Twelve local students and their families joined Dr. Robert Rubenstein on Sunday, August 15 for a breakfast reception honoring the Rubenstein Family Scholarship Program recipients. Held at the home of Nadja and Manny Kauder, the reception celebrated past and current recipients who received scholarships ranging from $750 to $2,500, to be used toward tuition, books, and supplies.

It’s unusual for a JFS donor to actually meet a recipient of the program they’re supporting. Usually it’s confidential. So when Bob met all of the scholarship winners together with their families, it was very touching. The most important message that he had for the students: “Work hard and pay it forward. When you get to a point in life when you’re able to give back to your community, remember that someone helped you earlier on.”

A generous member of the community, Dr. Rubenstein established the Rubenstein Family Scholarship Program for recent high school graduates of the San Diego Jewish community who plan to attend college or vocational school. Each year the program grants approximately 10-15 scholarships of up to $2,500 to applicants who meet the criteria of financial need, student financial contribution, academic performance, and community involvement.

Dr. Rubenstein will be honored for his generous contributions at our annual Heart & Soul Gala on Saturday, March 12, 2011.

The 2010 Rubenstein Scholarship Recipients with Dr. Robert Rubenstein.

I read an interesting article today about midlife suicides. It is shocking and sad to me that this is probably an unknown problem in our community. Middle-age adults (45-54 years old) have the highest suicide rate in the nation for the second year in a row. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2007, 40% of middle-aged adults who died by suicide were either depressed or had some type of mental illness. Over 30% of suicide victims had experienced a crisis in the days before they died. About 12% also had financial woes. Middle-age people, more than any other age group, experience multiple stressors — jobs, finances, and caring for children or elderly parents (often both). People right here in San Diego are experiencing the same personal turmoil, yet the issue of midlife suicide has not been extensively studied or addressed. Most research is directed at teenagers and the elderly, who previously had the highest suicide rates.

I mentioned these startling facts to Barbara Wohlander, our Director of Counseling, and here is some poignant advice from her:

“One of the most important things to remember is that there are always options. When someone is seriously depressed or overwhelmed they lose sight of options. They begin to believe there is only one solution to their problem: suicide. I can honestly say that there are many ways JFS can help someone who is feeling so desperate that they are considering suicide. JFS has licensed therapists with expertise in dealing with severe depression and overwhelming feelings. Our case managers can help in numerous practical ways that can make a huge difference in someone’s life in a little bit of time. Together, with our network of programs, we can provide real help to address some of the issues that may be at the root of their feelings. The JFS Economic Crisis Response Program is a prime example of how JFS can help someone who has lost their job, is facing bankruptcy, or is on the verge of losing their home.

What I would want people to know is that they are not alone, and even if you can’t see them clearly, there    are options other than suicide. The sooner we can talk with someone in need, the more we can help. If you are feeling depressed or overwhelmed, or you know someone in need of help, please click here.”

Congressman Brian Bilbray, representative of the 50th Congressional District of California, and Steve Danon, his Chief of Staff, took a special tour of the Turk Family Center today.  Accompanied by JFS Board President Steve Levine and Board Member Mathew Kostrinsky, Congressman Bilbray heard about the many programs that we provide throughout San Diego County and the tremendous impact we have on the community. While stopping by our Hand Up Youth Food Pantry, Congressman Bilbray was introduced to a young wife of a Marine who discussed how important JFS has been to her family; not only providing nutritious food, but also relocation services and counseling. Congressman Bilbray was also briefed on our On the Go transportation program for older adults, Mentoring Mothers, the JFS Fix-It Service, and the programs we operate in the Coachella Valley. It was a great opportunity to meet with Congressman Bilbray and share our story.

From left to right: Matt Kostrinsky, Jill Spitzer, Congressman Bilbray, and Steve Levine

Congressman Bilbray with Shelly Hahne, Hand Up Youth Food Pantry Coordinator

We are developing a great relationship with dentists in the area to provide much needed attention to some of our older adults in need.

Margarita Frolichman, a Serving Older Holocaust Survivor Case Managers, recently told me of this example.

“One of our older Holocaust survivors desperately needed dental work. Not only did she have ongoing dental pain, but she was a full-time caregiver to her husband who has dementia. She wasn’t able to eat regular food, because it hurt too much to chew. Because of the pain, the gaps in her mouth, and the inability to eat properly, she became depressed and rarely went out in public. If this had been less than a year ago, JFS would have referred her to Denti-Cal. But when the Denti-Cal program closed, JFS had no other resources.

Luckily, one of our board members referred us to Dr. Ian Aires who stepped forward and offered to provide the dental work she needed pro bono. We are so grateful to Dr. Aires! Our client now proudly wears beautiful upper dentures that allow her to eat normally and live pain free. It is such a privilege and a blessing for me to witness one of my clients receive the care she needs from such a selfless community member. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a Holocaust survivor live in dignity.”

What a beautiful story. Dr. Aires not only helped our client, but a weight has been lifted off our staff’s shoulders, too.

We are also very thankful of the services provided by Dr. Craig Rubicoff, Dr. Graham Simpson, and Dr. Kenneth Berrin. Dr. Rubicoff and Dr. Simpson very generously volunteered to provide dentures to a man in his mid-60’s who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The man had severe bone loss in his jaw which left him unable to speak clearly or chew food without severe pain. Dr. Rubicoff also provided implants to secure the dentures in place. Now the man will be able to successfully communicate with others. Dr. Berrin helped a 95-year old survivor who was in tremendous pain after a front tooth broke off. She was only able to eat soft food, but Dr. Berrin repaired the broken tooth and did some other work that improved the survivor’s quality of life immeasurably.

It is so hard to know what our clients need, but not be able to provide it to them. Thank you to Dr. Aires, Dr. Berrin, Dr. Rubicoff, and Dr. Simpson for stepping up and improving the quality life of our clients.

Get your dentist involved! Help provide vital dental services to JFS older adult clients. Contact Dana Toppel, Director of Older Adult Centers, JFS Fix-It and Volunteers, at (858) 637-3247 or danat@jfssd.org.

Not only is Andrew Hoffman our July Employee of the Month, but we’ve been asking the community to vote for Andrew to be the San Diego Padre’s representative for People Magazine and Major League Baseball’s “All Stars Among Us” Campaign.  Good News – He Won!  As a winner, he’ll be attending MLB’s All-Star game on Tuesday, July 13th as representing the San Diego Padres, and our Hand Up Youth Food Pantry.  This is a great honor for Andrew, the food pantry and Jewish Family Service.  But as Shelly Hahne, Coordinator of the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry, can attest, “Andrew has always been an All-Star at JFS.”

I asked Shelly to write a little more about Andrew so you can get a full sense of his impact at JFS.  We are very proud of this accomplishment.

“Andrew treats everyone with the utmost respect, regardless if they are a co-worker, client, donor, or volunteer at JFS.  This respect is reciprocated by those who come in contact with Andrew.  This can be seen when Andrew attends Hand Up food distributions and clients begin chanting “Andrew! Andrew! Andrew!”  They chant his name and continuously ask how he is doing because they feel a special connection to him as someone who interacts with them as a person, not just as part of his job.  He has a special gift for remembering almost every client’s name, an exceptional skill when one considers that Andrew has served food to more than 3,360 people at the Downtown/Balboa Park site alone and he can place someone’s name with their face even after they have not picked up food for six months!

Tom Garfinkel, Padres COO, presenting Andrew with a $1,500 check for the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry from the San Diego Padres

Working at JFS for more than two years, Andrew has provided administrative support to a number of programs in JFS’ Community Service Department.  He currently holds the following titles:

• Adoption Alliance Administrative Assistant
• Hand Up Youth Food Pantry Administrative Assistant & Outreach Specialist
• Project SARAH Administrative Assistant
• Supporting Jewish Single Parents Administrative Assistant

Basically, Andrew does it all and is the glue that holds several programs together!  Andrew maintains a sense of calmness that resonates among co-workers.  With involvement in so many programs, Andrew helps to coordinate and attends multiple events each month.  He is able to pull together all of the little details that make an event successful while keeping a composed and relaxed attitude that makes it all seem so easy.  Andrew is a critical asset to all four programs he supports and no program could operate as smoothly as it does without him.

In addition to providing administrative support, Andrew is an Outreach Specialist for the teen leadership component of Hand Up.  He has been called “the Teen Whisperer” and it has been announced that it is “the Year of the Hoffman”.  Andrew has built rapport with each teen on the Student Executive Committee and is able to connect with and empower them to successfully host food drives, hold fundraisers, and lead volunteers.”

Andrew does so much for so many programs and is such an intricate part of JFS, he truly deserves this recognition. Congratulations Andrew!

We’re very excited that Great News! Cooking School is offering a cooking class to benefit our Adoption Alliance of Southern California Program for the third year in a row! The class celebrates the ethnic diversity of our many adoptive families and also raises funds for Adoption Alliance. Thank you to Devora Safran & Ron Eisenberg, owners of Great News! for hosting this class! Both are passionate supporters of JFS and Devora Safran is on our Board of Directors.

Join Adoption Alliance for this great cooking class, International Vegetarian Delights, at Great News! Cooking School in Pacific Beach on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 6:00pm. Cost is $54.00, with all proceeds benefiting Adoption Alliance of Southern California.

Recipes include: Sushi Roll filled with Brown Rice, Carrot-Radish Slaw and Avocado; Squash and Roasted Chile Pepper Enchiladas with 3 Cheeses; Grilled Curried Seitan and Red Quinoa Salad with Mango Vinaigrette; Black Bean Kofta Pita Sandwich with Tzatziki Sauce; Moroccan Mushroom, Sweet Potato, and ChickPea Tagine with Toasted Almond Couscous.

Click here to register online>>

I just got two exciting pieces of news from Shelly Hahne, Hand Up Youth Food Pantry Coordinator. See below:

Rock Out for Hunger
On Saturday, May 22, 150 young professionals and high school students came together for the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry’s annual awareness raising and fundraising event: Rock Out for Hunger. The event raised $9000 and 150 pounds of food to support the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry!

It was such a great opportunity to see so many people gathered together with an interest in helping hunger. Those in attendance at the event are the same people we see volunteering at distribution sites, hosting annual food drives, and donating financially to the pantry. The $9000 raised at this event means that close to 1,000 people will be able to receive supplemental food from Hand Up. With more than 400,000 hungry people in San Diego County, we really appreciate all of our sponsors, underwriters and attendees who are helping us in our mission to alleviate hunger in San Diego!

Hunger Action Day

Hand Up Teens at Assembly Hearing

Thanks to a generous grant from the Tuttleman Family Foundation, on Wednesday, May 19, eight teenagers from the Hand Up Student Executive Committee traveled to Sacramento, along with more than 150 community leaders and hunger advocates from across the state, for Hunger Action Day. During the trip the teens were followed by a documentary film crew from the award winning Carlsbad High School TV program, who are making a documentary about hunger in San Diego called One in Seven.

Student leaders Estee Einhorn, Sara Linssen, Tammy Rubin, and Emma Tuttleman testified at an Assembly Human Services Committee hearing on behalf of the military families we serve each month. Committee Chair Jim Beall met with the students afterwards and had an earnest discussion with them about addressing food insecurity in California. During the hearing Assemblymember Lori Saldana, who met with the teens at the Turk

Hand Up Teens in Front of Capital Building

Family Center in April, spoke about the respect she has for the work of the Hand Up teen leaders, and how impressed she is with the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry’s military food distributions.

In the afternoon the teens met with five legislators and their staffers about their specific legislative recommendations for alleviating hunger. This was a great experience for the students involved, and is an experience we hope to provide in the coming years.

Jasmine & Matt Commerce

Our JFS Older Adult Centers held the Shir L’Chaim benefit concert on Sunday, May 23, 2010, where they honored older adults, celebrated life and built community. May was Older Americans Month and this year’s theme was Age Strong, Live Long. According to Aviva Saad, Program Coordinator at University City Older Adult Center, JFS’s Older Adult Centers focus every day, all year long, to make sure that their members age strong and live long, and music is an important component in their programs. That is why they wanted to share some of their favorite monthly entertainers with the whole community. We had an incredible turnout–more than 300 people of all ages showed up, raising more than $7,000 for our older adult centers!  People who attended loved the show and several people hoped it would be an annual event.

Melinda Wynar, Program Coordinator at the North County Older Adult Center, said “We’re getting such great feedback from our participants; they really enjoyed the show!” Several of the participants in attendance expressed being proud to be a part of JFS that day.

The show had a variety of musical entertainment. It opened with Matt and Jasmine Commerce, a brother and a sister who showed their love and passion for music and for our older adults. They where followed by Yochanan Sebastian Winston a flutist and saxophone player, who played classic, jazz and Latin music. Alisha Zalkin, a native San Diegan, came specially for the show from New York to sing for the community. Pianist Joan Kurland added humor to the show, the whole audience was laughing when she sang about her quest to find a nice single Jewish man. The show ended with Kavannah a teen band from Temple Solel, who energized the audience with their Jewish rock and roll music. It was an afternoon to remember and be proud of!

Thank you to all of our attendees and performers who helped make this event a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Had a great meeting with Bud and Esther Fischer about a week ago. Both feel very strongly that we should be helping those most in need and the idea of reaching out to low-income military families struck a chord with them. They’ve been donors for several years now, helping us with our Hand Up Youth Food Pantry efforts at Camp Pendleton and Murphy Canyon Military Housing.

During our meeting I was telling them that we’re getting a lot more food donated on pallets, and we have no way of lifting them. I asked if they would help us purchase a used forklift, and without a blink, Esther said: “I’ll buy it for you!” And so, we now have the Esther Fischer Forklift. I think we’re starting a new trend in naming opportunities for donors!

Read on to find out what Shelly Hahne, the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry Coordinator thinks of the donation:

“Prior to this donation, my staff would always hand unload pallets full of food donations. It took forever. Now, with the forklift, one Hand Up staff member is able to unload up to a 1,500 pounds of food in less than 8 minutes! It’s such a huge timesaver and energy saver that is making our food pantry much more efficient.”

The need for supplemental food among military families is ever-growing. Hand Up relies on the generosity of community donors, such as Bud and Esther Fischer, to help meet the need. The food pantry needs everything from food, to canvas bags, to wishlist items like a Commercial Refrigerator/Freezer and refrigerated truck. If you would like to help make ends meet for these military families or spend some time volunteering, please contact us at handup@jfssd.org.

Our volunteers are really going above and beyond these days, offering up their own expertise and knowledge to our clients. In fact, one of our Mentoring Mothers volunteers, Ele Lavender, has started offering cooking classes at the Foothills Teen Parent Program.

The Foothills High School Teen Parent Program, located in San Marcos, is a fully accredited program for teenage mothers to earn their high school diploma. Our onsite social worker is dedicated to helping mothers develop essential skills for furthering their education, make healthy choices, become self-supporting, and be effective parents.

A branch of the Federal government’s WIC Program (Women, Infants, and Children), Ele’s classes teach low-income teenage mothers about health and nutrition. A few days ago Ele took the girls on a field trip to the market where they learned about WIC items for purchase, and the nutritional value of fresh foods and produce. They each picked out fresh ingredients for their recipe, and spent the rest of the afternoon chopping, mixing, and baking. She’ll hold two more classes in May, focusing on soups, salads, and sauces.

Ele’s enthusiasm and interaction is making this experience not only educational, but a lot of fun for these young mothers. Thank you Ele for your passion and dedication!