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OCTOBER 2015

Help Light Up Someone's Life This Holiday Season

This year, with the generous support of the community, JFCS will once again brighten the holiday season for families in need through our Holiday Campaigns. 

The Holiday Campaigns are a partnership with a number of local organizations. Our Partners collect food, gifts and needed household items for the families and individuals served through these two important endeavors. We are very pleased to announce our 2015 Holiday Partners - and the list is still growing. 
 
The Holiday Campaigns wouldn't be possible without the help of the following Partners:
Beit Haverim Religious School

Cedar Sinai Park

Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation Neveh Shalom

Congregation Shaarie Torah

The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland

Mittleman Jewish Community Center

Portland Jewish Academy

Maayan Pre-school/Day School

Jewish Boy Scout Troop 739

Jewish Cub Scout Troop 739

and more to come soon


Our goal is to provide 150 families with boxes of food at Thanksgiving. Each box contains the makings of a complete dinner including turkey and all the trimmings. 

For Hanukkah or Christmas we hope to provide 50 vulnerable individuals and families with things they need such as household items, clothing, and toys for young children. 
 
There are lots of ways you can help us to meet our goals and brighten many lives!
 
Volunteer
Join us for one or both work parties:
  • Sunday, November 22: Thanksgiving Food Boxes - assembling the ingredients for a complete Thanksgiving dinner into a box and/or delivering the boxes to needy families.
  • Sunday, December 6: Mitzvah Menorah / Adopt-a-Family - wrapping holiday gifts, assembling them into bundles and/or delivering the gifts to needy households. 

View more about volunteer opportunities here.

 
Contribute food or gifts
Community partners serve as collection sites for specific food items and/or gifts. This year's partners will be collecting items beginning in a few weeks. After November 1st you can contact them directly to find out what they are collecting and where to drop off your donations.
 
Support Mitzvah Menorah / Adopt- A-Family
Make a family's holiday wishes come true by shopping for their specific needs. JFCS will match you anonymously with a family who would not otherwise have gifts at this time of year. You can shop based on their requests or simply donate gift cards.
 
Provide cash donations
Although the community contributes much of the food and many of the gift items, there are always gaps that need to be filled with purchased items. JFCS depends on cash donations in order to shop for the remaining items. Your cash donation is critical to meeting our goals.Donate here!
 
When the community comes together, great things happen!
 
For more information about JFCS's Holiday Campaigns, contact Carrie Kaufman, Volunteer & Development Coordinator, by email here 
or call 503-226-7079 x118.

Kehillah Fundraiser 

Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, November 3!  Join us for Friends and Family Night at McMenamins in Raleigh Hills from 5:00 PM until closing! Bring everyone you know out for burgers, salads, sandwiches, or the day's specials because at the end of the night, 50% of the evening's total sales will be donated to Kehillah, an independent home for adults with special needs. Come with a big appetite because the more you order, the more is earned for this wonderful cause! 


Get connected  . . .
to local information and services for seniors and people with disabilities!
 
A wonderful resource hub is available online through the Oregon ADRC: Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection: www.adrcoforegon.com .On the site you'll find a useful Planning Toolkit for Long-term Services and Supports.
 
For more information about TASK, please contact Corinne Speigel, TASK Program Inclusion Specialist at [email protected] or 503-226-7079 x133.

Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Agencies Come Together To Help Homeless Individuals At Portland's 'Day of Dignity'

On Sunday, September 20th, JFCS partnered with Islamic Social Services of Oregon (ISOS), The Blanchet House, The Latter Day Saints and SW Community Health Clinic to offer aid to homeless people in downtown Portland.


 

People formed a long line to receive hot meals, haircuts, and medical resources. They filled bags with essential supplies including: hats, gloves, underwear, blankets, rain ponchos, dry food, hygiene kits, and back-to-school supplies. Members of the Young Ladies Institute of the Catholic Church contributed 150 hand-knit or crocheted hats to help keep people warm this winter.

With different religions working together for "Day of Dignity", it exemplifies that we all have the same intention to help the less fortunate in our community, but when we partner and work together, we have a much greater impact. The event, now in its 11th year, served 539 homeless people this year, up by over 100 individuals / households from last year's event. Maria Rehbach, JFCS Emergency Aid Coordinator, recounted that one participant said how great it was for JFCS and Islamic Social Services to come together for the event. Maria replied, "yes, we are striving to set an example that people of differing faiths and backgrounds can work together to make the world a better place."

Participants were very grateful for the resources and services provided. A young couple, expecting a child soon, was thrilled to receive a hand-knit cap for their new baby.  Maria described the "Day of Dignity" as "a truly a magical day in which we celebrated our strength as a community working together to lift up those in need."

For more information about JFCS's Emergency Aid Program, contact Maria Rehbach, Emergency Aid Coordinator, at [email protected] or 503-226-7079 x128.
 

Sukkot Celebration

Caf� Europa celebrated Sukkot with a luncheon again this year. The event has become a wonderful tradition - now 10 years old. A lively group of Holocaust survivors and their guests enjoyed a delicious Kosher lunch, followed by a delightful performance by hostess Marjorie Janove on the piano and a sing-along led by Manny Taiblum.  

Caf� Europa provides important social support for our Holocaust survivors. We thank Marjorie for graciously opening her home to host this annual event and for generously giving of her time and talents. 

For more information about Caf� Europa, contact Missy Fry, Lifeline Case Manager/Caf� Europa at [email protected] or 503-226-7079 x133.
October Is Domestic Violence Month

Violence thrives when we are silent, but if we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic abuse.
 
Find out more here
 or by contacting Corinne Speigel, TASK Program Inclusion Specialist at 

[email protected] or 503-226-7079 x133.
Jewish Family & Child Service provides social services that improve the lives
 of adults, families and children in the Jewish and general communities.

Our Programs: 
 

Counseling | Homemaker Assistance | Emergency Aid | Disability Support Services

Learn more  

   


                                        JFCS is a subsidiary of Cedar Sinai Park.