(Courtesy of JFSCNJ) Union County Holocaust survivors enjoyed a Chanukah season of warmth and light as the Adopt-A-Holocaust Survivor Initiative celebrated its one-year anniversary. The program, spearheaded by JFSCNJ (Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey) Board Member Seth Huttel, has drawn over two dozen volunteers from Congregation Israel of Springfield, where he is an active member. The volunteers make visits and deliver beautifully wrapped gift packages to their paired survivors each month.
The program was initiated to foster meaningful, lasting relationships between survivors and volunteers, who act as special companions. The ongoing relationships let the survivors know that they are not forgotten. The visits are especially meaningful for those survivors who do not have family, or who have family who live far away and are unable to visit often. A volunteer’s visit can be the highlight of a survivor’s week, or even month.
Congregation Israel of Springfield volunteers have fostered special relationships over the last year, with many going above and beyond. Many have delivered balloons and gifts for a survivor’s birthday, baked a cake for a survivor who was sick to cheer them up, or brought over pizza because they knew how much their elderly friend enjoys that special treat. Volunteers have traveled a great distance to visit survivors in a rehab facility, letting them know that they are worth the schlep!
These are just a few examples displaying the dedication, care and sensitivity the volunteers display. The program recently started a new birthday initiative, where volunteers deliver a special package to their paired survivor on the month of their birthday, adding an extra level of thoughtfulness—and smiles for the recipients.
Special thanks to the following Congregation Israel of Springfield volunteer families: Agress, Babich, Bell, Blank, Bresler, Covkin, Daitch, Erez, Fried, Gerson, Gidalowitz, Huttel, Hoffer, Khaimov, Konigsberg, Levy, Pearlman, Shatashvili, Sheps, Stomel, Wizenfeld, Wittenberg, Apsan and Zeffren.
This intergenerational program recently became part of the B’Yachad Program—Bringing Communities Together, a JFSCNJ program funded by the Grotta Fund for Older Adults.
Seth Huttel coordinates the program with Debbie Rosenwein, JFSCNJ director of Holocaust programs, also a member of Congregation Israel; and Danielle McLeer, JFSCNJ director of outreach and volunteers.
Plans are currently underway to expand the program to several other Union County synagogues.
Contact Danielle McLeer, [email protected], 908-352-8375, ext. 238, or Jill Dispenza, [email protected], 908-666-7033, if you or your group are interested in this program or other volunteer opportunities at JFSCNJ.
