Holocaust Survivor Support Services

Dental Students Learn How to Treat Aging Survivors 

Photo courtesy of Case Western Reserve University

JFSA social workers Ellie Shoag and Gilda Katz had the opportunity to talk with dental students at Case Western Reserve University in the fall about a topic that isn't taught in the classroom-sensitivity when working with aging Holocaust survivors. Although dental students have worked with survivors in the past, this was a learning experience for them, Ellie says.

"They (students) thought the training was fantastic and they learned not just about being sensitive with survivors, but with all victims of trauma," she says. 

Ellie says survivors can feel vulnerable sitting in a dentist chair for a long period of time. Bright lights shining in a person's face can also trigger a bad memory for a survivor, Ellie says. The point of the training was to educate the dental students, who in turn, will hopefully provide survivors with the best possible experience when receiving dental care.

"Our survivors are interacting in the world everyday and to know someone will be a little kinder and more sensitive to their needs is so important, " Ellie says. 

JFSA College Financial Aid Program

Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

JFSA is accepting applications for the Jack W. and Shirley J. Berger Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who meets these requirements:

-Must be a resident of Cuyahoga County or its surrounding counties.

-Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA in high school.
-Must have a minimum 1850 SAT or 28 ACT score.

-Must take a college course in comparative religion.

-Must be a full-time student seeking a secular education.

JFSA is also accepting applications for the Yoda Newton Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who meets these requirements:

-Active community volunteer

-Has overcome a life obstacle

-Minimum 3.0 GPA

There are no restrictions in regard to race, ethnic origin or religion for either scholarship. The deadline for both scholarships is March 1, 2012. For more information, contact Toby Bresky, Manager of College Financial Aid Program at tbresky@jfsa-cleveland.org.  Information is also available in local high school guidance offices. 

JFSA Mitzvah Projects

Two members of the community remind us all that we are never too old or too young to fulfill a mitzvah.

 Sarah Furth used her Bat Mitzvah as an opportunity to help others. Last spring, Sarah did an Internet search on Jewish non-profits in the greater Cleveland area. She watched videos on JFSA's website and was inspired to give back. "I saw people that really needed help," Sarah says. "I thought it would be nice if they had money to purchase a CD, go to a movie or just buy a new pair of socks."

Sarah became a bat mitzvah in October at Temple Tifereth-Israel. She asked her family and friends to make a donation in her honor to JFSA. To date, more than $3,000 dollars in donations have been made in Sarah's honor. Sarah says she was able to make a connection between her mitzvah and her Torah portion, which included knowing there are consequences to your actions.  "I wanted to do the right thing by helping people in need," Sarah says. "They (clients) will get a lot of use and joy out of what they can buy with the money."  

Eileen Sill, poses with her daughter Shari and granddaughters Alexis and Brittany.

Eileen Sill, the mother of JFSA Board Member Shari Perlmuter, showed her support for JFSA's Hebrew Shelter Home while celebrating a milestone birthday. Instead of giving gifts, Eileen asked her family and friends to recognize her special day by making contributions to the shelter in her honor. 

If you are interested in doing a mitzvah project with JFSA, contact Jamie Brown at 216-504-6451.

Celebrate Chanukah with a gift to JFSA's Annual Campaign

During Chanukah, many families celebrate this holiday by exchanging small gifts each night or on some nights of the eight day holiday.  For families with young children, it is customary to give gelt (money) to teach them to give some of it to charity and to add to the festive holiday spirit.

This year why not make a gift to the community through a donation to JFSA's Annual Campaign in honor of family and friends? The Annual Campaign is an integral component of the Agency's $24 million dollar budget which supports the most vulnerable members of our community. Without this source of funding, many vital JFSA programs would not be sustainable. 

With the holiday season in full swing, there are countless ways to give back to those in need. Here are two opportunities to help JFSA clients and the greater Cleveland homeless population.

Legacy Village Holiday Giving Tree

Select an ornament from the holiday giving tree and purchase a gift card for JFSA clients. Legacy Village will wrap and deliver the gifts in time for Christmas & Chanukah. You will receive a $5 Legacy Village gift card as a small token of appreciation.

     * Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

     * Sunday from Noon to 6 p.m.

Operation Warm-Up

Help Cleveland's homeless community by donating new socks, underwear, wash clothes and towels for men, women and children to Jewish Federation of Cleveland's Operation Warm-Up. The drive runs through December 23rd. Operation Warm-Up bins are located at the following locations:

*PDC Building (3659 S. Green Road Suite 322, Beachwood) 

*PLAN office (5010 Mayfield Road, Suite 304, Lyndhurst)

Donations will be distributed at InterAct Cleveland's Homeless Stand Down on January 22nd.