Jewish Family Service of Rockland County, Inc.

JFS Sponsors Holiday Parties for ARC Group Home Residents

ARC approached JFS about a collaborative project a couple of years earlier that finally bloomed in 2002. An enthusiastic JFS reached further into the Jewish community inviting area synagogues to join in on the project. Sylvia Kaufman, JFS Executive Director stated "Working with ARC of Rockland fits in perfectly with our mission – to provide for the social and emotional welfare of individuals and families, with particular sensitivity to the needs of the Jewish Family and to strengthen, preserve and enhance the quality of individual and family life in a manner consistent with Jewish values, and to make our services available without regard to race, religion, ethic origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability." Robert Goldstein, Community Director of Residential Life at ARC and their coordinator of the collaborative project said, "This is a way of opening doors in the community and providing individuals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to enrich their lives and the lives of others." Mr. Goldstein and the JFS Outreach Committee, chaired by Marsha Forman, worked together to match local synagogues with specific ARC residences and got the ball rolling. Ms. Forman, who was coordinating JFS’ efforts in this project, with the assistance of JFS board and committee members Lenny London and Leslie Goldress, reinforced that "JFS is thrilled to be involved in this effort". Volunteers are now visiting ARC residents once a month doing arts and crafts projects and helping to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions.

March 2003, JFS Sponsored Purim celebration held at Monsey Jewish Center. So far nine local synagogues have joined the project, recruiting volunteers to provide holiday activities and celebrations, home visits and synagogue inclusion for group home residents. Some of these ventures have included bringing all the ingredients for residents to help in the making of Hamantaschen, the traditional triangular Purim cookie. Residents mixed, rolled, cut, shaped and filled the dough, to the tune of Hebrew songs that played while they baked.

December 2002, JFS sponsored a Chanukah Celebration for individuals in ARC of Rockland residences. The Chanukah party was held at New City Jewish Center and featured arts and crafts activities, live music, story telling, holiday gifts and a festive meal left joy on faces of residents and volunteers alike.