|
AJFCA is Proud to Unveil its New Look
For the past nine months, we have engaged in a rebranding process that has resulted in a new logo and a completely overhauled website. We hope the new website will be a useful tool for all of our members as well as others who are interested in the work you do. Some of the exciting features of our new site include:
- a searchable member directory complete with contact information and links to the websites of each of our member agencies
- a news section that will allow us to post positive press from each of our members as well as trends and information pertinent to the human services sector
- a robust member area that will include a resource library, fundraising information and links to member benefits
- a searchable list of job vacancies within our member agencies
- a section dedicated to our annual conference that will house photos and content from our immediate past conference as well as information relating to our upcoming conference.
Please note that our member agency usernames and passwords have been pre-set. Information was given out about this at our conference. If you do not know your username and password, or if you would like to reset your username and/or password, please email Megan Myers. Lastly, many agencies have inquired about the new AJFCA logo, which is available for your use.
____________________________________________________________________________
Conference Update
The AJFCA 39th Annual Conference held in Calgary was a huge success. Valuable information was learned and terrific ideas obtained. Attendees took advantage of the opportunity to meet new colleagues and connect with "old friends."
A highlight of the conference was the election of Barry C. Klickstein, Esq. to the position of board chair effective May 15, 2011. Barry remarked, "With nearly 40 years of history, the Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies has been a strong advocate for services and policies that promote healthy Jewish families, individuals and children. I am thrilled to be elected to this leadership position, helping to steer the organization's efforts to provide much-needed services to this constituency."
 Barry's election coupled with the riveting guest speakers, interesting sessions and a fantastic group of organizers made for a great time in Calgary. Many thanks to: Joel Litman, Conference Chair; Nancy Bissinger Timm, Conference Co-Chair; Judy Halper and Bruce Beyer, Program Co-Chairs; the Conference Committee Members; AJFCA Staff; Guest Speakers, Presenters, Facilitators and Chairpersons; Bev Sheckter, CEO of JFS Calgary and her fabulous Host Committee; and our Conference Sponsors for their time and effort in making this Conference such a success.
Handouts and power point presentations from the conference sessions will be made available shortly on the AJFCA website. You will be notified as to when this information becomes available.
Those unable to attend this year's Conference were truly missed by all. The AJFCA Staff and Board are looking forward to seeing you at the 2012 Annual Conference, April 22-24, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston, Texas. Please mark the dates on your calendar.
______________________________________________________________________________
Member Agency Forums
The List Serves previously used by affinity groups within our member agencies to communicate with one another were an active and important resource for many of our member agencies. When they malfunctioned a few months ago, we determined the need to find a new and up-to-date tool to replace them. We had hoped that Google Groups would be a good solution; however, due to the issues that we have experienced with our Google Group forums, we have deactivated them. We are now looking at alternative solutions. We apologize for the interruption in your use of group forums. We hope to have information very soon on a new forum tool. Thank you for your patience.
______________________________________________________________________________
Member Agency News
Care and Compassion Recognized
On April 15th, Larry Derkach, Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Edmonton was honored as one of Edmonton City's 2011 Men of Honour. Recognized for his compassion and community service, Larry joined a growing roster of men who work diligently to build the City's capacity, creating change and making a difference for all people.
The Friends of PAAFE (Prostitution Action and Awareness Foundation of Edmonton) established these awards six years ago, to reflect their belief that we must work together to overcome violence and exploitation. Each year, ten men are selected for their exemplary roles in fostering respect, encouraging healthy relationships, creating positive opportunities for vulnerable people, and providing inspiration.
JFS board member Tulane Rollingher was on hand for the celebrations and remarked," Our board knows well how much Larry has given to the Jewish community and to our City. It is pleasing to see his efforts acknowledged this way, as his leadership style truly fosters Tikun Olam. We are both thankful for what he has done and very excited to share such great news!"
_______________________________________________________________________________
D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
The opening plenary speaker at our recently concluded Annual Conference was writer and film director David Bezmozgis. In early April, David published his first novel, The Free World. The book tells the story of three generations of a family in the process of emigrating from Latvia to Canada in the late 1970's. The setting of the novel is Rome, a stop along the journey of many Jewish families as they made their way from the former Soviet Union to new homes in Israel, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other western nations. This critically acclaimed novel describes a family becoming part of a new nation, both as a new geographic location, and as part of the Jewish people. Transitions are not easy and there are many "bumps" along the way.
This week we begin reading from the fourth book of Torah, B'midbar. In English we refer to this book as "Numbers," for the census with which the book opens. But, B'midbar is translated as "in the wilderness," an apt description of the Israelites' journey as they continue from the slavery of Egypt to the nationhood of the Promised Land. Although the geographic distance the Israelites needed to cover to reach their destination was not great, it nevertheless took four decades to accomplish the task. As we proceed through the reading of B'midbar, we share the experience of the many lessons and stops along the way that not only mark the journey, but provide the means of building a new community.
When speaking of his family's personal journey to the AJFCA conference, David Bezmozgis said: "At every step of the long journey, there were people committed to helping us. There were people who reminded us that we were part of a community, of a long-standing people with a distinctive past. And that what we were undergoing was merely another chapter in the history of our people." The early chapters of the journey of the Jewish people we read in Torah. The chapters continue today with the work that we do with our families and our communities.
Shabbat Shalom. |
