Ventura County Jewish Family Service MITZVAH

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1 Ventura County Jewish Family Service MITZVAH Ventura County Jewish Family Service Newsletter 2014/5775 THE HIGH HOLY DAYS AND TZEDAKAH By Rabbi Michael Lotker The Hebrew word tzedakah is often translated as charity but this does not exactly capture the Jewish meaning. Tzedakah comes from the root word tzedek which means justice or righteousness. The idea is that the funds that someone contributes were not really theirs to begin with. God has entrusted these funds to us so that we may use them to help others according to Jewish law. The ideal is that 10% of our resources should be devoted to tzedakah. Not to do so is not an act of lack of charity, it is an injustice. The work of Jewish Family Services makes it an excellent candidate for a portion of your tzedakah funds. As a congregational rabbi, I always turn to JFS when approached by a family in crisis. I know that they have the staff and expertise to determine if the need is real or a scam, and, more importantly, if other forms of assistance such as social services and counseling is called for. There is simply no other source of such assistance in our Jewish community to which Jews can turn for such help. Beyond these services, JFS provides support to Jewish seniors, counseling to Jews and non-jews alike, support to students in public schools throughout Ventura County and a lot more as detailed in this newsletter In the words of our High Holy Day liturgy, teshuvah, tefiliah u tzedakah (repentance, prayer and charity/ righteousness) are the tools that we have to atone for the transgressions of the past year. The community s support is what allows Ventura County Jewish Family Service to do all the good work that they do. A contribution to JFS is always high on my list I hope it will be on yours as well. Rabbi Michael Lotker, Board Treasurer Rabbi Lotker was recently asked by Congresswoman Brownley to give the blessing at the opening of Congress in Washington DC. Please turn to Page 2 for the story.

Rabbi Michael Lotker Offers Opening Prayer for Congress Each year when Congress opens its session, a prayer is said by a religious leader from the community.

2 Rabbi Michael Lotker Offers Opening Prayer for Congress Each year when Congress opens its session, a prayer is said by a religious leader from the community. This year the prayer was offered by Rabbi Michael Lotker of Camarillo. Rabbi Lotker is the Treasurer for Ventura County Jewish Family Service. Rabbi Lotker was sponsored by Rep.Julia Brownley. He and his wife, Sonia, enjoyed a private tour of the White House and spent several days enjoying Washington D.C. Rabbi Lotker s prayer was very timely in emphasizing unity to a deeply divided Congress. When asked about the theme of unity in his prayer, Lotker said it comes Rabbi Lotker addressing Congress from a Jewish mystical idea found in Deuteronomy that "everything is unified in God." "What I'm trying to say is I pray for unity of purpose and unity of action. It's in the Instructions from the Chaplain's Office we are not to be political, so I want to be very careful in how I say it, but there is something holy about unity," Lotker said. "It is certainly my prayer that unity can overcome the partisan strife that is so easy for us to fall victim to." Thank you! Unitarian Universalist Church Last December 2013, the Unitarian Universalist Church in Ventura dedicated their Sunday offering to JFS. They donated over $800 to us. The money was used to assist clients in our Counseling Program. The church plans to do it for us again this fall. JFS wishes to thank their congregation for their support. Without people in the community, JFS could not do the work that we do.

The JFS Justice Clinic One Monday evening a month, the JFS Office is filled with people waiting to get what they cannot find elsewhere-free legal consultation.

Many of these are referred to the only other Legal Clinics in the County if the issue is too pressing to wait or their name is taken and they come to the JFS Clinic.

3 The JFS Justice Clinic One Monday evening a month, the JFS Office is filled with people waiting to get what they cannot find elsewhere-free legal consultation. JFS has been conducting a Justice Clinic for over 10 years. JFS receives calls daily from people struggling with legal issues or needing help in comprehending legal paperwork. Many of these are referred to the only other Legal Clinics in the County if the issue is too pressing to wait or their name is taken and they come to the JFS Clinic. On a given night, the clinic includes people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and careers. They range from college students to the elderly. They are united by the fact that legal services are very expensive and they have a need for legal services. JFS currently had three attorneys who volunteer their time to assist the community. They are Patrick Cherry, Martin Rosenberg and Seth Shapiro. A fourth attorney, Terry Viele, volunteered for many years until health issues caused him to resign. JFS is very proud of its Justice Clinic and the fact that we meet an important need in the community. You can support our Justice Clinic through your donations. If you are an attorney who is interested in helping, contact JFS. Nemerson Social Work Stipend The Nemerson Stipend is an award that is given annually to one or more deserving Master in Social Work (MSW) students. This Stipend was started by Scott Nemerson in memory of his wife, Louise. Louise Nemerson was a wonderful social worker, an active member of her Temple and an amazing wife and mother. JFS has students from five different universities including USC, UCLA, CSUN, CSULB and UNE.for this school year. JFS has a reputation for providing outstanding training for MSW students. For , the Nemerson Social Work Stipend has been awarded to Donelle Witlin and Jonah Baronian. Scott Nemerson, Chairman of the Nemerson Committee, said that he was very impressed by both recipients. Donelle Witlin is a second year student at CSUN. Her Field Placement last year was at RAIN Transitional Living. She is excited to begin her second year with JFS. Jonah Baronian is a first year student at USC. Jonah has traveled extensively and prior to returning to school, worked as a Captain s Mate on boats. Jonah is also an Emergency Medical Technician.

4 Your dollars make our programs possible. Jewish Family Service would like to thank the following donors for their support September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014 Joel & Barbara Aaronson Robert and Carol Goodkin Alan & Barbara Murray Jean Apple Nat & Joane Baumer Ken Belden & Dora Saenz- Belden Irving & Arlene Bergman Leonard & Ruth Bieber Michael & Pamela Bogen Robert & Mary Braitman Robert & Lynn Brandt Fred & Linda Burgess Raymond & Mimi Diller Helene Dorman Lee Edwards Debra Feldman Kathryn Fink Martin & Marianne Flam Judith Freedman Sherman & Irene Garry Joseph & Elaine Gaynor Wendy Gerard Robert Goldberg Peter & Diane Goldenring Herbert Goldman Claire Greenberg Harvey & Jessica Harris Leah Harris Oliver & Leslie Hess Norma Holonov Reed & Michele Horwitz Ellen Johnson Herman & Verna Kagan Shirley Kampf John & Barbara Kerhoff John & Beverly Kerwien Gregory & Kathleen Kircher Jay & Sally Kosoff Esther Kurta Anita Levine Isabel Levitt Ellen Linder Geoffrey & Nancy Loman Rabbi Michael & Sonia Lotker Gladys McDonald Barbara Meister David & & Carole Minkin Helen Myerson Patricia Okamoto-Caballero Irene Olson Israel & Beth Perel Roy & Rita Poders Paula Reach Suzette Renaud Vincent & Barbara Roach Madeleine Schultz Katherine Scott Jim & Mary Sheldon Sharon Shoemaker Helene Sicherman Simon & Lily Starobinets Maurine Stein Ed & Reiko Stein Sylvia Tockerman Aleta Trogdon Frank & Marian Ven Der Maten Rose Walsh Lee & JoAnn Weisel Daniel Weissman Please note that while we strive to be completely accurate, we are human and there are occasional errors. If your name has been left off or the spelling is incorrect, please let us know and a correction will be printed in the next newsletter. Alan Murray President Sally Kosoff Secretary Pam Bogen, LCSW Dora Saenz-Belden Board of Directors Amy Balchum, LCSW Executive Director Bob Braitman Vice President Rabbi Michael Lotker Treasurer Israel Perel, Ph.D Julie Saltoun, Esq. Angie Martin Executive Assistant

Senior Holiday Luncheon Join JFS and the Federation for a Kosher luncheon When: Thursday, October 9th at 11:30 am Where: Temple Beth Torah 7620 Foothill Rd.

5 Senior Holiday Luncheon Join JFS and the Federation for a Kosher luncheon When: Thursday, October 9th at 11:30 am Where: Temple Beth Torah 7620 Foothill Rd. Ventura This luncheon is free for Seniors through a grant from Joel Aaronson and the Affordable Living Choices Trust RSVP- JFS Senior Care Management JFS has two Licensed Clinical Social Workers providing Senior Care Management to our Seniors. Several of the Seniors they serve are Holocaust survivors. The Senior Care Managers have been able to obtain vital funding for them which allows them to live a much more comfortable life. Both Debra Hyde LCSW and Kathleen Oates LCSW have many years of experience working with Seniors. Referrals come from the Seniors themselves, their spouses, their children and concerned community members. Care Managers go out to the Seniors and provide comprehensive assessments and services. This program was originally funded through support from the Beyer Family and this year received a grant to help compensate for the services in the East County. That grant came from the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles to provide a portion of the cost of Case Management for residents of East Ventura County. For this program to continue and for JFS to help the neediest Jewish Seniors in our community, JFS needs your support and donations. You may make a donation directly to our Senior program by designating Seniors when you send your check or use your credit card.

org The Perfect Way to Say We re Thinking of You!

6 Give to Jewish Family Service! Call us at or us at The Perfect Way to Say We re Thinking of You! Jewish Family Service Tribute Cards Send donations to: Ventura County Jewish Family Service 857 E. Main St. Ventura, CA Or use PayPal on our Website, Find us on Facebook! Ventura County Jewish Family Service Sign up for Amazon Smile and every time you order on Amazon, you will be helping JFS. To sign up go to smile.amazon.com Ventura County Jewish Family Service 857 E. Main Street Ventura, CA PLACE STAMP HERE Remember JFS In the New Year

CRITERIA FOR HONOREES Federation Live! Wednesday, June 7, 2017

CRITERIA FOR HONOREES Federation Live! Wednesday, June 7, 2017 The Jewish Federation of Howard County is now accepting nominations of honorees for Federation Live! to be held Wednesday, June 7, 2017. As