When I spoke to the honorees after the Gala I was really happy to hear how much they enjoyed themselves. Alberta Feurzeig told me she was still on Cloud 9, Michael London felt more energized about our next Run for the Hungry and Felicia Mandelbaum is ready to take on more new projects for JFS. What could be better! The best part about the Gala is when I thank people for coming and they start telling me how important JFS is. Most of these people will never need our services, but in their heart they know there are people less fortunate than them and they’re grateful to have an organization that people can turn to. It was overwhelming to see the over 600 people gathering to help JFS. A very humbling experience. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, we truly couldn’t have done it without you.

Click here to read more and see our Gala photo album>>

Today, the Turk Family Center capital campaign group met. Led by campaign chair and major benefactor Jerry Turk, the committee is proud and delighted to announce that Jewish Family Service will be able to pay off the bond that was purchased when the money was pledged in 2006—$9 million. It’s pretty amazing that we’re on target to do this by the end of the year–our original goal. Considering these tough economic times, we feel fortunate to have such dedicated and generous donors who believe in the work we do. Thank you.

Me with Hanna and Mark Gleiberman

We had an amazing event last night for our Friends of the Family, our major donors. It was at the beautiful home of Hanna and Mark Gleiberman. An overflow crowd. I had the privilege of thanking everyone for their support and what it has meant to our clients, particularly during this past year, with the economy in such bad shape. I don’t think people understood how it has impacted the Jewish community—hundreds of people losing their jobs, being foreclosed on, facing bankruptcy, not to mention the emotional distress. People in need are coming to JFS all the time and thankfully, we can respond with real help—concrete services and support. Read the letter below to see how we’ve helped one of our clients.

Dear JFS,

I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to have you standing behind me during this trying time in my life. When I first came to you it was for a Big Pal for my daughter. I was fresh out of a divorce and my daughter felt lonely and confused. It has been almost two years and the bond between my daughter and her big pal is one of the most beautiful relationships I have ever seen. Thank you.

Shortly after, a close family member was diagnosed with cancer. It seemed that all my free time was spent helping my family. I spent money on gas, groceries, and prescriptions—more dollars than what I had. Jewish Family Service took care of me in some way or another, whether it was a gift card for food, backpacks, or gas. There was even a day when I didn’t have enough money to get to JFS to pick up groceries you had for me, and someone drove them to my house and put them all in my fridge for me while I was at work. What a surprise that was when we came home.  When my daughter told me she wanted to attend the JCC Theater Camp, I knew it was not possible with our budget. With no family here that is able to help me, I turned again to JFS and the Supporting Jewish Single Parents program. With your help, my daughter was able to go all summer long and connect with other Jewish children—she now has more self-esteem and dignity than I have ever seen.

And then, my own illness. This past year has been a struggle with my own fight against cancer, and the loss of work. Between the loss of work, feeling terrible physically, and being a struggling single parent with little money to spare, I again leaned on JFS. Supporting Jewish Single Parents again made sure my daughter made it to camp for her second year in a row, and this time she walked away with more than self-esteem, she walked away with the desire to learn more about being Jewish. With the help from the JFS I now have her enrolled this year in Hebrew School! I have managed to continue to work FULL TIME through all of these difficult times, continue my education and raise my daughter the best that I can. I know in my heart I am doing the best I can, and I am very lucky and grateful to have your support.

Thank you for everything you have done for my family.

Sincerely,

Anonymous