There’s only one week left to buy or bid on incredible packages and items through our JFS LiVE! Life-Changing Auction! Some items are already sold so don’t hesitate any longer! Fortunately, several packages are still available... |
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BIG BOARD ONE: Do you have a need for speed? You and four others can take a trip to the 64th annual Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway in Florida. This bundle includes two Southwest Airlines roundtrip tickets.
Item 812: Treat yourself with a $3,000 gift certificate to Zadok Master Jewelers.
Item 1111: Enjoy a $2,500 gift certificate to Saks Fifth Avenue. Shopping with friends? Enjoy lunch for four!
Item 906: Great Scott! Get your hands on a signed and framed Back to the Future picture of Christopher Lloyd.
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We greatly appreciate all your support in making a difference in our community. Every dollar spent changes another Houstonian's life for the better! |
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JFS Friends,
For me, this year has been a challenging one. Family members have experienced health crises, the pandemic has continued to disrupt our ability to gather for social and ritual gatherings, and the pace and rhythm of life still seems out of balance. With all that as a background, I am finding it harder to get in the mood for Thanksgiving. This situation reminds me of a Yiddish proverb:
“If you cannot be grateful for what you have received, then be thankful for what you have been spared.”
This saying really helped me realign my perspective. It has been easy over the last couple of years to focus on what was missing or lost – the missed or cancelled events and all of the many other changes to our lifestyle that the pandemic created. When I take the time to step back and reflect, I realize that one of the challenges that we face is feeling two very different things at the same time. We can be grateful for all of the many blessings that still remain and grieve the loss of what we had expected and planned for this year at the same time. We can celebrate all of the ways that we have overcome, adapted and created alternative ways of gathering, while at the same time we recognize the loss of what might have been.
As I prepare for Thanksgiving this year I have decided to focus on all of the many ways that people have continued to be generous with their time, love, support and resources. In Avot d’Rabbi Nathan (a companion volume to Pirkei Avot) we read:
“If you have done a big kindness for your neighbor, let it be in your eyes a small matter. If your friend did you a small favor, let it be in your eyes a big favor.”
This philosophy seems especially important this year. When I think of all of the kindnesses that family, friends, colleagues and community members have done they seem even greater in my eyes knowing that the challenges of everyday life over the last year have pulled us all in so many different directions.
So, in my household, I am dedicating this Thanksgiving to being thankful for all of the simple gifts and pleasures that - at times - I have a tendency to underappreciate. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, let’s be thankful:
“For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.”
On behalf of my colleagues at JFS, please accept our thanks for the unwavering support, partnership, and trust you place in our organization. Whether you have given of your time, treasure, and/or talents, your commitment has enabled JFS to continue to be a source of light, help, and hope to our neighbors, friends, and community members.
Wishing you and those you care about a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
With deep gratitude,
Carl
Carl Josehart
JFS Houston COO
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Thursday, November 18, 2021
featuring a performance by
KODI LEE
(America's Got Talent Season 14 Winner)
at
Hilton Americas
1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010
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Attending JFS LiVE!? Please make sure that you have formally notified us that you will be attending so that we can make sure that you are pre-registered for Quick Entry at the venue. To do so, please go to our Auction Registration page and complete the form: Event Registration* and make sure to let us know if you're attending! If you have purchased a table, make sure that we have all of your guests' names by completing the link shared with you or reach out to Lynae Novominsky at LNovominsky@jfshouston.org or (713) 516-7360.
All Tribute Ads are due no later than Wednesday, November 3rd. You should have received an email with a link to submit your ad. If you haven't received that contact or have any questions about the event, please reach out to Tiffany Dorsey at TDorsey@jfshouston.org or (713) 986-7811.
*Event Registration does not require Auction participation.
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For those of you looking for a ride to JFS LiVE! we have a discount available for you through ALTO Ride Share, a new luxury driving service offered here in Houston. They own, maintain, and monitor all cars in their fleet and finger-print background check and train all drivers (learn more here: Clean Safe Rides). They are generously offering our guests a discount if you use the promo code: JFS on their app or website ( ridealto.com). The discount is for $15 off 2 rides, totaling $30, valid through 12/31/21. |
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Do you have a High School student that will be applying to colleges in the coming months or years? JFS Houston will be offering Strategies for Choosing and Affording College on Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 P.M. via Zoom. Our professionals include College Access Coordinators from Bellaire and Lamar High Schools, as well as Financial Aid Advisors from both Rice University and the University of Houston. To learn more or to register go to: College Workshop 2021
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SAVE THE DATE!
February 15 - 24
Public Theater Screenings Feb 20 - 23
ReelArt at Sawyer Yards
February 6 - March 31
ReelMusic
February 24
In celebration of our 10th Annual ReelAbilities Houston Film & Art Festival, we are actively seeking Sponsors to help make this another year to remember! Please consider going to: Support ReelAbilities Houston. Sponsors ($2500+) receive an opportunity to schedule a private screening and/or interactive workshop for their staff through the JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion. The workshop, The "Other D" in DEI: Disability Does Not Discriminate, includes practical skills (such as people-first language and inclusive practices) and will be customized to the company needs.
As a reminder, this event takes place due to the generous support of our community and does not use JFS Program funds, which means that all gifts for ReelAbilities go directly to support the technology and expenses of the Festival which allows so many of our events to be held free to the public! Can't afford a sponsorship? Donations of any amount are welcomed at: Supporting the Festival
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Jacob Leon President, Houston Jewish Family Foundation
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On the Retirement of Judy Magids... On Friday, October 15th, colleagues and friends of Judy Magids gathered to show appreciation and to admire the brick paver that was engraved with her name and years of service and installed in her honor in the Builders' Plaza at JFS Houston. Judy served as a Behavioral and Mental Health Counselor for over three decades, providing therapy to individuals and consulting with schools in the community. She has given so much to help our clients heal and children thrive. She will forever be a part of the JFS Family. |
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“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”
W. Clement Stone
There is always something to be thankful for…and we are really thankful for you, our FRIENDS. We do not mind sharing how much your compassion and generosity means for the families who come to us for assistance, especially during this time of the year, after all that some may be enduring.
As a FRIEND of JFS, you can help us to continue to provide the services and programs needed to meet the demands of our community and help to strengthen families. As you make decisions about your giving during this time of year, we ask that you consider placing Jewish Family Service among your priorities by becoming a FRIEND of JFS today.
To become a FRIEND of JFS, go to our Donation Page and step 1, select "Special Campaigns" and then step 2, select "FRIENDS" from the drop-down menu. If you are making this donation in memory or in honor of someone, be sure to include your friend's name and contact information in the Beneficiary section so that we can let them/their family know about your gift of FRIENDship!
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You are invited to a Virtual Trivia Bowl for Mental Health! The Eric M. Suhl Foundation* and the JFS Houston Behavioral & Mental Health Services program invite you to register to join the competition. Proceeds from this event will benefit Touching the Heart, a JFS Houston suicide prevention program for young adults. This fun competition will take place on Sunday, December 12th from 7:30 until 9:00 P..M. via Zoom and you can register to play individually ($15) or on a team ($50). To learn more go to: Event Information and Registration
*The Eric M. Suhl Foundation was created in memory of Eric Matthew Suhl who passed away in February 2016. The mission of the EMSF is to positively impact the lives of those suffering with Crohn's and Colitis and mental health issues.
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To find out how JFS helps to support the community,
please continue reading through our department news.
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BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
JFS Houston is proud to support the community with both individualized and group options. All of our group support sessions are facilitated by a rotation of licensed clinicians or master's level clinical intern students under staff supervision. The Zoom interface being accessed is HIPAA compliant and groups will close access 15 minutes after start time. If you have any questions or would prefer to have individual or group therapy/counseling sessions instead of a general support session, you may make an appointment by calling 713-986-7832 or emailing Adult Counseling or completing our online form: Counseling Appointment Request you should receive a response within 2 business days.
To find out more about our FREE support sessions (listed below), please go to: Current Support Groups and register through our website or call 713-986-7832.
NEW DAY!
Thursday, 8:00 - 8:30 A.M.
High School: Thursday, 5:00 - 5:45 P.M.
Middle School: Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:15 P.M.
Upper Elementary: Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:15 P.M.
Thursday, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M.
Monday - Friday
Every Monday, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. via Zoom
Tuesday, 12:00pm - 1:00 P.M. at JFS
Thursday, 12:30 - 1:00 P.M.
Support group for adults living with anxiety, depression or other related diagnosis.
Thursdays Evenings
Wednesday, 1:00 - 2:00 P.M.
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Check out our Parenting Toolbox!
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Touching the Heart (Parent version) is a new free and evidence-based text messaging program for parents. Every other week you will receive a message with support and tips on parenting and stress management. To sign up please go to: Registration for Touching the Heart.
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PAX Tools is a free, 9-hour online course open to the community which reviews trauma-informed, evidence-based strategies for families and communities to promote the development of self-regulation in children. (This course can be taken over a series of days or in one day.) To learn more, please email: PAX Tools Workshop
Each issue of the Jewish Herald-Voice has a new story of how to BE WELL. Follow advice and guidance from JFS staff weekly in their column: Be Well Articles.
Are you looking for a speaker for a presentation or a professional trainer to support your company or organization? If you are interested in seeing how our staff can provide assistance, please complete our Online Community Speaker Request Form. For our community intervention training for teens or adults to address the issue of deaths by suicide and substance abuse, you can find out more on our Community Intervention page.
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If you are experiencing medical symptoms, please contact your physician.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Crisis Hotline: 832-416-1177
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
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COACHING AND CASE MANAGEMENT
As a United Way Agency, JFS Houston has staff that are professionally trained to support those who are struggling with food insecurity, aging, disability issues, disaster recovery, abuse, financial stability, and other issues. If you are in need of support or know someone in SW Houston that could use some professional guidance, please call 713-667-9336 and ask for Case Management or check out more information on our website and complete the intake form at the bottom to receive more direct assistance. If you are outside of southwest Houston, please call 2-1-1 and ask them for assistance to find the agency that can help you. |
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In advance of the end of the year, consider learning how you can take control of your finances and stabilize your future! In partnership withThe Women's Resource, we invite you to join the following Lunch and Learn sessions at noon on Thursdays:
- Budgeting: Improving Your Financial Position (11/18)
- Savings: Keeping More of What is Yours (12/2)
- Credit Reports: Mastering your Credit Report (12/16)
- Credit Scores & Credit Cards: Marking Credit Work for You (1/6)
- Debt: Taking Control of Your Debt (1/20)
- Goal Setting: Managing Your Money in Real Life (2/3)
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FREE Coaching & Financial Literacy Courses for participants of the CaFE Study! The CaFE Study is a research study being conducted by the University of Notre Dame to examine the impact of financial coaching and literacy courses. Notre Dame has partnered with your local JFS and BubbieCare - a network for Home Health Care Workers - in order to offer you this opportunity. This study is open to individuals who live in Texas and are 18 years or older. We strongly request that individuals be willing to commit to one hour a week of coaching and classes. If you choose to join the CaFE Study, you will be entered into a lottery with a 50:50 chance of receiving the FREE financial coaching and financial courses from your local JFS. The financial coaching and literacy courses being offered for this study are valued at over $1,000. To find out more about this project, please go to: https://www.jfshouston.org/jfs-central/cafe-study If you have any questions about this project or need help filling out the application, please reach out to Jessica Bursten at jbursten@jfshouston.org or by phone at 713-986-7859.
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Celebration Company Employee of the Month is Ian! This means that all products with his artwork found in the Celebration Company Store are 10% off! To find his products or any other items, please go to: Shop Celebration Company. Curbside pick-up is available or you can request FREE delivery in Southwest Houston by using the promo code: SWHOUSTON. If you order $50 or more in products you are eligible for FREE shipping! |
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Don't get caught by surprise... Chanukah begins on Sunday, November 28th! Be sure to stop by our Celebration Company Gift Shop or shop online to make sure that you have everything you need for the holiday, whether it's candles, a menorah, custom paper goods, cards, or gifts. We have it all! |
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Looking for a Transitional Program for Thanksgiving or Winter Break? Our Transitions program is open to high school students who have cognitive disabilities and are interested in exposure to vocational skills including assembly, retail, and culinary. Students participate in an outing as well as a variety of activities which may include art, photography or glass fusing. This is a fee-based program with a limited number of openings. To find out more or to register go to: Learn More About Transitions
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For those with disabilities or loved ones who need support due to a disability, JFS Houston can help! Our supportive and transitional entrepreneurial employment program for adults with disabilities, Celebration Company, meets Monday through Friday. For more information about this program, please reach out to Jamie Weiner, Manager of Disability Services via email at: jweiner@jfshouston.org or by phone (713-986-7851).
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EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Employment Services provides job search and job coaching services to clients with all abilities, skills, and ages. What are you waiting for?
If you are unemployed and/or your unemployment benefits have ended or about to end, now is the time to start you job search. It is time to clarify what you want to do, create your marketing collateral and talk to individuals in your field. One way to start is to join the next Job Search Boot Camp. Another way is to complete the Employment Services Intake Form and then you will be assigned your own Career Counselor and receive personalized job search assistance.
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Are you an employer with a hiring need? We can help you fill your vacancies. JFS has candidates of all levels looking for meaningful employment. If your company has an immediate job opening, please complete our Job Requisition Form.
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Spotlight on Teen Volunteers
“Young people, when informed and empowered, when they realize that what they do truly makes a difference, can indeed change the world.”
Jane Goodall
We know that teens have the optimism and energy to help make our world better with their own actions. JFS draws from the good intentions our teens have with a special opportunity and category for Teen Volunteers. Teens (age 12 and above) help JFS especially through the Velva G. & H. Fred Levine Shabbat Box Program in our Chaplaincy Department. Younger children volunteer along with their parent or trusted adult by organizing supply drives. For this month of Thanksgiving, we are so thankful to the young people who support JFS in a variety of ways. Here are three examples of volunteerism:
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Senior Class of Emery Weiner High School
This year, 80 members of the senior class of Emery Weiner put together, filled and decorated 200 Shabbat boxes for hospital patients during their day of service in October. Every senior helped in some way, either by building the box or decorating it.
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Laila Wright honors the memory of her beloved grandmother with Cancer Care totes! Laila wanted to honor the memory of her beloved grandmother for her bat mitzvah. Her mom, Robbie, contacted JFS and proposed a tote filled with caring items for cancer patients which would include: fuzzy socks, colored pencils and a sharpener, a coloring book for grown ups, and lip balm. Laila and her mom recently delivered 100 bags to JFS and they will soon be shared with patients. Mazal tov and thank you, Laila!
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Necessity Item Collection by Ben Shoss in honor of his Bar Mitzvah will serve the clients in our Case Management Department. Ben reached out to friends and family asking them to help him collect items for seniors in our community. In addition to canned goods such as apple sauce and tuna fish, necessities such as Ziploc bags and cleaning products, shampoo, flashlights and batteries were collected. These items will be a part of our in-house pantry which is used all the time by our case management team. Thank you Ben and mazal tov!
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Volunteers Needed: Please Consider Helping Us!
- We are still trying to grow our volunteer ranks of JFS Express Drivers. Often JFS clients need a lift to an appointment and JFS drivers are a wonderful resource. To become part of the JFS Express team you’ll need a car and a good driving record, auto insurance to be used as the primary source of insurance, a background check and a current HIPAA quiz. Past JFS Express members need to renew their HIPAA and motor vehicle driving records.
- We are looking to train more Friendly Visitors to meet on a weekly basis with a senior JFS client. This is a wonderful way to make a personal connection with someone and share friendship. HIPAA, background screening, and training are prerequisites for the Friendly Visitor opportunity.
- We have limited openings for volunteers to assist at our JFS LiVE! event in downtown Houston on Thursday evening, November 18th. All volunteers will be asked to work 4-5 hours (walking/standing) and dress to impress! Come join us and help to raise funds for our work with the community!
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If you are interested in one of these opportunities, just contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Melanie Cole Goldberg at: mcolegoldberg@jfshouston.org.
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Thursday, November 25, 2021
Friday, November 26, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021
Monday, January 3, 2022
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