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And while we have taken steps to address these issues every
year, this year, in particular, is most critical. It all boils
down to this: Given these external pressures, what role does the
Jewish community want JFSA to play-- now and in the future?
There are lots of opinions out there. But what everyone seems
to agree on is that JFSA is the safety net to the Jewish
community. But just what does safety net mean?
As
you saw in the opening video, when JFSA was founded in 1875,
safety net meant giving money and clothes to immigrants who had
nothing. Later, safety net meant helping families regain their
footing, due to loss of jobs, illness and the like.
Today, safety net has an even broader meaning. Yes, it still
means we help people who can’t afford to pay—like the young
mother and her children fleeing an abusive husband and father.
Or the Holocaust Survivor who has no money to pay for dentures.
But it also means that we respond to a family’s needs when no
one else either can or will. Like creating a safe place to call
home for adults with mental illness when family members no
longer can-- or when the current health care system allows them
to fall through the cracks. Like providing home health care
services to a 90 year old mother so she does not have to give up
her cherished home and become institutionalized.
It’s become a complex definition. But its very essence is this:
While Government funding makes sure our clients have a home, it
does not ensure they have a life worth living.
The meaning of safety net in the Jewish community reflects more
than simple basic needs--whether it’s building a sukkah for a
group home, or providing a kosher meal to the elderly, or
celebrating Purim and Passover with individuals who would
otherwise be alone.. These activities remind us all that we are
connected to a very special community.
I
want you to know we haven’t forgotten who we are and what we
mean to our clients and to this community. But the question
needs to be asked and answered: how can we sustain our programs
in a financially responsible manner and provide the care and
safety net support (in all its meanings) our community demands?
We
have created a special task force, in collaboration with the
Federation, to investigate a number of options. But let me say
that we all have a role to play in this process.
The board, working with the Federation, needs to decide what
role JFSA will play in the community. The staff must continue to
identify unmet needs and then find ways to meet those needs. And
the community must support it.
I
am asking you to join me in reminding our community and its
leaders of the essential role JFSA serves, the magnitude of our
work and the need for our services.
We
know that our mission has the support of our client families,
our board, our partnering agencies, and as importantly, the
Jewish Community Federation. Steve Hoffman, President of the
Federation, is particularly supportive of our efforts. Because
Steve is in Israel right now and wanted to be with us tonight,
he prepared a few special remarks on video tape.
[Download QuickTime player]This movie will take a few
minutes to download.
I
thank Steve for his support during my term in office.
Before I end my remarks, I do want to take a moment to publicly
thank some people who have gone above and beyond in their
support of JFSA:
Chicky Drost
Marv Lader
Phil Cohen
Karen Newborn, and
Will Sukenik
These leaders are nothing less than heroic in their commitment
and support of JFSA’s mission. At a time when lots of other
people are busy raising young families, or are frequently out of
town on business, or are actively supporting other good causes
in the community, these individuals make JFSA their #1 priority.
No
favors need to be asked of these people --- they anticipate and
say what can I do? They are a constant presence at JFSA and I
personally want them to know how much their support has meant to
me and to this agency.
Thank you. |
