For the Giving Back issue of the Jewish Living Delaware Magazine, several of our volunteers reflected on why they give back and the impact that volunteering has had on them and the lives of those they serve. Len Dwares shares his thoughts below.

When JFS asked for volunteers to teach English to Ukrainian refugees I immediately thought of my grandfather operating a grocery store for about 50 years without speaking English fluently. He and about 95% of his customers spoke Yiddish. In fact, he kept all of his financial records in Yiddish. He didn’t need anything else.

I thought how many people in Wilmington speak and read Ukrainian? The language is different and the alphabet is much different. I thought that even though I have no formal educational training, I could help someone settle into Wilmington. I do have 22 years of experience as a professor at University of Delaware, teaching accounting, but it’s completely different than teach English and being an accountant for many years I didn’t even have to do a lesson plan.

I started by teaching my student the ABC’s. He is a very bright student and picked that up quickly. He reads very well, but in speaking with him he didn’t understand what he was reading so I decided to teach him every day things that would help him adjust. I began by teaching him street signs in English. They are similar to the ones in Ukraine but he has to learn them in English. I don’t know how much it helped, but he recently received his drivers license! And then I taught him every day things such as family names, clothes, schools, money, and other things he would see every day. He now has a job, and I hope I am helping him get through the early stages of his being in this country. I explained to him that English is very difficult and it takes a long time to learn it.

This program by JFS is something that my grandfather never had and maybe never needed. I think it is very important now.

If you would like to volunteer with JFS Delaware and make a difference in the lives of those we serve, click here. You can also donate to JFS Delaware here.

For the Giving Back issue of the Jewish Living Delaware Magazine, several of our volunteers reflected on why they give back and the impact that volunteering has had on them and the lives of those they serve. Michele Weiner shares her thoughts below.

In his book The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, Gary Chapman presents five ways through which we can choose to express love in all kinds of relationships: words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, receiving gifts, and acts of service. The secret is to match the language or the way of expressing love to fit the occasion or the mission, or the needs of the loved one.

In my relationships with others who are beyond or outside of my personal sphere, it feels good and right to choose the language of service. Making the conscious choice to love through assisting others who need and want assistance along their life journeys and then engaging in acts of volunteerism ennobles my soul. The choice and the action demonstrate what it means to be created in the image of G-d. As we, the Jewish nation, enslaved in Egypt and living as strangers in a strange land, were redeemed through G-d’s choice, we, too, can make the choice to assist others as they take their journeys to greater freedom and prosperity.

In the Torah we are instructed and commanded multiple times to care for strangers and refugees since we were once strangers, and, certainly more than once, were refugees. The Torah asks me to learn to feel and express empathy through acts of service for those who are estranged and in need. I am asked, I am commanded, to speak this language of love.

I have chosen to support JFS Delaware in its efforts to resettle refugees because I am able to play a small part in JFS’s mission to welcome the stranger and because it is an opportunity for me to expand my capacity to love others unconditionally through the language of service.

If you would like to volunteer with JFS Delaware and make a difference in the lives of those we serve, click here. You can also donate to JFS Delaware here. To view the Give Back article in Jewish Living Delaware, click here.

For the Giving Back issue of the Jewish Living Delaware Magazine, several of our volunteers reflected on why they give back and the impact that volunteering has had on them and the lives of those they serve. Ruth Newman shares her thoughts below.

As I reflect back on this past year of 5783, it stands out to me that one of my most important and personally rewarding endeavors has been the work I have done in tutoring English with a Ukrainian refugee!

It was Basherte that just as I was thinking that I needed to do more to assist Ukrainian refugees, the opportunity to tutor through JFS Delaware presented itself during a meeting of the Jewish Community Group where I live!

As someone who has retired from a long career as a teacher, it was a perfect fit for me to be able to continue teaching, and to branch out into a new area of teaching. I have learned, though, that you need not have experience in the education field to do this work. Jewish Family Services partners with Literacy Delaware, who provides a wonderful training program along with learner assessments and tutoring materials! The hours can be very flexible, and there are options for virtual tutoring.

I look forward each week to working with my learner, who as it turns out, is from an area in Ukraine not all that far from where my father was born. This experience gives me more understanding of the refugee/immigrant hardships and challenges that many of our ancestors and others faced. The learner with whom I work is truly inspiring in her motivation to learn English and help her family adjust to life in the United States, while holding close to thoughts and connections with family members still in Ukraine. I am amazed by her fortitude and pleasantness in the face of all that she and other Ukrainian refugees have been enduring. I am so glad to be able to help her learn English and better understand some aspects of American life.

The support from JFS Delaware has been great, as has been the support from Literacy Delaware. I always feel that there is someone to answer questions and address any issues that arise!

As I look forward to 5784, I wholeheartedly plan to continue with this tutoring work! I would highly recommend that anyone who thinks they might have an interest in tutoring, contact Jewish Family Services of Delaware. I understand that the need for tutors is great!

If you would like to volunteer with JFS Delaware and make a difference in the lives of those we serve, click here. You can also donate to JFS Delaware here. To view the Give Back article in Jewish Living Delaware, click here.

For the Giving Back issue of the Jewish Living Delaware Magazine, several of our volunteers reflected on why they give back and the impact that volunteering has had on them and the lives of those they serve. Michele and Reuben Yarmus share their thoughts below.

We heard JFS Delaware Community Relations Manager Vlad speak at the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington and listened with great interest to Vlad’s personal story. His country of origin was the same as that of one of our parents, and their journeys shared many common threads. We were immediately drawn to the idea of volunteer service in support of JFS and most notably their work with refugee populations. Our interest in refugees is attributable to lifelong study of diverse languages and cultures, including years spent traveling and living abroad, to decades of involvement with immigrant populations as career educators and to the challenges experienced by our own families as members of the Jewish diaspora.

Our contributions have been small, but it has been a privilege to be involved. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer and we are filled with respect and admiration for the caring and loving interactions that we have witnessed at every event. Volunteering at JFS Delaware has had a positive impact on us, giving us more than we have given, including treasured moments of purpose, inspiration, and joy!


If you would like to volunteer with JFS Delaware and make a difference in the lives of those we serve, click here. You can also donate to JFS Delaware here. To view the Give Back article in Jewish Living Delaware, click here.

For the Giving Back issue of the Jewish Living Delaware Magazine, several of our volunteers reflected on why they give back and the impact that volunteering has had on them and the lives of those they serve. Miriam Sigler shares her thoughts below.

When I was 15 and visiting cousins in Israel, my uncle hatched the idea of camping through Europe. My aunt and five cousins loaded up their VW bus onto a ship in Haifa and disembarked in Greece. Weeks later, we were in France.

Gratitude does not come close to describing that experience. Travel is fun when you know you’ll be returning home. It accelerates your learning and gives you a deep appreciation of other cultures. Travel is frightening when you have fled an untenable situation, have no certainty where you’ll wind up, whether you’ll be separated from family, or whether you’ll be safer than where you came from.

So, I give back because I am beyond grateful. Not having to want for food, shelter or love is something all humans deserve but not all have.

I can’t solve forced migration, but I can be a part of the solution. In 2012, HIASPA invited me to be its liaison for congregational support. I educate my congregants on the need for safe refuge, and how to support this effort. HIASPA is an affiliate of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which is the oldest refugee resettlement agency in the USA.

In 2016, I joined Jewish Family Services of Delaware’s Refugee Integration Support Effort (RISE). Through a partnership with Literacy Delaware, I taught English to African refugees and helped with resume writing, financial literacy, setting up passwords, and connecting clients to transportation.

In early 2020, I was selected as a Spanish interpreter for the HIAS Border Fellows program. I interpret between asylum seekers and lawyers. A particularly detailed case involving a Honduran family fleeing gang violence reminded me that my problems are tame.

My grandfathers escaped ethnic cleansing in Russia and Poland, making it possible for me to live a comfortable, safe life.

So, I give back.


If you would like to volunteer with JFS Delaware and make a difference in the lives of those we serve, click here. You can also donate to JFS Delaware here. To view the Give Back article in Jewish Living Delaware, click here.

Written by: Yulia Watters, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Owner of Finist and the Owl, JFS Volunteer

The war that continues to ravage the country of Ukraine has led to the massive displacement experienced by a multitude of Ukrainian families. Who are these families? What do we know about their culture? How we can help Ukrainians become accustomed to life in the US and become integrated into our communities?

  1. How many Ukrainians are in the US? The US, so far, has welcomed about 2,000 Ukrainian citizens (Statista, 2023). The displaced individuals are mostly women, around 45 years old, with an average of 2.4 people per household.
  2. What language do Ukrainians speak? Ukrainian people can speak Ukrainian, Russian, or both, depending on their geographical location in Ukraine, as well as on their age (people who grew up during the USSR will tend to know Russian, since it was mandatory at the time).
  3. What countries border Ukraine? The country borders Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Moldova and Romania to the southwest; and Russia to the east. The total geographic area of Ukraine is 233,100 square miles, just a little smaller than the State of Texas
  4. What program helps Ukrainian Refugees arrive in the US? Uniting for Ukraine is a program developed by the Biden Administration which allows Ukrainians a temporary stay for up to two years in the US. Ukrainian refugees must have a US sponsor who commits to taking full financial responsibility for the duration of their stay in the US. For many Ukrainians and US citizens, it means living with their distant relatives or acquaintances; some supporters are volunteers who responded and welcomed people whom they might have met for the first time in their lives.
  5. What is the immigration status of Ukrainian refugees in the US? The social status of Ukrainian refugees is not always clear since refugee status is only active for two years in the US. Some Ukrainians are not planning on becoming permanent residents, which makes the adaptation much more difficult.
  6. What is the demographic makeup of Ukrainian families that were displaced? The UNHCR reports a majority of Ukrainians (80%) is planning to return home as soon as possible. Approximately 70% have completed college degrees and about 65% were employed or self-employed in Ukraine. Most of the Ukrainian refugees are women since men are not allowed to leave the country due to the mandatory military draft.
  7. What are the most common stressors experienced by the Ukrainian refugees? It is important to consider that only a minority of Ukrainian refugees could afford an expensive trip to the US. For economic and cultural reasons, most of the displacement happened either within Ukraine itself, to Russia (due to the fact that there a lot of family ties between the two nations), and to Eastern Europe (because of the geographic proximity). Therefore, people that were able to come to the US were relatively affluent in Ukraine, holding good jobs and earning good salaries. By choosing to come to America, they often lost their privileged positions and had to leave behind their life’s work and all of their possessions obtained as a result of that work. In addition to the traumatic effects of war or being in a war zone, one should not underestimate yet another traumatic effect of resettlement, when refugees are facing a whole new world with a completely new values, traditions, and way of living. The cultural shock and the feeling of uncertainty that accompany any new situation contribute to the increase stress among the newcomers.
  8. What additional factors contribute to adapting to life in the US? Difficulties connected to the differences in cultural and social expectations between American and Ukrainian societies and among refugees and their sponsors often contribute to additional issues pertaining to adaptation and the acculturation process. Differences might evolve around dissimilar dietary habits, expectations pertaining to the household chores and daily routines, views on education, and values around money spending. These issues, compounded with longing for home, for familiar taste and smells can make the adjustment to living in the US challenging.
  9. How can I help? Even though the war made it difficult for many to remain in their homes; it does not mean that refugees are necessarily looking forward to changing their values or outlook on life. One approach that can go a long way in assisting refugees with adapting to their new living circumstances is by adopting a position of “respectful curiosity”, providing space to allow Ukrainian refugees the opportunity to tell you their stories. You can learn that even small differences, unbeknownst to you, can have a major impact on living in a strange new land, and a small gesture can touch someone’s heart in a very impactful way. By asking more questions you can open door for new understanding and new connection, which can be a start of a fulfilling relationship, and at the same time helping the newcomers in adjusting to their new way of life.
  10. How can I assist? My first encounter with Ukrainian refugees happened through Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Delaware. While none of the Ukrainians coming to Delaware were Jewish, the organization’s mission is to assist any person experiencing displacement. A JFS program manager contacted me asking for my help, as it appeared that I am the only Russian-speaking licensed family therapist in Delaware. Since the beginning of the war, the thought that any human being is living through a situation of deprivation, fear, and imminent threat of death never left me, pushing me to find ways to be involved in helping the civilian population that has to face the war on a daily basis, personally or through their loved ones. If you know of any Ukrainian person who would like to have a psychological assistance of a Russian-speaking therapist, I am here to help. In addition, my dream is to provide a safe space for a cultural connection among people from different walks of life, religion affiliations, and sexual orientations. With this idea in mind, I opened doors of my independent bookstore, Finist and the Owl, on April 22, 2023. The store has books in English, French, and Russian, and several rooms set up for children of different ages as well as some books for adults. I am hoping that this artistic space can provide solace and nourish souls for people facing the necessity to flee the country they love and for their generous hosts. Everyone is welcome to the store and I hope the experience will be regenerating.

 


If you would like to volunteer with JFS Delaware and make a difference in the lives of refugees, click here. You can also donate to JFS Delaware here.

Written by: Betsy Price, Delaware Live 

The Brandywine Festival of the Arts returns to Brandywine Park for its 62nd year this weekend — Sept. 9 and 10 — for its largest show with 250 artisans and 16 food vendors.

The featured artist will be Edwin Lester, a self-taught painter who brings a sophisticated and technically advanced style of realism to his figurative and atmospheric paintings.

The Philadelphia native has exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation. His painting, “Worn But Not Out,” is on the cover of the 2023 U.S. Civil Rights Trail Travel Guide.

But the heart-warming story of the festival will belong to Oksana Pivush, a 47-year-old Ukrainian who left that country six months ago.

Pivush’s new life

Oksana Pivush

She knows little English and relied on the Jewish Family Services to help her settle into an apartment in downtown Wilmington and get a full-time job as a housekeeper at the Hyatt on the Riverfront.

She uses her mobile phone to translate conversations to help her cope with a new country, home and job.

Somewhere along the line, she told her JFS mentor Dr. Lanny Edelsohn that she made and sold jewelry in Ukraine and showed him samples of her work.

He took them to Barry Schlecker, who runs the festival, and Barry offered her a booth at the festival for no charge. Schlecker then introduced Pivush to jewelrymaker Faith Rosenblatt, who is loaning Pivush display materials to set up her booth.

Using short sentences, which are easier to translate, Pivush said Tuesday via Facebook Messenger that she is grateful to Jewish Family Services and Edelsohn for helping her get settled and involved with the Brandywine Festival of the Arts.

She’s always been crafty. As a child, her mom had taught her how to knit and crochet. Pivush grew up making clothes for herself and others.

Then Pivush’s own 10-year-old daughter bought her a book about beading and asked her mom to teach her how to weave bracelets.

“First I had to learn to do it myself, then teach my daughter, who quickly lost interest in it, ” she wrote. “I am very enthusiastic about this craft. After a while I started making bracelets from shoelaces and began to go out to sell it in my city. People were buying.”

Pivush became interested in embroidery and decided to combine microembroidery and knitting to make children’s toys.

“So my skills and hobbies increased,” she said. “I got great pleasure from the fact that I could do it and that people liked it. I started to improve my skills. After a while I quit my job and started doing only needlework.”

The town she lived in is more than 1,000 years old and the site of an ancient castle, she said.

“Near the castle I used to sell my handicrafts to visiting tourists and residents of this city,” she said. “My hobby turned into a small business.”

She was doing it for more than 1o years when the war with Russia broke out.

“Of course, there were no more tourists. People started fleeing the country, especially from the regions that were heavily bombed,” she said. ” There were only refugees in our town, mostly those who had fled to the EU countries. A very beautiful, rich and actively developing country began to turn into a depressing one. People’s incomes began to decrease sharply and prices began to rise dramatically. It became very difficult to live.”

Pivush decided to move to the United States. She packed a few essentials, some finished products and materials for her work.

“And I went to meet my destiny on the other side of the world, alone with a small dog, who is my friend, companion and psychologist,” she said.

Once here, Pivush created a new store on Etsy in hopes it would gain momentum. She had to get a job to pay her rent, which leaves little time for her jewelry and toy business.

“But I hope that in the future I will be able to develop my small business of creating handmade jewelry here,” she said. “I really believe and hope that this festival will help me move forward in this direction. It is a huge incentive for me to keep creating and making new jewelry.”

She puts a lot of love into every piece she creates, she wrote.

“And when people like it, when they wear it with pleasure, it gives me energy and I become even happier,” she said.

Brandywine tradition

Pivush will be among the painters, photographers, jewelry makers, ceramicists, woodcrafters and fabric artists from the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Virginia, Florida and the Midwest.

In addition to art and food, the event features music, children’s activities and pet-adoption opportunities.

As many as 15,000 people visit the festival, held every year on the banks of the Brandywine River.

The event is timed not only to mark the transition from summer to fall but also to signal peak season for home redecorating and the early purchase of holiday gifts.

Schlecker says the festival team has put added emphasis this year on expanding and diversifying food and snack options. This year’s offerings include Asian fusion, vegetarian, BBQ, soul food, chicken, seafood, ice cream, water ice, kettle corn, caramel and honey treats.

Musicians from OperaDelaware will perform on Saturday and Sunday.

Brandywine Park is at 1001 N. Park Drive, opposite the Brandywine Zoo. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be available at Incyte, 1801 Augustine Cutoff.

The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Admission is $5 per day, with children 12 and under accompanied by an adult admitted free. Friendly pets on leashes are welcome at the festival and on the shuttle buses.

For more information, go to brandywinearts.com or facebook.com/brandywinearts.

Written by: Michael, Director of Clinical Services

Over the past decade, significant attention has been given to the topic of mindfulness. The Nations schools have developed mindfulness programs to assist students achieve. Mindfulness has made an appearance in the clinical world in the form of mindfulness-based therapies. However, the question remains, how does one develop a mindfulness-based practice and cultivate attitudes that are fundamental in the practice of mindfulness? Below are the seven key components that are the foundation to any mindfulness-based practice:

1. Non-Judging

When beginning a mindfulness practice your thoughts will wander. Many thoughts may flood your mind, such as future commitments, family, and work. That is perfectly fine and to be expected. There is no need to judge yourself for this. You are developing a “practice” and like any new skill, mindfulness will take time to develop. If the mind begins to wander, simply focus on your breathing as an anchor. This is a perfect opportunity to treat yourself with loving kindness and simply return your attention to the breath.

2. Patience

As is in life, things will develop at their own pace. Developing patience with ourselves and with our mind allows us to be open to the present moment. Enjoy the journey of mindfulness practice. We need not rush to the finish line. We are exactly where we need to be.

3. Beginners Mind

As best you can, view the present moment with clear eyes. Often, we allow our past, our beliefs, our expectations of what life should be, and our personal preferences to cloud the present moment. See the present moment with the eyes of a beginner, as if you are a newborn seeing the world for the first time.

4. Trust

Frequently our world gives us messages to not trust ourselves. We seek external validation and over time are taught to ignore our inner voice. Part of the mindfulness meditation process is to begin to turn inwards and trust ourselves and begin to listen to our inner voice. This process allows us to reconnect with our core self. A self that is often lost in the world.

5. Non-Striving

In mindfulness meditation one should develop an attitude of “non-doing.” This can be challenging. We are taught to have goals and that our actions should have a purpose and lead us to our goals. When we meditate, we need not strive for anything. We don’t need to strive to be a meditation master. The art is to hold our attention and awareness in the present moment exactly as the present moment is. Try your best not to shift to a goal setting perspective. Simply allow the experience to be as it is.

6. Acceptance

It is difficult to let things be as they are, especially if we are attached deeply to a different outcome. We may try to change the situation to be more desirable or to produce a more acceptable outcome. However, when we accept the current moment for exactly what it is, we are able to open up our awareness fully to the present moment.

7. Letting Go

During meditation you may notice that your mind wants to hold on to thoughts, feelings, and inner experiences. This is completely normal and natural. Part of mindfulness is to allow ourselves to not get caught in the cycle of grasping. As best we can, we can give ourselves permission to let go of these sensations and rest the mind in the present moment without distraction, attachment, or aversion.


Michael Angelo, LPCMH, CADC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health, serving as an Outpatient Therapist and Director of Clinical Services for JFS Delaware. His treatment approach is person-centered and utilizes mindfulness based cognitive techniques. Michael has over twenty years of experience working with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.

As Clinical Supervisor, Michael leads JFS’ clinical team in group supervision and manages efforts to streamline clinical processes, trainings, and documentation; he is responsible for ensuring the quality of JFS’ therapeutic service to meet the highest industry standards.

Start your therapy journey today by submitting an online intake form or contact our Intake Department at 302-478-9411 ext. 306

Let’s meet Kathie!

Kathie is an Oncology Social Worker with Cancer Care Connection, an affiliate of JFS Delaware. She has over 10 years of clinical experience serving the community and supporting individuals and caregivers impacted by cancer and other life stressors. Kathie’s prior work experience includes supporting clients who are managing and coping with depression and anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and adjustment to planned and unplanned life transitions. Kathie practices from a collaborative, strengths-based and person-centered perspective.

Why did you decide to work for Cancer Care Connection?

“After completing graduate school to begin a second career in social work, Cancer Care Connection’s advertisement for a social worker intrigued me. During my own cancer experience, there was very little attention paid to the psychosocial impact of cancer on one’s life. Later, while working in human resources, I witnessed the bio-psycho-social impact and distress that adult and childhood cancers had on my colleagues’ hearts and souls – whether they were patients, parents, family, or caregivers.”

What inspires you to come to work every day?

“My incredible colleagues and knowing we can provide a bit of relief to patients or their families and/or caregivers.”

What is the best part of your job?

“I deeply value the opportunity to provide a safe space for “unhurried conversations,” allowing patients and caregivers to voice their hopes, concerns, and frustrations to a non-judgmental professional. Witnessing the relief that listening, coaching about stress reduction tools, and providing pragmatic resources, when possible, is a privilege.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I used to be terrified of dogs, but since our son came home from college with a huge Great Dane/Lab mix, I love them. Since then, we’ve had three big dogs. Exposure therapy at work?”

If you could go anywhere in the world for your next vacation, where would you go? Why?

“On a road trip with my bestie searching out independent bookstores, fabric and yarn stores, and Airbnbs near water where we can read, relax, laugh, and rejuvenate.

Why? Time is short and we’ve worked long and hard!”

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

“An English professor or nurse.”

What is one food you could eat every day?

“Embarrassing but true: Mashed potatoes – with butter!”

What is the last show you binged?

Ted Lasso – favorite line is “Be curious, not judgmental.”

What is the best book you ever read?

“Again, more than one answer! The Color Purple, by Alice Walker and Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.”

What are you most thankful for you in your life right now?

“In addition to my family, friends, and colleagues – being semi-retired and not having to rush in the morning!”


Cancer Care Connection, an affiliate of JFS Delaware, helps people affected by cancer navigate the full range of the issues they face, make informed decisions, and take action on their own behalf. Oncology Social Workers provide professional coaching, personalized information, and resource connections so every person affected by cancer can obtain their best possible outcome. Learn more and get started here.

We here at JFS Delaware would not be able to fulfill our mission to strengthen individuals, families, and the community without the help of our incredible volunteers. One of those amazing volunteers is Gail. Let’s get to know Gail!

Why did you decide to volunteer for JFS?

“I’ve never stopped being motivated by the idea that saving one life is the same as saving all.  In this instance,  I was inspired by my lifetime friend, Beverly Shreve, who found out about this need in resettling refugee families in DE.”

What is the best part of volunteering?

“The knowledge that you helped someone achieve something they couldn’t have done on their own….making the possible a reality.”

Would you recommend volunteering for JFS? Why?

“Yes! The need is universal and never ending and you can find a need that fits your time/talent/treasure/resources.”

What is a fun fact about you?

“I have four grandchildren and one more on the way and they are all right here in the Wilmington area!”

If you could go anywhere in the world for your next vacation, where would you go? Why?

Canada. It’s a bit of an inside family joke that I have never taken my children (now grown of course) on a trip to Canada, whereas they have been to Asia, Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, Central and South America…and mostly on their own!”

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

“A bank president.”

What is one food you could eat every day?

“Chocolate!”

What is the last show you binged?

Jack Ryan.”

What is the best book you ever read?

The Man Who Was Magic, by Paul Gallico. Given to me by a friend in college, it made me realize that I really do believe in magic and often you make the magic yourself.”

What are you most thankful for you in your life right now?

“I am endlessly grateful that my grown children and their families and my mother all live within a 10-mile radius of each other. If there ever was a need, we could literally walk to find each other and be together, which I find importantly reassuring.”

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Our work is made possible by dedicated volunteers like YOU! Volunteers supplement the professional, clinical care provided by JFS by fostering a sense of community, building relationships, and extending your skills and kindness to older adults, refugees, and other clients of JFS. Click here to apply to be a volunteer for JFS.

About JFS Delaware

Jewish Family Services of Delaware is a place where all members of our community can receive help and support to overcome life’s challenges and cope with difficult situations. JFS is committed to providing the highest quality services available in our area, with compassion and respect for everyone. Our mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and the community by providing counseling and support services, based on Jewish values. To stay up-to-date on the latest news from JFS, sign up for our newsletter by submitting your e-mail at the bottom of the page.