Page 15 - Jewish News_August-2020

COMMUNITY FOCUS August 2020 15

and were happy to help teach Zoom Jewish Healing Program’s COVID-19 response

and other virtual programs to members. This program is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
“Going virtual has actually en- ntensified efforts are being under- tion) and other philanthropic entities. JHP staff assists clients with bud- “We work collaboratively with
riched our community by making our taken to support individuals and These funds, which generally range geting guidance, advises them con- other JFCS departments and with agen-
programs accessible to everyone, in- Ifamilies in the Jewish community from $800-$1400, are paid directly to cerning employment/career services, cies in the greater community to ensure
cluding those who do not drive, those facing acute financial and social ser- the landlord. JFCS COVID-19 funds provides counseling referrals and, opportunities for help are maximized,”
who were ill, and now even snowbirds vice needs in the wake of COVID-19. have also made $18,000 available for sometimes, delivers things like sani- emphasizes Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz,
going back north who can stay in- The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- Holocaust survivor homecare needs. tary wipes and other items to shut-ins. Community Chaplain and JHP Direc-
volved with our programming through Manatee’s sponsorship of JFCS of the If someone is unable to pay a util- Additionally, Federation support en- tor. “But it’s more than just securing
the summer months,” Rabbi Schmer- Suncoast’s Jewish Healing Program ity bill, JHP staff directs them to agen- ables staff in JFCS’s Senior Outreach economic aid and referrals that count.
ling said. (JHP) makes assistance possible. cies that can provide relief. Dental and Services (SOS) program to offer geri- It’s being there for people personally,
“We opened our synagogue re- When, for example, loss of em- other health-related needs, if qualify- atric care management when Jewish emotionally and spiritually at an ex-
cently, on a limited capacity,” he add- ployment has occurred due to the Coro- ing criteria are met, are also funded seniors, in particular, face hardship. tremely challenging time of disjuncture
ed. “After being in contact with health navirus or other reasons and rent can no through the aforementioned sources. SOS often receives inquiries from the in their lives. We try to serve as a life-
officials, we opened, but we require longer be paid, JHP staff immediately These grants go directly to the vendor. children (many living out of town) of line for compassion, strength and hope.
people to wear masks, they are socially assesses the situation and identifies re- Other needs that may be addressed in- these seniors in regard to health situa- We also follow up with our clients so
distanced (6- to 8-feet apart) and we sources to ameliorate it. Funding may clude car repair, insurance expense and tions (physical and mental), residential they know they aren’t forgotten.”
are doing temperature checks. There is be accessed through Season of Shar- phone bills. Those in need of food often facilities, home care, Friendly Visitors For more information about the
no touching the Torah, and there is no ing, the Federation, a JFCS COVID-19 receive Publix gift cards ($50-$100) and bereavement. Staff makes home Jewish Healing Program, please call
food or reception, just the service,” he emergency fund (open to all and large- from JHP and are informed about food visits for assessments, provides refer- 941.366.2224 or email Rabbi Katz at
added. The Hebrew school offered an ly provided through the generosity of pantries where additional groceries can rals and organizes food deliveries of jkatz@jfcs-cares.org.
outdoor graduation for its students and The Louis and Gloria Flanzer Founda- be obtained. meals (including for Shabbat).
Summer Day Camp opened recently.
Schmerling added, “If we get a rec-
ommendation from the Health Depart- JFCS of the Suncoast hires new Interim CEO
ment to close, we will close.” FCS of the Suncoast has hired next several months,” Miller added. to states in the areas of behavior health “I am thrilled to join JFCS in this
Asked about the High Holidays, Arthur Lerman as its interim CEO. Lerman brings a wealth of expe- and long-term care, including involve- role and lead a talented, hardwork-
Schmerling said, laughing, “Man JHe replaces Heidi Brown who re- rience in his role as interim CEO, in- ment in the redesign of the behavioral ing team that provides critical mental
plans and God laughs.” He added that
signed from her position after serving cluding serving on the JFCS Board health systems for Oregon and West health and human services to positive-
JFCS for the past three years. “Heidi of Directors and chair of the board’s Virginia, and integrating behavioral ly impact those in need,” said Lerman.
has done a great job as our CEO,” said development committee. He has de- health services into San Francisco’s “I look forward to building on JFCS’s
Dean Miller, Chair of the JFCS Board veloped and managed public health clinics. successes to ensure collaboration and
of Directors. “We thank her for her assisted living facilities, Lerman moved to the excellence in all we do in service to our
contributions to the growth and devel- nursing homes, a trau- Sarasota area in 2007. clients and community,” he added.
opment of JFCS and wish her the very matic brain injury reha- Since then, he has been JFCS of the Suncoast provides
best.” bilitation facility and a the Executive Director of counseling, case management and fi-
Chabad will definitely celebrate the “JFCS is excited to have Arthur home health agency. He ITNSuncoast and We Care nancial assistance to youth and fami-
holidays, “but how we will do it is still serve as our interim CEO,” said Miller. has been the executive Manatee. He has also served lies, individuals, veterans, seniors and
to be determined.” “With over 20 years of experience in director of non-profit on the Sarasota County Se- those experiencing or near homeless-
“A silver lining of all this,” he said, non-profit management, Arthur will organizations providing niors Advisory Council, the ness in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte,
“is that we are reminded that our per- make significant contributions to our transportation services to Stakeholders in Aging Task Collier, DeSoto and Lee counties. For
sonal relationship with God is not lim- organization in the areas of organiza- seniors, medical services Force, and the Board of over 35 years, JFCS has provided non-
ited to a space or time. It has been very tional development and growth, stra- to individuals without Directors of the Southwest denominational mental health and so-
rewarding to have our congregants tegic planning, financial management health insurance, and Arthur Lerman Florida Area Agency on Ag- cial services, and provided support to
make their homes their sanctuary.” and community relations. While we residential, day habilitation and sup- ing. He currently serves on the Trans- over 5,700 individuals this past year.
CHABAD OF WEST BRADENTON will be conducting a national search portive employment services to indi- portation Disadvantaged Committee of More information about services pro-
Rabbi Zev Steinmetz of Chabad of for a permanent CEO, we will have the viduals with intellectual disabilities. In the Metropolitan Planning Organiza- vided by JFCS is available at www.
West Bradenton notes that all Chabad benefit of Arthur’s leadership for the addition, Lerman has been a consultant tion and chairs Transition Venice. jfcs-cares.org.
classes, Bar Mitzvah lessons and spe-
cialty programs went virtual with the PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT
onset of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We also did personal deliveries with
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holiday and Shabbat packages for our
community,” he said.
Congregants responded very posi-
tively to the change in programming.
“They really appreciated the holiday
and Shabbat packages, as well as the
virtual programming we offered,” he
said.
Today, Chabad of West Bradenton
programming remains 100 percent vir-
tual, and future decisions will depend
upon the course of the virus. As of now,
no plans have been made for the High “Combating anti-Semitism should be an issue that unites all of us.
Holidays.
In the Florida House of Representatives, I will work to reject this evil

ideology and make sure the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation has

a loud and strong voice in Tallahassee.” –Fiona

• 15 years of U.S. Navy Service PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

• Graduate of U.S. Naval Academy

• M.B.A. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

• McKinsey & Company Business Consultant

• Wife, Mother and Sarasota Resident

Paid by Fiona McFarland, Republican, for State Representative, District 72

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JFED PROUD & STRONG: Join us in our campus re-imagination – jfedsrq.org Published by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee • www.jfedsrq.org