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From the Desk of Roxanne Droppo
Executive Director
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With Rosh Hashanah approaching, we are taking a moment for reflection, renewal, and hope. A conscious moment to celebrate new beginnings and set our intentions for the year ahead. As we dip apples in honey and share festive meals, let us also embrace the opportunity to make positive changes and strengthen our connections with family, friends and community. |
Here at JFSC we are starting anew in our expanded space. We are incredibly grateful for the many years we worked out of Sloane Square with Ronmor, however we have grown to 111 staff, 96 volunteers and 6 contractors to help us serve over 1400 individuals, children and families per month. Our world has changed, and with increasing barriers and challenges for basic needs support, resettlement services, navigation for many systems that feel broken, mental health and addiction resources, as well as home support, we remain focused on meeting the needs of our community. Calgary’s rental vacancy rate remains below 3% and the cost of living is challenging for most.
In welcoming the new year, we extend our heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones for a sweet and joyful Rosh Hashanah. May this year be filled with health, happiness, and prosperity.
Warm regards,
Roxanne Droppo, MA, RSW
Executive Director
JFSC
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Lesley Machon - JFSC's New Community Chaplain |
| We are thrilled to introduce Lesley Machon, our new JFSC Community Chaplain. Lesley will provide multifaith resources, comfort, grief support, and will visit people in long termcare facilities, hospitals and hospice. |
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With a master’s degree in education and more than a decade of classroom experience teaching teens and adults, Lesley’s volunteer experience at the Alberta Children's Hospital and being a part of the NODA (No One Dies Alone) program inspired her to train as a Palliative Care Chaplain. She received her certification in Thanatology to accompany those contending with end of life.
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Lesley’s experiences accompanying the dying and their loved ones has shaped her ethical sensitivity. She serves her Jewish community and beyond, especially seeking to leverage the power of the humanities and the arts to nurture people's lives and enrich their wellbeing. She cares deeply about cultivating community and creating space to process complex emotions and experiences. Passionate about interreligious and intercultural dialogue, exchange, and cooperation, Lesley can often be found exploring end-of-life rituals from the standpoint of Canada's many distinct communities.
Welcome Lesley, we are incredibly grateful to have this very important role powered by Calgary Jewish Federation.
Lesley can be reached by emailing lesleym@jfsc.org |
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Cafe Europa 2024
Almost 130 Holocaust Survivors, support staff and family caregivers enjoyed the 4th Annual Café Europa luncheon on Thursday September 19, at the Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre. Attendees were treated to a lovely meal, music and dancing. But what they treasure the most from these events are the connections, shared stories and friendships.
Many Holocaust Survivors may not get out very often anymore, but this event is so special that they make a concerted effort to attend. Everyone dresses up for the occasion and they arrive excited to see their friends, and to meet new ones. The room is buzzing as everyone mills about visiting.
The stories that emerge from this event are powerful. People reconnect after decades. Friends who, as children before the war, grew up in the same city, neighborhood, or even apartment building, are reunited. Some see each other fairly regularly; some wait for this annual opportunity to connect.
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The event is about the Holocaust Survivors, but it’s also about the dedicated JFSC staff and Support Workers who care so deeply. The love, friendship and gratitude that permeates the room is infectious. Survivors vocalize their gratitude for the support they receive, allowing them to age in place for as long as they can. Staff care deeply for the Survivors, are passionate in their work, and take pride in making this event, and all their connections with Survivors, special and meaningful.
Cafe Europa events are about enabling connection, and are held worldwide, supported by Claims Conference. Events include luncheons, dances, talks, and community events for Holocaust Survivors. Cafe Europa was a café in Stockholm, Sweden, where survivors would meet after the war to try to find family and friends.
We are grateful for the generous financial support of Claims Conference, our partner in improving the quality of life for Holocaust survivors.
We thank Rabbi Ilana Krygier Lapides, the Carriage House and their staff, and the Clicquot Trio and Adam Brousseau for making this such a special day. |
JFSC's Claims Conference Team |
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JFSC Now a Service Provider Under the Alberta Blue Cross Client Directed Home Care Program |
We are now a Service Provider under the Alberta Blue Cross Client Directed Home Care Program. This government Program supports people of all ages with their personal and home care needs.
Services are based on an AHS Home Care Assessment and can include personal care, housekeeping support and respite care.
To receive services under this program
- you must be an Alberta resident with a valid health care card.
- you meet the requirements determined by an Alberta Health Services Case Manager.
To request an assessment, call 811. For more information about the program follow this link. |
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Our 2024/25 JFSC Board of Directors |
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Board Chair – Will Katz
Vice Chair – Denis Levandovsky
Secretary – Bev Silverstone
Treasurer – Sean Christopher
Gil Dawson
Yanna Inhaber
Jennifer MacKenzie
Dan Merson
Zakeana Reid
Aliza Sarian
Michael Trakshinsky
Lisa Yellin
Amanda Zalmanowitz
We thank retired Board members Paul Chisholm, Monique Minvielle and June Mo for their contributions! |
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Our Journey Together - Impact Report 2023/2024 |
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With our dedicated team of 110 staff members and 111 volunteers, JFSC is a hub of activity with ringing phones, meetings, clients seeking support, food hamper delivery, workshops and seminars. Through our partnerships and collaborations with other agencies, organizations, and government bodies, we strive for innovation, continuous improvement, and ensuring that our services remain relevant and effective.
“My senior mother was connected with JFSC after a recent hospital discharge. One of the staff there is absolutely incredible. She is a shining example of social work done right. She advocated for my mother with so much compassion and was able to secure new housing for her, as well as assist with some heavy bureaucratic elements to reduce some major barriers she has been facing. JFSC has been life changing (and life saving) for her. What an amazing organization making real impact in the community.” – Deborah K.
Our outcomes tell our story.
Last year we saw:
- 2114 individuals, children and families received support through 13 Programs.
- 348% increase in the number of clients served since 2020.
- 100% of clients “feel they are treated with dignity and respect.”
- 104,370 hours of outreach support
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New Programs: Money Matters & Tech Safe |
Money Matters (MM$)
We are one of three Calgary agencies partnering with Momentum Calgary to offer Money Matters (MM$), a financial administration program. This program works with adults living with mental health and/or substance use challenges to increase their personal financial management skills with the goal of ensuring sustainable independent living.
More information on this program can be found on our website or call us at 403-287-3510.
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Tech Safe
“When should I not click on a link?” “How much information should I share over the internet?” “How can I tell if an email is suspicious?” “I don’t remember my passwords”, “Have I been hacked?”
Our new Tech Safe program is designed to support technologically inexperienced seniors with group and one-on-one support with their devices, to better understand technology, their personal devices and how to avoid being subject to scams or financial exploitation.
For more information call 403-287-3510.
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A Tribute to Dr. Ruth Westheimer and her work as an Alzheimer's Caregiving Authority
Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
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Dr. Ruth Westheimer passed away at 96 years old on July 12, 2024, having lived a rich and diversified life. Born in Germany, Dr. Ruth lost her family in the Holocaust, and she emigrated to British Controlled Mandatory Palestine after the war, becoming a sniper in the Haganah. Severely wounded in action, she began her educational journey, and eventually earned her doctorate at Columbia University as a Behavioral Therapist. A pop icon, media star and best-selling author, Dr. Ruth was well known for being a ‘Sexpert’, and in her later years, as an Alzheimer’s Caregiving Authority.
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| In October 2021, we had the opportunity to virtually host Dr. Ruth Westheimer in “Coping Through Challenging Times”, as part of our Speaker Series. Together with moderator Dave Kelly, Dr. Ruth entertained and inspired us as she spoke about her lived experiences and talked about building resilience to cope during challenging times. She also provided health-guided coping and self care strategies and advice for caregivers looking after loved ones with dementia. |
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Dr. Ruth’s work on supporting caregivers will live on through her book “Dr Ruth's Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver: How to Care for your Loved One without Getting Overwhelmed…and without Doing It All Yourself.” A description of this book and other books available for loan through JFSC’s Library for Caregivers are on our website.
As our demographic ages, the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia is growing. |
Aging in place is a priority for many seniors, and there is a growing number of family/unpaid caregivers of seniors needing support as needs and care requirements grow. With one in six Albertans currently aged 65+, stress and caregiver burnout are becoming more prevalent in caregivers without support.
Have you found yourself in a caregiving role and are feeling alone, struggling to cope? Our Caregiver Support Programs assist caregivers with resource navigation, coping strategies and self care through education, group sessions and individual counselling.
Our Memory Care Program is another resource for both caregivers and their loved ones with memory issues. In-home visits can provide some caregiver respite while trained volunteers build relationships and offer individually designed activities for cognitive, physical, social, and emotional support.
More information: JFSC Caregiver Support Programs and Library for Caregivers
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Fall 2024 Monthly Drop-In Caregiver Discussions Groups
New specialized groups for caregivers
Are you a caregiver of a senior and/or a person living with dementia? Our free, drop-in Caregiver Discussions groups, facilitated by a registered social worker from JFSC’s Caregiver Support Program.
These groups are a space for caregivers of seniors and/or persons living with dementia to exchange caregiving and coping strategies and resources. Pre-Registration is required – please call 403-287-3510.
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Age Friendly Calgary
Age Friendly Calgary is a collaborative initiative between The City of Calgary, senior serving organizations and community minded Calgarians, to take into consideration the needs of older adults when making decisions. JFSC is part of this initiative.
For more information, resources for seniors and older adults, and to subscribe to their newsletter, click here.
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Life & Legacy
As a Community Partner of the LIFE & LEGACY Program, we are excited to announce that, as of September 2024, we have received 75 letters of intent from generous supporters!
Legacy giving supports our Calgary Jewish community and ensures donors’ values, experiences, and priorities are passed on from generation to generation.
You too can create a legacy at JFSC with a gift in your will, retirement account or life insurance policy.
Are you interested in learning more about the LIFE & LEGACY program? Call Lynn at 403-692-6395, email her at lynnt@jfsc.org or fill out a Letter of Intent.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Marni Besser
When Marni Besser is asked what she would say to someone considering volunteering in their community, her answer is “You will get so much more back than you give.” And give is what Marni does.
A volunteer in JFSC’s ESL Program, Marni Besser selflessly works to help clients improve their English, giving them opportunities to meet people, socialize, build a community, and have fun learning together. Her enthusiasm and boundless energy to roll up her sleeves and get involved is inspiring.
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Marni’s mother taught her about the importance of giving back to the community. A nurse by profession, she began her career in Ontario. With her father experiencing early onset Alzheimer's, she was motivated to help people in similar situations. In 1980 Marni started the National Alzheimer's Society of Canada, something she considers to be the volunteer achievement of which she is most proud of.
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Marni is a true force in every community she has lived in. Volunteering for numerous causes over the years in Ontario, BC and now Calgary, Marni’s volunteer experiences span from the National Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, working in the downtown East side of Vancouver (Main and Hastings), President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Vancouver Jewish Family Service Food Bank, Inn From The Cold, Calgary Chevra Kadisha, Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta, Na’amat Calgary Canada, Montefiore Institute (Little Synagogue) Heritage Park and minyan captain at the Beth Tzedec synagogue. For more than 10 years, Marni has also provided education on fighting human trafficking.
We met with her to ask her a few questions:
How has volunteering impacted your own personal/professional development?
Meeting people from different environments and understanding where they have come from helps me with my own communication.
What is the best thing about volunteering with JFSC clients?
I love getting to know the clients and giving useful help and support.
What do you hope JFSC will achieve in the near future?
I hope JFSC will continue providing these valuable programs.
Can you share an example of a positive experience you have had with JFSC?
Working in JFSC’s ESL Program, birthday celebrations involve celebratory cakes. Traditionally, the birthday person supplied their own cake and this person brought in in a seven-layer birthday cake. When I asked how long it took to make it, the woman replied, “not long, only three days.”
Marni’s cake story goes to how she feels about dedicating her time to volunteer. Not only does it make her feel good, but like the three days of labour going into the cake, lending her valuable time to causes she feels strongly about is pleasure, not work.
We are grateful to have Marni Besser as part of JFSC’s volunteer team! |
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Volunteering helps others, brings people together, and can provide meaning and purpose. At JFSC we have an ongoing need for volunteers across 13 programs. Below are some upcoming opportunities that are in addition to our ongoing volunteer needs:
- November 7, 2024, 10:30am at the new JFSC offices, a volunteer workshop on: “Building New Relationships and Communication Techniques”.
- Early - mid December - volunteers needed for Seniors Secret Service deliveries.
- January 1 & 2, 2025 – Casino volunteers needed for all positions and shifts.
Sign up today! Contact Sarah at volunteer@jfsc.org, or call 403-287-3523.
A full list of our volunteer opportunities are on our website.
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A Heartfelt Thank You to Everyone Who Made the 9th Annual Martin, Staniloff & Thal Charity Golf Classic a Major Success! |
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It’s a wrap! We would like to extend a huge shoutout to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers and golfers who made the 9th Annual Martin, Staniloff and Thal Charity Classic Golf Tournament a roaring success. We extend a very special thank you to our ongoing tournament sponsors: Larry Martin, Marc Staniloff and Harvey Thal, we are grateful for your continued support!
Together we are Driving Change for a Better World. Your support makes it possible for us to provide the critical services and resources that so many families in our community rely on.
View this year’s golf slide show
Save the date for next year – Thursday August 14, 2025.
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Congratulations to our First-Place Team!
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