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FEBRUARY 2015
Save The Date!

 

May 19, 2015

Multnomah Athletic Club

Our Third Annual Luncheon makes possible the programs that help so many in our community.


AND, it's not just lunch. . .

  • You'll hear an inspirational guest speaker*
  • Enjoy learning more about JFCS and
  • Have the opportunity to support our services.

*Our guest speaker, Stephen Elliott, credits a Jewish social service agency in Chicago with saving his life. He is now a graduate of the University of Illinois, Northwestern and recipient of the prestigious Stegner Fellowship at Stanford. He writes, he speaks, he inspires!

 

Would you like to have a reserved table? Become a Table Host and invite nine of your friends and associates to join you for the luncheon. Click here to sign up. 

 

Would you like to help underwrite the cost of the event so that every dollar raised will go directly to our programs? For more information about becoming a sponsor email development@jfcs-portland.org.

 

Life & Legacy Update


On January 28, the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation's (OJCF) Board of Trustees hosted an award celebration for the Life & Legacy Program - a partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and OJCF. Our Jewish Community successfully reached the first year legacy-building goal for the program that promotes after-lifetime giving to benefit and build endowments for local Jewish day schools, synagogues, social service agencies, and other Jewish entities. JFCS and the nine other participating organizations each received a grant of $9,000 for their first year efforts to integrate legacy giving into our development plans. JFCS thanks those who have given so generously to assure Jewish tomorrows:

  • Ron & Judy Applebaum
  • Gloria Bacharach
  • Melissa Bloom
  • Stephen & Beverly Bookin
  • Stephen A. & Toby F. Blake
  • Kathy & Norman Chusid
  • Nathan F. Cogan
  • Lee J. Cordova
  • Richard B. Dobrow
  • Marian Fenimore
  • Bob and Lesley Glasgow
  • Miriam Hecht & Ivan Zackheim
  • Randy Katz
  • Paul Norr
  • Les Soltesz
  • Jennifer & Ken Zeidman

To learn more about how to create your Jewish Legacy, please contact Carrie Hoops, Interim Executive Director, at 503-226-7079 ext.113.or carriehoops@jfcs-portland.org


 
Jewish Disabilities Awareness - This Month and Always

 

February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month.  It's not just about awareness though, it's about what we do, and what we can do in the Jewish community to include and welcome everyone with a disability.

 

For those with disabilities, it is a reminder that Judaism recognizes everyone. "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates variety among living beings."  It's a reminder that we are all welcome in our community, and should be included in everyday Jewish life, including being called to read Torah and serving on local boards and committees too. 

But what does it mean to those who are lucky enough to not have special needs?  Perhaps you could offer an earnest welcome to those in our community who may feel isolated because of their disability.  Perhaps extend a hand at services, or offer to drive someone to services.  Maybe invite someone to an event in the community.  Perhaps volunteer at the next opportunity to assist others (JFCS loves the commitment of our many volunteers). Perhaps you might read a book that informs you about living with disabilities?  You might read former Portlander and frequent national newsmagazine contributor Tom Fields-Meyer's book Following Ezra: What One Father Learned about Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from His Extraordinary Son.  Or perhaps you could gain insight from Broken and the Whole: Discovering Joy after Heartbreak, by Rabbi Charles. S. Sherman, who talks about the change in his own thoughts on disabilities after one of his children develops a life-altering disorder.

 

At JFCS, we like to celebrate Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month every day of the year, by providing consultations to families with a new or changing diagnosis, by participating in community events with our clients who may have disabilities, and by helping everyone live a life of inclusivity in our community. As one recent client said, "I feel isolated sometimes, but when I'm with others who welcome me, I know I matter too."

 

For more information contact: 

Corinne Spiegel, Disabilities Inclusion Specialist, at 503-226-7079 x155 or corinne@jfcs-portland.org

Stacy Buckley, Partners Program Manager, at 503-226-7079 x111 or stacy@jfcs-portland.org

 

Reframing Human Services

 

The National Human Services Assembly (NHSA), American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), and leaders across a range of nonprofit organizations are actively thinking about how human services can transition from a charity model to a more progressive approach about providing all Americans with opportunities to succeed and live meaningful lives. FrameWorks was engaged by NHSA, with support from the Kresge Foundation, to explore how various ways of reframing the sector could improve public understanding and unite the field around core concepts. This multi-method collaborative project is designed to test communications strategies that can be used by members of the field to generate a broader public understanding of what the field is and does, and, in turn, increase public support for the policies and programs necessary to improve the effectiveness of human services in the United States.

 

The Interrelated  "cloud" of human services

 

The partners believe that examining the frame Americans use to understand "human services" is a critical step in the journey to identifying and achieving the over-arching outcomes we all want for all Americans. It is not just about common language, images, and messaging; it is about knowing the extent to which the people and leaders of the country understand, value, and envision the contributions of human services. The public needs help to understand that having needs and seeking services is normative and that an array of distinct but interrelated services is necessary for people in a society to prosper. This ambitious project is expected to take a year or more. Additional information can be found here. 

 

Jewish Family & Child Service provides social services that improve the lives of adults, families and children in the Jewish and general communities.

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Our Programs: 

Counseling | Homemaker Assistance | Emergency Aid | Disability Support Services

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