AGING SERVICES SPOTLIGHT

Older adult services are an ever growing focus of Jewish social service agencies. AJFCA's goal is to highlight exemplary programs across the U.S. and Canada to acknowledge agency expertise and share successful models with our network. Share your programming triumphs with Liz today! 

  

The needs of the Chicago area's Jewish community are changing rapidly - where we live, how we live and how we connect- becoming more dispersed, active and mobile than ever before.  As those shifts occur, Jewish Child & Family Services of Chicago is changing, too, taking on the challenge of expanding their connections to people in the communities where they live, work, worship and learn, and looking for new ways to serve the Jewish community.



In July, JCFS received a huge boost to its efforts to expand its reach beyond brick-and-mortar service centers: The organization was awarded two FY 2015 Breakthrough Grants by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. The grants, totaling $518,436 over three years, will allow JCFS to introduce innovative social support, substance abuse prevention education and addiction services to a wider, diversified audience. Read more here.

Calls & Webinars

Visit  AJFCA's Calendar
to learn more about free calls and webinars. For more information login to the Member Resources section of the AJFCA website, followed by Webinars. Contact Megan at 410-843-7327 with questions.

Sept., 10th, 8pm ET REGISTER HERE

In my job, I frequently have the opportunity to spend time in Washington, D.C., for meetings and advocacy. But, this week I did something I have not done for many years, come to D.C. as a tourist. We visited museums, strolled the Mall, listened to music, and relaxed in the majesty and beauty of this amazing city. One stop was the National Archives, a place I do not think I had visited since the fourth grade. In addition to the feeling of enormity on viewing the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Magna Carta, I was struck by the documents and artifacts that represented the struggle of our nation to empower all of or citizens with the democratic principles upon which we were founded. I watched a grandmother read aloud to her grandchildren the words of the Emancipation Proclamation, so important to their heritage, but so unnecessary if only we had always followed the true meaning of our founding documents. Good intentions, but not always the best follow through.

In this week's parashah, Re'ih, the Israelites are instructed that if they follow God's commandments they will be blessed. But, they also are warned of the curses if they do not obey. There is a deep sense of reality in this parashah. Despite all of the best intentions and the rewards that will follow, we are told there will always be "needy among you." "For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land." 15:11.

It is a struggle to achieve the rewards of the principles and laws upon which our nations were founded. That is why it is so important to not forget those who may have been lost or forgotten along the way.  It is the work of our agencies every day, and the reason we continue to serve and advocate for those who have yet to reap the rewards of our underlying values.

Shabbat Shalom.

Join professionals from four AJFCA agencies as they recreate a popular 2014 AJFCA Annual Conference workshop. Presenters will relay their experiences in working with programs at their agencies aimed at teens, families and young adults. Listen to what works to attract and retain young donors to support your agency. The webinar will focus on:

• using an agency program to promote community outreach and engagement,
• creating hands-on experiences to engage younger donors on a deeper level, 
• messaging the value of engaging with the agency in a way that resonate with younger donors, and 
• creating opportunities to link the donor's engagement with their Jewish values.