Page 12 - Jewish News_may2021

12 May 2021 COMMUNITY FOCUS

Jewish Healing Program making an impact

By Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, Jewish Healing Program Director
This program is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
eferences to those in need of- places great emphasis on treating those and home repairs, health, funeral and to allow him to make the first month’s
ten deal in abstractions like the agency serves with personal respect other pressing expenses. All funds go rent payment on a small apartment
Rwhen we speak generically of and dignity. directly to vendors (landlords, clinics, he’d found. He has returned to self-suf-
the homeless, poor, hungry and elderly. While JFCS certainly provides tan- local utilities, etc.) and not to the clients ficiency through JHP and couldn’t
While such groupings are understand- gible assistance, the manner in which it themselves. This urgent, have been more grateful
able, they’re also ineluctably imper- is given is often just as important. In- short-term assistance is for the support he’d re-
sonal and marginalizing. They suggest dividuals who, due to the loss of a job, relatively modest (be- ceived.
detachment from the rest of society family crisis or health situation, find tween $400-$1000). In another case, Su-
and define those less fortunate than themselves in economic and emotional The aim is to return san and I assisted a man
ourselves more by statistics than their straits, seek human confirmation, not people to self-sufficiency who’d lost his job and
humanity. only material resources and referrals as quickly as possible. then his home due to a
Therefore, it is important to know for services. While JHP, especial- health condition. After
that social service organizations seek- This is certainly true of the JFCS ly during the Covid-19 his brother contacted
ing to assist them do not do so at a re- Jewish Healing Program (JHP), which pandemic, has helped us from out of state, we
move. Rather, they are on the ground helps Jewish members of the commu- many in difficult circum- provided him with help-
interfacing and working with them. nity (including Holocaust survivors) in stances, the spreadsheet ful referrals and contin-
JFCS of the Suncoast, for example, need with rent payments, essential car of this aid doesn’t really ue to keep in touch and
tell the whole story be- Susan Schoengold, JHP Financial monitor his situation.
MAR200947A cause each client’s situa- Assistance Case Manager I’ve met him downtown
tion is different. a few times to give him some Publix
JHP strives to meet people where cards and provide counsel.
they are emotionally and spiritually, as Clients send emails or text “thank
well as financially. JHP Financial As- you” notes to express appreciation for
sistance Case Manager Susan Schoen- our assistance. Susan recently shared
gold gets to know them well in learning that, “Many people calling to request
about their stories. She sometimes cor- assistance are telling me the same
responds and talks to members of their thing: that JFCS and The Jewish Fed-
families to be able to assist as effect- eration of Sarasota-Manatee are the
Tidewell Hospice ively as possible. Susan collaborates only ones that return their calls, that

don’t make excuses for why they can’t
with other JFCS departments and a
is committed to meeting the spiritual and range of human service agencies in the be helped, and that show them respect
physical needs of our patients and families. greater community to secure all avail- and caring.”
able resources. Members of the Jewish commu-
As a certified Jewish Hospice, Tidewell offers: In one recent case, a man couldn’t nity should take pride in knowing that
• Mezuzah and Shabbat candles afford to repair his car after a crash. the Jewish Healing Program assistance
• Spiritual consultation with Rabbi Other expenses resulting from the ac- and staff made possible by their con-
tributions to the Federation and JFCS
cident left him without money to pay
on request his rent, compelling him to live in his are making an impactful difference to
• Hebrew Bible and prayer book car. At the same time, he was in dan- those in need.
ger of losing his belongings because he Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the
Many of Tidewell’s services are funded by donors. could no longer pay for a small storage Community Chaplain and Director of
Visit tidewellfoundation.org to donate or learn more. locker. Susan spoke with the manager the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His
of the storage facility to enable him to position is underwritten by The Jewish
www.tidewell.org • 941-552-7500 • 855-Tidewell keep the locker and also found funds Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

“These we honor”

Your Tributes

Join Us!

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN COLLEGE

IN HONOR OF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Joey Jacobson IN MEMORY OF
Fremajane Wolfson Alan Milbauer
Nancy Jacobson Marsha and Joel Moranz
Fremajane Wolfson Jay Saphier
Irene Ross Laura Briefman
Faith and Michael Goldman
Adrea Sukin’s Special Birthday ISRAEL PROGRAMS
8, 000 members Meryl Cohen FUND
8,000 members of the
Jewish community stay informed about IN MEMORY OF
what’s happening at Federation. You can too! Richard Freibrun IN MEMORY OF
Maurene Freedman Dr. Steven Derfler
• Be the first to learn about Federation Sharon and Harris Goldenberg
announcements Jane Jassin
The Conen Family
• Stay up to date on Federation events Alan Milbauer PJ LIBRARY
• Receive important updates from Federation Rosalie and Jerome Bergman IN HONOR OF
leadership Ruthellen and Marc Rubin Jacob and Jocilyn Berman
• Stay informed on the latest Delores Silberstein Elaine and Ron Berman
security reports from our Jewish Laura and Mark Briefman
Community Security Director Norma Udell NOTE: To be publicly
Barbara and Donald Bernstein acknowledged in The Jewish News,
Debbie and Larry Haspel Honor Cards require a minimum
$10 contribution per listing.
SIGN UP TODAY ON JFEDSRQ.org! Cindy and Alan Silverglat You can send Honor Cards directly
Sheila and Merrill Wynne
Click on the “EBLAST SIGN UP” button at the top of the page. from jfedsrq.org. For more
information, call 941.371.4546.

     