Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - July '22

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

LocaL happenings

JFS Annual Meeting State Representative David Silvers secured a $100,000
appropriation from the State of Florida designated for the
Celebrates Milestone Year Alpert JFS Mental Health First Aid Program.
• Florida State Representative Lois Frankel secured a
Ferd & Gladys Alpert $325,000 federal earmark for the agency to establish the
Jewish Family Service and Alpert JFS Enrichment Center in Boynton Beach. The center
Melvin J. & Claire Levine will include an expansion of an existing food pantry, currently
Jewish Residential & Family located at Temple Shaarei Shalom, and offices for wrap-around
Service celebrated a year of services to help an additional 3,000 people each year.
milestone accomplishments • In May 2021 Alpert JFS successfully launched JFS
at the agencies’ 2022 Annual ComForCare, a premier home health care agency. JFS
Meeting, held recently at ComForCare improves the lives of seniors by helping them
Temple Emanu-El of Palm age in place safely at home and provides a seamless continuum
Beach. Hope Kahn Hoffman, Bernie of care for some of our most vulnerable older adults.
The evening’s theme Carol Shubs, Bob Schweitzer Silbert Volunteer Award • Alpert JFS achieved record-setting attendance at two
was Answering the Call, Alpert JFS Immediate Past- Volunteer Award winner winner signature fundraising events — the Third Annual Never Again
highlighting how the critical Board Chair & President virtual Holocaust Survivors Benefit, and its 18th Annual No
work of Alpert JFS and Levine Zelda Mason and Alpert JFS • Food requests have Excuse for Abuse virtual evening. The agency surpassed
JRFS is transforming the lives Board Chair & President increased over the past its $400,000 fundraising goal, raising over $500,000 in
of nearly 12,000 individuals Gary Hoffman year. Dedicated volunteers connection with these events.
of all ages from Boynton delivered 378 kosher food 2022 Annual Volunteer Award Winners
Beach to Vero Beach. baskets during Passover, Volunteers contribute their time and talent in many ways
Residents of the Apartment Rosh H ashanah, and to both Alpert JFS and Levine JRFS. Each year, the agencies
Program of Levine JRFS Thanksgiving. Fifty young recognize the selfless efforts of these individuals through a
kicked off the evening with families and seniors received slate of awards named for significant volunteers, donors,
a heart-felt performance of household essentials from supporters in the agencies’ history.
Dionne Warwick’s “That’s the Alpert JFS Kosher Food Bernie Silbert Volunteer Award
What Friends Are For,” led by Pantry, and 100 Holocaust Hope Kahn Hoffman (3rd Annual Never Again Holocaust
Program Activities Director survivors and other seniors Survivors Benefit Photographer)
Ralph Pittman. The cutting- received 400 freshly prepared Hope honors Holocaust survivors, sharing their stories
edge residential program holiday meals. The Breakers Palm Beach through her vivid photography.
provides a continuum of • Thanks to support from Award of Distinction winner; “Reb” Sol Freedman Volunteer Award
services for those who may the Claims Conference Kelly Blaggie, Director of Dany Lanthier (Melvin J. & Claire Levine Jewish Residential
be developmentally disabled, and the agency’s generous Human Resources & Family Service Volunteer)
significantly learning New Alpert JFS Board donors, last year the agency Through flower arranging, Dany offers residents a unique
disabled, and/or chronically member Wendy Stahl and provided 270,000 hours of care management and in-home means of self-expression.
mentally ill. Geoff Stahl care for over 250 Holocaust survivors. Caring professionals Linda White Volunteer Award
More than 225 guests help Holocaust survivors live independently and with dignity Howard Mellman (Mentoring 4 Kids Program Volunteer)
participated in person and in the comfort of their homes. Howard goes above and beyond as a mentor to Jacob, while
virtually, celebrating how the • Florida State Senator Lori Berman and Florida they both add meaning and connection to each other’s lives.
agencies continued to Answer Bob Schweitzer Volunteer Award
the Call for the community Carol Shubs (KOLOT Committee Co-Chair)
throughout the past year, Carol organized and managed the Poster & Poetry Contest
as they have done for over for the 2022 No Excuse for Abuse Virtual Evening. Over
48 years, adapting to the 70 young people submitted artwork and poems, the largest
unpredictable ebbs and flows response yet!
of the global health crisis, Award of Distinction
never closing, not even for The Breakers (Mental Health First Aid Program Partner)
one day. The Breakers’ team is dedicated to creating a happy and
“This was a wonderful healthy work environment for all employees.
evening to reflect on a
momentous year,” said New Alpert JFS Board Photos by Capehart Photography
Alpert JFS and Levine JRFS member Cindy Schlossberg
Outgoing Board Chair and and Allan Schlossberg Local Happenings on page 5
President Zelda Mason. “We
took a moment to pause and
celebrate the work of our IV-Free Cataract Surgery
agencies, and our incredibly
dedicated staff, Board of
Directors, supporters, agency in our Private Surgery Suite
partners, and volunteers.”
The agencies welcomed We now have in-house office
Gary Hoffman as the new space for IV-free cataract
board chair and president. surgery. This allows our patients
Newly installed board to undergo cataract surgery in
members for 2022-2023 the same location they receive
include: Meryl Avni, Tracy their eye care. Although having
Caruso, Nancy Hart, Marjorie an in-house office space is
Konigsberg, Maxine Marks, New Alpert JFS Board becoming more common in
Ruth Naftaly, Rabbi Michael member Marjorie Konigsberg top eye care practices across
Resnick, Steven Rozansky, and Dr. Sheldon Konigsberg the country, Mittleman Eye is
Cindy Schlossberg, Barbara currently the first and only
Sidel, Wendy Stahl, and Joel Yudenfreund. eye practice in all of Palm
The evening wrapped with the annual Volunteer Awards, Beach County to offer this
honoring individuals in four categories. The Breakers for IV-free cataract surgery.
received a special Award of Distinction for their partnership Having this facility allows us to
in implementing the agencies’ Mental Health First Aid training provide convenience and superb
program with its staff. care to our cataract patients.
2021–2022 Milestones
• Alpert JFS significantly expanded its behavioral health
services. Using telehealth, the agency provided over 30,000 For more info: mittlemaneye.com/iv-free-cataract-surgery/
sessions of behavioral health services for children and adults
in need of mental health assistance, an increase of 3.4 percent West Palm Beach
over the previous year. 2000 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 400, CALL
• Alpert JFS’ intake, assessment, and referral service, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 OR
known as the Community Access Life-Line (C.A.L.L.) Service, 561.500.2020 TEXT
helped over 8,000 individuals this past year. Jupiter/Gardens
• Alpert JFS increased the number of free virtual support 601 University Blvd, Suite 101, Jupiter, FL 33458 Schedule Appts Online Redefining Excellence.
groups led by highly trained professionals that help hundreds mittlemaneye.com
of individuals who continue to experience stress and strain due Email: info@mittlemaneye.com mittlemaneye.com
to the pandemic and other challenges.