What's New at JFS
JFS 2011 Annual Meeting
Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties (JFS) held its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
JFS' new video was shown for the first time which highlighted its ability to help a wide range of individuals and families living in the community. The video will be able to be viewed on the agency website shortly.
The 2011–2012 Board of Directors were installed: Charles Singman, PhD, President; Joan Handel; First Vice President, Robert Anczarki, Vice President; Nancy L. Lee, Vice President; Annette Radick, Treasurer and Abby Ages, Recording Secretary and trustee Annette Berkowitz had her term extended for another three years.
Susan Darien recognized outgoing trustees Elaine Gast and Robert Grossman for their years of service and volunteer efforts that have benefited JFS and the community. Outgoing president Nancy L. Lee was also recognized for her three years as President of the organization and the many accomplishments achieved by JFS in that time including:
- The acquisition of two federal grants, one to assist frail seniors and one to initiate AmeriCorps, the national service program
- Spearheading the merger of Ohr Tikvah, a Jewish Healing Program into JFS
- Supporting the establishment of the JFS Special Needs Program providing support services to families with special needs children
Photos from the Annual Meeting:
JFS Becomes AmeriCorps Host Site
This month, JFS brings to Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties a unique opportunity for those who want to learn new skills, provide service to the community, work with other like minded individuals of all ages AND receive both a living allowance and educational award for their effort.
More than 50,000 "members" of AmeriCorps, a federally funded program to impact some of our nations most challenging problems, serve throughout the country through this program modeled after the Peace Corps. JFS is offering a limited number of openings for members to volunteer from a minimum of 300 hours per year to 900 hours providing direct service to seniors, those with special needs, and other underserved populations. JFS staff will provide the training and ongoing supervision utilizing our successful Family and Senior Mentoring Programs as core opportunities for those who would like to make this commitment. The living allowance and educational award are based on the number of hours worked.
Youth as young as 17 years of age are eligible and may wish to participate as mentors for children on the autism spectrum. Adults may be mentors to vulnerable families who are struggling with a variety of challenges, or to frail, isolated seniors living alone in the community. Other volunteer opportunities may include teaching computer skills to seniors, tutoring in after-school programs and assisting low income families to apply for utility assistance through NJ Shares.
The JFS office at 150-A West High, Somerville is the supervision/training site. All who participate must have their own transportation to the office and to sites in the tri-county area where services will be provided. There are specific requirements to becoming an AmeriCorps Member which JFS staff will be happy to discuss with anyone who is interested in applying. Call JFS at 908 725-7799 to speak with Elise Prezant, Program Coordinator.
Sussman Fund Created
Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties is pleased to be the recipient of a generous donation from Penny and Claudio Pincus to create the Sadie Sussman Fund for Independent Senior Living in memory of Penny's mother, Sadie Sussman. This fund will provide support to enable seniors to age in place and remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
The fund is named for Sadie (Gerber) Sussman who was born in Brooklyn, NY where she graduated from Girls' High and then worked in the film industry in Manhattan. In 1940, she married Hy Sussman and moved to Plainfield where they raised their family—Penny (Pincus), Guy and Amy (Shearer). She was an active member of the PTA and a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years and enjoyed singing and acting in local theater productions.
Sadie was always interested in Jewish life and was on the board of the Jewish Community Center, active in UJA and was a recipient of the ‘Woman of the Year’ award. She also volunteered at the Blood Bank in Muhlenberg Hospital for over 20 years.
From a very young age Sadie was aware of the need to help the elderly and worked for and supported the Central Jersey Home for the Aged (now known as The Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center) where she volunteered weekly. She always joked that she was preparing herself for the day she would be a resident of the facility. But much later in life when she became ill, she was fortunate to have excellent and caring attendants who enabled her to stay in her own home. “This fund perpetuates her values of helping those at the 'other' end of life to remain comfortably and safely in their own environments as long as possible”, said Penny Pincus. “Sadie was a very caring and kind person and this donation by her family will help seniors in our area to receive the help they need to remain at home” commented Marjorie Goldstein, a long time friend of the family and a Board member of JFS.