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

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