Page 8 - The Jewish Voice - July '20
P. 8
Page 8, The Jewish Voice
Local Happenings from page 6
aLL about Kids
neutralized by the light of Moshiach when we will experience
the peace, serenity, and joy for which G-d created this world.
He said that the bad news was going to get much worse very Special Needs Hebrew School and important Jewish rites of passage, such as becoming a
soon and that we should look out for it in the news. Everyone Hosts Commencement bar or bat mitzvah. Between teachers and volunteers, Yad
was puzzled when he said this, but it was just three days later offers an almost 1:1 student-teacher ratio.
when the riots and looting broke out across the country and Ceremony Via Zoom During the commencement program, families enjoyed
everyone sensed the intuition of his words. hearing the students chant traditional Hebrew prayer;
Everyone left the event with a renewed sense of purpose Twelve students from learning about highlights from the past year; a tzedakah
during this very challenging pandemic. Je wi sh Fe de ra t i o n’s (Hebrew for donation) presentation to two organizations:
The Lord’s Place Learns Friedman Commission for Jewish National Fund and Meir Panim; a tribute to Yad’s
Jewish Education (CJE) J.N.
dedicated teen and adult volunteers; and a certificate
Coping Strategies During Somers Yad Hebrew School ceremony, which also featured a graduation presentation
for Children with Differing
to student Cara Fortinsky, who has been part of Yad since
JFS Presentation Abilities completed a it began in 2001.
year of learning with a “Seeing our students’ pride and joy at the commencement
Ferd & Gladys Alpert heartfelt commencement ceremony after a year of such hard work is one of the most
Jewish Family Service (Alpert ceremony for students beautiful experiences I have the good fortune to witness,”
JFS) has been bringing and their families. Held shared Wilma Turk, who has served as Director of Special
community members together via Zoom, the ceremony Needs Education for Federation’s CJE for the past 16 years.
to share strategies, stay safe, provided an opportunity for “This program would not be possible without the dedicated
and feel more empowered the students to showcase their Hebrew language abilities team of teachers and nearly one dozen volunteers who
and connected during the and understanding of Jewish prayer and song. enable us to create this incredible, one-on-one learning
COVID-19 pandemic. A The J.N. Somers Yad Hebrew School is the only formal environment each week.”
group of employees from The Sunday religious and Hebrew school in the Palm Beaches Lisa Kramer’s son, Robert, has been part of Yad for five
Lord’s Place recently gathered with the alternative learner in mind whose educational years. Lisa, who also serves as a volunteer teacher, shared,
virtually to attend Coping needs might not be as well suited in traditional settings. “Yad is such an incredibly special program. Robert now has
With Our New Reality: Social Diana Stanley, The Lord’s The program philosophy is that all children deserve open a stronger connection to his Jewish heritage and identity.
Distancing Without Isolation, Place Chief Executive Officer gateways for participation in Jewish learning experiences Our family is forever grateful.”
an educational opportunity
for those struggling with how
to manage and cope with Summer Fun
the barrage of changes and
realities impacting their lives. The Mandel JC’s Summer Days at the J program began
The exclusive presentation, last month with just under 200 children, preschool to grade 8,
facilitated by licensed enjoying fishing, swimming, zip lining, and more.
psychologist Iris Kiner, Psy.D.,
and clinical director Elaine
Rotenberg, Ph.D., helped
participants identify coping
skills, available resources,
and how to connect if you feel
socially disconnected. Marc D. Hopin, Alpert JFS
The connection between Chief Executive Officer
Alpert JFS and The Lord’s Jacob Brodsky
Place was forged by The
Hon. Geraldine (Jeri) Muoio,
a consultant for Great Cities
For All, former mayor of Leighton Patykula, Sadie Sheitlman, Chris Prince and Alexander
West Palm Beach, and a board Emily Fox Jude Dokovna Martin
member of The Lord’s Place,
who said, “Whether you are
an individual, a parent, a
corporation, or a nonprofit,
support groups are needed
to ensure that we are helping
each other in these uncertain
times. A free service like this
is greatly needed.” The Hon. Geraldine (Jeri)
“The workshop provided a Muoio, Consultant – Great
new frame of thinking about Cities for All
social distancing and the
impact of isolation,” said The Lord’s Place CEO Diana Stanley.
“We are committed to providing our staff with resources to
navigate this unsettling time in our world. We are honored that
we were able to partner with JFS as they shared their expertise
in this clinical area.”
“Our Virtual Support Groups are an example of some
good that is coming out of the pandemic,” said Alpert CEO
Marc Hopin. “We are reinforcing established partnerships,
and building new ones. Like The Lord’s Place, the Palm
Beach Chamber of Commerce will be having an exclusive Experience Dentistry with a Woman’s Touch
presentation of their own next month. We are continuing to
build community each day of every month, offering hope while
we deliver help.”
Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
JFS Offers Virtual Support Groups State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
While Alpert JFS has always acknowledged and addressed
serious situations surrounding mental health issues, the current Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available
health crisis has only exacerbated the need for services,
and the agency continues to serve the community via virtual
technology. Kiner and Rotenberg’s presentation is also a weekly
drop-in discussion group on Mondays at 6 p.m. Registration is Joanne Green, D.D.S.
required; visit www.AlpertJFS.org/events/coping/ to register.
Other virtual group sessions offered during COVID-19 by the 10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
agency, open to the public, are: Coping With Our New Reality: Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Parent’s Edition on Mondays at 8 p.m.; a Domestic Abuse
Support Group on Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.; two Family Survivors (561) 622-2815 • www.joannegreendds.com
of Suicide support groups, the first and third Wednesdays of
the month for Lake Worth-area residents, and the second and
fourth Tuesdays each month for residents of the West Palm Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry - Cum Laude
Beach area, both 5:-6:30 p.m.; and a Jewish Family Addiction Hospital of the University of Penn - General Practice Residency Training
support group on Fridays, 12-1:30 p.m. Visit https://www. Harvard Dental School - Former Instructor
AlpertJFS.org/virtual/ or call 561-684-1991 to learn more. Boston Brigham and Women’s Dental Group - Staff Dentist