JFS Perspectives

Here are some exciting things that have happened around JFS so far this month:

On May 6, Sara Leeper from SHALOM Denver, and Inna Oganesyan from the JFS New Americans department, attended a Rose Youth Foundation celebration for grantees. JFS received $10,000 for its citizenship program and SHALOM Denver received $6,000 to increase community employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.


Sara Leeper, Sara Goldstein from Rose Youth Foundation, and Inna Oganesyan.

On May 8, the JFS Executive Luncheon raised a record $468,000—$156,000 more than last year— to support all programs of JFS, including mental health counseling, senior and adult in-home care, disability and employment services, and family safety net services. Read the full story and view event photos!

On Friday, May 11, Denver Jewish Day School seventh graders volunteered in the pantry as part of their study on homelessness. They arrived at the pantry and gave the regular volunteers a break while they performed all their duties, including unloading the truck from the morning’s pickups at grocery stores, stocking the shelves, and organizing the pantry.

On May 12, Temple Sinai eighth graders held a fundraiser for the Weinberg Food Pantry and Lone Soldier called “Food Fight 4 A-WEAR-NESS.” The event included the world-famous rapper Kosha Dllz, DJs and breakdancers, a fashion show, a professional Flatland BMX demo, an on-site photo booth, educational presentations, food, refreshments, dessert, and more! In total, they donated 374 pounds of food and bagged 120 pounds of rice for the food pantry. In addition, they gave us 100 Fazzoli’s meal coupons to hand out to clients.

Here’s to a successful rest of the month!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Jim Sharon, Ed.D. of Energy for Life serves as a licensed psychologist and certified life coach in private practice with his wife, Ruth, in Centennial, CO. He has 40 years of professional experience, specializing in areas such as men’s issues, couples counseling, high-level wellness, positive psychology, and spirituality. Dr. Sharon is also the founder/coordinator of Whole Man Expo in the Denver Metro area.

Each of us has a rich life story worthy of sharing not only with others, but especially with ourselves!

As the originator and editor of the men’s anthology Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Lives: Defining Moments, I received exuberant comments from many of the 40 contributing authors that the writing process allowed them to garner fresh insights about a pivotal event or period that shaped their lives. I had the same experience from writing my anthology story. Each of us was surprised to discover that we had calcified our stories, i.e. constricting our events in a “box.” Re-visiting what were clearly our defining moments, and witnessing them from different vantage points, allowed us to rejuvenate ourselves and to benefit, in some instances greatly, from those vital times.

Doing book presentations and signings led me to soon realize that I wanted to interact with the audience about its own transformational experiences. Participants have realized the most value from a guided, step-wise process that I developed to catalyze learning from major life challenges. Working from the theme that “adversity is the canvas upon which you (often) paint your greatness,” I facilitate folks to re-view positive lessons from their key experiences, realizing anew and energetically the highlights that made those times genuine “defining moments” for them. More importantly, based on their updated reflections and perspectives, participants are given the opportunity to envision a powerful future and determine specific courses of action to begin implementing that vision. A potent synergy typically gets created in the room when participants share their realizations.

You are invited to attend a free workshop of the JFS Counseling Center at Jewish Family Service on Tuesday, May 29, 4:00–6:00 p.m., followed by a book-signing, to experience this vitalizing process.  Learn more and RSVP!

-Jim Sharon, Ed.D.

Marilyn Amer, 3rd from left, with a group of students at their citizenship ceremony.

Today we are highlighting a very special volunteer in our citizenship department, Marilyn Amer. She has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 10 years who helps teach citizenship classes every week no matter what the weather or circumstances.

Below is an excerpt from a letter that we recently received from Marilyn:

Preevyet. Hello, my name is Marilyn Amer, and to quote from the Declaration of Independence, I believe it is “self-evident that all men (women) are created equal” and that they have “unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” To put these truths into practice, I have been a volunteer for more than 10 years with Jewish Family Service, working with Victoria Martysh to prepare immigrants, primarily Russian seniors, for citizenship in the United States.

Our focus has been on American History and the English language, particularly on the rights and responsibilities of being a United States citizen. In this process, both the students and I have benefited from learning about each others’ families, traditions, cuisines, and personal lives.

My life was enriched, for example, by a Russian opera singer who would belt out an aria from Eugene Onegin in a boring moment of class. I reveled in another student’s stories about Russian divas of opera and I was stimulated by my discussions with another student on writers Chekhov and Tolstoy. I have been overwhelmed by hugs, kisses, Russian chocolates, bouquets of flowers, and objets d’art from appreciative students over the years.


Marilyn (right) with a happy student who just became a U.S. citizen.

Working with Victoria Martysh of Jewish Family Service is a privilege. She offers continuing support of my class efforts and enlightens me with stories about Russia. Her robust energy and humor enlivens our meetings. Most of the students in our classes garner knowledge and confidence that enables them to pass their citizenship exams.

Thank you to Jewish Family Service for continuing support of the citizenship program, thus helping to produce enlightened individuals who will continue toward the well-being of the United States.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

SHALOM Denver staffers Meeka Houston, Employment Services Manager; Sara Leeper, Coordinator of Client Services; Susan Simons, CBT Developer/Site Supervisor; and Arnie Kover, Director of Disability and Employment Services at Houston Hobby Airport, ready to get back home from the joint IAJVS/AJFCA conference in Houston Texas.

Several members of the SHALOM Denver staff, along with JFS President and CEO Yana Vishnitsky, Director of Marketing & Communications John Kayser, and JFS Board Chair Alan Mayer, attended the joint annual conference of the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS) and the Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies (AJFCA) in Houston, Texas, April 21 to 24.

They all enjoyed the conference and learned a lot from colleagues from around the world at the three-day gathering, hosted by the Houston JFS. The conference was filled with informative sessions, networking with colleagues, and a fun Sunday night "hoe down," complete with kosher BBQ, line dancing and the "Cotton-Eyed Joe."

SHALOM Denver staff, Meeka Houston and Arnie Kover, were honored to deliver presentations about the innovative employment services provided through SHALOM Denver for Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) recipients and people with developmental disabilities.


Arnie Kover with IAJVS colleagues. Left to right: Leah Rosenbaum, from Detroit, Jerry Rubin, Boston and Peter Bloch, Cincinnati.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Our JFS Executive Luncheon billboard on Colorado Blvd. and Cherry Creek Dr. South


Unfortunately, there will be no Crown Royal at our "Happyness Hour." :)


Kari, JFS graphic designer, showing off her beautiful work!

There are only a few seats remaining for the JFS Executive Luncheon on Tuesday, May 8 featuring Christopher Gardner! Be there or be square...get your tickets before they're gone!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Although Passover officially starts tonight, we feel like it's been going on for weeks around our office. Through the Community Passover Program, Jewish Family Service and the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver provide families in need with all the kosher-for-Passover items they need to prepare a Seder. We start the process of getting things ready for this program many months in advance, including collecting food and monetary donations from the community.

Unloading donations from La Vie Catering.

Our community really came together again this year to support this program! We’re happy to report that, with your help, we raised more than $5,200. In addition to the money we received, many community members generously contributed Passover food, and Grand Hyatt Denver, La Vie Catering, and Rocky Mountain Spice Company collectively donated more than 1,700 pounds of apples, potatoes, carrots, onions, walnuts, and cinnamon.


Loading donations from Grand Hyatt Denver onto the JFS truck.

This project also couldn't be a success without the help of our volunteers. Last week, about 10 people came to pack the Passover boxes and make sure everything was organized for distribution day.


Nancy Benyamin and Rivka Miriam Reiffman.

One of these volunteers, 12-year-old Rivka Miriam Reiffman, a student at Denver Academy of Torah who is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah, organized a group of six classmates to help out on this day. "I was so impressed with Rivka Miriam for the way she handled herself during her mitzvah project," said Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services. "She initiated the phone calls to get the project started and coordinated all the details with her friends and me every step of the way. I couldn't be happier with the way it all turned out!"


The volunteers from Denver Academy of Torah.

This Monday, with the help of more volunteers, we distributed kosher-for-Passover food to 167 individuals from 60 households. A handful of volunteers worked in the pantry while 10 others delivered the boxes to homebound clients who couldn't pick them up from the pantry. Thank you to our Family Safety Net program staff for working hard to make the day go smoothly and to ensure we could help everyone celebrate the holiday!


Volunteers working hard on Passover distribution day.

And if that's not enough, over the next couple weeks, our volunteer para-chaplains are helping isolated seniors celebrate Passover for conducting Seders in 20 retirement communities and nursing homes in Denver and Boulder.

Last, but not least, when Passover is over on April 14th, how delicious will fresh pita bread taste after a week of eating matzah? Give yourself a break from cooking and eat at Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill while supporting JFS! See what we're talking about...

Phew, that's a lot of Passover! We hope we enjoy the holiday...and for all you non-Jews out there, happy Easter or anything else you may be celebrating this weekend!!!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Last week, the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Denver Section, held their March board meeting at SHALOM Denver. NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. This group was instrumental in establishing the Utility Workshop in 1954, which was renamed SHALOM Denver in 1978. The members still have a special place in their hearts for SHALOM Denver and have stayed connected through the years.

In addition to holding their board meeting, the group toured SHALOM Denver and was very impressed by the services offered to people with disabilities and those moving from welfare to work. Elaine Long, an NCJW board member, had actually worked as a manager of the Utility Workshop in the 1960s and observed, "You still help people feel productive and have a sense of dignity, but on a much larger scale. It's terrific how this program that started out serving eight Holocaust survivors in 1954 has grown to serve so many and in such a beautiful facility."

Thank you to Arnie Kover, JFS director of disability and employment services, for providing the information for this blog post!

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

We had quite an eventful week at Jewish Family Service and SHALOM Denver! While there are always exciting things happening in our agency on a daily basis, below are a few things we think you'll especially enjoy:

Yesterday, CBS4 Denver aired an inspirational story about the wonderful work SHALOM Denver does to help transition people from welfare to work. View this story and learn more about the program!  Thank you to Xstatic Public Relations for working with CBS4 and our staff to get this story on TV!


Heidi Pittaway, who is featured in the CBS4 story, with her daughters

Also yesterday, BBYO hosted a pre-screening of the popular movie The Hunger Games for Jewish youth in 6th-12th grade. To show that "hunger is not a game," the teens had to bring at a minimum of three canned food items to benefit the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry for admission. And in the spirit of the competition shown in the movie, BBYO had a contest to see which of their chapters would bring the most food. In total, the teens collected 2,200 pounds of food for our pantry! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make an incredible impact on the lives of people who are in need.


Teens contribute food to their chapters' food bins at the theater

Earlier this week, we said goodbye to Amy Wood who left JFS after nearly 20 years of involvement with the agency. Amy actually started as a JFS board member in 1996 and held various positions including volunteer, intern, case manager, Family Safety Net program director, and finally government and community affairs director. We had a great party to toast (and roast) Amy and her love of flip charts, decision trees, and Venn Diagrams! Her energy, talent, and dedication will be missed!


Shelly Hines, Family Safety Net director, with Amy Wood


Amy's Tenure Timeline posted at the party in honor of her love of flip charts

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

This Saturday, March 10, marks the beginning of National AmeriCorps Week which recognizes the commitment of AmeriCorps Members and Alumni by highlighting the extraordinary impact they make across our country every day.

Did you know:
AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 men and women in intensive national service each year through more than 15,000 organizations across the country?

Last year, Boomers Leading Change in Health (BLCiH) received a grant of nearly $250,000 to recruit, train, and place 23 full- and part-time AmeriCorps Members age 55+ at nine Host Sites across Metro Denver, including Jewish Family Service of Colorado. Our Members are helping to build the capacity of these Host Site Organizations in a variety of ways.

Here are a few Fast Facts about our AmeriCorps Members:
Average Age = 61.5
92% have a college degree
54% have a graduate degree
21% have worked in healthcare

Since they began their service last October, BLCiH AmeriCorps Members have logged more than 10,000 hours serving our community and helping our nine Host Sites better meet the needs of their constituents.

For more information about AmeriCorps--including how to become a Member--please click here.

-Submitted by Boomers Leading Change in Health

This week, we received some beautiful baskets of food and toiletries from the sixth grade religious school class at Congregation Beth Evergreen. Nineteen students bagged rice and held a food drive for items needed in the Weinberg Food Pantry. In honor of Purim this week, they made cards and put the items into colorful baskets.

Thank you to Gareth Heyman, a longtime supporter of JFS and member of Beth Evergreen, for connecting their religious school with our volunteer department for this project!

If your family or group is looking for some fun, easy ways to help JFS, check out the Family and Group volunteer page on our website and contact Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services, at 720.248.4642 before starting your project.

-Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department