Jewish Family Services, a leading provider of counseling and support services throughout the state, is thrilled to announce that geriatrician, Maria D’Souza, MD, MPH, has joined the JFS team as Medical Director of an interdisciplinary team of geriatric professionals in JFS’ new program, JFS COMPASS, which will provide medical care for individuals with dementia and critical caregiver support to guide families through their journey.
Dr. Maria D’Souza brings special expertise in dementia care and caregiver support to JFS. One of only 7,500 geriatricians in the US, Dr. D’Souza participated in the development and evaluation of an innovative multidisciplinary dementia care program during a 3-year geriatrics fellowship at Duke University and previously served as Medical Director of a PACE program which enabled older adults with complex medical and social needs to continue living in their own homes. She has 15 years of experience providing holistic medical care for older adults in a variety of settings including primary care, acute hospital care, nursing facilities, assisted living, memory care units, house calls, and hospice and palliative care. ( MORE about Maria D’Souza >> )
Providing medical care for individuals with dementia and guiding families through their journey.
Our consultative medical-social approach to memory care is personalized and unique. The JFS COMPASS team is here to provide dementia-specific medical care for individuals with dementia and critical social support – including education and training – for their caregivers and family members.
Our interdisciplinary team of geriatric professionals is here to work with you and your primary care doctors. Led by Dr. Maria D’Souza, the JFS COMPASS team includes social workers, nurses, and other support staff who have extensive experience working with older adults and their families. Upon referral from your primary care physician, our geriatrician and clinical team provide ongoing co-management of dementia-related patient and caregiver needs, alongside the care your primary care physician provides.
By: Madeline Driban, JFS Development & Communications
Mindfulness has always been part of the Jewish High Holidays. It is not something extra that we add on to the traditional prayer services and fasting rituals; the meditation and movement of mindfulness – the practices of listening, paying attention, waking up to the present moment – are exactly what these Days of Awe call us to do. Our holy days remind us, with great intensity, that it is up to us to choose how we live. Are we living as our best selves? Are we living what we love, what we value most?
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (and the days surrounding these holy days) are a time for reflection, a time to evaluate past mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and set intentions for moving forward into a new year. Mindfulness teaches us to forgive ourselves and others with a reminder that we are all doing the best we can in each moment – if we could have done better, we would have. We all fall short sometimes but, rather than beating ourselves up, acknowledging our own and each other’s vulnerabilities and mistakes with compassion will lead us toward possibility and growth. In this life, we all get lost at times – we all will go astray or lead others astray – but, when we notice this and ask for guidance, we take steps toward finding or returning to our best selves. This practice of awareness and reflection is mindfulness at its core.
We like mindfulness because we regain control in our lives when things start to feel chaotic and overwhelming; we are encouraged through mindfulness to engage in a lifestyle we’ve lived and know from childhood. As children, we were completely immersed in the present moment – not only did each day consist of distinct adventures, but months felt like years and years felt like lifetimes. As adults, we have responsibilities and obligations that distract us from enjoying the present like we used to; even more, we resist being labeled “present-oriented” because it is reminiscent of our childlike tendencies… and we’re supposed to act like adults now, right? As a result, time flies by without so much a second thought. We’re always thinking about what’s around the corner (or the next ten corners) instead of enjoying the wonders under our noses.
Mindfulness allows us to feel less guilty. We can indulge in activities and behaviors we enjoy, instead of feeling obligated to reduce how often we partake in them, rush them in fear of wasting too much time, or just abandoning them altogether. Mindfulness allows us to reclaim a piece of ourselves that today’s “hurry sickness” has stolen from us – our peace, our creativity, and our relaxation can all be restored. Mindfulness allows us to reform and reclaim our identities…just as we reclaim and renew our Jewish identities in our High Holiday reflections and prayers.
In recent years, mindfulness has become something of a mainstream buzzword, but the clinical benefits of mindfulness are becoming more well-known: reduced anxiety and stress, more experiences of pleasure and joy, contentment with the present moment (rather than anxiousness about the future), improved attentional capacities and memory, more effective emotion-regulation, and greater compassion towards oneself and others. Mindfulness practices are more diverse and accessible than ever. We can find new forms of mindfulness emerging everywhere we turn, whether it’s visiting a yoga studio, enjoying the sounds and smells and sights of nature, meditating or praying in a religious setting, or exploring more specific techniques in therapy; mindfulness practices can be tailored to fit your needs, whatever they may be. The secret is finding the method that works for you. This can be tricky but, just as it’s okay to admit to mistakes and vulnerability, it’s more than acceptable to seek help getting started in your mindfulness practice.
As this Jewish New Year begins and we reach out to make amends and resolutions, don’t forget to prioritize and apologize to yourself. Don’t be afraid to spend some quality time reflecting and getting to know yourself – in your own home, out in nature, or in a therapy office. (All of these have been successful for me in different ways.) Find and do those things that make you feel better, that make you feel like the person you’d like to be…that make you feel like you. Appreciate every moment of each day – good, bad, and in between; the present matters. You matter. Reclaim your identity.
As the High Holidays come and go, and the leaves start to change, give mindfulness a try. Enjoy time in nature – look at a nearby tree and try to see how many different colors or shades you see within the leaves. As you notice the beauty that surrounds you, reflect also on the beauty within yourself.
JFS is here to help you. JFS’ team of licensed professionals includes therapists who specialize in mindfulness techniques. Contact our intake department for a FREE confidential consultation. 302-478-9411 x306 or complete our online intake form to get started.
As a leading provider of counseling and support services throughout the state, Jewish Family Services of Delaware is thrilled to announce that board certified psychiatrist, Dr. Andy Feinberg, has joined our clinical practice of in Lewes, Delaware as of September 2019. JFS provides holistic outpatient counseling services and compassionate, professional therapists to help individuals take charge of their life. Medication management services by a psychiatrist are very much needed, but remain hard to find and, for some, difficult to access; our Sussex County community is so lucky to have Dr. Feinberg’s expertise.
“We are honored to have such an esteemed and experienced psychiatrist join our organization,” says Basha Silverman, JFS CEO. “These services are critical and in great demand in Sussex and Dr. Feinberg is an excellent addition to our JFS team in Lewes”.
Dr. Feinberg comes to our community with a wealth of experience and passion for helping others. He is an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and is board certified in psychiatry. With over 30 years of experience running psychiatric inpatient units at several hospitals and then maintaining a full-time outpatient clinical practice in Maryland, Dr. Feinberg is excited to start helping clients in Sussex County.
302-827-6040
intake@jfsdelaware.org
20684 John J. Williams Hwy, Ste. 4
Lewes, DE 19958
More about Dr. Feinberg >>>
JFS Psychiatric Services >>>
On September 12, leaders, professionals, and community members of Sussex County gathered for a welcome reception to our new psychiatrist and neighbor. Dr. Feinberg sat down with JFS CEO, Basha Silverman to present and answer questions about his background, collaboration opportunities, and why he chose to settle in and serve Lewes Delaware:
BASHA: Dr. Feinberg, all of us are dying to know…why Delaware? Why Lewes? Why did you and Amy decide to move to Delaware and what do you think you could bring to our community?
ANDY: Amy and I began thinking about moving to Delaware about five years ago. We had been vacationing here for over 30 years. Initially, we weren’t aware of the acute shortage of psychiatrists in Delaware and in Sussex County in particular; along with the rapidly growing aging population in this area, we began thinking more about the potential demand for my skills and experience. My training at Johns Hopkins emphasized geriatric psychiatry and my mentors there, including Paul McHugh, Peter Rabins and Marshall Folstein are giants in this field. And then we met Basha at a JFS event. We had conversations there and subsequently, about the idea of helping JFS with their mission to meet the mental health needs of the aging population in lower Delaware.
BASHA: You mentioned the aging population and you have tremendous experience in this area. Can you tell us about what makes treating this population unique/or challenging? In your experience, what wisdom have you gained?
ANDY: Throughout my years in clinical practice, I have found that caring for psychiatric problems of the elderly is challenging and rewarding. The challenges include the confluence of somatic and mental conditions; older patients typically have several medical conditions in addition to their psychiatric problems. Several medical conditions present with psychiatric symptoms: depression is common with multiple sclerosis and after strokes in certain parts of the brain; psychiatric conditions, like depression, can interfere with the optimal treatment of diabetic patients. Older patients are likely taking several medications for their various conditions and I’ve learned how important it is to check for potential medication interactions, which can be particularly toxic in the elderly. Older patients are also more sensitive to medication side effects – older livers and kidneys have a harder time metabolizing and excreting medications. The adage “start low and go slow” applies. I am reminded of an older woman I treated many years ago: without my knowledge, her urologist treated her urinary incontinence with an old antidepressant that caused orthostatic hypotension (a common side effect in the elderly, in which blood pressure drops significantly when they stand up). She fell, broke a hip and died on the operating table. Treating the elderly can be complicated and require extra care, compassion, and expertise…which I plan to bring with my practice at JFS.
BASHA: Since many of our guests as grateful as JFS to welcome you to our community, please tell us how we might collaborate with you? Specifically, when would a doctor a call you? What role do you want to play in helping your allied professionals care for our residents?
ANDY: I look forward to collaborating with clinicians in the community and with therapists at JFS. Older patients in this area are often geographically separated from family, and the support JFS provides can be invaluable. I have enjoyed my relationships with colleagues through my years in practice. I value accessibility, good communication, and a team approach and look forward to building those relationships here.
A special THANK YOU to Jeff Stape and Caryl Marcus-Stape for hosting us at their beautiful beach house in Rehoboth!
On Saturday, April 6, 2019, JFS was joined by community members and leaders to celebrate our 120th Birthday – it was a night to remember!
It’s amazing that, after 120 years, Jewish Family Services of Delaware continues to build upon the traditions and values of our founders. We are committed to supporting our community in meaningful ways – one person, one story at a time.
See the video below for a look at just 3 of JFS’ many success stories.
Thank you for celebrating JFS’ history and supporting JFS’ future; here’s to 120 more years of repairing the world! L’Chaim!
View photos from the event >>>
The evening would not have been possible without the passion and support from our event co-chairs, ambassadors, sponsors, and business partners.
Kimberly Felzer
Kimberly Ginsberg
Karen Legum
Susie Zaslavsky
Regina Kerr Alonzo
Tayler Bolton
Ellisha Caplan
Nancy Crain
Heather Gibbons
Debra Goodman
Lana Gorelick
Rachel Harad
Stacy Horowitz
Linda Jaworski
Berta B. Kerr
Marcia Kimmel
Shelly Mand
Philippa Miller
Debbie Nachlis
Emily Nisbet
Christina Richter
Jessica Rosen
Meredith Rosenthal
Avie Silver
Christiana Care Health System
Evonsys
Short Order Production House
Morris James, LLP
Susie & Jim Zaslavsky
Cole Schotz, P.C.
Dover Behavioral Health
Kimberly & Adam Ginsberg with First State Orthopedics
Griswold Homecare
Nemours / A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Rockford Center
Basha & Jesse Silverman
We Work For Health
WSFS Bank
Regina & Christopher Alonzo
Kimmel, Carter, Roman, Peltz & O’Neill, P.A.
Barbara & David Blumberg
Lisa & David Driban
Kimberly & Jeffrey Felzer
Gloria & Paul Fine
Leslie & Edward Goldenberg
Steve Gonzer
Rachel & Todd Harad
Carolyn & Neil Hockstein
Berta B. Kerr
Karen & Brian Legum
Lisa & Marty Lessner
Lynne P. Ellick & Richard A. Levine
Shelly & Marty Mand
Philippa & Jesse Miller
Schoenberg Memorial Chapel
Wendy Berger & Michael Silverman
Stape & Associates, Caryl Marcus-Stape & Jeff Stape
Lisa & Henry Weiner
Leslie Newman & Bill Wolff
A.R. Morris Jewelers
Brandywine CAD Design, Inc.
Candy for All Occasions
Showorks, Audio Visual Inc.
SophistiCakes
Written By: Madeline Driban, Development & Communications Associate
Stepping into the JFS file room, I curiously scanned the packed shelves, eventually discovering the old boxes marked “Archives, 1948-1951.” JFS’ 120th anniversary provided me the unique opportunity to search through the agency’s history and this seemed like the perfect place to start. Excited by this hidden treasure, I climbed up to see what lie inside. The sweet, musty smell of old papers and memories blossomed out of the box as I lifted the lid, disturbing the cracked, creased, and long-forgotten papers… it certainly was a hidden treasure.
I was in awe of the history I found inside. Old board meeting notes and memorandums, agency self-studies, and job applications…but one rather large file caught my eye. Labeled “United Service for New Americans,” the folder contained old correspondence and paperwork, telegrams and affidavits, job listings and case reports… page after page detailed the extraordinary work our Delaware community did in the 40’s and 50’s to advocate and open doors for Jewish refugees seeking a fresh, safe start after the war. Jewish Family Services, or the Jewish Welfare Society as it was called then, was front and center, coordinating these communications and services.
Regular letters and reports from the United Service for New Americans laid out the rapidly growing need, to which we would ultimately respond…
“Twenty thousand Jewish men, women and children, survivors of the world’s worst persecution, have now become eligible to enter the United States as a result of the… the Displaced Persons Act,” read one report, dated May of 1950. “These uprooted and homeless Jewish victims of war have been given their final chance to come to a free country …their decade of oppression can be ended if every Jewish community acts promptly…”
Passion and urgency filled every page, bringing the people and their stories to life. Families, cousins, friends, and neighbors traveling from Poland, Vienna, Berlin, and Romania; people seeking new homes not only in America, but in Australia, Haiti, and Israel. Relatives, rabbis, donors, and employers rallied around these refugees, sending funds for travel, meeting them at the docks, and providing lodging until they could become self-sufficient. Each sponsorship or assurance document signed was filled with hope and promise of a new life, each page a piece of JFS history.
Jewish Family Services of Delaware has a long and proud history of advocating for and assisting newcomers to America and I was touched to discover the traces of this history waiting to be read. We remain committed to reuniting families that have been separated by war, mobilizing communities to welcome them with open hearts, and helping them rebuild their homes and reshape their dreams in Delaware.
At the Passover Seder each year, we gather to tell the story of the Jewish People, afflicted with insecurity, wandering in search of safety; we are reminded at this time not only of our Exodus from Egypt, but our migration from a war-torn Europe and how, now, as a result of our history and resilience, we pledge to help those seeking refuge today. Compelled by our shared American values, spiritual convictions, and responsibility to humanity, we stand together to help the world’s most vulnerable people live in freedom and safety.
The Passover Exodus was 3000 years ago; the Jews’ liberation from the Holocaust was almost 75 years ago; and, yet, many around the world are still fleeing horrors most of us can only imagine. As we step into our own Jewish history this Passover and retell the story of our people’s search for freedom, I urge you to remember the 68.5 million displaced people and refugees around the world who are still in crisis today. I hope you’ll be inspired, as I have been, to open doors, hearts, and minds and to join in making history for our future generations to read and admire…because our people were refugees too.
Download JFS’s 2017 Haggadah Supplement for your Passover Seder to connect our Jewish story with that of today’s refugees.
Instructions: Print out Haggadah Supplement double sided. Fold along the gray score lines so the narrow panels titled “Opening our Doors” and “Opening our Hearts” touch across the center.
Today, the Jewish community celebrates Purim, a holiday about bravery and advocacy. Among its many themes, the story of Purim reminds us about the challenges of heroism & leadership, and the importance of representation and identity.
JFS Board Member, Christina Richter, shared that Purim reminds her of hidden things. In this story, many people are not whom they appear to be… most notably, Purim’s heroine, Esther, hides her Jewish heritage from her husband, the King. Acknowledging the much more serious, historical need to hide one’s identity, modern celebrations of Purim recognize the action of “disguise” by incorporating the tradition of masquerading as someone else.
“We don’t only do this on Purim,” Richter points out. “Many of us walk around in a disguise on a regular basis, hiding our feelings and our challenges – concealing our not so perfect lives.”
“My own family story is about living in disguise. My grandfather would tell me stories when we would visit him about the importance of our last name – Richter – meaning Judge. He would say that, in his village, everyone had a job…the Carpenters, the Millers, and so on. I was a child and didn’t understand what deeper message he was trying to pass along. He died in 1987, still wearing the mask he created to fit into a world he feared – a world in which he felt forced to hide his Jewish identity.
“My adult self would tell him now not to be ashamed or live in fear. I would tell him that taking off our masks can lead us to the greatest gifts – pride in our identities and a true sense of community. I’m grateful to live in a community in which I can be proud of who I am and have the space to celebrate and reclaim my family’s identity in a way my grandfather couldn’t. Community and identity are powerful forces, which we are reminded to appreciate through the Purim story.”
Certainly, we all have these stories about discovering our identities, each with different cross-sections and intersectional experiences which make us each unique. Sharing such stories in and across our communities can inspire others and create more authentic connections and experiences.
Creating and maintaining this kind of safe space for authenticity and personal exploration is a priority at JFS – it’s what we do every day in our offices and out in the community. We help people accept and live their truths; we help them find comfort where there may have been sorrow, portray confidence and bravery where there might have been fear or shame; we help people find and embrace the courage to take off their masks.
Purim is a reminder of the fine line between reality and illusion. Blurring that line, whether once a year on Purim or more discreetly in our everyday lives, makes it easy to lose sight of our authentic selves and what makes each of us uniquely great. JFS is inspired by our Jewish values and the historic Purim story; we are committed to serving everyone and anyone as they embrace their own identities and celebrate the diversity of our community…no masks required.
In celebration of this milestone, the agency spent time reflecting on the history of the small but vital organization. In reviewing the brief historical review written in 1966 by Harry Bluestone, a prominent leader of Delaware’s Jewish Community at the time, we were impressed to realize not just how the agency has grown, but how our foundation and values are still quite the same.
Bluestone opens:
“In the early years of the Hebrew Charity Association, the leadership was in the hands of an immigrant generation. The motivating factors were characteristic of Jewish precepts and practices, while the machinery and operating procedures were in the horse and buggy tradition. As decades passed…the Association expanded its horizons and thinking… evolved from a budgetless organization to one expending [a moderate annual budget]; from an organization with volunteer lay staff to a professional staff; and from a society of limited scope of activity to a kaleidoscopic one. In brief, it went from rags to riches, wearing a coat of many colors.”
JFS is humbled by the continued growth of our agency after 120 years and how our programs and services contribute to the thriving of our community. We credit the generosity and support from community members and partnering agencies for JFS’ ability to consistently reexamine the relevance of our services and respond to evolving needs. Together, we strengthen the fabric of our community – persistent on our joint mission in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) with shared values of kindness, compassion, and justice.
Dedication of the shacks at Hope Farm, Beth Israel
Hebrew Charity Association, 1909
Though, certainly, the organization has changed over the years – not taking the name ‘Jewish Family Services’ until 1960 – our mission today still upholds the original intentions of its founding leaders 120 years ago…
“The Hebrew Charity Association…was formed on January 1, 1899… The Jews called it an association and the newspaper reporters called it a society. Whatever the appellation, Jewish charity assumed organized form in Delaware with the creation of this group dedicated to helping the unfortunate to become self-supporting.
“The early founders of the Hebrew Charity Association did not try to avoid obstacles but to overcome them. They had the enthusiasm so essential to the successful attainment of their endeavor. The attitude of many of the pioneers was that if they could in any way contribute to the improvement of the community in which they lived, they would have the supreme satisfaction of knowing that their contribution was not in vain…
“By the end of its first year, the young organization was sufficiently active to feel itself a vital part of the community and to be impressed with its own worth and importance…”
120 years later, Jewish Family Services is still an important, ever-evolving community organization. Today, JFS offers many diverse services and programs; serves 2,400 clients each year, including families, youth, older adults, and refugees; employs 60 staff members including 40 social workers and the agency’s 11th Executive Director. What will the agency be like in the next 120 years? This is a legacy our community can create together, ensuring that JFS remains strong & vital for generations to come.
At the end of his report, Bluestone quotes former Executive Director, Jerome Siskind, explaining the importance of our fundamental Jewish values and responsibility to one another. As the mission of Jewish Family Services is still well-rooted in these values, his words are well worth quoting here:
“Observances may vary, changes may be made in emphasis, but a sense of the written and oral tradition of the Jew must be part of the climate we create in the community and in which we work…there is room enough for variation; differences need not be divisive, but an intrinsic sense of belief in Jewish values and identity will provide us with the continuity it has given to our people in the past.”
Indeed, though JFS serves all those in need, such Jewish values and identity have given JFS a sense of continuity and purpose for 120 years. Thanks to all who have helped JFS reach this anniversary milestone – we hope you will celebrate with us this year and for the next 120!
Jewish Family Services of Delaware’s CEO, Basha Silverman was featured as one of Delaware Today’s “Women in Business” 2018 honorees. JFS is grateful for this opportunity to recognize and applaud Basha for her passion and vision in leading our organization – we are grateful for her leadership.
On December 12, Basha was joined at the Chase Center on the Riverfront by JFS Board members, volunteers, and State Representatives to celebrate her recognition and network with other honorees.
(L-R: Christina Richter, Caryl Marcus-Stape, Rep. Debra Heffernan, Basha Silverman, Rep. Valerie Longhurst, Francesca Rudin, Stacy Horowitz, Stacey Friedland, Erin Booker)
Silverman landed her first job in nonprofit administration at 21 with “chutzpah and a passion for social justice,” she says. “With very little political savvy I inserted myself in discussions, volunteered on community coalitions and expressed my opinion about what must be done differently to change our world,” she says. Silverman encourages women to pursue whatever field they are interested in and to find success by “remaining true to yourself while supporting others on their journey.”
When leaves & temperatures drop and the holiday season is quickly approaching, our thoughts often go to helping those in need. This year, community members and leaders joined JFS in a new approach to holiday giving. By the end of December, about 54 families or individuals were served by the Holiday Helpers program. Expressions of excitement and gratitude were heartwarming and JFS received a lot of positive feedback from clients, therapists, and volunteers alike.
In order to include more individuals and families than we have in the past, we invited the community to help us stock the JFS pantry with seasonal items and gifts available to ALL JFS clients. Whether it was a JFS Village senior looking for a warm hat, or a recently arrived Refugee family who needs a cozy blanket while adjusting to American winters, or a struggling mom searching for ingredients to prepare a holiday meal, the JFS pantry was be stocked for them with exactly what they needed. Through their incredible generosity, our Holiday Helpers participants not only brought joy to families in need, but helped eliminate some of the stress of the winter season and empower JFS clients to make their own holidays bright. Provided the opportunity to ‘shop’ through the pantry, JFS clients regained a sense of self-reliance that many people struggle to find, especially during the holidays.
Working closely with JFS therapists, a list was compiled of items that our most vulnerable individuals and families would need, want, and appreciate the most. Our pantry (and the surrounding areas) were quickly filled with toys & games, hats & gloves, books & blankets, and delicious holiday treats!
Tuesday, December 4, volunteers and community members gathered at JFS to make hand-tied blankets and hats to add to the collection! Led by our talented and passionate volunteer leaders of Holiday Helpers, Lisa Driban and Rachel Harad, the group made dozens of cozy hats and blankets to add an extra dose of warmth and love to the project.
JFS is so proud of the success of this new holiday giving project and we are incredibly grateful to Lisa and Rachel for making a small idea grow and come to life in ways we could never imagine. We truly cannot fulfill our mission without the help of our community.