november/december 2011 family matters

In This IssueReel Hope Sponsors 2

Spotlight on Staff 3

Volunteer Spotlight 4

Colorado Gives Day 5

Thank You for Caring! 6

JFS Legacy Society 8

Volunteer Corner 9

Year-End Gifts 10

How to Conquer Shame 11

JFS Staff Anniversaries 11

Volume 21, No. 5 • November/December 2011

Family Matters is published bimonthly by Jewish Family Serviceof Colorado, 3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver CO 80231

FamilyMatters

Reel Hope, Jewish Family Service’s annual benefit film screening,returns for its 16th year on Thursday, December 8 at our new

venue — the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on 14th and Curtis streets in Denver.We are delighted to honor Ken and Rebecca Gart as the Jack Shapiro CommunityService Award recipients, and Harvey and Sue Allon as the Kal Zeff Business Leaderof the Year Award winners. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the program starts promptly at6:00 p.m. (Please note the new time!) Early arrival is strongly suggested.

The event efforts are being led by co-chairs Kerry Shelanski and Debra Duke,and event advisor Carla Bartell. Lisa Belkov-Snyder, host of “LIVE with Lisa!” onMile High Sports AM 1510 and FM 93.7, will serve as this year's emcee.

As you watch the program and the soon-to-be-announced Hollywood movie,you will enjoy a boxed dinner catered by Kevin Taylor all while supporting JFS inits four key areas of mental health counseling, senior support services, disability andemployment services, and family safety net services.

Tickets for this event are $180 and sponsorship packages start at $1,500. Formore information and to purchase tickets visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org orcontact Dawn Richard at (720) 248-4605 or [email protected].

Learn more about the honorees!

Ken and Rebecca Gart, 2011 Jack Shapiro Community Service Awardrecipients, exemplify the term “community service” and are truly deserving of thisaward. Their passion, whether for children’s causes or Jewish organizations, shinesthrough in both of their professional and philanthropic lives.

Ken and Rebecca have generously supported JFS for many years. They wereamong the first donors to make a multi-year commitment to the agency. The Gartshave taught their three children, Sydney, 11; Jeremy, 9; and Max, 4, the value ofgiving back and spend time volunteering as a family at JFS and many other organi-zations. “We’ve been able to find special organizations to help us engage our kids inthe gratification of philanthropy,” says Ken.

“Our family is deeply committed to helping those in need and JFS is instru-mental in supporting those in our community who need assistance the most. Byhelping JFS with its compassionate mission, we are helping to restore well-being inthe community at-large based on our own Jewish values. We are honored to receivethis meaningful award as we strive to give back to our community,” Rebecca says.

The Ellie is the Place to Be on December 8!Reel Hope Moves to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for its 16th Anniversary

Continued on page 2

2 FAM I LY MAT T E R S NOV EMB E R /D EC EMB E R 2 011

The Ellie is the Place to Be on December 8! Continued from page 1

Harvey and Sue Allon, 2011 Kal Zeff Business Leader of the Year recipients, are each nationallyrecognized leaders and visionaries in their respective professional fields, who together strive to improve thecommunity and world in which they live through their civic leadership and philanthropy. While each was

building successful careers in different sectors of the mortgage industry, they jointlyrealized that they feel responsible to give back with their time, donations, andhelping organizations they support raise funds.

Since 2006, their Oak Tree Foundation (Allon is Hebrew for Oak Tree) hassustained excellence and empowered positive change primarily in the areas ofeducation and Jewish life, establishing long-term strategic partnerships that createlasting change.

They are proud of their 13-year-old daughter, Natalie, and Harvey’s grownchildren, Aaron and Rachel. Harvey and Sue say, “By providing critical support inthe community, JFS embodies the Jewish values that we believe improve lives, thusmaking the world a better place for us and for our children.” �

ProducersKen and Rebecca GartSteve and Elizabeth KrisJoyce Zeff

Production Managers

Will and Sheri Gold

Phil and Elle Winn

Directors

Eric and Ellen PollockGary and Teresa Yourtz

Casting DirectorsCommunity Banks of ColoradoDependable CleanersTerry Fenner and Dawn RichardGreen Manning & Bunch, Ltd.National Jewish HealthMeyer and Geri Saltzman

Associate ProducersBrian and Elise BarishDan and Carla BartellBrent Cohen and Dana Klapper CohenFeldman Mortuary, Inc.Hyde ParkDavid and Judith KoffDavid and Laura Merage FoundationRocky and Suzi MillerMiller Global Properties, LLCRobert and Robyn NaimanMichael Opatowski and Ruth MalmanJordon and Essie PerlmutterRichard and Michele RightRobinson Management CompanyChet and Louise SchwartzMarty and Shira Zimmerman

CinematographersEvan and Meghan Zucker

GaffersMark Smith

Thank you to our Reel Hope sponsors to date(as of October 11, 2011):

Ken and Rebecca Gart

Harvey and Sue Allon

BerenbaumWeinshienkPC

FAM I LY MAT T E R S NOV EMB E R /D EC EMB E R 2 011 3

Michele Weber has always loved working withpeople, but it took her 15 years to realize she

could make a career out of it.That’s how long Michele, who earned a bachelor

of fine arts degree at the Savannah College of Art andDesign, spent as an art director for corporateadvertising departments in Atlanta. Gradually, thedrafting table came to feel like a lonely place.

“I wanted to help people connect,” she recalls. “Ireally wanted to counsel people, and that opportunitywasn’t there in advertising. I looked at my values andmy purpose and did a search and said, ‘I need to dosomething else.’” She took some night classes invarious social services and on the way discoveredgerontology. “I couldn’t get enough of it,” she says.

While there are other senior care agencies inDenver, none require Michele’s special blend of skillsmore than JFS. Her title in the Senior Solutionsdepartment is care manager, which, at JFS, puts herbehind a desk for only about 30% of a typicalworkweek. The rest of the time she gets to be exactlywhere she wants to be — working with clients.

“Right now I have 65 or 70 clients, at alldifferent stages of need,” she says. “Some I see everyweek or every other week, some every six monthsbecause they’re doing fine on their own; they justneed someone to check in on them every now andthen.”

This was Michele’s first paid job in her secondcareer, right out of the University of Denver’s socialwork master’s program. “I like that there’s an infinitevariety of people, issues, and situations that I workwith,” she says. “If somebody has a disability, whetherphysical or cognitive, I might drive them to anappointment, advocate for them, or explore ways thatthey can remain independent at home. Many of oursenior clients need help transitioning from home toassisted living, or home to an apartment. I help themget through that transition. It’s sort of like being aguide or navigator. We’ll do as much as the clientneeds, but we’ll encourage the clients to do things forthemselves, too.”

Michele’s duties are expanding even more becauseshe recently became a licensed clinical social worker,meaning she can now provide clinical counseling aswell as care management.

As much as she values her fieldwork, don’t get the impression thatMichele dislikes her office time.Intake, which can be a low-levelfunction at some agencies, ishandled on a rotating basis bySenior Solutions’ professional staff.That means speedier referrals andopportunities to address questionsbefore they escalate into crises.

“When potential clients callJFS, they’re talking to someonewith 10 to 20 years of experience,so the quality of the advice andguidance that people get isexcellent. And, we all worktogether to help each other helpeach client,” says Michele.

At home with her husband, who she met inSavannah and who still works as a designer, Micheleloves gardening, cooking, hiking, yoga, and visual artsprojects. They have a cat and two rescue dogs, one ofwhom only responded when they called the cat, sothey named her Kitty.

One of the most satisfying partsof Michele’s work is guiding newclients through their initial anxietyand helping them realize they mayneed less assistance than theyimagined.

“Sometimes clients don’t realizewhat we can do for them until we’re there,” sheexplains. Not infrequently, for example, people callsaying they need assisted living, but that may be aconclusion they leapt to without knowing there werealternatives. It may turn out that with a few meals perweek and household help, they can stay in theirhome.” �

Spotlight on Staff Michele Weber

“I like that there’s aninfinite variety of people,issues, and situations thatI work with.”—Michele Weber

Michele Weber

Thank you to Eric Hübler for writing the Staff andVolunteer Spotlight articles in this newsletter! Weappreciate his generosity and creativity.


Asocial-services agency may seem like an oddplace to come for a little peace and quiet. But

for Debra Reinhard, volunteering in the back officeprovides a treasured respite from the “always on”demeanor she maintains in her real estate career. “Ifeel like something is missing when I don’t get there,”she said recently. “It’s my solitude time — a spiritualtime for me. Even though it’s not a synagogue, it’s insome ways more my connection.”

Debra learned about Jewish Family Service a yearand a half ago, during a service-learning workshop

led by Nancy Benyamin,director of volunteerservices, at her youngestdaughter’s religiousschool. “We filled upsoup baggies, parents andchildren together, and itfelt like someplace whereI wanted to be. So I wentand spoke with her andwe talked about thesome of the differentvolunteer opportunitiesat JFS. None of themquite fit what I was ableto give or what I reallywanted to do. So shesaid, come on in.”

At the time, Debra wasunable to identify what was making her feel anxiousabout the volunteer jobs that Nancy proposed. It

came to her when she visited theoffice, though.

“They have a lot of amazing,wonderful programs, and a lot of ithad to do with dealing directly withpeople or making phone calls. Iwanted to give back by helping thepeople in the office, and sort of staybehind the scenes.”

As she stuffs envelopes and brochures or filespaperwork, Debra says she sometimes questionswhether she’s really being useful, but the staffreassures her that her help is truly valued. “Everybodyseems very positive and genuinely wants to be there.They’re in a profession where there’s just so much

need, and you can be negative — ‘Are we reallymaking a difference?’ — and yet they just seem toreach out to do more and more and more. They are agreat, great staff.’”

Aside from real estate, Debra’s other chief activitythese days also requires a big commitment: travelingwith her daughter to competitive soccer tournaments.She has an older daughter who is in college, and ason who is in high school; all three are pursuingvolunteer activities that suit their personalities. As forrelaxation, Debra concedes that seven years into hertransition to divorced parenthood, “I’m still trying tofigure out what’s fun.”

One thing at a time, perhaps. Home sales areincreasing, and the volunteering, as quiet as Debrakeeps it, clearly is a win-win.

“My only wish is that I could get in there moreconsistently,” she said. “They always seem verygrateful when I’m there. It makes me feel good, and itmakes me want to go more.”

Ask any career coach: volunteering can be a wayto give something that you can’t give, or get

something that you can’t get, at work.For Evan Silverman, on the other hand, volun-

teering at Jewish Family Service is a way to replicatethe very same things he likes about his paid job, atthe Tattered Cover Book Store.

“I majored in sociology in college so I like tothink about people and groups,” he said. “From myperspective, JFS and the Tattered Cover have somesimilarities, one of which is that the quality of thestaff is extremely high, and also that people are valuedfor their uniqueness. Being an active member of ahealthy community is a way to cultivate love.”

Uniqueness and acceptance are big themes withEvan, who lives with schizophrenia. One of hisproudest accomplishments is having a first-personaccount of his experiences published by the magazineSchizophrenia Digest a few years back. “I was in Vegasvisiting my grandma, and I got a call from themagazine saying they wanted to take my picture andrun my story. For the first time in many years, I wentto a non-Great Clips location to get my hair cut.”

As if being a writer and a bookseller weren’tenough, volunteering at JFS gave Evan theopportunity to expand his creative portfolio into

Volunteer Spotlight Debra Reinhard and Evan Silverman

Debra Reinhard

“I wanted to give backby helping the people inthe office, and sort ofstay behind the scenes.”—Debra Reinhard

Continued on page 5


acting. When JFS was putting together some printed materials, they asked Evanto participate in a photo shoot. He went to a client’s house, handed her a bag ofgroceries, and made chitchat (“‘Remember Uncle Charlie made us lamb chopslast night? That was good,’ that sort of thing”) for the sake of authenticity.

“Currently my master plan at JFS is to volunteer every couple of months inthe marketing department and to help with any other opportunities that open upover the course of the year,” Evan said. Pastvolunteer gigs for the agency have includedcanning food and serving as a cultural tutor to anAfrican immigrant.

JFS’s new theme, “Chain Reaction of Good,”is something Evan has long believed in: “Icertainly believe everything is connected, for sure,and that what we do has an impact on otherpeople.” That may be part of the reason he sees more similarities than differencesbetween his day job and his volunteering. �

Volunteer Spotlight Continued fromn page 4

Evan Silverman

“Being an activemember of a healthycommunity is a wayto cultivate love.”—Evan Silverman

Support Jewish Family Service on the second annual Colorado Gives Day! On December 6, Coloradocitizens will come together again to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits like ours. Last year, the goal to

raise $1 million for Colorado charities was exceeded — $8.7 million was raised and distributed instead!Presented once again by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day asks you to give

to your favorite charities through the website GivingFirst.org, an online giving resource featuring all of thenonprofits participating in Colorado Gives Day.• 100% of your donation will come to us when you give through GivingFirst.org.• When you give online anytime on December 6, the value of your donation will be increased by the FirstBank

Incentive Fund.• Help us win cash prizes! We have a chance to win

$1,000 Bonus Bucks and $5,000 High Five cashprizes when you remember us on Colorado Gives Day.

Donate online at GivingFirst.org/jfscoloradoanytime during the 24-hour period of December 6to Give Where You Live! �

24 Hours to Give Where You Live

Follow JFS on:

www.facebook.com/jfscolorado

www.twitter.com/JFS_Colo

Thank you for your generosity! Your support makes all our good workspossible. Please accept our apologies for any omissions or errors.

The following donations reflecttribute gifts received during theperiod from August 1, 2011, toSeptember 30, 2011. Due tospace limitations, we are only ableto list tribute gifts received duringthis time, but all contributions aregreatly appreciated.

WITH GRATITUDE FOR

JFS StaffJeffrey and Roni Cruz

IN HONOR OFANNIVERSARIES

Ron and Michelle CatalanTerri Tilliss

Herb and Arlene GalchinskyMarvin and Renee Brilliant

Harold and Marilyn LandeArthur and Ruth Chapman

Lawrence and Roberta SandersMarvin and Shirley Leff

Jerry and Diane SpeerSidney and Susan Greenwald

Loren and Andrea Weinstein’s50th wedding anniversary

David and Gayle AnnWeinstein

IN HONOR OFBAR MITZVAHS

Ari AsarchMichael Asarch

Tyler FriedJames Adelstein

Ira WeissHoward and Donna Lutz

IN HONOR OFBAT MITZVAHS

Zoe MillerThe Board & Staff of Jewish

Family ServiceYana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe

IN HONOR OF BIRTHS

Samuel BirdTerry Fenner and Dawn

Richard

Lucas FeiersteinTerri TillissStacy Pocrass

Dylan MarksHoward and Donna Lutz

Weston TrasenHoward and Donna Lutz

IN HONOR OF BIRTHDAYS

Edward Cohen’s birthdayRon and Andi Linkow

Herb CohenThe Negreann Family

Ruth EpsteinBeryl Brasch

Sheryl GoodmanTerry Fenner and Dawn

RichardLindsey Gutterman

JFS StaffPaul Haley

Marvin TyorHarvey Karsh

Gary and Janet FriedlandJeff King

Vickianne KingFrankie Loeb

Benjamin Newman &Marcee Gordon Newman

Ronald MarksHoward and Donna Lutz

Caz MatthewsJoseph and Helen Drexler

Micky MillerKristi DinnerWendy Dinner

Wyatt RosenthalEdward and Judith Rosenthal

Jeanne SaundersTerry Fenner and Dawn

RichardCharlie Schneider

Gareth Heyman and BetsyMordecai Heyman

Raphe and Nancy SchwartzJonathan and Emily Ganan

Yana VishnitskyRex and Nina McGehee

Hershial WeinsteinHarvey and Judith Cohen

IN HONOR OF MARRIAGE

Andy and Andrea AlbershardtShirley Gilman

Benjamin BermanBennie and Joan Bub

Steven Harmon andTerese Rose

Stanton and Jane E.Rosenbaum

The Board and Staff of JewishFamily Service

Eyal Sella and Sarah Klahn’swedding

David and Kimberly TaussigDouglas Clements and Janet

WhiteChris Hudson

Rordan and Amanda ShaneMark and Susie Barter

IN HONOR OF

Renee CohenCaryn Aviv

La Vaughn De PetroThomas De Petro

Steven Kris’ commitmentto JFS

Jim and Kit LeventhalHelen Ruth Mozer

Cynthia ChapmanAnneke Rachinski joining thestaff at JFS

Terry Fenner and DawnRichard

Micah RosenbaumRabbi Frederick Greenspahn

and Barbara PearlStanton Rosenbaum

Terry Fenner and DawnRichard

Mia SchneiderGareth Heyman and Betsy

Mordecai HeymanRuth Toltz

Samuel and CherieKirschbaum

Jari ThymianJon and Sheryl Goodman

Douglas Friednash’sappointment as Denver CityAttorney

Les and Estelle Levitt

Debra Weinstein’s Golda MeirAward

The Board & Staff of JewishFamily Service

Ann Riley’s retirementRoz BegunEsther LustigMiriam Sherman

WITH WISHES FOR ASPEEDY RECOVERY

Gary AgronPam Naiman

Ms. Cynthia ChapmanPam Naiman

Marvin CooperRalph and Berta Goodman

Helen FogelPam Naiman

Cookie GoldPam Naiman

Ms. Alice GoldbergJerry and Peggy Goldberg

Paul JacobsJustin and Sharon Roth

Hud KarshmerJack and Celeste Grynberg

Harold LandeThe Board & Staff of Jewish

Family ServiceMilford Pepper

Ely Birnbaum and ShirleyLonder

Debra and Leonard HerzAlan and Gloria KrisLibby Marcus

Morey PlattnerEly Birnbaum and Shirley

LonderLisa Robinson

Rob Kaufmann and JenGilbert-Kaufmann

Rubie RubensteinHarold and Marilyn Lande

Irvin RubinLeon and Kathryn Rubin

Jim WolfeTerry Fenner and Dawn

Richard

Thank You for Caring!


IN MEMORY OF

Shelley AltmanJerry Altman

Harold BloomenthalStanton and Jane E.

RosenbaumShirley Brody

Ruthie CohenMary CytrynbaumLenora Silverman

William BrombergHerbert Dixon

Anne ClayCynthia Chapman

Ralph DennisRon and Andi Linkow

Eleanor FreedmanKen and Linda HellerStanton and Jane E.

RosenbaumRonald Colson and Karen PaulSheldon and Ellen Friedman

Joyce FreemanThe Board & Staff of Jewish

Family ServiceYana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfePeggy HermannFeldman Mortuary, Inc.Eileen EllerThe Quiat Family

Charles FriedmanAbraham and Selma Friedman

Helen FriedmanAbraham and Selma Friedman

Ida FriedmanAbraham and Selma Friedman

Stuart GinsBeth Samuelson

Butch GinsbergKen and Linda Heller

Alvin GreenbergStuart and Marilyn Spinner

George HausmanSidney and Susan Greenwald

Charles KaplanMarvin Tyor

Maxine KatzsonRob Kaufmann and Jen

Gilbert-KaufmannCindy Levitt

The Board & Staff of JewishFamily Service

Bobbie CarrCarol StanwoodDonald Norgren

Isaac MilzerThe Board & Staff of Jewish

Family ServiceCarol Sobel

Mike MontanoPam NaimanJon and Jamie Sarche

Louis MorroneJerry and Peggy Goldberg

Mel MossDavid and Connie Suson

Dail NeugartenMarck Pogrebin

Michael NowakLarry and Margaret BallonoffOscar and Selma Sladek

Miriam OhrRuth Ann Quick

Ron PretekinNicki Hirsh

Anne RitterAudrey Friedman Marcus

Maury RosenthalKaren Stein

Lorraine SekerakMichael Sekerak

Steven SekerakMichael Sekerak

Fred SeymoreCynthia Chapman

Jack ShafferKen and Linda HellerSharon LaskyRonald Colson and Karen Paul

Morris ShanderDr. and Mrs. David Shander

Isadore ShoreThe Board & Staff of Jewish

Family ServiceSusan RifkinPam NaimanElliott and Gloria HusneyRick and Sheila Bugdanowitz

Elinor SimonDavid and Gayle Ann

WeinsteinAdele Sollender

Donald and Henny KaufmannMinnie Tyor

Marvin TyorErwin Wainer

David and Ami OpatCydney Wax

Marvin and Shirley LeffGloria Yashiro

Ed Wiener and Celia MenakerWeiner

Gerald ZuckermanKen and Linda Heller

Lilly ZuckermanLes and Estelle LevittGil and Jane Hermann

IN-KIND DONATIONS

Allied Jewish Federation ofColorado

Azteca Ranch MarketBirthright Israel NEXT ColoradoBoulder Jewish Community

CenterBrownstein Hyatt Farber SchreckColoradoBiz MediaCongregation Hebrew Educational

AllianceCongregation Rodef ShalomThe Donut MakerEinstein BagelsEkar FarmFoodWorksHumana MarketPOINT

ColoradoJewish Community CenterKing Soopers – MonacoKing Soopers ReclamationPasata More Gourmet FoodPizza Hut at LeetsdaleRose Women’s Organization –

Donor Advised FundSafewaySouth Denver Fencing AcademySunflower MarketChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter

Day SaintsWhole Foods at TamaracWhole Foods at Cherry CreekWide Open West Internet Cable


Help raise funds for JFS when you buy your groceries by purchasing areloadable King Soopers gift card from us for $20. Take your gift

card to your King Soopers store and load more money on it before youstart shopping, then simply swipe your gift card like you would a creditcard to pay for your groceries.

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 totalamount. That's $250 for every $5,000!

Learn more and purchase one online by visiting:www.jewishfamilyservice.org/donate/king-soopers-gift-cards. �

Help JFS by Grocery Shopping!


Aheartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who donated food to the Weinberg Food Pantry during the HighHoly Days. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by those in need! We need your help again this month to

help provide a Thanksgiving meal for our Food Pantry clients who might otherwise not be able to celebrate theholiday.

Please contribute any of the items on the following list or provide a complete holiday meal for one family:frozen turkeys, cranberry sauce, stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, canned vegetables, gravy

mixes, canned pumpkin pie mix, and aluminum foil roasting pans. Grocery certificates for clients withspecial dietary needs are also greatly appreciated.

Because we can stretch your dollar by purchasing items directly from Food Bank of theRockies at a reduced cost, we prefer cash donations. The approximate cost of a completeThanksgiving meal is $36. Please make a contribution for any amount you can by using the

enclosed envelope and indicate “Holiday Food” in the memo line or bring food donations to JewishFamily Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver, CO 80231, by Wednesday, November 16.Thank you in advance for your support to brighten another family’s Thanksgiving! �

Thank You for High Holy Day Food Donations!Help Needed for Thanksgiving

AnonymousSanford AlpertBarbara Altenberg McDonaldJudy Altenberg and Bruce PlotkinElaine and Max AppelRabbi Eliot and Dr. Hilary BaskinEstate of Michael BaumRobert and Samantha BaumgartenBruce and Jennifer BendellSteve and Sandy BerkowitzEstate of Jack BernstoneMel BrodyWilliam BrombergJerry and Bobbie CarrJames and Alissa CohenThe Winters Creasey FamilyKen and Sheryl FeilerEstate of Terry FisherRabbi Steven and Joyce FosterEstate of Max FrankelBrad and Laurie FriedmanBenjamin & Lillian Ginsburg Charitable

TrustEstate of Lewis J. Goldsmith

Richard C. Goldstein EstateSidney and Ann Grazi Philanthropic

FundChuck and Anne GrossEstate of Louise F. GuggenheimJerry and Zelda GutmanJeffrey and Sharon HaberEstate of Betty Ann J. HalperinKen and Linda HellerPeggy HermannIrwin and Jacquie HoffmanRon and Gale KahnSterling and Ruth Kahn TrustEstate of Lottie R. KlebeLisa KoenigsbergEstate of Elizabeth S. KrashSteven and Elizabeth KrisBuzz and Shelley KrovitzEstate of Alan LaffHarold and Marilyn LandeEstate of Mary LatanikHoward and Blanca LermanEstate of Guscile and Rona LevinJ. Leonard & Myra B. Levy Family Fund

Estate of Edith LewittLeonard and Sylvia LitvakBob and Robyn LoupSandey LucianoIrene MayerEstate of Walter MielzinerEstate of Ruth MilzerPerry and Susie MossStephen and Lois NadlerGail NussbaumGail PenningtonShirley PolitzerEric and Ellen PollockDean Prina, M.D.Andy and Renee RaabeEstate of Irene RantzDawn RichardJohn and Lore RothEstate of Minnie RothchildEstate of Corinne RottmanDr. & Mrs. Richard and Jo SandersChet and Louise SchwartzEstate of Edith Schwartz MeyerJean B. Seeman Charitable Trust

Dan and Marian SeffEstate of Pearl ShamesAmy ShapiroHelen ShapiroEstate of Ruth ShapiroDonald and Debbie SilversmithBarry and Regina SilvestainEstate of Adele SollenderSally Steele MetzgerEstate of Lillian SteinEstate of Samuel H. SterlingEstate of Susie StraitLynn and Lisa TaussigJorge and Francine TopelsonEstate of Walter VasenDan and Ann VeenstraYana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfeEstate of Alan Irwin WandelLary and Lori WeintraubEstate of Sandor WeiszPhil and Elle WinnDebbie Zimmerman and Charles Van

Gundy

JFS Legacy Society (Members through September 13, 2011)

Thank you to the following JFS Legacy Society members. You are the JFS supporterswho had the vision to include us as a beneficiary of your estate plans.


During the holiday season, when you and yourfamily are taking time off to celebrate, please

consider giving one of the most valuable gifts possible— your time. JFS has a large variety of volunteeropportunities throughout the year. Whether youprefer to work directly with clients as a FriendlyVisitor or Weinberg Food Pantry volunteer, assist inthe office, or have a special skill that can support JFS,there is something for everyone, no matter what yourinterests are!

If an at-home project better suits your scheduleand family’s needs, we have several low-impact, high-yield volunteer projects you can tackle from thecomfort of your home, which we’ve described for youbelow. Please contact Nancy Benyamin, director ofvolunteer services at (720) 248-4642 [email protected] to discuss detailsbefore getting started.

Bagging RiceRice is such a versatile and well-liked foodthat it is always in demand at the Pantry.• Purchase 25-50 pounds of rice (at a

place like Costco) and quart-sizedsandwich bags

• Measure 2 cups of dried rice intoeach sandwich bag and seal

• Clean Up Note: this project is best done over alarge, clean bin or table, so that rice which spillscan be easily cleaned up and re-used.

Bundling DiapersDiapers are an essential item that cannot bepurchased with food stamps. At the Pantry, diapersare always in demand and are distributed in bundlesof six.• Purchase diapers and rubber bands• Group diapers in bundles of six and secure with

rubber band• Label all bundles with a sticky note indicating the

size

Purchasing Toiletry ItemsDid you know that you cannot purchase toiletrieswith food stamps? Purchasing full-sized toiletries suchas shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, tampons,and other necessities is a simple, but truly impactful

way you can help families in need. Simply addthese items to your shopping list and drop them

off at the JFS Weinberg Food Pantry. �

For more information about volunteer opportunities,please contact Nancy Benyamin at (720) 248-4642, or

[email protected].

Paula Breese, JFS volunteer Para-chaplain, blows the shofar as part of a High Holy Day servicethat she led for senior residents at the Village at Lowry in September.

Volunteer Corner Give the Gift of Time this Holiday Season


JFS Offers Creative Ways to Make Year-End Gifts

With the holiday season and end of the calendaryear upon us, we ask you to consider

supporting JFS. In addition to making a financial con-tribution using the enclosed remittance envelope ordonating online at www.jewishfamilyservice.org/donate,there are many other ways you can greatly help theagency while receiving potential tax benefits for 2011.Peruse the list below and make your contribution byDecember 31!

Furniture DonationsDo you have furniture in good

condition that needs a new home? Giveyour furniture a second chance bydonating it and supporting JFS in theprocess! Please call ARC at (303) 238-5263 to arrange for pick-up. A notewith the letters "JFS" should be tapedto each item. All donations are taxdeductible and tax receipts are available.

Clothing and Household Item DonationsJFS Healing Minds collects

clothing and household itemsdonations and proceeds benefit theJFS Counseling Center. To schedulea pickup and to view a list ofacceptable items, please visitwww.healingmindspickup.org.

Vehicle DonationsMake a difference in the life of a JFS client on

their journey to self-sufficiency and empowerment bydonating your car, SUV, truck, van, motorcycle, boat,

or RV. Visit www.carsforcharity.net andchoose “Jewish Family Service of

Colorado” as your designatednon-profit. For more information

about the program, visithttp://jewishfamilyservice.org/donate/vehicle-donation.

Enterprise Zone Tax CreditsTaxpayers who make a contribution to eligible

enterprise zone development projects in predeter-mined zones may be able to claim tax credits. Toqualify for the credit, the contribution must be forpurposes that are directly related to job creation, jobpreservation, assistance programs for the homeless, orcommunity development.

SHALOM Denver, a program of Jewish FamilyService that provides job training to people with

barriers to employment is an eligible enterprisezone project. The amount of the credit is 25percent of the value of the contribution, up to

$100,000 (12.5% for in-kind contributions). Formore information on the credit for these contri-butions, visit www.colorado.gov and search for“Enterprise Zone” or consult your tax advisor.

Food, Toiletry, and Diaper DonationsIt is an unfortunate reality that the Weinberg

Food Pantry is always in need of nonperishable food,toiletries, and diapers. Theneed is especially great duringthe winter holiday season. Inaddition to donating food,please consider organizing afood drive with yoursynagogue, church, school, orlocal community group to maximize the impact. Formore information on how to organize a drive, contactNancy Benyamin, JFS director of volunteer resources,at (720) 248-4642. �

For more information and other ways you can supportJFS, contact Dawn Richard, development director at(720) 248-4605 or [email protected].

Save the Date for theJFS Executive Luncheon!

Tuesday, May 8, 11:30 a.m.Stay tuned for an exciting announcementabout this year's speaker!


Happy Anniversary to JFS Staff Members!The following staff members are celebrating their anniversaries with the agency in the months of November

and December.

November: Inna Oganeysan, 20 years; Leonid Baksht, 14 years; Janet Chamberlain, 11 years;

Allison Miller, 6 years; Ralitsa Ranova, 5 years; Kathryn Andres, 4 years; Dawn Konforty, 3 years;

Mike Lobato, 3 years; Megan Glover, 2 years; Vicki Tomlin, 1 year; Ingrid Swords, 1 year.

December: Yvonne Sylvan, 25 years; Linda Neuman, 19 years; Jennie Creasey, 12 years;

Kelly Perry, 9 years; Jovette Lucero, 8 years; Stevetta Rose, 8 years; Gail Pennington, 7 years;

Julia Benjamin, 5 years; Eugena Simon, 2 years; Janet Cain, 2 years; Mariam Karapetyan, 2 years;

Heather Salsgiver, 2 years; DeeAnna Bender, 1 year; Semhel Kahassai, 1 year; Bonnie Keegan, 1 year;

Meredith Rose, 1 year.

Bringing Shame Out of the ClosetHow to Conquer Shame and Increase Your Capacity for Intimacy

We all feel shame, a feeling of being flawed or deficient, at somepoint in our lives. Shame-based behavior is more common —

and destructive — than you may realize. If you’ve never been able topin down such feelings before, there’s a reason: shame, by its verynature, is tied to secrecy. In this engaging, personal, and eye-openingpresentation, Dr. Gross explores how shame leads to destructive family secrets and shuts down intimacy.By sharing her own inspirational story of overcoming the shame associated with growing up with aparaplegic mother at a time when those with a disability were truly seen as outcasts, Dr. Gross providestips for conquering this toxic emotion and reaping the rewards of increased intimacy. Dr. Gross’s award-winning book, The Polio Journals: Lessons from My Mother, which explores the harm secrets and shamecan inflict on a family, will be on sale at a discounted price.

Join us for this complimentary program of the JFS Counseling Center on Tuesday, November 8,from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at JFS, 3201 South Tamarac Drive. Light snacks will be served. To RSVP, or ifyou have any questions, please contact Anne Gross at [email protected] by Friday, November 4. �

A 90-minute interactivepresentation by Anne K. Gross,Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

This holiday season, please consider purchasing gifts for people whocannot buy them for their own families. Through our Bright Holidays

program, donors like you can give Christmas or Hanukkah gifts toindividuals and families in need. The care managers at JFS refer clients with

specific wish lists. Donors provide the gifts and drop them off at the JFSoffice, and then our staff delivers the gifts to their clients.

If you can help by purchasing gifts for families in need, please contact ShelleyKolman at (303) 597-5000, ext. 4653 or [email protected]. All gifts

must be purchased and dropped off at JFS by December 15. �

Gifts Needed for Bright Holidays Program

NON PROFIT ORG.

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PAID

DENVER, COLORADO

PERMIT NO. 1217

Joyce 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 Allied Jewish Federationof Colorado and Mile High United Way

november/december 2011 family matters

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