Hanukkah Happenings

Spirit of the Season

The spirit of Tzedakah was alive and well throughout the greater Cleveland area during Hanukkah this year. From gift wrapping to candle lighting to latkes, JFSA clients enjoyed a Happy Hanukkah thanks to the generosity of our community.

(left to right, standing) Co-Chairs Trish Adler, Amy Garnitz, Amy's son Ben, residential client Fred Goldstein, house manager Melissa Griffith, residential client Michael Chesler (seated in front) residential client Zalman Donen.

The Women's Philanthropy Division of Jewish Federation of Cleveland organized "Hanukkah in a Basket". Volunteers from both the east and west sides of Cleveland spent a day wrapping gifts and putting together baskets for JFSA Ascentia residential clients. Baskets were delivered on the first and second nights of Hanukkah.This is the first time this kind of event has been done and the organization hopes to make it an annual event, said Elizabeth Klein, Director of Women's Philanthropy.

(left to right) Fuchs Mizrachi students (left to right) Eli Ashwal, Noah Dlott and Hillel Davis with Reggie Adler in her home.

Students at Fuchs Mizrachi school took time to light Menorah candles with Holocaust Survivors on the first night of Hannukah. Students also sang Hanukkah songs in Hebrew with the Suvivors.
 

(left to right) Best friends Molly Topper and Margaret Yanowitz at the Holocaust Survivor Hanukkah party.

Heavy snow didn't stop over 100 Holocaust Survivors from attending JFSA's annual Hanukkah party at Young Israel of Greater Cleveland. Survivors were escorted inside by Fuchs Mizrachi students, who also served lunch. Elementary school students from Gross Schechter Day School sang a melody of Hanukkah songs. Local businessman Todd Stern donated ear warmers, gloves and hats. The winter essentials were a big hit with everyone. Todd said he's learning about the Holocaust again, after his son started studying it at Fairmount Temple. "I have a renewed interest and I'm in a position to help wherever I can," he said.

Retirement Honors

JFSA Employees Recognized For Combined 80 Years Of Service 

Maureen Herron (left) and Sue Biagianti enjoy cake at their retirement luncheon.

Sue Biagianti, Director of JFSA's Older Adult Services and Maureen Herron, Manager of Clinical and Therapeutic Services for JFSA's Ascentia program started their careers one month apart from each other in 1970. Now 40 years later, they are saying goodbye to JFSA.  Sue was instrumental in starting a program of services focused on the needs of Holocaust Survivors. She also has played key roles in the agency's home delivered meals program, Lifeline and the launch of JFSA's homecare business. Maureen started at JFSA as a social worker and counselor to individuals and families. She later became a clinical supervisor in the Psychiatric and Support Services program, now known as Ascentia. Maureen oversaw the agency's intake, nursing staff, psychiatry services, counseling staff and group services. Sue and Maureen, you will be missed! Thank you for your many years of service at JFSA!

JFSA 135th Annual Meeting

"It Takes A Community"

JFSA's Annual Meeting at Temple Emanu El last month included a tribute to community members who have helped improve the lives of JFSA clients. Staying with the meeting's theme of "It Takes A Community," JFSA's Ascentia program recognized Goodwill Industries and the Cleveland Food Bank for helping clients with mental illness and developmental and/or intellectual disabilities achieve their goals of getting a job and keeping a job.

JFSA's Families at Risk division recognized board members Trish Adler, Grant Dinner, Suellen Kadis, Will Sukenik and JFSA board president Bob Immerman for leading the Families at Risk Endowment building efforts.

(left to right) Art Treuhaft, Karen Newborn, Billy Delfs, Marci and Daniel Ungar (Mar-Lou Shoes) were among those recognized for their support.

In a special reception held earlier in the evening, JFSA  Care at Home recognized individuals, companies and

community members who have donated basic necessities for Holocaust Survivors, including mattresses, furniture, shoes, gift cards for food and dental care. Over a dozen individuals and families were recognized for their generous support to this important program.

Myrna Spira was named Life Director. Myrna has been a board member since 1994 and was the first chairperson of the Psychiatric & Support Services program, now known as Ascentia. Myrna has spent many hours with clients and their families to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness. She and her husband Jim were named the 2008 inaugural recipients of the JFSA Anne C. Schwartz leadership Award for their long standing advocacy and efforts on behalf of those with mental illness. 

Ethan Cohen was honored with the Norman J. Danzig Leadership Award. This award is presented to a young leader of the agency that has displayed honorable commitment to the community and the promise of continued leadership. As Assistant Treasurer, Ethan has spent many hours working with the Executive committee sharing his insights and expertise. Ethan is also a member of the Marketing, Finance, IT and Care at Home committees.

Ohio Benefit Bank 

Program Provides Fast Access to Government Services

Millions of dollars in state benefits go unused every year from food stamps to heating assistance. More often than not, people don't know resources are available to them. The Ohio Benefit Bank is a service that makes it easier for people to apply for county benefits such as day care vouchers, food stamps, home heating assistance and free income tax preparation. Rachel Madden, a case manager for JFSA's Hebrew Shelter Home, also helps people use The Ohio Benefit Bank. "People don't know how to access these benefits, especially suburban families. This is the hardest population to reach," she said. "With the housing crisis and economic downturn, many individuals need help more than ever."

A typical process includes a sit-down interview with a  specially trained Benefit Bank liaison. A client is asked a series of basic questions, such as household income, family size and what assets he or she has. All information is private and confidential. Rachel said during the meeting, she can tell the client exactly what he or she is eligible for, based on the information provided.

Once the application process is completed, the next step will be scheduling a face-to-face appointment with a county employee that follows up on the application. Client need to provide a photo ID, Social Security numbers of everyone in the household and proof of income. Rachel said a single person would typically receive $200 dollars in food stamps. For a family, that amount could be up to $600 dollars. Rachel also said anyone can apply for benefits, but most referrals she takes are from people who already have a relationship with JFSA.

If you would like more information about The Ohio Benefit Bank, please contact Rachel Madden at rmadden@jfsa-cleveland.com If you would like to be trained as an Ohio Benefit Bank volunteer, call Sandy Lusher-Waterhouse at 216.378.3475.

Scholarship Spotlight

Former client and scholarship student now working for agency
 

Tanya Borshov has been working in JFSA's Human Resource Department for the past seven years, but her connection to JFSA started when she was 13. Tanya moved to Cleveland from Belarus with her mother and grandmother in 1990. JFSA helped re-settle her family and Tanya remembers that time as being difficult. "Being in a new country, we didn't have money saved up, so money was definitely an issue," she says. Her mother had a baby to care for and also worked full-time. Tanya worked part-time while attending Mayfield Heights High School. To help her attend college, she received the Gerson Scholarship for New Americans and grants totaling $5,600 from JFSA's college financial aid program. "The scholarship was the difference between going to school and having to work full time to help my family," she says.

After she obtained a degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University she started working with JFSA. "When I saw an advertisement for a job at JFSA, I wanted to pay back the community that helped me." Tanya was hired as a recruiter and was later promoted to Talent Acquisition Coordinator. In her position, she screens jobs applications, recruits employees and handles new employee orientations. "JFSA is a wonderful agency and it is an honor to work here," she says. "I live the mission everyday and am grateful to help provide jobs for people in this economy."

If you would like more information about college financial aid, please contact Toby Bresky at 216-378-3429.

Jewish Family Service Association is accepting applications for the Jack W. and Shirley J. Berger Scholarship. The fund was established in 1988, by two former Clevelanders to assist and encourage students entering college to attain academic excellence within a secular institution. Students awarded this scholarship can receive funding of $2,000 each year up to 4 years of college if a 3.0 GPA is maintained.  Any interested student should obtain an application from their Guidance office. The deadline for submissions is MARCH 4, 2011. Recipients will be selected by MAY 23, 2011.

Please contact Toby Bresky at 216-378-3429 for more information.

JFSA Donor Spotlight

Josephine's Legacy

Josephine Rosin (of blessed memory) took great pleasure out of helping others.  She lobbied on behalf of people with disabilities and is described by her family as a compassionate and committed person. "Josephine identified with Jewish ethics and family," one of her nephews said recently. "The personal interests she took in other people were infinite and enthusiastic."

Although Josephine passed away 5 years ago, her legacy will live on through the establishment of the Sarah Rosin and Josephine Rosin Fund created by her family, which will help support individuals with mental disabilities to live independently. "Our family had a sense of responsibility, dignity and concern beyond just loving and caring," Dr. Joseph Rosin, Josephine's nephew said. "We rose to the challenges of making sure people were taken care of."

Josephine was one of four children, raised in Detroit by her mother, Sarah, and a loving extended family. Following her mother's death in 1970, Josephine moved to Cleveland to live with her sister. After her sister died in 1991, Josephine lived independently with the help of JFSA case workers .

Another of Josephine's nephews said she was extraordinarily self-reliant and the case workers really helped her exert her independence. "Josephine made her own meals, including her favorite dish, spaghetti and meat balls from scratch, washed her own clothes, entertained guests and took care of other household duties," he said. It was this personal connection to JFSA that made her family want to give back to the agency.