AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
JSSA Launches New Eye Care Program for Holocaust Survivors
Jewish Social Service Agency most vulnerable Holocaust survivor clients will be the beneficiary of a new eye care program that is being established through the outstanding generosity of community donors under the leadership of Dr. Michael Berenhaus. Eyeglass lenses will be fabricated through donated optical lab services, and donated frames will be fitted at no cost to the survivors in five pre-selected Maryland/Northern Virginia "eye care sites." Medicaid and Medicare will cover the eye exam; the new eye care program will cover all other charges. Learn more here.
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JFCS Southwest Florida Meets Grant Challenge for New Senior Center
Jewish Family & Community Services of Southwest Florida is set to expand its senior center this month to 6,800 square feet thanks to grants from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Patty and Jay Baker, the Brookedale Foundation and others. Jaclynn Faffer, president and chief executive officer of JFCS, announced the organization has raised the $150,000 necessary to meet challenge grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation in less than five weeks. The combined $300,000 is targeted for an extensive expansion at the organization's Senior Center, the first of its kind in Collier and southern Lee counties. Construction is scheduled for mid-January and will encompass approximately 6,800 square feet upon completion. Continue reading here.
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Ervin "Magic" Johnson Headlines 11th Annual JFS Colorado Executive Luncheon
Jewish Family Service of Colorado welcomes Earvin "Magic" Johnson as the speaker for its 11th annual JFS Executive Luncheon fundraiser on Thursday, May 7th. The luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at 11:30 a.m., and the program will start promptly at noon. Sponsorship packages start at $2,000 and are available now. Tickets will go on sale April 1st. For more information or for sponsorships, contact Lisa Benoit at 720.248.4633. All proceeds from the event will help support all programs of JFS, including mental health counseling, senior and adult in-home care, disability and employment services, and family safety net services.
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JFS Detroit Gains Funds to Expand Budget for Holocaust Survivor Services
Jewish Newsby Shari S. CohenGetting older is challenging enough for many individuals, but for the dwindling number of Holocaust survivors, the aging process can be especially difficult. Survivors are more likely to be financially needy and often have few family members to help them. While their numbers dwindle each year, their needs often increase as they become frailer. Fortunately, Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit has received a 106 percent increase in funds to help Holocaust survivors from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, known as the Claims Conference.  The $2.5 million allocation, compared with $1.2 million allocated to JFS for 2014, will be used primarily for home care including housekeeping, cooking, dressing and bath-ing assistance for survivors. Continue reading here.
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JFS Dallas For the Love of Family
On Sunday, May 3rd, Jewish Family Service of Dallas will honor the Golman Family and its six generations of descendants that have made a difference in the Greater Dallas community. A family of entrepreneurs and business owners, bankers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, philanthropists, political leaders and religious leaders, one will find Golman footprints throughout businesses and organizations around DFW. For the Love of Family 2015 will be held on Sunday, May 3rd at the InterContinental Hotel Dallas with registration beginning at 11:15 a.m. and lunch at noon. For additional event details and sponsorship information, click here. Individual tickets and tables will be available beginning March 1, 2015. Now in its ninth year, the biennial For the Love of Family event serves as JFS' opportunity to honor local Dallas families for their dedication to improving the lives of those in need. The event provides an opportunity for networking, inspiration and philanthropy as hundreds come together and commit to creating positive change in our community, while honoring those who give so much to its future. All proceeds from the For the Love of Family event will benefit JFS and the nationally accredited, professional mental health and social services available to any child, teen, adult and older adult in need - including those with special needs.
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2015 Larry Bregman Educational Conference
Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta's caring professionals recognize that along life's journey, a person's needs change, and TFI is there to assist at all junctures. One way we offer continued support to both clients and their caregivers is through such programs as the annual Larry Bregman, M.D., Educational Conference. This day-long meeting - with classes for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and their caregivers - emphasizes topics such as being part of the community, being a self-advocate and living a healthy lifestyle. As well, our families may also participate in ongoing Caregiver Support Groups and become more educated consumers of services. Family workshops are offered based on family need and request. Workshops have provided information on health, legal and residential issues, as well as state and other resources. Professionals from other organizations participate in the workshops, which are open to the community. Workshops are also available for siblings of adults with developmental disabilities to network and obtain resources. Sibling workshops are open to the community. Click here for more details.
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
We have all experienced moments of "disconnect" at times in our lives. People seem out of place, or sounds do not reflect what we are seeing in front of us. I had some moments of disconnect this past Sunday when Nancy, Josh, and I visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This expansive plaza in the Old City is the holiest site in the world for Jews, the third holiest site for Muslims, and of special significance for Christians as the place of many Biblical events in both the Old and New Testament. So, approaching this sacred ground inspires a sense of spirituality, as well as some accompanying trepidation.  Jews are not permitted to pray or make any outward show of religious observance while on the Temple Mount. Today, it is a Muslim shrine and mosque and their place of worship. It is also a place of great beauty, the Dome of the Rock is awe-inspiring for its intricate tile work and sense of proportion. The plaza is also a place of constant activity when not being used for prayer. Small groups gather for study, children run and play, and tourists circle the shrine snapping photo after photo. And yet, just yards away is the location of the stone upon which Abraham came perilously close to sacrificing Isaac, and the Temples themselves where the Ark of the Covenant once resided. The Temple Mount is truly a place of competing sights, sounds, and emotions. It is a connecting point to Jews, our ancestors, of over 2000 years ago. It is a current flashpoint for political and religious conflict. It is a place of the moment and of history and, hopefully, the future. It is truly awesome.
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Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month 
In observance of Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness and support efforts to foster inclusion in the Jewish community, AJFCA will be highlighting member agencies that promote inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities. Click here to view the Resource Guide and sign up for Jewish Disability Awareness Day.
Jewish Family & Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia: In-JOY Program
Over twenty years ago JFCS Greater Philadelphia, along with the Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Learning Venture, developed a program called "Gam Yahad" (meaning "all-together") for people with profound disabilities to foster participants' connection to the Jewish community during Jewish holidays in the five-county Philadelphia area. These Sunday afternoon celebrations were hosted by area synagogues and included enjoying Jewish music, singing, praying, crafting, socializing, and partaking in festive holiday foods. In its original form, the program was not inclusive in nature and provided holiday celebrations only for people with disabilities. Many of the participants lived in boarding homes or group homes, and for most this program was the only positive connection to Judaism and a community.  | |
Shelley Cohen, Lisa Ney, Assistant Director, Individual & Family Services, JFCS of Greater Philadelphia, Doug Jarett, Eli Schostak, Director, Individual & Family Services, JFCS of Greater Philadelphia
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Recently and upon reflection, JFCS took the initiative to recreate, re-brand, and revitalize Gam Yahad by incorporating inclusive values and ideals into the essence of its structure. To begin, JFCS changed the name of the program to "In-JOY!" Inclusive Jewish Occasions Year-round. This new name reflects the refined mission, to facilitate inclusive community holiday celebrations. In-JOY now provides an avenue for people with disabilities to be included in mainstream Judaism's most important times of the year. Conjointly, JFCS's new mission of "inclusive holiday celebrations" includes working with host synagogues to invite their members, youth groups and lay-leaders and offers sensitivity and awareness training to these congregants, underscoring the core Jewish value of caring for all community members. Youth groups, college students, and young adults are particularly targeted as JFCS is committed to nurturing inclusive values for a whole new generation of future leaders and community members.  The end results have been phenomenal with 100 + people in attendance at each event from the five county Philadelphia area including: people with disabilities living independently, with their families, in boarding homes or in residential settings, Repair the World fellows (a national post college Jewish volunteer organization), Philadelphia Federation Renaissance Group participants (a young adult Federation leadership group) college students, high school students participating in synagogue leadership programs, synagogue members, and community and JFCS volunteers of all ages. JFCS has received enormous positive feedback. One participant said, "This was great. Next time, I'm bringing all my friends." A young adult remarked, "It was so amazing to see everyone smiling and dancing together for the Purim holiday." One new volunteer said that "it was so meaningful for her that she wants to come to each event from now on." To learn more about In-JOY email Lisa Ney. |
Honor A Business That Hires People With Disabilities 
The Jewish Week in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation is looking for your help in our identifying outstanding business employers in the North America who hire, train and support people with disabilities. "The surest path to full inclusion in our society comes from meaningful employment. People with disabilities are the most excluded members of our society because they are unemployed at the rate of seventy percent." Click here to learn more. |
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Action Alert: Older Americans Act Potential Vote in the Senate
As you may recall, last week we informed our network and issued a press release that the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization, S. 192, was reported favorably by the Senate HELP Committee. We have just learned that the OAA may receive consideration on the Senate floor in the near future. Learn more here. |
Social Innovation Fund Notice of Funding  A new funding opportunity has been made available by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for a Social Innovation Fund (SIF). The SIF grant will be awarded to programs aligning with CNCS' three focus areas: 1) Youth Development, 2) Economic Opportunity, and 3) Healthy Futures within low-income communities. For more information about CNCS and their mission, please click here. More details about the SIF grant can be found here.
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AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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Canadian Research Center Explores Limitations of Social Impact Bonds 
As Social Impact Bonds have spread in terms of their acceptance in a variety of nonprofit, investment, and government circles, there are more reports from policy research centers (as opposed to SIB promoters and institutional investors) exploring the potentials and limitations of the tool. Read more here. |
2015 AJFCA Annual Conference - REGISTRATION & SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS 
Click here to REGISTER!
Click here to book your room at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
Click here to view a tentative schedule, list of sessions and descriptions, optional Monday luncheons and details surrounding the Sunday evening Host Community Event and CEO Council.
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Volunteer/Young Adult Engagement Track in Miami
AJFCA is excited to offer a range of sessions on Volunteer & Young Adult Engagement at our Annual Conference this year. Sessions open to all conference attendees include:
- L'Dor V'dor: Making Volunteering a Family Affair
- From the Top Down: Embracing Volunteer Engagement as an Organization-Wide Strategy
- Agency Showcase: Engaging Young Adults in the Work of Your Organization
There will again be two different opportunities to receive subsidized conference rates. Please read this email in full for all the details and links to apply. The deadline for both applications has been extended to February 19th.
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The Changing Landscape of Community and Residential Supports for Persons with Disabilities Webinar Series
Professionals, self-advocates, and family members are invited to this 4-part webinar series presented by the Task Force on Jewish Residential Alternatives for Adults with Disabilities outlining the changing landscape of community and residential supports for persons with disabilities. Spring (March 18th) and summer (June 17th) sessions will provide participants with an understanding of self-advocacy and best practices related to life planning and transitions from school to emerging adulthood. Fall (October 21st) and winter (December 16th) sessions will focus on changing policy impacting the creation of and access to residential services as well as changes to Medicaid and other policies that impact access to an array of support services. The series is offered free of charge to all AJFCA network professionals and available to clients of AJFCA members and professionals and clients at non-member organizations for a fee. Read more and register for each session individually or sign up for the entire series here.
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Domestic Violence Quarterly Call - Orthodox Community
Join Aliza Schulman, Domestic Abuse Program Coordinator at Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Service for a call focusing on the specifics concerns and manifestations of domestic abuse within the Orthodox community including issues of Mikvah, shame, stigma, agunah/get and community resistance. Learn to the importance of personalizing and tailoring prevention programs to speak to specific audiences. Domestic Violence Quarterly Call - Orthodox CommunityTuesday, February 17th, 2:45pm ET - REGISTER HERE
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JWI's National Alliance to End Domestic Abuse Webinar: Responding to Trauma in the Workplace
This past December, CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family &  Community Services, Rochelle Tatrai-Ray's life was suddenly and tragically taken by her estranged husband. This webinar explores the response in the Clearwater community and discusses the impact of trauma, grief and loss in a workplace setting, focusing on recommendations for workers and managers, general coping strategies and integrative therapies. Responding to Trauma in the Workplace
Thursday, February 19th, 12pm ET - REGISTER HERE
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PurchasingPoint Discount Program Webinar 
AJFCA partners with the National Human Services Assembly to provide our members access to the PurchasingPointŪ program, an exclusive discount program for nonprofits that leverages group buying power to get access to significant savings from your everyday vendors. The program is designed to help nonprofits reduce overhead costs by providing access to discounts on a vast range of products and services including, but not limited to: office supplies, shipping, copiers, postage equipment, furniture, cleaning supplies, promotional merchandise, car rental, cell phones, and more.
PurchasingPoint Discount Program WebinarThursday, February 19th, 2pm ET - REGISTER HERE
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Introduction to Legal Shield: Benefits for Employees & Clients 
Join Legal Shield, AJFCA's newest partner, for a 30 minute presentation. We will discuss the services Legal Shield has to offer AJFCA Member Agency employees and clients served while highlighting how Legal Shield can specifically support your agency's domestic violence and other programs. Additionally we'll go over:
- Vision of the partnership between AFJCA & LegalShield
- Introduction to LegalShield
- How Legal Shield will serve the employees/community of AFJCA
Introduction to Legal Shield: Benefits for Employees & Clients
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Exploring Emerging Forms of Nonprofit Governance 
The most recent edition of our print journal the Nonprofit Quarterly focused on the moving target of nonprofit governance. The target is moving not only because ideas and practices in governance are shifting more generally but also because many nonprofits have, frankly, been lazy thinkers where governance is concerned. This has led to an overdependence on prescriptive norms, a general lack of attention to research, and a dearth of real creativity aimed at a powerful endgame. Continue reading here. |
Assessment of the Chief Executive 
Assessing the chief executive is one of the board's primary governance responsibilities and is critical to the success of the chief executive and to the organization as a whole. An assessment clarifies the chief executive's responsibilities, job expectations, and annual goals; confidentially captures the board's perception of the executive's strengths, limitations, and overall performance; and fosters growth and development of the chief executive and the organization. Continue reading here. |
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COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
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Create Fridge-Worthy Donor Thank Yous
A donor's first post-donation experience can either delight or disappoint. Be sure to delight! Let your donors know they are valued and loved by sending thank you messages early and often. Download the guide, you'll learn: - Who should get a thank you.
- What kind of thank you is appropriate for a major donor vs. a new donor.
- The 5 key qualities you should include in all your thank yous.
 - The 4 things to avoid in thank yous.
In addition to learning best practices you'll also get:
- A thank you letter template to help you get started.
- A checklist to keep you on track.
- A gallery of real donor thank yous from nonprofits just like yours.
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Give Better. Give Together. A 7-Part Series on Launching and Sustaining a Successful Jewish Giving Circle 
As part of our effort to expand and strengthen giving circles in the Jewish community, Amplifier: The Jewish Giving Circle Movement is proud to present this seven-part series to help you start and sustain a giving circle inspired by Jewish values. This series draws upon Amplifier's Resource Library and the experiences of dozens of giving circles already in the Amplifier network. Continue reading here. |
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