community hub
sites.
Last year, the
University of Denver
Graduate School of
Social Work (DU
GSSW) received a
three-year Hartford
Foundation Grant
for Practicum
Partnership Program
(PPP) to train social
Amanda Bowers workers in the field
of gerontology. As
part of the grant, each year eight second-year
social work students receive stipends for their participation in the program.
The goal of the PPP is to increase the number
of students who specialize in working with older
adults and ultimately increase the number of social
workers who are leaders in the field of aging.
Amanda, a DU social work graduate student,
is completing her internship with JFS this year.
Amanda’s concentration in her graduate work is
a community track, which emphasizes
community-building, fundraising, program
development, and leadership, rather than the
clinical aspect of social work.
At JFS, Amanda sees a small caseload of
senior clients, providing counseling and
conducting basic needs assessments to ensure
individuals have their food and shelter needs met,
D
4
as well as having medication and doctor visits
covered. In addition, she is learning about grant
writing, accounting, fundraising and working with
GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender)
seniors. She recently completed a train-the-trainer
program for Project Visibility, a GLBT senior
program, and will soon begin representing JFS as
a trainer in the community.
In addition to her work at JFS, Amanda will
do rotations at other local agencies in the areas of
dementia and animal-assisted therapy. She will
also work with the GLBT Center or a GLBT law
firm to become more involved in GLBT advocacy.
Originally from East Bay, California, Amanda
completed a double major in psychology and
sociology from UC Davis in 2003. She has held
several jobs in the caregiving field and took some
time off between undergraduate and graduate
schools to work in different areas, including in a
residential treatment center for at-risk youth.
Last year, she did an internship in Denver
Public Schools working with at-risk youth. “While
working there, I realized that many grandparents
were raising these teenagers and how difficult that
was for people in their 60s and 70s,” says
Amanda. “I discovered that my passion was
gerontology and caregiving, particularly in the
GLBT community where they often are discriminated against and don’t have a voice. I am drawn
to that social justice piece.”
She adds, “Many people in my generation do
not see the benefits of spending time with older
adults. In addition to the help I can provide to
seniors, I have truly benefited from my time with
them. Their wisdom, life experiences, and lessons
are priceless.”
Amanda, who graduates in June, has many
career aspirations. She is currently applying to law
schools in Colorado and California because she
feels she can do more in her career with both law
and social work degrees. She also wants to create a
program within a nonprofit organization or start a
nonprofit to integrate older adults with animalassisted therapy. She wants to become more
immersed in grant writing, fundraising, and program
development to help her achieve these goals.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 F A M I LY M A T T E R S
She is pleased to have this internship
experience at JFS because of the breadth of
services and number of people from whom she
has learned different skills. “JFS is the healthiest
environment I’ve ever worked in and I am so
grateful for this amazing opportunity!” Amanda
says with conviction. “I love all the supervision
help and answers I can get from numerous staff
members and I think the longevity of the staff
speaks for itself about how great the agency is.”
Amanda and her partner, Pam, have two dogs,
Rocky and Parker, a therapy dog in training. “I am
such an animal lover and value the human-animal
bond,” says Amanda. “I have noticed that talking
about animals is a great conversation-starter and
evokes many interesting stories from people.”
Robin, another DU social work graduate
student, conducts her internship at her primary
field site at Allied Jewish Apartments and did a
rotation at JFS during the month of December.
While working at JFS she facilitated individual
sessions with the seniors in her caseload,
answered calls, and assisted the department in
every possible way.
She says of the experience, “I really enjoyed
working with such a dedicated, sincere staff and
the seniors in my caseload.” One memorable
experience for Robin was accompanying Donna
Lutz, Nursing Home Outreach coordinator, to
assist with senior residential care holiday parties.
“It was remarkable,” says Robin. “I had been told
that many of the residents had severe dementia or
Alzheimer’s and they may not respond. However,
I observed that when we started singing the
traditional favorite Hanukkah songs like ‘Dreidel,
Dreidel, Dreidel,’ their faces would light up with
joy, and they would clap along and smile.”
Robin lived in Europe for some time as a
child, then lived in Northridge, California, and
raised her two daughters in Olympia, Washington.
She completed her undergraduate degree in social
work at the University of Washington. Robin and
her family recently moved to Denver to be nearer
to the Jewish community and the University of
Denver School of Social Work.
When asked why she chose a gerontology
specialty, Robin says, “As a social worker, I have
worked with families, at-risk youth, and drugaddicted mothers. The one population I have
always wanted to help was the elderly population
and this internship experience gave me the
opportunity to do so.” Upon graduation from her
master’s program in June, Robin aspires to become
an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in
Denver and “give back to the Jewish community
that has cared so much about our family in the
spirit of tikkun olam (repairing the world).”
Robin adds about her personal life, “I am
juggling being a student, wife, and recently a new
role as caregiver for my husband who had a
stroke and has a debilitating arthritic hip to where
he uses a walker.” She is also the proud mother of
two daughters — Rebecca, 18, and
Hannah, 12, who keep her quite
“I really enjoyed
busy with their activities, and she is
working with such a
enjoying being a friend to the new
dedicated, sincere
people they have met in Denver.
staff and the seniors
Field instructors with agencies
in my caseload.”
who serve the elderly were invited
—Robin Lipsker
to partner with DU GSSW to apply
for the Hartford Foundation PPP.
Those who responded became members of the
Advisory Consortium both for the application for
the grant and implementation of the grant
program. Jennie Creasey, care manager for JFS
Senior Solutions and Care Connection, serves as
the liaison from JFS for this program and
supervises the social work interns. Jennie says, “I
am very pleased that the DU Graduate School of
Social Work has involved JFS so thoroughly with
this project. It affirms us as one of the premier
agencies serving the elderly in our community.”
She adds, “Our department has a high
commitment to preparing social work students for
the growing field of gerontology and we seek to
have at least two students at all times. Our
students provide invaluable care management and
counseling services to at least 15 seniors at any
given time — seniors who are typically low
income, frail yet stable, and because of the
services of our students and staff, are successfully
staying in their homes.”
Thank you, Amanda and Robin, for your
excellent work and best wishes in your future
endeavors! n
5
F A M I LY M A T T E R S JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008
VOLUNTEERS OF ALL AGES LEND A HAND IN DECEMBER
n December 2nd, more than 70 volunteers
shared a few hours of their Sunday
afternoon to help JFS in a variety of ways — some
helped sort food for the Pantry, others updated and
re-vamped Party for a Purpose centerpieces, while
others assembled the fun party favor boxes for
REEL HOPE. Participants ranged from families with
young children to a Jewish hiking group to
community supporters who wanted to lend a hand.
On December 16th, another 34 generous
volunteers sorted food for the Pantry that was
donated from a Keller Williams food drive. Many
thanks to Randall Kohn and the real estate office of
Keller Williams for organizing a house-to-house,
door-to-door food drive in early December. Keller
Williams’ agents distributed flyers, returned to
collect the bags, and were able to provide 3,285
O
pounds of food for the Weinberg Food Pantry.
Their initiative, energy, and commitment to feeding
the hungry in the Denver community are most
appreciated by JFS and our clients. Thank you also
to JFS Board Member Annette Pluss and her family
for making this volunteer effort so successful to sort
the food collected by Keller Williams!
During the two days, volunteers sorted over
20,000 pounds of food and bagged over 800
pounds of rice, which will feed people who visit
the Pantry for about one month!
JFS is currently exploring future weekend
volunteer opportunities…stay tuned for more
news! For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Nancy Benyamin, director of
volunteer services, at (303) 597-5000, ext. 369 or
[email protected]. n
A group sorts food in the Pantry on December 2.
Volunteers use their creativity to assemble centerpieces.
A group busily puts together 900
REEL HOPE party favors.
6
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 F A M I LY M A T T E R S
Thank you to the following volunteers
who participated on December 2 and 16. We apologize for any errors or omissions.
Emma, Morrie, Noa, and Sam
Baumgarten
Laeh Benyamin
Richard Blumberg
Heather Boyd
Joshua Brenner
Brittney, Camrielle, and Holly
Coleman and Lee Loveridge
Everett Cook
Kyle Copp
Andra, Hannah, and Max Davidson
Daisy Flynn
Karen Fox
Ken, Jeremy and Sydney Gart
Amy Goldberg
Vicky Goldman
Sheryl and Ryan Goodman
Elana and Hayden Hirschfeld
Patricia Jennings
Steve Kessler
Jennifer Kritzik
Gail Krovitz
Marilyn Lande
Tracy Levy
Andy, Ron, and Jordan Linkow
Lyndee Marks
Sharon Marks
Alan, Peggy, Sydney, and Braden
Mayer
Sam McMillan
Kay Miller
Ilana Milstein
Jessica Milstein
Allison, Steven, and Susie Moss
Amanda Mossman
Adam, Dave, and Diana Mueller
Brian Parks
Chris Phillips
Cory Phillips
Jeanne Phillips
Cameron, Ellen, Eric, Ethan, and Will
Pollock
Cara Polonsky
Bryce and Wendi
Annette Pluss
Colette Pluss
Volunteers from “Jewish Hikes and Fun Stuff” pose for a
photo after they finished sorting food for the Pantry.
Dana Pluss
Laura Redstone
Shaula Rhodes
Jane E. Rosenbaum
Justin Sager
Beth Salzman
Cyndi, Michael and Evan Sauvage
Jared and Keri Schepis
David and Tammy Schiff
Hillary Schubach
Beth and Bob Schwartz
Chet and Louise Schwartz
Mark Schwartz
Paul and Jordan Shamon
Esti Shay
Bonnie Shore
Jill Stein
Eran Steiner
Ari and Loraine Summer
Carolin Topelson
Vitaly Vishnitsky
Phil Weinstein
Kathy Welch
Another group sorts food for the Pantry
on December 16.
7
F A M I LY M A T T E R S JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008
THANK YOU
FOR CARING!
The following reflects
donations received during
the period of November 1
to November 30, 2007.
IN HONOR OF
ANNIVERSARIES
Martha and Mark Barvin
Seth and Rivka Weisberg
Kathy and Neal Kimmel
Gary and Joyce Lozow
Claire and Burt Seiden
Barnetta Merenstein
Jorge and Francine
Topelson
Ian and Marsha Gardenswartz
Adele Gordon
Bob Janky and Fredlee Shore
IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS
Lawrence Atler
Irwin Horwitz
Shirley Goldberg
Jim and Ruth Sharon
Jack Grosz
Eva Gross
Molly Kaplan
Irvin and Sarah Borenstein
Susan Karsh
Gary and Joyce Lozow
Jordan Linkow
Ron and Andi Linkow
Lindsey Linkow
Ron and Andi Linkow
Robyn Loup
The Board & Staff of Jewish
Family Service
Yana Vishnitsky and
Jim Wolfe
Leo Stillman
Steve and Sandy Berkowitz
Henry Strauss
Elliott and Gloria Husney
Stephen Uslan
Mark and Susie Barter
Shelly Weissman
Shirley Walkovitz
8
hank you for your generosity! Your support
makes all our good works possible. Please
accept our apologies for any omissions or errors.
T
IN HONOR OF
Rena Brittan
Marvin and Renee Brilliant
Warren Cohen
The Board & Staff of Jewish
Family Service
Yana Vishnitsky and
Jim Wolfe
Deline Family
Eva Gross
Sheryl Goodman
Jerry and Kathy Berenstein
Arleen Gershen
Noel and Leslie Ginsburg
Phyllis Goodman
Linda Schatz
Wenner, Silvestain & Co.
Steven Kris
Robert and Carol Adelstein
Melvyn and Roberta Klein
Micah Rosenbaum
Rabbi Frederick Greenspahn
and Barbara Pearl
Marvin Scheinblatt
Shirley Walkovitz
Helen Selinger
Howard and Marilyn Selinger
Miriam Sharon
Jim and Ruth Sharon
IN MEMORY OF
Saul Axelrad
Norma Axelrad
Barry Bach
Harvey and Roberta Volin
Joe Bobrick
G. and Betty Goodman
Phyllis Jacobs
Jacob Cohen
Max Silverman
Selma Cohen
Elliott and Gloria Husney
Zina Gurvich
Yana Profilet
Harold Guzofsky
Elliott and Gloria Husney
Abe and Florence Hoffman
Levi and Debra Bendele
Mollie Levine
Don and Linda Neuman
Larry Meskin
Bennie and Joan Bub
Lou Nasborg
Harvey and Roberta Volin
Michael Peter
The Chotin Foundation
Barbara Pluss
Elliott and Gloria Husney
Charlotte Radetsky
Lynn Cohen
Rosie Rogovy
Ron and Joyce Fishman
Clara Rosen
Leonard and Juanita
Alterman
Marvin and Shirley Leff
Seymour Rubenstein and
Charlene Loup
Rosalind Rosenblum
Harvey and Roberta Volin
Cookie Rossman
Cynthia Chapman
Lorraine Sekerak
Michael Sekerak
Steven Sekerak
Michael Sekerak
Pearl and Sidney Shucard
Hal Shucard
Myron Sidon
Babette Orenstein
Morris Silverman
Max Silverman
Rena Silverman
Max Silverman
Sumner Wolfson
Pamela Decker
Julie Perlman
Fannie Zerobnick
Leonard and Juanita
Alterman
Joseph and Feggy Bernstein
Marvin and Shirley Leff
IN HONOR OF BIRTHS
Elana Topelson
Terry Fenner and
Dawn Richard
Neal and Kathy Kimmel
The Board & Staff of Jewish
Family Service
IN HONOR OF A
SPEEDY RECOVERY
Joseph Berenbaum
Louis and Marian Gelfand
Elinor Blank
David and Ami Opat
Laurie Caspe
Bobbi Furer
Leslie Davis
Lea Oxman
Phil Eigner
Marvin and Shirley Leff
Sam Gary
Stanton and Jane E.
Rosenbaum
Lynda Goldstein
The Board & Staff of Jewish
Family Service
Yana Vishnitsky and
Jim Wolfe
Glenn Levitt
Agnes Davis
Regina Silvestain
Wenner, Silvestain & Co.
Seymour A. Solow
Frances Solow
IN HONOR OF WEDDINGS
Dr. James and
Aleena Selkin
Eric and Fay Strauss
IN-KIND GIFTS
King Soopers at Colorado
King Soopers at Hampden
National Council of Jewish
Women, Denver
Pizza Hut at Havana
Pizza Hut at Leetsdale
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints’ Canning
Plant
Whole Foods at Cherry Creek
Whole Foods at Hampden and
Tamarac
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 F A M I LY M A T T E R S
SAVE
THE
DATE!
THE FOURTH ANNUAL JFS EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON
With Special Guest Frank Deford
Presented by Community Banks of Colorado
and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008
Frank Deford is a senior contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, author, and commentator.
He has been writing for Sports Illustrated since the early 1960s. He is also a correspondent
for HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and a regular Wednesday
commentator for National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition.”
Frank is the chairman emeritus of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He
became involved in cystic fibrosis education and advocacy after his daughter,
Alexandra (Alex) was diagnosed with the illness in the early 1970s. She died
on January 19, 1980, at the age of eight, and her life was chronicled in Mr.
Deford’s book Alex: The Life of a Child, which was made into a movie
starring Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia.
His 1981 novel, Everybody’s All-American, was named one of Sports
Illustrated’s Top 25 Sports Books of All Time and was later made into a
movie directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Dennis Quaid.
Frank Deford
Event chairs for this light-hearted luncheon are Nancy Harrison, Dr. Michael Opatowski,
Jeanne Portmann, Dean Prina, M.D., and Lynn Taussig, M.D. Tickets are $150 and
corporate tables of ten are also available. Please call Lisa May at (303) 597-5000, ext.
365 for tickets or more information.
JFS BOARD
Executive Committee
Chet Schwartz, Chair
Steve Kris, Chair Elect
Joyce Foster, Immediate Past Chair
Shelley Krovitz, Vice Chair
Alan Mayer, Vice Chair
Chuck Gross, Secretary
Eric Pollock, Treasurer
Howard Lerman, At Large
Perry Moss, At Large
Jane E. Rosenbaum, At Large
Joyce Zeff, Life Member Emeritus
Board of Directors
Doug Antonoff
Rob Baumgarten
Jim Cohen
Lisa Reckler Cohn
Jill Cowperthwaite
Sheryl Feiler
Elaine Gampel
Rabbi Bernard Gerson
Sherri Goldstein
Sheryl Goodman
Lindsey Gutterman
Jeff Johnson
Robyn Loup
Gail Nussbaum
Annette Pluss
Dean Prina, MD
Dan Seff
Lani Silvers
Barry Silvestain
Lisa Taussig
Theodore Wirecki, MD
9
F A M I LY M A T T E R S JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008
GOOD FOOD • GOOD PARTY • GOOD WORKS
The Centerpiece that Changes Lives
Celebrate your next special occasion while making a contribution to those less fortunate.
When you order a “JFS Party with a Purpose” centerpiece, bimah basket, or head table
arrangement for your next event (B’nai Mitzvah, baby naming, wedding, anniversary,
graduation, dinner, or luncheon), you will be helping to feed the hungry!
Centerpiece proceeds support the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry and
each basket is designed to recognize your generosity. Delivery and pickup are provided for
your convenience.
New designs are now available — order your Party with a Purpose centerpiece
today! Contact Kari Alpen at (303) 597-5000, ext. 340 or [email protected].
BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
JFS is assembling a high-powered Business Advisory Board of prominent
business leaders chaired by Don Silversmith. This board will provide business
advice and support for the agency’s social enterprises and will serve as JFS
ambassadors and multiyear financial supporters. Read more about the Business
Advisory Board and their important work in the next issue of Family Matters.
HELP JFS MAKE A DIFFERENCE. DONATE YOUR VEHICLE.
Donate your car, truck, van, boat or RV! Your tax-deductible
donation will benefit JFS’s wide-ranging programs and
services. Car donations are handled by our nonprofit
partner, Cars for Charity. Please visit www.carsforcharity.net
or call (303) 853-GIVE (4483) and request JFS as the
beneficiary of your contribution.
10
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 F A M I LY M A T T E R S
FAMILY SAFETY NET CLIENT RECEIVES MUCH NEEDED GIFT
FROM ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA
andy came to the Weinberg Food Pantry last
year when the restaurant she worked at closed
for remodeling. Sandy, a waitress, was out of work
and came to JFS for help. She is a single mother
and places high importance on the education of her
13-year-old son and wants his life to be better than
hers has been. She does not receive any child
support and works hard to pay her bills. She has
been doing very well until recently.
Just before Thanksgiving, a driver, who
received a ticket, ran a stop sign and crashed into
Sandy’s car. Sandy and her son were in the hospital
after the accident. Even now she has been unable to
return to work as a waitress because of so much
bruising on her side and terrible pain from the
accident. Her son has not returned to school yet,
either, because of concern about his neck.
Sandy did not have any way of paying her rent
for the next couple of months while she
S
recuperates. For people living in poverty, and
especially for single mothers, there is no safety net
in their savings account. She always paid her bills,
but never had anything left over for savings or
luxuries in her life. She does everything she can,
but is in a terrible situation and
faces homelessness at this point —
For people living in
through no fault of her own, just a
poverty, and especially
mistake on someone else’s part.
for single mothers,
This accident is devastating for
there is no safety net.
the family, both physically and
financially. Fortunately, the Family
Safety Net program was able to assist them in
several ways, including nominating this family in a
special “Nation of Neighbors” Program through the
Royal Neighbors of America organization. This
group gave Sandy $1,500 to help support herself
over the next couple of months as she recovers
from the car accident. n
CHOICES 2008
“A Healthy You. A Healthy World.”
Featuring Dr. Susan Blumenthal, former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General
Thursday, February 21, 2008, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street at Stout, Denver
No cost to attend. Complimentary dinner. (Dietary laws observed)
A minimum individual pledge of $200 to Federation’s Annual Campaign is requested.
(Women 13-18 = $36; 19-21 = $54; 22-25 = $100; Senior on a fixed income = $100.)
For the CHOICES Mitzvah Project, please bring diapers, feminine products, shampoo,
deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby wipes, toilet paper, and other essential toiletry
products for the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry.
Dr. Susan Blumenthal
For more information, call Julie Gieringer at (303) 316-6443 or visit
www.jewishcolorado.org/choices.
To register: call Juliet Glaser at (303) 316-6466.
Presented by Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado.
Once again, generously underwritten by Sue Allon and Andrea Pollack.
CHOICES 2008 Co-Chairs: Jennifer Dechtman, Lisa Mintz, Julie Whitcomb
11
NON PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
DENVER, COLORADO
PERMIT NO. 1217
Joyce and Kal Zeff Building
3201 South Tamarac Drive
Denver CO 80231-4394
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
tel: 303-597-5000
fax: 303-597-7700
www.jewishfamilyservice.org
Beneficiary Agency of Allied Jewish Federation
of Colorado and Mile High United Way
SAVE THE DATE
FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL
EXECUTIVE
LUNCHEON
FEATURING FRANK DEFORD