End of Year Reflections...

A weekly e-newsletter from JFS of Middlesex County

JFS is a non-profit social services agency serving all members of the community from all backgrounds. Your generous support enables us to provide crucial programs for those in need.

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Now Available: 2022 Annual Newsletter

As we reflect on the highlights throughout the year and plan for 2023, we invite you to read and share JFS' 2022 Annual Newsletter .

Now available online! Visit our website to check it out.

Would you like to hear about all the great work happening at JFS more than once a year? Visit our social media pages - follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Your clicks and shares help us grow!

A Time for Reflection

The goal for our life whether we are 9 or 99 is to decide what we want to do with our time here. The end of the year is a time for introspection and thoughtful reflection on both the past and future. People have a tendency to look at what they don’t have and often miss what they do have. So when you look at your life, try to look at ways to improve the good things that you have and reduce the things that cause you stress. Anxiety and stress are part of life; we are not able to eliminate them therefore we must develop strategies to cope with them.

Taking time for ourselves even if only a minute here and there is crucial to maintaining our balance. Here are a few helpful exercises to stay present and grant yourself space to start or restart. Several times a day, try to simply to look around you and take in what you see. Try to notice details that perhaps you don’t see on an everyday basis. Notice how you breathe, notice things you smell, notice people around you. Even in difficult times, the world is primarily a beautiful place, but sometimes we have to force ourselves to slow down to take a look. Remember to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and think about what you wish to do next. And what you do next must also include taking care of yourself. Wellness is not a destination but a journey. Remember to look around during your journey to see where you have been and where you are going. You may be surprised by the great things you see.

Keeping Wellness in Mind is a monthly spotlight to promote wellness. Each month, JFS Counseling Services highlights practices promoting mental and emotional wellbeing. JFS Counseling Services provides professional behavioral health therapy to assist individuals, couples, and families in addressing life’s challenges. To learn more, call 732-777-1940 or visit www.jfsmiddlesex.org/counseling.

Close the Year on a High Note

Did you know that when you use your RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) to donate directly to JFS, you can reduce your tax burden? Speak with your tax professional now to learn more about how your donation to JFS Middlesex can benefit both you and your community.

To make your year-end donation visit www.jfsmiddlesex.org/donate. Thank you and Happy New Year from all of us at JFS!

Holiday Meals for Homebound Seniors

Each week our JFS Kosher Meals on Wheels (KMOW) staff and volunteers work hard to deliver meals and check on local homebound seniors. Ahead of holiday closures, KMOW delivered more than 200 shelf-stable meals to nearly 100 seniors to ensure they have enough to eat during the holiday season. They chose from several options including gefilte fish, stuffed cabbage, beef and lamb kebab, and chicken chow mein. The stuffed cabbage remains a fan favorite!

To help JFS continue to provide vital services to vulnerable seniors and others in need, please visit our website to make a donation. Have some time to help out? The KMOW program is always looking for volunteer drivers, especially substitute drivers to be on call for last-minute emergencies. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Michelle at MichelleB@jfsmiddlesex.org or call 732-777-1940. Thank you!

Mother-Daughter Duo Become U.S. Citizens

Eleven years ago, Roseline D. and her daughter, Memo, left the Ivory Coast, Africa to reunite with family here in the States and build a life together in New Jersey. Like many new immigrants to the U.S., Roseline wanted to plant roots here permanently to provide a better future for herself and her children. Nervous to begin the process, Roseline and her daughter reached out to JFS' Immigration and Citizenship Services to make 2022 the year they would start the process to become U.S. citizens.

Though this mother-daughter duo embarked on the process together, Roseline notes "I didn't even know where to start or where to end; the whole thing would have been too much to go through on our own." Thankfully, they weren't on their own. JFS Immigration and Citizenship staff helped them file citizenship applications and complete JFS citizenship classes to prepare for their naturalization exams.

This month, mother and daughter passed their naturalization exam to obtain citizenship. "Thanks to JFS, my family can stay together in the U.S. and I don't have to stress anymore." Congratulations to Roseline and Memo on reaching this milestone together, and ending 2022 as new U.S. citizens!

JFS Immigration and Citizenship Services offers family-based immigration assistance and consultations. Citizenship classes are offered at convenient times and locations, with online classes available. For naturalization application assistance, citizenship classes, or information about our immigration services, call 732-777-1940.

Give Back with Amazon Smile

You shop, Amazon gives.

Did you know JFS is a participating charity on Amazon Smile? Amazon donates 0.5% of the cost of your purchase to JFS of Middlesex County. Every little bit helps!

Use this link to get started: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/2 2-2281774.

Jewish Social Service Committee

The Jewish Social Service Committee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Jewish residents in Middlesex County. The Committee provides financial assistance for a wide variety of issues. In service for over 100 years, they have no paid staff and all funds are committed to providing service. If you or someone you know is in need of financial assistance, contact us at office@jfsmiddlesex.org or 732.777.1940. JFS is proud to partner with JSS to benefit our mutual clients.

JFS COMMUNITY PARTNERS

JFS is grateful for the support of our sponsors and community partners.