As of January 2022, Raquel (Rocky) Selevan added to her title director of Yachad New Jersey. Her expanded title includes executive director of Jewish Union Foundation New Jersey (JUF NJ). In this additional capacity, Selevan oversees the JUF NJ program, which has recently been incorporated into Yachad New Jersey. The communities of Teaneck, Fair Lawn, Elizabeth, Highland Park, Englewood and Passaic among others are now serviced by JUF NJ, an adult day services program that provides vocational and daily living skills to the challenged over-21 population. This OU program, which has been so successful in its other locations, joins the many other ongoing programs housed at the state-of-the-art OU building in the heart of Teaneck at 259 Cedar Lane.
Most of the existing programs for the population being served end at age 21. When these services cease, the families of these individuals must research additional programs for their adult children. In addition to the needed skills, the families want their adult family members to be surrounded by a Jewish environment that reflects their way of life and culture. Fortunately for the 22 adults currently enrolled, the newly established JUF NJ program fulfills these crucial needs. JUF NJ is the only Orthodox adult day services program in Northern New Jersey.
In July 2022, Sarah Leah Kahn-Erlichman of Teaneck was appointed Director of JUF NJ.
Erlichman earned her ED.M. in school psychology from Teachers College of Columbia University and has served as a psychologist since 2006 at Ohel Bais Ezra in Brooklyn, CPNJ Horizon Schools in Livingston, New Jersey, and Bergen Center for Child Development in Haworth, New Jersey.
Kahn-Erlichman shared: “I am excited by the opportunity to work with a fantastic team to enhance the program at JUF NJ as its new director. It feels like a natural extension of my past work experiences. I am thrilled to utilize my skills to elevate the JUF NJ Adult Day Services Program, and as a bonus I’m able to do it while working within the local Bergen County Jewish community. I am looking forward to growing in both my role and along with the JUF NJ/Yachad partnership.”
The modern and creative facilities at the JUF NJ venue in the Teaneck OU building fill the need of providing the vocational and daily living skills mandated. From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants learn daily living and vocational skills in attractively furnished mock offices, bedrooms, kitchens, grocery stores, retail spaces and stock rooms. The skills they learn run the gamut from shopping, stocking, assembling, sorting, packaging, listing, folding, cleaning and food preparation to planning, categorizing, budgeting and money allocation. For some participants, this experience translates into on-site jobs at locations including Seasons in Clifton, local Home Depots and Bed Bath & Beyond. For several, a stint at the offices of The Jewish Link was provided.
In addition to the many skills learned, a full social/emotional curriculum is presented by licensed social workers and supplemented by social work interns. The facility also houses a sensory room, where participants can go to release tension and relax before resuming classes. A daily Mincha service is also provided for interested participants.
In addition to the administrators of the JUF program and highly experienced social workers, a staff of direct support professionals and job coaches are on hand daily to assist in the facility and accompany participants at their jobs. These support professionals go through a thorough training program. Selevan and Kahn-Erlichman are eager to alert the Teaneck and surrounding communities of the need for adult volunteers to join the day program and share their skills and specialties.
Specialties in art, music, occupational therapy, physical therapy, computers, drama, accounting and job coaching would be highly appreciated and valued. Retirees with time to spare are invited to add to the nurturing and positive atmosphere of the program for even an hour or two during the day.
At 4 p.m. the participants in the JUF NJ day services program have the option to remain in the building for the evening social/recreational program held Monday through Thursday. These programs are run by Yachad New Jersey’s programming department and are open to all Yachad participants. Many of the activities are held in the Mendel Balk Yachad Center lounge, which houses recreational facilities such as an air hockey machine, a dual-player basketball arcade game and a foosball table.
To learn more about all of the services and offerings of the OU Yachad NJ and JUF NJ go to www.yachad.org/newjersey or contact Raquel Selevan, director of Yachad New Jersey and executive director, JUF NJ at [email protected] or Sarah Leah Kahn-Erlichman, director of JUF NJ at [email protected]
