january/february 2016 family matters

FamilyMattersVolume 26, No. 1 • JANuARY/FeBRuARY 2016

A PuBlICATIoN oF

NEW yEaR’S RESOlUTiONS

TipS FOR STayiNg acTivE

JFS paRa-cHaplaiNS

Kathy Shumard:Thriving at SHALOM Denver

Client Spotlight page 6

Mental Health Matters page 10

Seniors Matter page 11

Program Spotlight page 8

2 FAmIlY mATTeRS JANuARY/FeBRuARY 2016

Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome life’s challenges to live fuller, more meaningful lives. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently in their homes, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis. Every year, the agency benefits nearly 25,000 people of all ages, faiths, incomes, and abilities. For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org.

Family Matters is published bimonthly by Jewish Family Service of Colorado, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver CO 80231 / www.jewishfamilyservice.org

An Important AnnouncementIt is with mixed feelings that I am sharing an important decision in my life.

I have formally given notice to our Board Chair, Jane e. Rosenbaum, of my intent to retire from my role as President and Ceo of Jewish Family Service in January 2017. The decision is bittersweet. A part of me cannot imagine a life without JFS. Another part is looking forward to retirement and enjoying time with my family and friends. After 37 years with JFS, the time has come. And the time is right. I will be leaving JFS in excellent hands, with strong

leadership and a capable, dedicated staff. The agency is in sound financial health and has a thoughtful strategic direction moving forward. JFS offers relevant,

effective programs that are transforming lives throughout the community. There are not many people as fortunate as I to have loved and cherished their job for 37 years. each day has been a blessing. JFS has been a positive force in my life since I arrived in Denver so many years ago. I arrived in this country and immediately found a welcome, caring community and friends that I cherish to this day. I am not leaving the community and intend to continue to support JFS in any way that I can. I will always be a passionate advocate of the agency and its sacred mission. I will be working closely and cooperatively with the Board of Directors on a transition plan in the coming months to find the next leader of Jewish Family Service. I am eternally grateful to our amazing staff, Board, volunteers, and donors for all your support of JFS and me over the years. B’shalom,

Yana Vishnitsky, LCSW President & CEO

cEOFrom the

Yana Vishnitsky

FAmIlY mATTeRS JANuARY/FeBRuARY 2016 3

Jewish Disabilities Advocates (JDA) and its supporting agencies are planning activities throughout the year for clients and their families and for anyone who would like to join us in promoting inclusion. During the winter, events will highlight disability awareness and inclusion throughout our community. The following events will be held at BmH-BJ, 560 South monaco Parkway, in Denver:•January24: Tu B’Shevat Seder •February: “learning the meaning of Inclusion: A Children’s Reading marathon—Four Books in

Four Weeks” as part of Jewish Disabilities Awareness month•February: Inclusion sermon from Rabbi Hillel millgram: “Would You Approve of the Prophets?”

related by Bernice Dinner and an additional sermon by BmH-BJ’s rabbi about inclusion. B’nai Havurah is also planning a series in February for teen leaders who help in religious school classrooms about how to help students with disabilities. The congregation is working to bring actors from PHAmAlY to speak to the religious school in the coming months as well. other programs are in the works for the spring at various synagogues, including a “Chesed Without Boundaries” Friday night inclusive musical Shabbat service and a presentation of the documentary film Invisible Voices at BmH-BJ. Please watch the JFS website for more details and to find out what other programs that support our mission of inclusivity and awareness will be happening during the upcoming months. If any synagogue or temple would like to host a program that supports disabilities awareness or inclusivity, please contact lynn Rubenstein, JDA program coordinator, at 303.623.0251 x204 or [email protected].

Upcoming Jewish Disabilities Advocates Inclusion Programs

Haveyounoticedthe brass plaques on the brick wall as you walk up the stairs in the JFS Tamarac office building? You can permanently honor, commemorate, or memorialize friends and loved ones, or recognize special occasions, with your personalized engraved plaque on this wall. For a $613 “mitzvot“ level tribute gift, an eight-inch by two-inch plaque will be engraved with the words you provide (type and space restrictions apply). For more information or to make a mitzvot tribute, please contact Dawn Richard, development director, at 720.248.4605 or [email protected].

Honor a Loved One with a Tribute Plaque


Morethan400people hit the red carpet at Sports Authority Field at mile High to pay tribute to Adam J. Agron and Andrea Stillman at JFS’s 20th annual Real Hope fundraiser. everyone enjoyed the fabulous party, complete with cocktails, decadent food stations, and passed hors d’oeuvres catered by epicurean, and a red carpet photo opportunity. Digital Pocket, a unique music group comprised of a guitarist, a trumpet player, and a DJ, provided entertainment and

created a great ambience for the party. Dancers and stilt walkers from Traveling Performers artistically helped transition the crowd from the party to the seated program. Steve Peckar, emcee, welcomed the crowd, thanked sponsors, and shared a bit about JFS. After a touching video that told the story of

four clients JFS helped last year, Yana Vishnitsky, JFS president & Ceo, and Jane e. Rosenbaum, board chair, presented the awards. The honorees, Adam and Andrea, received standing ovations as they received their awards and shared their personal, heartfelt connections to JFS. Thanks to the hard work of our Real Hope cochairs Katie Wolfe Agron, Scott Stillman, and Dr. Steven and Debra Weinstein, the Real Hope committee, and our honorees, this event raised more than $480,000! Thank you to our honorees for providing a matching gift opportunity. A special thank-you to all the wonderful community-minded individuals, organizations, and corporations that supported the agency through this event. Please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/realhope to view more Real Hope 2015 photos.

THaNk yOU for Making 20th Annual Real Hope A Great Success!

Honorees Andrea Stillman and Adam J. Agron.

Adam J. Agron (2nd from left) with his wife, children, parents, and siblings.


Chief OperatingAdam and Katie AgronSunny and Norm BrownsteinJack and Celeste Grynberg

Steve and Elizabeth KrisBrent and Julie MorsePhilip and Elle Winn Chief FinancialMarshall and Helene AbrahamsGary AgronSam and Nancy Gary

Scott and Andrea Stillman Executive Vice PresidentialMegan Agron Sherr and Noah and Casey AgronVicki Agron and Joel FriedmanBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLPThe Chotin Foundation— Steven and Robin ChotinColorado Real Estate JournalBarry and Gay Curtiss-Lusher and David IckovicDependable CleanersEKS&H

Freeman Family FoundationCharlie Gwirtsman and Nancy

ReichmanKroenke Sports CharitiesPluss Family FoundationEllen and Eric PollockStanton and Jane E. RosenbaumChet and Louise SchwartzThompson FlanaganMorris & Sylvia Trachten Family

FoundationGary & Teresa Yourtz Foundation

Vice PresidentialBain Family FoundationLana and Ted Friedman and Sheldon and Leslie LevyKatherine GoldMichael Opatowski and Ruth MalmanRichard and Michele RightMeyer and Geri SaltzmanYana Vishnitsky and James Wolfe AssociateSue and Harvey AllonDavid and Anna AsarchEd and Marlin BaradBerlin Investment GroupBNY Mellon Wealth ManagementBrinker Capital

Colliers InternationalDenver Agency CompanyBob and Jodi Eisen and Charles Eisen &

AssociatesFeiner Family FoundationFeldman Mortuary, Inc.David and Michelle FriedmanDavid and Ashley GoldbergBarbara GoldburgJon and Sheryl GoodmanLeland HuttnerThe Hyatt FamilyAlissa, Joel and Andrew IsaacsonJulian Izbiky and Jennifer RothschildRob Kaufmann and Jennifer Gilbert-

KaufmannJohn Keith—Harvard CommunitiesKeyBankLion Equity PartnersMediLogixMidFirst BankJay and Lisa PerlmutterJordon and Essie PerlmutterMike and Ilene RosenThe Seff Group, P.C.Springwood Retirement CampusTMS Center of Colorado, LLCDr. Steven and Debra WeinsteinAndy WeissLaurence Wolf

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors:

Andrea Stillman (center) with her extended family.

“Ilovemyindependence,” exclaims SHAlom Denver client Kathy Shumard. “I love working at SHAlom Denver!” Kathy, 38, has a general developmental delay. Sometime before the age of 18, she stopped developing cognitively and it’s caused her some barriers and challenges. Kathy first came to SHAlom Denver in october 2012, when she enrolled in the pre-vocational program. This program is designed

to teach basic work skills to adults with developmental disabilities. They learn good work habits and life skills, including coming to work on time, working well with coworkers, and accepting supervision and feedback. The goal is to ultimately get clients

competitive jobs in the community, where they are integrated as productive members of society. Kathy had just moved out of her mother’s house and into a host home. The environment at her mother’s home was difficult. She was left to care for children and do housework and rarely left the house. She wasn’t learning or growing. She ultimately made the decision to move out and into the host-home environment. She was also interested in developing work skills and eventually getting a job. When Kathy came to SHAlom Denver, she was anxious and seemed depressed. She had low self-esteem and lacked confidence. The staff at SHAlom recommended mental health counseling for her and worked closely with her to put some stability in her life. Her work skills were poor. She needed to improve her social skills and she had a hard time focusing and staying on task. She also had to work on her coping skills so she could accept constructive criticism and supervision without getting upset.

Kathy was a quick study and rapidly progressed. In less than a year, she improved her skills to the point that she was ready to move into a supported-work environment, where she works on a team with other SHAlom Denver clients on-site at an area business. Kathy is working at the greenhouse where SHAlom Peace Planters are produced. She designs the planters, including selecting pots, filling them with dirt, and planting them to create an attractive end product. At every stage of the program, Kathy is paid for the work she completes and is learning the value of working. Since starting at SHAlom, Kathy is thriving. She’s built positive relationships with her coworkers, her supervisor, and even the owners of the greenhouse. She helps them with extra tasks like watering plants and unloading shipments that arrive. “Kathy isn’t the same person she was when she first came to SHAlom Denver,” says Jessica Shouse, program manager. “In just three years, her demeanor has completely changed. She has blossomed into a vibrant, happy woman. She is delightful, full of energy, and always smiling. She’s confident and is now able to complete tasks and meet goals. It’s amazing to see how far she has come in the past three years.” As a result of the skills she has learned from working in the program, she has improved her home life as well. She is able to help with chores and can function much more indepen-dently than when she first arrived. She’s learned how to take care of herself, cook light meals, get dressed, and use public transportation. She’s become much more independent and is able to be alone at home, as well as enjoy a social life. She’s active with Special olympics, loves bowling, and frequently goes to dances and movies. She recently took a cruise to the


“It’s amazing to see how far Kathy has come inthepastthreeyears.” —Jessica Shouse

Kathy Shumard: Thriving at SHALOM Denver

cliENT Spotlight


Bahamas with her host provider. Kathy has a bright future ahead of her. Her goal is to get a job in a nursery or garden center so she can use the skills she has learned. “She is doing remarkably well,” says Jessica. “I think she’ll be ready within a year or two.” Thanks to the training and support Kathy is getting at SHAlom Denver, she’s functioning at a much higher level and well on her way to an independent and fulfilling life.

AneasywaytohelpJFS serve those in need is to clean out your closet! Through a partnership with Savers Thrift Stores, your donation of gently used clothing and household items is sold and a percentage of the proceeds supports the mental health programs of Jewish Family Service. Your gift helps to subsidize the cost of counseling services for low-income clients, bringing hope and healing to people in crisis. JFS provides counseling services to families and children dealing with serious mental illness, anxiety, trauma, depression, and grief. Schedule a home pickup online at www.healingmindspickup.org or by calling 303.232.4483.

clEaN OUT yOUR clOSETS to Help JFS!

Kathy working in the greenhouse.


By Audrey Friedman Marcus

Jewish Family Service is proudly observing the 20th anniversary of its outstanding para-chaplain program. The community joins staff and board members in honoring the dedicated volunteers who visit residents of non-Jewish skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living facilities, hospitals and prisons, and who also provide companionship and friendship to Holocaust survivors. Did you know these amazing facts about the dedicated JFS para-chaplains?

• Thirty-six volunteer para-chaplains provided holiday and Shabbat services and individual visits to 1,730 clients in 2015, giving them an important Jewish connection.

• Three of these volunteers—Paula Breese, leland Huttner, and Allan markman—have served for all 20 years of the program’s existence.

• Para-chaplains undergo extensive and valuable training before they embark on their work, and continue to benefit as well from ongoing training and support from JFS staff.

• many para-chaplains regularly conduct Shabbat and holiday services in the facilities JFS serves.

Allan markman began his service as a volunteer para-chaplain by leading Shabbat and holiday services, and he continues to do so at several communities, where he is known as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader. After attending one of his Seders, a resident at Springbrooke commented, “Allan markman explained beautifully the meaning of Passover. It was wonderful to be part of the Seder.” Aware that the residents look forward to these worship experiences, Allan relates that he is happy to be available to serve their needs, even after so long. “What I do helps these people to stay connected to their Judaism—and to stay connected to our Jewish community.” Allan and a group of talented and knowl-edgeable para-chaplains have created beautiful services for Shabbat and for Jewish holidays that are appropriate in content and length for the various settings they serve. JFS produced these services as attractive and meaningful booklets for use by each facility, thus creating a sense of community and a connection to Judaism. As new senior facilities have been added in the last couple of years, para-chaplains

Two Decades of Service by JFS Para-Chaplains

Para-chaplain Mark Zalkin leads a Hanukkah service at Balfour Riverfront.

pROgRam Spotlight

have stepped up to serve a population that is more engaged in life and interested in discussion groups on current events and other appealing subjects. New possibilities such as these provide further interesting opportunities for para-chaplains. The staff at Jewish Family Service is very open, supportive, and future-oriented, and they relish these new challenges. Beth lippa, Senior Solutions volunteer coordinator, is presently redesigning the training sessions to be one-on-one and more accessible to volunteers, thereby enabling the staff to recruit volunteers for the program all year long as the need arises, and to train them right away. Allan markman invites interested individuals to join him and the other dedicated para-chaplains. “You, too,” he asserts, “can derive enormous satisfaction by becoming part of this important endeavor and enriching the lives of isolated, often forgotten, and vulnerable people. You need only go through the training and agree to volunteer for a period of at least six months.” Adds Allan, “You’ll surely receive more from the program than you give.” For additional information, contact Beth lippa at 720.248.4599 or [email protected].

Audrey Friedman Marcus is a volunteer writer for JFS. She was cofounder and executive vice president of A.R.E. Publishing, Inc. for 30 years before retiring in 2001. She also founded the annual Fred Marcus Memorial Holocaust Lecture and authored the book Survival in Shanghai: The Journals of Fred marcus 1939 to 1949 (Pacific View Press).


“You’llsurelyreceive more fromtheprogramthanyougive.”—Allan Markman

Beth Lippa, JFS Senior Solutions volunteer coordinator, lights the menorah with a

Balfour Riverfront resident.

FOllOW US! www.facebook.com/jfscolorado www.twitter.com/JFS_Colo


Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

mENTal HEalTH MattersBy Cathy Wellwood, LPC, Refugee Mental Health Program manager

It’s a brand new year and many of us use this new beginning to make positive changes. Almost 50 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year. While many resolutions focus on improving health, others target spending, improving relation-

ships, enjoying life more fully, and learning new skills. Maintaining this effort is challenging—only 46 percent of resolutions are kept for over six months. Despite the challenges, resolutions are worthwhile—people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to reach their goals. Making one resolution at a time is more effective than tackling a long list. New research in behavior change gives us strategies to increase our chances for success. The first step is awareness—

noticing when we are on autopilot and tracking the patterns we’d like to change. Identifying behavior triggers is key. Is it related to stress or to a certain time of day or situation? When the trigger occurs, this is your opportunity to establish a plan and activate a new behavior. For example, “Instead of binge watching Netflix when I’m stressed, I’ll go for a walk or call a friend.” or, “When I go out to eat, I’ll order salad and an appetizer.” Self-awareness is also part of the process. Knowing yourself can help you figure out the best way to make changes for you. Are you a morning person? Do you like to do activities with others or on your own? According to studies on behavior change, most of us are either “moderators” or “abstainers.” moderators are people who can

keep a delicious dark chocolate bar in their desk drawer and eat one square every day. An abstainer would tend to eat the whole thing, so abstainers need to give up something altogether and declare it off limits. We often think that behavior change relies on willpower, but new studies show we actually have a limited supply. After people exert self-control in a test, they have measurably less self-control for a second task. Too many decisions and tests of self-con-trol throughout the day make us more likely to slip into old, familiar behaviors. Changing our environment to make new behaviors easier is more effective. For example, having fresh fruits and vegetables on hand, or a list of fun activities (and the supplies) to do with your children, makes it much more likely that you’ll follow through. New routines, such as an enjoyable bedtime routine for the family, build in positive activities. It takes an average of 66 days to change a habit, and approximately eight weeks to establish a new skill, so don’t give up. Celebrate small wins and reward yourself along the way!

Cathy Wellwood, LPC, is manager of the Refugee Mental Health Program at Jewish Family Service. She has more than 25 years of experience in mental health services, special-izing in cross-cultural treatment of trauma, depression, anxiety, grief work, and adjustment issues. Before joining Jewish Family Service in 2011, Cathy spent 11 years in Alaska, working for a tribal healthcare organization.

Cathy Wellwood

Peoplewhoexplicitlymakeresolutionsare10timesmorelikelytoreachtheir goals.


By Katelyn Jones, Jay and Rose Phillips Senior Solutions Center intern

Comingupwithexcuses for not exercising seems to be a pretty easy task. Throw in cold temperatures, snow, ice, and a dark, dreary sky and the chances of leaving the couch becomes even less likely. Thankfully, staying active does not have to involve bundling up and facing the winter weather. Here are five tips for staying active during the cold, winter months without leaving your home:•Stretch. Stretching can help loosen muscles,

increase blood flow, relieve joint pain, and help you feel more energized. Try fitting 10–15 minutes of stretching into your morning routine.

•Getmoving! It can be tempting to stay curled up in bed or wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, but getting up and moving around can be extremely beneficial to your health. Take a lap around the living room or stroll up and down the hallway; try to get up and move around as often as possible.

•Chairexercises are a good way to get your body moving. Complete these exercises while watching your favorite TV show or listening to music.

Arm exercises*: • Arm circles: Hold arms straight out from

your body. Begin with small circles and gradually get larger. Switch directions.

• Arm raises: Stay seated with your feet flat on the floor. Raise your arms above your head and bring them back down until your elbows make a 90-degree angle.

• Punching exercises: Alternately extend each arm to the front of the body.

• Jumping jack arms: move arms above your head and back down as you would during jumping jacks.

* Feel free to add hand weights or

hold cans of soup for more resistance.

leg exercises: • Ankle circles: Rotate one ankle

starting in a clockwise direction and then switch to a counter-clockwise direction. Change feet.

• Toe pointing: With leg extended, point toe toward the ceiling and then toward the ground. Switch legs.

• Flutter kicks: With legs extended, move legs slightly up and down. When you move the left leg up, move the right leg down, and vice versa.

• leg crosses: Similar to flutter kicks, but a side-to-side motion rather than up and down. Cross the left foot over the right foot, then the right foot over the left foot.

•Dosomelighthousework. Vacuuming, sweeping, or doing the laundry will get you moving and keep your home looking nice.

•Getanexercisevideo. This does not need to involve spending money. Borrow one from a friend or the local library, or find one online.

Remember, safety first! only complete activities you are comfortable with and don’t push yourself too hard. Start slowly and easily, gradually making the workouts harder if desired.

Katelyn Jones is a graduate student at Metropol-itan State University of Denver working toward her master’s in Social Work. She is completing an internship at Jewish Family Service, working primarily with the Wheat Ridge Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC). She also helps to build community through the Edgewater NORC and assists with clients from the main JFS office as needed.

Katelyn Jones

SENiORS Matter Tips for Staying Active During the Winter Months

THaNk yOU for Caring! Thank you for your generosity! Your support makes our life-transforming work possible.

The following donations reflect tribute gifts received from October 1 to November 30, 2015. Due to space limitations, we are only able to list tribute gifts received during this time, but all contributions are greatly appreciated. Please accept our apologies for any omissions or errors.

IN HONOR OF ANNIVERSARIES

Morey and Evelyn Cohen Robert and Diane CohnBobandBarbGuttsman Bernard and Leba MunishorStantonandJaneE.Rosenbaum Micky and Louann Miller

IN HONOR OF BAT MITZVAHS

SophiaDinn Alison DinnAlyssa Zimmerman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky

IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF A BABY

DorisRaizen’sGrandson Barbara WintersDavidTornek’sTwinGranddaughters Ronald Hull and Eva Ruda-Hull

IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS

Stan Boxer Shirley LeffJackFeuer Allan and Alberta SulzerHazelGensberg Gary and Janet FriedlandKarenGoldblatt-Sullivan Helene HoffmanMarionGoldstein Theodore and Vivian EpsteinMarshaKempton Marvin TyorLarryKueter Stanton and Jane E. RosenbaumEstelle Levitt Estelle StineKathyLuth Pam NaimanMichael Miller Samuel and Benita IdelbergRikkiMor Martin and Marilyn WarrenRenee Singer Lorne and Cindy PolgerAllanSulzer Allan and Alberta SulzerVictorSulzer Allan and Alberta Sulzer

LisaTaussig The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Harvey and Judith Cohen Arleen Gershen Barbara Goldburg Judy Joseph Josh and Elizabeth Klopper Stan and Sharon Marks Ronald and Rhoda Resnick Eldon Silverman Carol Sobel James Wolfe and Yana VishnitskyNorman Zilber John Menninger and Claire Zilber

INHONOROFENGAGEMENTS

Andy Feinstein and Amy Schaefer Stan and Sharon MarksGregKarshandAliBrodie Stan and Sharon Marks

INHONOROFMARRIAGE

DanielGilden Allan and Alberta Sulzer

IN HONOR OF A NEW HOME

Matthew and Regina Heit Syril Beinhorn

IN HONOR OF THE REAL HOPE HONOREES

Adam Agron Jenna Burstein Todd Dutkin Roy LapidusAndrea Stillman Steve and Sandy Berkowitz Arthur and JoAnn Boss Bruce Coulter and Teri Spector Jerome and Carol Friedman Mark and Essie Goodside Sherman and Lois Rich Charlene Shaffer

IN HONOR OF RETIREMENT

NancyNowak Audrey Friedman Marcus

IN HONOR OF

RachelAmaru Rabbi Deborah BronsteinEllen Beller The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana VishnitskyLisa Benoit Harriet Mehl RottenburgRonBostwick Judith Dack

BoulderJFSStaff Cynthia WeingerMichael Brittan Elizabeth BrittanRabbi Deborah Bronstein Rachel AmaruJudithCohen David and Debra FlitterHollis Fasbender Doris Fasbender Michael Garfinkel Elizabeth OttoBobbiFurer Jonathan and Toni SaiberPaulaGoldberg Heidi SchoenSherriGoldstein Perry and Susie MossBarbaraGould Estelle MillerRegina Heit Usha VarmaDan and Amy Hemmati Allison GreensteinStuartandMyraHerz Michael and Debbie HuttnerSarine Krovitz Jeff Greenstein and Gail KrovitzSusanLavowitz David Spiro and Robin YoungelmanDonnaLutz The Lunch BunchJay and Lois Miller Aaron Stambler and Elaine MillerLola Miller Marc and Rhoda SilvergladeMarcee Newman Jon and Sheryl GoodmanSam,Joseph,Jack,andHankOrzynski Tania OrzynskiMarphaBorisovnaSamoylenko Boris PeisahodinKaryn Schad Sydell PannorNaomi Singer Jonathan Singer and Linda LeonardGerrySmith Sylvia SmithJim and Linda Stein Joel and Michelle KraljScott and Andrea Stillman William SilversCathySummer Hal and Risa Aqua Judith Dack Jonathan and Lindsay Lev Estelle Miller Bradley Reiff and Caryn Summer Allen Taggart and Barbara GouldClaudiaSwick Lorayne RosenfeldtWhitney Chotin Wolz The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana Vishnitsky

DaveandJillYasskin Scott and Andrea Stillman

IN MEMORY OF

Mary Altman The Board & Staff of Jewish Family ServiceChris Anderson Bart and Jill MillerMarlene Ansell Larry and Jodi AnsellSherman Ansell Larry and Jodi AnsellWalterAppel,Jr. Jim and Susan EichbergRuthBailis Annette BlacherChandra Balachandran Andrew ThangasamyMickeyBarter Jeffrey and Sandra BarterHoward Bender The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Bruce and Janyce WaldLouBloon Debbie GarelickMimi Bloon Debbie GarelickBeaButler Simeon and Heather MargolisHoward Cantor Mark and Susan LabovitzBaby Chance Cynthia ChapmanBetty Chayet Boulder Jewish Community CenterAdam Cohen Gail CohenJacob Cohen Max SilvermanMildred Cohen Max SilvermanNoah Cohen Paul and Jane CohenClaire and Phil Cohen Sara CohenJosephMarkCruz Jeffrey and Roni CruzEdith Davis Joyce MeltzerMotherofLouisJ.Davis Jim and Susan EichbergSueDiamond David and Randi RacensteinElsa Finesilver Arthur and Arlene MossStanleyGampel Jeanne LernerMorrisGarnek Howard and Tilly RollinMickeyGershtenson Robert and Diane Cohn



JohnGetz Toni Getz Don and Linda NeumanLillianGlassman Paul and Jane CohenDavidGoldstein Bob and Rosey GodshawYoramGordon Gilad Gordon and Cathy CohnHyGoren Lauren Kauvar Shirley Leff Arthur and Arlene Moss Seymour Rubenstein and Charlene Loup Marlene WeinerBarbGrote Academy Acres KennelsMildred Herman Joel HermanMiriam Hoffman Karin Fischer Jo Fukaye Cindy Gertz Elinor Greenberg Mark and Vicky Hakim Michelle Hanley Rick and Mindy Miller Richard and Rae Negreann Susan Shaner Hannah Sperber The Striker Foundation Gary and Terri YourtzBettyHusney Buzz and Shelley Krovitz Gary and Joyce Lozow Stan and Sharon Marks Bernard and Leba Munishor Carol SobelLori Kamlet Kathy JollyJudithKatchen Andrew and Dolores Fliss Jim and Diane Loup Wendy Sockolov Donald SpieglemanAdelle Lasersohn Audrey Friedman MarcusAdilene Lester Ted and Dorothea BrooksAbe Levine Don and Linda NeumanBarry Levine Don and Linda NeumanMollie Levine Don and Linda NeumanIsabel Levitt Les and Estelle LevittDorinda Levy Alicia Appel Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Ted and Lana Friedman Barbara Goldburg The Hilb Kids Thomas and Susan Hilb

Kenneth James Erick and Marla Loss Don and Bonnie Messer Brad and Sara Nieder Robert Rottman Elizabeth Scott Mark Stein Allison SummerdayLenny Loitherstein Simeon and Heather MargolisSeymourLozow Joe and Tsai Bilett The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Elliott and Gloria Husney Libby Marcus Stan and Sharon Marks Chet and Louise Schwartz James Wolfe and Yana VishnitskyEstherLustig David and Vicki Dansky Debbie and Michael Feiner and Family Stephen and Sherri WeinsteinRabbi Marshall Maltzman Ron and Joyce Fishman Jacqueline Roche Michael and Traci SidonFredMarcus Audrey Friedman MarcusBarryMelnick Larry and Jodi AnsellHarvey Milzer Elliott and Gloria HusneyLynne Montrose Sherman and Lois RichMel and Shirl Myland Wayne and Jackie SeltzerMarkNeuman Don and Linda NeumanPegNeuman Don and Linda NeumanJulianOrleans Ellen OrleansMoiseyL’vovichPeisakhodin Boris PeisahodinSheba Penner Eve IlsenGeraldQuiat Dan and Meg QuiatAmeliaRittenbaum Albert and Janice DinnerLeonardRivkin Ed and Marlin Barad The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Sandra Brown Marvin and Jackie Cooper Ruth Epstein Craig and Vicki Eskanos Berta Goodman Edith Hayutin Helaine Hayutin Sheldon and Elaine Hayutin Jerilyn Heir

Harvey and Benita Newman David and DeDe Rose Amy ZeppelinCharlene Sachter Ronald and Roni Brown Sherman and Lois RichPaulSaliman Floyd and Edythe SunshineShebaPennerbatRivka Eve IlsenJackieHuntScezney Marvin TyorGnanmSelvaraj Andrew ThangasamyFrancine Shafton Rabbi Julian and Susan Cook Twin Enviro ServicesLois Sherman Larry and Jodi AnsellSondraSiegelTurkins The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana VishnitskyJoe Silberstein Claire SeidenBerthaSklar Michael and Alana SklarAlbertSorkin Marc and Laurie SorkinShirleySorkin Marc and Laurie SorkinReneStark Ronald and Roni BrownMarjorie Stein Rosalyn Imerman Michael and Beth Margolis Danny and Karli Sherwinter Jerry and Marilyn Snyder Josh and Ellen TaxmanShaunaSteinberg Elliott and Gloria HusneyBurtonSternburg Sternburg Communications IncMildredSternburg Sternburg Communications IncRichardSulzer Allan and Alberta SulzerDorothyVelker Allan and Alberta SulzerSandraVinnik Arthur and Arlene MossGigiWalden Pam NaimanJames Wallace David and Toni RoitmanArnold and Norma Wilner Mary Ann WilnerVitaWouk Arthur WoukJoyce Zeff Gregory Densen Debbie and Michael Feiner and Family Perry and Susie Moss Chuck and Sharon Rosen

WITHGRATITUDEFOR

JustinandCariLevy Kent Messer and Katherine HackettRubyZimmerman The Abramovitz Family

WITH WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY

Steven Chotin The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Pam NaimanSaraJaneEpstein Ron and Joyce FishmanMelanieGruenwald The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service James Wolfe and Yana VishnitskyDalton Levine Don and Linda NeumanLori Sigman Barbara SidonMauryZemachson Pam Naiman

IN-KINDDONORS

B’nai B’rith Youth OrganizationBoulder Jewish Film FestivalBradley International SchoolChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsCongregation BMH-BJCongregation Hebrew Educational AllianceDenver Jewish Day SchoolDenver Rescue MissionDumb Friends LeagueEkar FarmKing Soopers ReclamationOtten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PCRunuphill RacingSamuels ElementarySouth Denver Fencing AcademySouthmoor ElementaryTemple EmanuelTemple SinaiTrader Joe’sWhole Foods at Tamarac

Dr.TonyGottlieb and his wife, Katherine Dealy, have given to Jewish Family Service (JFS) every year since at least 1991 (that’s as far back as our computer records go)! We spoke to Tony to learn why he and Katherine have chosen to support the agency consistently for more than two decades. FamilyMatters(FM): Why did you start supporting JFS? TonyGottlieb(TG):To make a long story short, I grew up in Chicago and had a lot of trouble as a teenager, as did my family. I needed financial assistance and a place to live. The Children’s Bureau of Chicago helped me

a lot through high school and college. I kept in touch with the social worker as I went through medical school. After I finished medical school and was living in Denver, I told the social worker I had so much appreciation for what the agency did for me and I wanted to contribute financially. He suggested I contribute to Jewish Family Service of

Colorado, since that was a similar agency. I took his suggestion and began donating. I also volunteered to help resettle five Russian families. In fact, we are still in touch with one family who comes to our Passover Seder every year.

FM:Wow, that’s quite a story! How else have you been involved with JFS? TG:I was trained in the first para-chaplain class 20 years ago and served as a volunteer para-chaplain for many years. Through that program, I met Rabbi Baskin (Jewish community chaplain), who started the Rafael Spiritual Healing Center at JFS, and he asked me to serve on its advisory committee, which I did for several years. FM:What keeps you connected to JFS and donating after all these years? TG:I had such great experiences as a para-chaplain. I counseled older Jewish people in nursing homes, which was a perfect fit for me as a geriatric psychiatrist. I also led Shabbat services with JFS therapist leonid Baksht for Russian residents at a nursing home. We conducted services in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, and english! The residents would come alive when we sang songs and prayers in Russian. I retired for a few years and taught classes at Hebrew High. When we covered the subject of tzedakah, I took the class to volunteer at the JFS food pantry. unfortunately I’ve had to go back to work three days per week and had to discontinue my volunteer efforts, but I still keep my financial donations coming. FM:Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers? TG: I just wish I had more to give to JFS. I have two grandchildren with autism and I am setting aside as much as I can for their needs, which is why I’m still working at age 79. I would still be a para-chaplain if I had time. It has truly been a privilege and an honor to be involved with JFS. It is a wonderful agency that helps so many people!

Tony Gottlieb


Tony Gottlieb and Katherine DealyDONOR Spotlight


STaFFAnniversariesCongratulations to the following staff

members celebrating their anniversaries in January and February:

10 years: Margaret Bell, Group Home relief counselor, and Judieth Elrod,

homemaker

5 years: Regina Spillari, personal care worker, and Debbie Estrada, personal

care worker

Homecare from Our Family to Yours

JFS at Home offers non-medical, fully licensed, customized homecare by screened, compassionate, and insured caregivers.

· Hourly to 24/7 personal care· Assistance with dressing, grooming, and hygiene· Light housekeeping and cooking· Transportation and shopping· Companionship

RaisingfundsforJFS is as easy as going grocery shopping. Simply purchase a reloadable King Soopers gift card from us for $20. Take your gift card to your King Soopers store and load more money on it before you start shopping, then swipe your gift card like you would a credit card to pay for your groceries. It’s that easy! every time JFS supporters reach $5,000 or more in reloads (as a group, not just you individually), we will receive a rebate check for 5% of the total amount. learn more and purchase a card by visiting www.jewishfamilyservice.org/KingSoopers!

SUppORT JFS While Shopping at King Soopers!

NoN PRoFIT oRG.

uS PoSTAGe

PAID

DeNVeR, ColoRADo

PeRmIT No. 1217Joyce and Kal Zeff Building3201 South Tamarac DriveDenver Co 80231-4394

ReTuRN SeRVICe ReQueSTeD

tel: 303.597.5000fax: 303.597.7700

www.jewishfamilyservice.org

Beneficiary Agency of JEWISHcoloradoand Mile High United Way

JeWISH FAmIlY SeRVICe oF ColoRADo

Social services for Jewish Nazi victims have been supported by a grant from The Conference of

Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

JFS EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON WITH

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016 HYATT REGENCY DENVER CONVENTION CENTER

SPONSORSHIPS AND MEET AND GREET OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.

CONTACT LISA BENOIT AT 720.248.4633 OR [email protected].

january/february 2016 family matters

Documents