Jewish Community Services of South Florida

Join your neighbors in distributing baskets of food to homebound, frail elderly and others in need.

They benefit from a gift of vitally-needed, nutritious food items — and your act of kindness and generosity. You benefit from the immense self-satisfaction of sharing the joy of the New Year and becoming a part of someone else’s life.

Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fast of Gedaliah
9 am to noon
Location: Greater Miami Jewish Federation
4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

In observance of the Fast of Gedaliah, which falls on September 12th, we will not be providing refreshments to our volunteers this year.  For more information about the Fast, please click here.

How you can help:

Join Parnossah Works Miami staff for a Resume Workshop
September 2nd from 10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Location: Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard

Bring a copy of your resume and a staff member will review it with you.

Registration is limited. Please visit www.parnossahworksmiami.org to register as a job seeker and confirm your attendance or leave a message with your name and phone number at (305) 403 6502.

Date: August 30, 2010

Time: 6-8PM

Venue: JCS Central Offices

To participate: Barbara Davis, Volunteer Coordinator, 786-866-2206

JCS is hosting its Annual Phon-A-Thon to raise vital funds for the 2010 Milk & Honey Food Distribution Campaign.  Do a mitzvah and even get community service hours for raising money for food to be delivered to frail and homebound seniors in our community. Kosher light dinner will be served. Campaign Co-Chairs: Silvia & Luis Cattan, Teri & Dick Golden, Suzanne & Brad Meltzer, Helena Nath & Daniel Leghziel, Michele & Mark Stein, Rita Steinfeld-Regev.

A thought-provoking exploration of women in Biblical times

While silent about the events that had controlled their lives, three women — Dina, Jephte’s daughter and Tamar — took differing paths to change their destinies. What are the lessons learned about courage in their society — and in ours?

Brief Meeting

Learn about JCS Shalom Bayit’s critical role in helping today’s silent victims of domestic violence – the wives, mothers and children living in abusive relationships – regain their lives and their voices. We will preview our exciting upcoming year’s events to end survivors’ isolation and anguish as well as educate our community about domestic abuse.

Monday, August 30
11:30 a.m.
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
4200 Biscayne Blvd. Miami

Brunch Couvert:
Early Registration by Aug. 20: $18.
Registration after Aug. 21: $25.
More information: 305-917-2169

Please join us.
Visit old friends. Meet new ones.
Become a vital part of our efforts to stop the suffering.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz met with some 50 seniors and guests at a Jewish Community Services’ meal site located at the Pointe East Condominiums in Aventura on June 22.

The Congresswoman, who represents Florida’s 20^th District, described how the recently-enacted healthcare legislation will significantly benefit those on Medicare. She also answered a variety of wide-ranging questions.

She was introduced by JCS’ newly installed Chair of the Board Shelley Niceley Groff.

Click here to see Photos from the Annual Meeting

Excerpts of Presenters’ Remarks

Staff Recognition – Harry Turk

……Jewish Community Services’ many dedicated and exemplary staff members work tirelessly in order to provide quality services to our clients. They do so without receiving or seeking public recognition.  But, tonight, we wish to express our appreciation for their long-standing commitment to JCS.  In fact, this year, 14 staff members achieved extraordinary longevity having worked between 21 and 29 years at JCS.

However, only one person will attain the major milestone of 30 years employment this year.  Tonight we wish to honor Jeff Schoenfeld for achieving this distinction. Jeff started, in 1980, as a social worker in our Senior Meals Program. Within a few years he rose to the Coordinator’s position. Today, he supervises four staff while also overseeing a caseload of some 1,100 homebound clients in our Meals On Wheels Program….With extensive knowledge and exceptional sensitivity to our clients, Jeff remains a strong advocate for all those he serves.

Leadership and Governance Committee Report – Steven Gretenstein

…..I am pleased to report that at our last Board Meeting…the following members have been approved to serve JCS for: An initial one year term: Jonathan Raiffe and Scott Singer. An initial three year term: Dr. Helen Chaset and Barry Schwartz.

And, re-nominees for a three year term are:

Laurie Flink

Shelley Niceley Groff

Daniel Jacobson

Jeff Levine

Robert Merlin

Tonight, I especially wish to thank those Board members who are stepping down, but who will continue to serve as members of JCS’ Advisory Council.  They are:

Stu Altman,

Ralph Cheplak,

Iris Roth,

Myron Stayman

These elected as Board officers are:

Shelley Niceley Groff             Chair

Richard Hoffman            -            Vice Chair

Barry Schwartz            -            Vice Chair

Jeff Levine                  -            Treasurer

Abe Rudman               -            Secretary

The Members and Officers will now be installed by our good friend, Miami Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, who has so ably performed this duty for many years….

Installation of Board Members and Officers – Commissioner Sally Heyman

Honoring Past Chairs – Barbara Black Goldfarb

….How fortunate that Jewish Community Services has been blessed with such a consistent cadre of leadership who have served as chair of its Board of Directors. From JCS’ inception ten years ago, they have recognized that we, as a charitable organization, have a responsibility to reach out and help those less fortunate.

Then and now, these rare individuals lead by example with unequalled competence and dedication. They foster the caring environment that allows JCS to continue to serve as one of South Florida’s premier social service agencies. They help secure vitally essential philanthropic support. And, most importantly, individually and collectively, they have a positive impact on making us better individuals, friends, parents and members of our community.

Those standards were set by Marty Fine. As a leader on both the national and local stage, and renowned as a pioneer in developing low-income housing, Marty was the perfect choice to be JCS’ first chair.  Because of his stature in the community, he brought a highly-regarded presence and credibility to JCS in its infancy.

Richard Slavin was elected two years later. With his extensive business and administrative experience, Richard recognized the need to bring sound fiscal standards of accountability to the organization. He created a sense of purpose and solidarity within the Board and in its relationship with the Greater Miami Jewish Foundation.

He was succeeded by Bob Merlin.  Bob was extraordinarily passionate about JCS and very familiar with the agency’s programs.  He well understood the community’s pressing needs and was able to identify gaps in services. This knowledge helped JCS to significantly expand JCS’ scope, as well as its geographic reach.

In 2006, Steve Gretenstein took over the reigns. He assumed his responsibilities at a time of great challenge for JCS. Steve’s unique strengths, his calm, deliberate demeanor coupled with a strong sense of vision for JCS laid the foundation for future successes.

Now, to my dear friend Joy (Spill). Emphasizing her team approach, JCS, under Joy’s leadership, successfully met the challenges of an especially difficult economic climate for non-profit social service agencies. She strengthened the JCS administrative capacity and promoted an environment of increased efficiency, transparency and flexibility.

To Marty, Richard, Bob, Steve and Joy: please know that your fellow board members, and JCS’ appreciative staff and many grateful clients, offer you a heartfelt thanks for a job very well done…..

Community Partner Award – Jeff Levine

This year, we recognize our partner “extraordinaire”, the Michael Ann Russell Jewish Community Center and its Jewish Cultural Arts Theatre known as J-CAT.  Gary Bomzer, the Center’s Executive Director, Dr. Michael Andron, J-CAT Co-Chair and Denise Tamir, J-CAT Artistic Director, have gone ‘above and beyond’ to provide numerous opportunities for JCS to collaborate in order to better serve the Jewish community.

Gary has consistently helped create an environment of ease with JCS to ensure that everything gets done. This year he assisted in providing both child care and summer camp experiences for many of our youth, while also enabling JCS to maintain a Senior Congregate Meal Facility that operates daily on site.

In addition, JCS Shalom Bayit was proud to co-sponsor this year’s production with J-CAT of the play “The Women’s Minyan” which deals with issues of domestic abuse in the Orthodox community…..

Ruth Gross Award – Barry Schwartz

Joëlle Allen is a true friend of Jewish Community Services.

Her unyielding commitment to South Florida’s seniors and those in need is synonymous with one of JCS’ primary goals: to feed the hungry. Because of her actions, JCS has received critically-needed support for our Meals on Wheels program, which delivers nutritious meals to home-bound seniors.

As Executive Director of the Peacock Foundation, Joëlle has helped guide JCS in preparing our grant applications. Her critical assistance ensures that we comply with her foundation’s requirements.  As a result, during the past three years, JCS has received more than $100,000 in financial support…..

Helping Hands Award – Richard Hoffman

Dr. Martin Karp, Miami-Dade County School Board member, representing District 3, has had a long career serving our community.

He works diligently to help our public schools achieve excellence by reducing class size and increasing bilingual education programs. Dr. Karp also has sought to adopt a district-wide bullying and anti-violence program – an effort in keeping with the mission of JCS Shalom Bayit’s domestic abuse prevention goals.

In addition as a community-minded educator, he is passionate about the elderly and their daily struggles to maintain their independence.  In the 1980s, Dr. Karp started the Senior Handicapped Outreach Program or SHOP which assists the elderly with grocery shopping.  His involvement continues today by supporting JCS’ programs at the Miami Beach Senior Center that is located on school property. By helping JCS secure a ten-year lease, JCS was able to seek and obtain some $300,000 in funds which will be used to rehabilitate the facility….

Community Leadership Award – Helen Chaset

Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson, of District 8, has served the community in this capacity since 1994. Now, after 16 years, and much to our considerable disappointment, she is not seeking reelection.

Over the years, Commissioner Sorenson has worked tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for Miami-Dade residents, and particularly for the seniors of the JCS Seymour Gelber Adult Day Care Center. She made the extra effort to support JCS by attending numerous activities at the center and has consistently secured additional funding for the frail elderly and individuals with memory impairment who are served at the Center.

She has championed many initiatives to advance ‘green technology’, reduce crime and maintain essential services so seniors can remain independent and contributing members of our community.

We are proud and honored to recognize Commissioner Sorenson and thank her for her years of meaningful service. We wish her well in the future and trust her powerful voice for the less fortunate will continue to be heard.

Outstanding Achievement Award – Abe Rudman

This year, JCS would like to recognize two formers clients who, for the past two years, as JCS employees have helped the JCS Kosher Food Bank operate efficiently and with utmost respect for its clients. These remarkable staff members are Marie Fernandez and Rodney Thomas. Because they are quite a team, we want to recognize their achievements together.

Previously, they were clients of JCS’ Homeless Outreach Project for Employment, a department of our Rehabilitation and Employment Division. Now, Marie serves as receptionist and schedules client appointments while Rodney is responsible for warehouse and maintenance operations.

Both experienced similar personal struggles as those faced by our food bank clients. Today, with their unique perspectives, Marie and Rodney offer families support, compassion and dignity. They are committed to making sure that the JCS Kosher Food Bank is best serving those in need….

For the past two years, JCS has been fortunate to have Joy at the helm. As we warmly welcome Shelley Niceley Groff, we acknowledge Joy’s stewardship and her numerous accomplishments.

Outgoing Chair’s Address – Joy Spill

….As this night is about looking back with pride while looking forward with hope, it is fitting that I say a few words before passing the gavel – both literally and figuratively — to Shelley, our incoming Board Chair.   It’s been a privilege to serve as JCS’ Chair for these past two years, and I am truly grateful for the experience of helping to lead this organization through some exhilarating – and exhausting – but always uplifting times.

The past two years I have come to better understand and appreciate the awesome skill talent dedication and genuine caring that our staff bring to work every day….Each of you helped me, encouraged and inspired me but more importantly you engaged in your holy work of helping others in need fulfilling JCS’ mission….

In true JCS fashion, there have been many changes during my tenure along with plenty of challenges and lots of highlights.  We all know that the global economic climate has been very difficult and how the harsh environment has impacted the world of non-profit social service organizations.  JCS, like many other agencies, had to make tough decisions in order to stay viable while minimizing the impact on the people we serve.

That is why we implemented a number of cost-saving measures, which included consolidation of positions and offices.  We examined all aspects of our operation in order to increase efficiencies and minimize expense. Ultimately, we were successful in building a stronger, more effective organization.

We developed marketing materials in a cohesive fashion and style with a strong message. We upgraded our website. Abe (Rudman), you persisted and pushed for high quality in all of our marketing efforts.

Through the heroic and brilliant efforts of Helen Chaset as chair of the Public Policy Committee, most of our elected officials at all levels are aware of JCS and our key programs.

We formed an active audit committee in conformity with best practices.  Under Sandy Lenner’s leadership the audit committee will soon develop a charter and will conduct itself like an audit committee of a large entity.

We combined our three program related committees into one strong unified Program committee under the able leadership and wise counsel of Madelyn Merritt.   That committee just completed its important work to ensure that several college students have the funds to pay for their college education from the Jewish Education Loan fund….

We held new and unique events from a nationwide songwriting contest for Shalom Bayit, a Passover wine tasting in an idyllic bayside setting, parlor meetings, hosted interesting speakers, lecturers and novelists to educate the community about Shalom Bayit  and abuse issues.  Hundreds of people turned out for volunteer opportunities and to help feed our elderly at Rosh Hashana for Milk & Honey, at Passover for Matzah Mitzvah and More and at Thanksgiving at the Miami Beach meal site….

Our critically important partnership with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation was strengthened as we have increasingly collaborated our resources and efforts to serve the “one in eight in need in our community.” Just as JCS is a lifeline providing services and direct assistance to those in need, Federation has been a genuine lifeline to JCS, for which we are extremely grateful.

Finally, our Board of Directors has become re-energized and invigorated, making it even more vital  to JCS as we move forward in this new environment of decreasing funding and other resources along with increasing demands…

I need to be serious for a moment.  While there is always a tinge of regret when a Chair turns over the reigns to another person, there is no one I can imagine better suited to lead JCS to the next level in every way.

Working as closely with Shelley as I have for the past year, I know that she is insightful, intelligent and thoughtful, with a lovely temperament.  Her passion is planning and that is the skill most needed at this juncture for this Agency. She has put in the time on nearly every committee of this Agency.  I know that under Shelley’s leadership every accomplishment of the past two years will be doubled, tripled and JCS will have new and unexpected accomplishments…..

Incoming Chair’s Address – Shelley Niceley Groff

Joy, I know I can speak for everyone here to express our heartfelt appreciation for your strong leadership. You are a role model for everyone in Jewish communal leadership.  On a personal level, you have been an extraordinary mentor and a good friend.

It is my great pleasure to report that thanks to strong professional leadership, Joy’s steady hand and sound judgment, a hard-working Finance Committee, a dedicated Board of Directors, and committed community partners, JCS begins its 90 years old/10 years new anniversary year fiscally sound.

As Joy explained, to get here, we spent the last two years focusing inward – studying every aspect of our organization and identifying where and how we could do more with less. That’s exactly what we needed to do. Now, though, as we stand on stable footing, it’s time to shift our focus and look forward to, and strategically plan for, the future of this Agency.

We will begin by developing a strategic plan that involves several initiatives.  We will continue to strengthen our Board of Directors and cultivate a culture of and more opportunities for engagement for our volunteers. We will gauge the social service needs of our community, and then evaluate and plan for how JCS’ programs and services can do the most good for the most people.  All of this will inform our vision and, we hope, the community’s vision, of Jewish Community Services of South Florida.  Everyone in the community should know JCS, and of the important work it does.

This anniversary year, JCS will begin an ambitious and exciting campaign to strengthen our relationship with our generous supporters, and also add to our family of benefactors.

We will commemorate our anniversary with a series of events, designed to celebrate our rich history and those who got us here, and to spotlight JCS’ role in the community.

If I was to try to describe that community role in as few words as possible, it would be this:  JCS Makes a Difference. We touch lives, make them a little more comfortable, safer, dignified, and keep them independent. Every person in this room makes a difference through your relationship with JCS…..

And we could not do the work we do without our community partners – partners like United Way, Miami-Dade County, the Alliance for Aging, the City of Miami Beach, United Home Care, the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, FIU, and of course the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, whose ongoing faith and support is immeasurable. Thank you.

With the continued support and effort of every member of the extraordinary team that is JCS, I know that we can do even better, and together we can add to JCS’ long legacy of making a difference in this community.

President’s Report – Fred Stock

…Thank you all for joining us tonight to honor those who have supported JCS over this past year. To Gary, Michael, Denise, Joelle, Martin, Katy and you Sally, because of what you do,  you make JCS and the community a better place for all of us. And to our “starting five” Board Chairs a “hearty yasher koach” as you have all made such a difference in the lives of so many in our community, over these past ten years.

To the newly elected Officers and Board of JCS, my congratulations. I look forward to working with you in service to our community, and as I approach the end of my second year at JCS, Joy, I want to thank you for showing me the way by your singular commitment to “doing the right thing.” That’s what a true leader does and in no small measure, because of who you are, JCS is where it is today.

To our Community Partners with us tonight, thank you for recognizing that JCS improves the lives of so many. And to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Barbara, Brian, Jacob and Michele, your trust and support has enabled JCS to do so much more for our community. Thanks for keeping the faith.

And to my other “starting five,” lead by Sylvia backed up by Judith, Ela, Tom and Bob. You manage the best staff of any social service agency in the county and you have my heartfelt thanks and the thanks of a grateful community, for all that you do. Would my staff please rise and be recognized. Thank you.

This year, we celebrate the first ten years of JCS as we acknowledge the accomplishments of our predecessor agencies.  Our objectives though, have always been similar:  To improve the quality of people’s lives. During the past year, home bound seniors have received meals delivered to their homes; families have relied on the JCS Kosher Food Bank to keep hunger at bay and holocaust survivors have received the help they need so that they can remain independent in their own homes.

JCS Shalom Bayit continues to offer a safe refuge, a helping hand and vital emotional support to survivors and their children fleeing the terrors of domestic abuse.

In response to the economic challenges of late, there are new jobs and new opportunities for clients of Parnossah Works Miami, the recently opened employment service of JCS in cooperation with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

The lives of homeless and near homeless persons are improved by JCS’ day labor, educational and vocational training, job placement and emergency financial assistance programs.

I am proud that in spite of the downturn in the economy and reductions in funding in some areas, we have not reduced services or programs affecting our neediest populations. JCS has remained the “safety net” for the community. Over the past year, we have become a lean, mean (and that’s in a positive sense) social service machine, able to focus more dollars on direct services. We have done this by consolidating our infrastructure, upgrading our management information systems and implementing a new client record keeping system.  Further, JCS has greatly expanded its marketing and communication efforts in order to more effectively reach its many audiences; generate greater understanding of JCS’ mission in the community and increase utilization of our fee for service programs.

Because of the efforts of so many of you in this room, JCS has turned the corner this past year and as a result we will show a slight surplus in our operating budget. Yes, we do as many other not for profits continue to have challenges moving forward. We have assembled an exceptional team of staff, lay leadership and community partners and together we will turn these challenges into opportunities that will ensure the long term stability of the agency.

Shelley, I look forward to working with you these next two years which promise to be exciting one’s for JCS. I want to thank all of you for coming this evening…

JCS Shalom Bayit host Meet the Author program

Over 100 friends and supporters of JCS Shalom Bayit met Randy Susan Meyers, author of The Murderer’s Daughters, at its Meet the Author event on May 10^th at the Alper Jewish Community Center.

During an early reception, the author met well-wishes and autographed her book before talking about her work as a domestic abuse counselor in Boston. These experiences served as inspiration for her acclaimed novel about a Jewish family’s response to violence.

For more information about the event or how JCS Shalom Bayit fights domestic abuse, contact Bonnie Weinberger at 305.609.9293 or bweinberger@jcsfl.org.

Herbie Karliner visits with students from Treasure Village Montessori School

David and Irene Mermelstein, Joe and Marcia Sachs, and Herbie Karliner visit Marathon High School

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and JCS supporter, thanked the students, teachers, schools, congregations, and especially the Holocaust survivors, who participated in the recent Florida Keys Holocaust Survivors’ tour organized by Ros-Lehtinen.

“For five days, up and down the Keys, brave Holocaust survivors from South Florida shared their harrowing experiences with our community,” Ros-Lehtinen said.  “I cannot thank them enough for this.  I leapt at the opportunity to organize these events because I wanted to play whatever small role I could to help shed light on one of the darkest chapters in human history.

“Passing along the lessons of the Holocaust – especially to the young generation – does more than teach history.  It helps ensure that the world will never forget, and that the promise of ‘never again’ will be kept.”

Seniors Have a Brighter Passover Thanks to JCS’ Matzah Mitzvah & More

Sixteen hundred elderly people living in Miami-Dade County were recently visited by 500 volunteers participating in Jewish Community Services’ annual food distribution event, Matzah Mitzvah & More.   Mothers, fathers. children, friends, JCS board members and supporters gathered on the morning of March 21^st to pick up holiday food baskets to deliver to seniors in time for Passover.

Event co-chair Mytyl Simancas-Bister was gratified by the turnout, saying “This event really brings out the spirit of the holiday.  Because we don’t just deliver food, we spend time with the seniors we visit.  Our children get to see first hand what it means to be an engaged member of a community, with all the responsibilities and joys that entails.”

Along with her husband Sergio Bister, Mytyl chaired the event with Pam and Howard Wolofsky, Martine and Eduardo Stern, Janet and Sarah Tralins, Danyella and Marc Ross, Helen and Alan Chaset, Yael and Jose Cherem, and Laura and Mauricio Sion.

For more information on Matzah Mitzvah & More, please call Marian Mendelsohn at JCS, 305.403.6539.

Days of Wine and Roses:

Wine Tasting Event Benefits JCS Kosher Food Bank

The Kosher for Passover Wine Tasting and Sale benefiting the JCS Kosher Food Bank took place on Sunday, March 14^th, at the home of Sherri and Nate Lebwohl in Surfside. More than 80 guests gathered  on a beautiful afternoon to enjoy views of the intercoastal and sip wine, with sales of over $11,000 making it a real success.

The event featured interesting wines for every budget, from wonderful bargain brands to sophisticated gourmet bottles, cognac and champagne. Kosher for Passover chocolate baskets were the perfect “finish” to the evening.

Since the entrance fee was a food item for the JCS KFB, an SUV was filled with donations brought by the guests.  All in all, it was a fun evening of wine and cheese and a great opportunity to meet with friends while helping the KFB and learning more about who JCS serves and how to get more involved in our organization.

Special thanks go to the event’s co-chairs:

Sherri and Nate Lebwohl                        
Roberta and Alberto Esquenazi
Bonnie and Steven Schwartzbaum

To find out more about how to contribute to the JCS KFB, contact Marian Mendelsohn at JCS, 305.403.6539.