Page 18 - Jewish News_June-July-2021

18A June/July 2021 COMMUNITY FOCUS

Much more than a case manager

By Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz | This position is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
n 1994, when Jan Alston went to sation. Jan recalls that one survivor Gulf Coast JFCS Holocaust Assistance Alston related that one survivor n April 9, Temple Sinai held
®
the Sarasota Health Department for told her, “I didn’t want anything to Services Division in Clearwater to co- was determined to come to the United its annual LIFE & LEGACY
Ia shot, she met a nurse named Hel- do with Germany. I didn’t want blood ordinate a range of cultural, socializa- States to marry and have children in OErev Shabbat service to hon-
ga Melamed. They got to talking and at money. But now I feel I need it.” tion and Jewish holiday programs for order to give them names of relatives or the donors responsible for the pro-
one point Helga mentioned she’d been Registering survivors with the area survivors. who perished in the Shoah. gram’s success. LIFE & LEGACY has
“in the camps.” Claims Conference requires extensive “Jan has been invaluable to our Jan has served as a guide, confi- been a four-year partnership with
A few weeks later, Jan made it a documentation. As a result of the time program, supporting survivors in Sara- dante and counselor. “They call to ask: The Jewish Federation of Sara-
point to attend a presentation Helga sota and Manatee,” says Cindy Minet- ‘How do I know the plumber is be- sota-Manatee and 10 other local
gave at the Jewish Congregation of ti, Senior Director of Gulf Coast JFCS. ing honest? Where can I get my tooth Jewish organizations. At Temple
Venice. Riveted by her personal story, “Jan has a special relationship with the treated? How can I get more homecare Sinai, the initiative works in col-
Jan became keenly interested in Jew- survivors, supporting their needs and services? Who can arrange a memorial laboration with the Rabbi Hunt-
ish persecution during World War II enjoying many hours of time with each service?’” ting Endowment Fund to ensure
and became friends with Helga. She of them.” In nine years, things have changed a Jewish home, L’dor V’dor,
also got to know Helen Fagin, who “I have been extremely gratified by a great deal. “During that time, 60 of from generation to generation.
has made an immense contribution to this work,” says Jan, who retired in Feb- the survivors I assisted have passed LIFE & LEGACY promotes
Holocaust education including the Dr. ruary but now works part-time. “Get- away and those who remain are getting after-lifetime giving to build fi-
Helen N. Fagin Holocaust, Genocide ting to know these individuals has been older,” Jan notes. “They now require nancial stability within local
and Human Rights Collection at New a privilege. They endured incredible even more help with homecare, med- Jewish communities and the or-
College. losses, sometimes including all of their ical and housing needs. The Claims ganizations that serve them. Fostering
Nine years ago, while working for siblings and parents. Yet, even with so Conference does not cover many things a philanthropic culture helps to ensure
a local non-profit, Jan called her friend much suffering, they’ve been able to such as dental work and home and car
repair that survivors need.”
Beverly Mishkin, then Senior Services move forward in life with a measure of Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the Recognition for outstanding volunteers
Clinical Social Worker at JFCS of the Helga Melamed and Jan Alston hope. My heart rises when I see them
Suncoast, to inquire on behalf of a cli- necessary to complete this process dancing and singing with friends at Community Chaplain and Director of and new trustees at Temple Emanu-El
ent regarding an open Case Manager for so many people, together with her events we host. I truly want to log that the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His
position for Jewish Financial Assis- growing case management responsi- extra mile for them. They’ve become position is underwritten by The Jewish emple Emanu-El recognized
tance. At one point, Mishkin told Jan bilities, Jan became our community’s family to me.” Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. outstanding volunteers and
she should apply herself because it also full-time Holocaust Survivor Case Telected two new trustees at its
included the role of assisting Holocaust Manager only six months after coming Bereavement Support Group
Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 18.
survivors. Jan took the advice and got to JFCS. The position, a part of JFCS’s Ken Marsh, Immediate Past Pres-
the job. Jewish Healing Program, is spon- begins June 10 ident, Nominating Committee Chair
Due to health and aging concerns sored by The Jewish Federation of and recent oleh to Israel, joined the
and an expansion in benefits provided Sarasota-Manatee. This program is sponsored by meeting from Netanya to announce
by the Claims Conference, an organi- When Jan started, only four survi- The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee that Joanne Haiby and Dennis Reens
zation established in conjunction with vors in the North Port area were receiv- ponsored by JFCS of the Sun- Especially during the social isola- had been named to the slate of new
the German government after World II ing compensation through the Claims coast and The Jewish Feder- tion associated with Covid-19, it is im- Temple Emanu-El trustees. Both were
to make financial reparations to Jews Conference, but this number soon in- Sation of Sarasota-Manatee, a portant for those who have suffered the enthusiastically elected.
who’d suffered at the hands of the creased to more than a hundred. new Bereavement Support Group, ei- loss of a loved one to have an opportu-
Nazis, more survivors sought compen- Jan began working closely with the ther in person or via Zoom, will begin nity to share and find support. There is
on Thursday, June 10 from 1:30 to 2:45 sadness but also moments of gratitude
p.m. and continue for six successive and laughter.
Thursdays. The group is open to all, regard-
Facilitated by Community Chap- less of background. Pre-registration by
lain Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, the group Monday, June 7 is required. The cost
provides a valuable opportunity to is $36.
learn how others are dealing with grief, For more information, please con-
examine ways loss can impact us, gain tact Rabbi Katz at jkatz@jfcs-cares.
coping insights, cultivate resilience org or 941.366.2224 x166.
and discover renewed hope.
DID

June 26, 2021 8am - 12pm

Sarasota Fairgrounds - 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota YOU
Registration: 8:00am to 11:30am
The Homeless Veteran Stand Down is an annual event providing
an array of services in one location for the homeless veterans in MISS IT?
our community. The Homeless Veteran Stand Down is a time for
the community to connect with our homeless veterans and
break down the barriers that keep these heroes on the streets.

The “hand up, not a handout” philosophy of the Stand Down
requires the work of countless volunteers and service providers. No need to panic; watch the recording!
Several community organizations will provide direct services
(including medical checkups, benefits reviews, and Amnesty court) Visit JFEDSRQ.org/ProgramRecordings to watch many of the virtual
to reduce barriers preventing access to permanent housing. programs the Federation has produced this past year. New recordings
To Volunteer or for more information visit: added frequently!
jfcs-cares.org • Books, Movies & Entertainment
• Israel Advocacy
Please Consider Donating - We Need YOU! • Celebrations
◆Baby Wipes/Tissue ◆Batteries ◆Lotion • Holocaust Education
◆Cases of Water ◆Chapstick ◆Hats • Religions of the World
◆Hygiene Kits ◆Nail Clippers ◆Pens • Travel
◆Ponchos/Raincoats ◆First Aid Kits ◆Belts
◆Gift Cards for food ◆ Gloves/Masks ◆Pens
◆Hand Sanitizer ◆Flashlights ◆Socks JFEDSRQ.org/ProgramRecordings
◆Pocket Planners ◆Insect Repellant ◆Note Pads
◆Reading Glasses ◆Draw Bags/Reusable Bags
◆Men and Women’s Undershirts and Underwear