Fogelman Jewish Family Service Newsletter Issue 2

ISSUE 2 | FALL 2023

Note from Rashki

As the cooler weather of Fall is here, and Winter is upon us, it feels darker. Both physically and emotionally. Some of us may be struggling with family difficulties, food insecurity, the war in Israel, financial instability, mental health challenges, or life in general. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote, "only in the darkness can you see the stars", has always come to mind during trying seasons. During such times, one can truly see the amazing work done by so many in our local community and around the world. It is during times of crisis, that we see true leaders emerge and "stars" appear. We are so grateful for the newfound and sometimes, hidden, leaders that have recently stepped up to give back and fight the "darkness".

Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service has been working diligently over the last six months, to be a stable and consistent pillar of support for the local Memphis community, Jewish and beyond. We have seen an increase in counseling, food pantry, teen wellness and outreach needs. As Thanksgiving and the New Year head our way, remember that although Fogelman JFS is a "hidden gem" in the community, we are here for you and ready to support in any way we can. Please reach out with any questions or needs. Now is the time to speak up and lead. Collaboration is key in helping others, so let's connect, create and break down barriers.

Rashki Osina, LCSW

Director of Social Services

Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service

rosina@jccmemphis.org

Let's Catch Up:

Over the Past 6 Months...

Maccabi

Team MJCC Maccabi Access athletes collected gold, silver, and bronze medals while having a great time at the 2023 JCC Maccabi Games and Access in Ft. Lauderdale. A few highlights of medals won: Gold Medals in Football Relay and Overall Basketball Champ, Gold Medal for Football Toss and Throw, Silver Medal for Stroke Challenge and Basketball Relay Race, Bronze for Bowling.

Gleaning Wrap-Up

Beginning in spring 2017, the gleaning program with Beth Sholom synagogue continues to be one of our most impactful community partnerships. Throughout the spring and summer, the Beth Sholom Tikkun Olam Committee organizes congregational volunteers to collect (or “glean”) donated fresh produce from vendors at the Agricenter. These volunteers then sort the produce with Fogelman JFS staff for distribution to clients in the agency’s Finestone Family Home Delivered Meals and Peggy E. and L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Food Pantry.

Over the summer of 2023, about a dozen Beth Sholom volunteers gleaned every Wednesday afternoon despite the stunning heat. They gleaned an amazing amount of food - almost a TON (1978 pounds!) -- of a wide variety of fruit and vegetables from seven different vendors. Over the fall and winter months, Beth Sholom members faithfully continue to support the Fogelman JFS food programs through purchasing and donating fresh fruit each week.

2023 Pickleball Palooza

Thank you to all the 3rd Annual Pickleball Palooza Benefitting the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service

sponsors and volunteers! We had a great time and appreciate the support for Fogelman Jewish Family Service!

Stinkin' Thinkin'

Thank you to our speaker, Judy Bookman, and all the attendees for coming to our continuing education workshop on November 9. We had a great time learning with all of you!

Our brains are miracles of electrical circuitry and chemical wizardry. In humans, the possibilities of how we feel, what we think, and what we do are close to endless. The voices we hear inside our heads can be directing us or giving us powerful messages about ourselves. The voices are about ourselves, about others, and about our concepts of the world. Sometimes, the messages can be positive or neutral, but often they are negative or unrealistic. Through discussion and some exercises, let’s listen to our internal dialogues to hear the voice that is ours and learn some ways to adapt, change, and expand our limits.

Fogelman JFS: Meeting the Needs of Jewish Memphians

Upcoming Programs

Annual Food Drive

Help Fogelman JFS collect 400 items in 40 days! Beginning Thanksgiving and ending January 1. Donate from the comfort of your home through Amazon. Simply click here: https://a.co/aw5hjrP

J Baby (a Parent & Me Series)

Ages 0–2

Come together for a weekly parent and me series filled with music and movement, child-led play, a child-friendly mini Shabbat or Havdalah experience, and snack for those eating solids. Each class will nurture friendship, curiosity, respect, and Jewish identity for young children and their parents. Led by Sara Kaplan. No registration required. All are welcome.

Mah Ani 2.0

Mah Ani 2.0 is a year-round program for 6th-8th grade teens (ages 11-14), every third Sunday, from 1:00–3:00pm. Teens will have the opportunity to complete a community service project and learn about individual well-being, social justice, and connection through charitable work. Mah Ani 2.0 provides a platform for improving our community and caring for the most vulnerable members of our society. Limited spots available, open to all. Each participant will receive a certificate with community service hours. Learn more and register at jccmemphis.org/BeWell

Mind Over Mat(ter)

This trauma-informed yoga class will provide a safe space from pressures and distractions. Tiffany Taylor, Certified Kids Yoga Instructor, will lead teens in a variety of stretches and poses to enhance strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. Afterwards, a therapist with Wendy & Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service will facilitate a discussion to engage, encourage, and empower the group to share their experiences; exploring the many factors that create a cooperative mind-body connection. Register at jccmemphis.org/YouthFitness

BeWell Memphis is a teen wellness initiative to help combat mental health issues.

Did you know…

1 in 5 teens and young adults lives with a mental health condition.
50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by the mid-20s.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for youth age 15-19.

Sign up now for this upcoming Mental Health First Aid classes: one geared towards adults dealing with young people in December.

This program is provided in partnership with Memphis Jewish Federation, Jewish Federations of North America, and Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies.

Note from Jonathan

This is the time of year when we begin to think about Thanksgiving and gratitude. In a robust Jewish community like ours, I’m grateful the community has prioritized the work of Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service.

I’m grateful for the donors who make Fogelman JFS’s work possible---whether it’s home delivered meals, Shalom Shuttle, counseling services, emergency assistance or one of Fogelman Jewish Family Service’s many other offerings—your generosity helps fund important and meaningful work.

I’m grateful to our dedicated staff who deliver our services with good humor, care, compassion and understanding.

They are the best of the best!

Most of all, I’m grateful in a community where so many of us have so much that we’ve continued to prioritize caring for those in need of assistance. To me, that is the true beauty of our Jewish community.

I wish each of you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jonathan Epstein

Vice Chair, Social Services

MJCC/Fogelman JFS

Our Services

If you or a loved one would like more information about our services,

or would like to volunteer, please call 901.767.8511.

Transportation through Kay & Allen Iskiwitz Shalom Shuttle

Our experienced driver provides transportation to members of the Jewish community who are at least 60 years old as well as adults with documented disabilities. Transportation is provided with door to door assistance to locations within Shelby County.

Please note, we are unable to accommodate individuals in wheel chairs.

Volunteer Services

Fogelman JFS volunteers have several opportunities to work with home bound Jewish seniors: Volunteer Driver for medical appointments and shopping, Kosher Meals delivery, Friendly Visitor, Stay in Touch telephone assurance, Handy Helper for home chores, and Drivers with our Special Needs activities. We also need volunteers to work on various special projects and other programs and services.

J Family Program

J Baby: Ages 0–2

respect, and Jewish identity for young children and their parents. Led by Sara Kaplan.

Counseling & Support Groups/ Classes

Our licensed counselors offer individual, family, and couples counseling. All services are offered on a sliding scale basis. Current support groups focus on Holocaust survivors, dementia, and those individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. There is no charge for these groups. We also offer a Parenting Through Divorce class which is a state-mandated co-parenting class for couples who are getting divorced and have minor children. There is a fee for this class.

Intake and Referral

Our Intake Coordinator assesses needs, provides information, and helps community members access services at the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service (Fogelman JFS) and elsewhere in the area.

Judy and Larry Moss Senior Services

Our Case Manager enhances the lives of seniors by providing comprehensive support to them and their loved ones. This is done through evaluating and coordinating ongoing support services.

Educational Programs

We offer a variety of workshops for both professionals and the community-at-large. Many are NASW TN approved events.

Finestone Family Home Delivered Meals

Our home-delivered meal program provides Kosher frozen meals to seniors of the Jewish community who qualify

Inclusion and Diverse Abilities

Our Inclusion and Diverse Abilities programs provide a variety of services for the Jewish community, both educational and social. Programs are available for individuals living with developmental and acquired disabilities, as well as their caregivers. Services include assistance in navigating the legal, medical, and educational systems.

Peggy E. & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Food and Baby Pantry

The Peggy E. & L.R. Jalenak, Jr. Food and Baby Pantry at Fogelman JFS, is open to all who qualify. The Kosher food pantry provides shelf-stable food to serve those who are food insecure. The baby pantry serves children, newborns to 2 years. Inventory is based on community donations and includes baby essentials such as diapers, baby wipes, bottles, and pacifiers. We do not provide clothes or toys.

BeWell Memphis

BeWell is a teen wellness initiative to help combat

mental health issues.

Teen Mental Health First Aid

This program teaches teens in grades 10–12, or ages 15–18, how to identify, understand, and respond to

signs of mental health and substance use challenges

in their friends and peers. This is a 3-class series.

Facilitated by Emily Davis, LMSW, and Kayla Salomon, LCSW.