V O I C E SWINTER 2011

A PUBLICATION FROM JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE DESERT

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On Sunday, March 13, 2011, Jewish Family Service of the Desert (JFS) will host the 13th Annual House & Garden Walk. The 2011 tour will spotlight four spectacular homes in the prestigious Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert. The tour begins at noon and ends at 4pm. Tickets are $75 per person and available only through JFS.

13TH ANNUALHOUSE & GARDEN WALK AT BIGHORN GOLF CLUB

IN THIS ISSUE

www.j fsdesert .org

FRIENDLY VISITOR PROGRAM

ONE NIGHT ONLY

HOUSE & GARDEN WALK

JFS FIGHTS HUNGER

VOLUNTEER ZAN FREEBURN

2010 PATRON PARTY PHOTOS

2011 PATRON PARTYOn December 12, 2010, the 8th Annual Patron Party was held at the just-completed home of Diane & Hal Gershowitz in Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert. More than 120 guests were delighted to be among the �rst to view their magni�cent Tuscany-inspired new home. JFS wishes to thank Diane & Hal, along with committee chairs Barbara Fromm and Carol Fragen for their contribution to the extraordinary success of the event.

Seventy-three year old “Emily” is a long-time Coachella Valley resident, living alone with no family to help her out in emergencies. Her only source of income is her monthly social security check of $1,007.00. By carefully managing her money, she is able to get by month to month. However, a recent unexpected medical expense meant that she would not have enough money to cover her rent, food and utilities. Fortunately, Emily was able to turn to JFS for assistance to reduce her financial burden that month.

Through the JFS Food Insecurity Alleviation Program, JFS can provide emergency assistance for food to low income Coachella Valley residents. Grocery gift cards are available from Stater Bros., redeemable at any of the supermarket’s locations in the desert. The program is currently funded by the City of Rancho Mirage, and is available to all eligible Coachella Valley residents. In the past year, JFS has also received support for this program from Desert

Healthcare District to fund food vouchers through Bridges of Hope, a nonprofit food bank.

JFS Fights Hunger in the Coachella ValleyUnfortunately, Emily’s situation is hardly unique and by no means limited to seniors. Unemployment in some Valley cities exceeds the State of California’s historic high unemployment rate of 12.5%. Those living in poverty today may well have been “middle class” in the recent past, with one or more of the household wage earners now laid off from their jobs and their homes foreclosed upon.

To be eligible to receive food vouchers, household income must be no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level based on family household size. Food vouchers are intended as emergency stop gap measures for individuals and families facing unusual financial hardship. The vouchers are not intended for regular supplement of a household’s food purchasing ability.

Funding for this program is limited and JFS is continuing to seek support from other sources. For more information on obtaining emergency food vouchers, or if you would like to contribute to this program, contact JFS at (760) 325-4088.

Event Co-Chairs Carol Fragen & Barbara FrommHosts Hal & Diane Gershowitz

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“This year’s tour features an incredible diversity of architectural and interior design styles,” explains event co-chair Joyce Wolff. “One home was awarded ‘Best In Show’ by Palm Springs Life for its sophisticated minimalist design. Another features Zen gardens, running streams and private lagoons. A third home on the tour will soon be featured in Architectural Digest.” In addition to Ms. Wolff, event co-chairs include Myra Gordon and Joan Kerns.

On display will be the work of several award winning interior designers and architects including Holden & Johnson, Patel Architecture Inc., Guy Dreier, Troy Zimmerman, Marilyn Schwartz Designs and Terry Hunziker, who has been named as one of Architectural Digest’s Top 100 designers.

Babs Schrager and Jeanne Sassoon co-chair the program book committee. More than 600 connoisseurs of architecture, art, interior design and landscaping attend the House & Garden Walk each year. The event has a reputation for showcasing the desert’s most prestigious architecture, design concepts, and museum caliber art collections.

All proceeds benefit JFS. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact JFS at (760) 325-4088. Tickets can also be purchased on line at www.jfsdesert.org.

13TH ANNUAL HOUSE & GARDEN WALK

The JFS Friendly Visitor program matches volunteers with seniors who are homebound or have limited mobility to provide companionship and support. Volunteers provide friendship and companionship for those who may have difficulty leaving the home. The Friendly Visitor program helps reduce isolation for seniors, many of whom live alone. Regular social interaction can be instrumental in reducing symptoms of depression, isolation and even dementia.

Sixty-five year old “Sheila” lives alone in Palm Desert and has been a client of JFS for several years. She was anxious in unfamiliar environments and therefore led a reclusive life, rarely leaving home. Last year, she was referred to the Friendly Visitor program and was matched with Susan, a volunteer who began to visit with her two or three times each month. Susan encouraged Sheila to venture out for lunch and social activities. Sheila gradually became more comfortable in public and began to engage in community activities on her own. She credits the Friendly Visitor program with boosting her confidence and helping expand her once limited horizons.

The Friendly Visitor program began in 1982, shortly after the agency’s inception, and has been an important asset to seniors throughout the Valley for nearly 30 years. The program is seeking volunteers who can make a commitment to visit with a senior for a minimum of two to three times each month. Volunteers are screened for eligibility and matched with a senior in the program. Seniors seeking volunteer support are also urged to contact JFS. For more information on the Friendly Visitor Program or to volunteer, please contact JFS at (760) 325-4088.

Friendly Visitors Brighten Lives of Valley Seniors

Photo by Arthur Coleman Photo by Olja Dobrovic

Photo by Karen Buxbaum PhotographyPhoto by Kaminsky Productions

Photo by Arthur Coleman Photo by Olja Dobrovic

Photo by Karen Buxbaum PhotographyPhoto by Kaminsky Productions

Henry & Joyce Freund

Send Tribute Cards for

JFS Tribute Cards

$15 each or Eight for $100

You can support the vital work of JFS while honoring your family and friends with beautifully designed, contemporary cards for all occasions.

AnniversaryAdoption

Birth AnnouncementBirthday

Bar/Bat MitzvahCongratulations

Get WellGraduationMemorialThank You

SAVE THE DATE:

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Join members of our Jewish community for “Mitzvah Day”, a day of volunteering to help

those in need in our community. Volunteer at a food bank,

homeless shelter, convalescent home, or anywhere you

can be of help.

For more information call the Jewish Federation at

(760) 324-4737.

2009 Patron Party HostHelene Galen with Jamie Kabler

Dr. Harry & Nicki Haroutunian, Barbara & Mike Resmo

Several mornings each week, retired high school superintendent Zan Freeburn arrives at the JFS office ready to help with whatever tasks need to be done. With his pleasant demeanor and his willingness to help with any activity, Zan is a welcome sight to the staff at JFS.

Zan and his wife moved to Palm Springs from Oregon six years ago and he began volunteering at JFS in 2006. He credits his strong faith with his desire to give back to the community. “I like being able help people,” he explains. He also takes time each week to deliver fresh bread to a local senior community.

The staff at JFS look forward to his regular visits. “Zan is a pleasure to work with and always willing to help with whatever task is at hand,” says JFS Program Assistant Diane Basson. “We’re very grateful that he gives so much of his time to JFS”.

For more information on volunteer opportunities at JFS, contact Linda Zweig, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at (760) 325-4088.

JFS Volunteer Zan Freeburn

Michael Childers Production of

‘One Night Only’ Returns on April 28th

On Thursday, April 28th, producer Michael Childers will reprise the immensely popular “One Night Only” on the stage of the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts. This critically-acclaimed production features an ensemble cast with a number of the most talented stars of theater and stage.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the production will benefit Jewish Family Service of the Desert. This year’s theme is Palm Springs Legends: A Celebration of the Desert’s Greatest Composers, Lyricists & Performers. Among the stars appearing in this year’s production are James Barbour, Brent Barrett, Kate Burton, Ann Hampton Callaway, Carole Cook, Loretta Devine, Gregg Edelman, Luca Ellis, Jason Graae, Danny Gurwin, Jimmy James, Alix Korey, Michele Lee, Sally Mayes, Sean McDermott, Sharon McNight, Nick Palance, Freda Payne, Stefanie Powers, Von Smith, Ty Taylor, Anna White and Mary Wilson with Alec Mapa as Master of Ceremonies. All performers donate their time so appearances are subject to availability.

General admission tickets are $75, $95, and $150 and are available through the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-ARTS or at www.mccallumtheatre.com. The performance begins at 6:30pm. The last three productions benefiting JFS have sold out so get your tickets quickly.

A limited number of VIP packages are also available for $375 each, including premiere seating and a VIP reception with the cast following the performance at Acqua Pazza California Bistro at the River. VIP Packages are only available through JFS at (760) 325-4088.

Ann Hampton Callaway Mary WilsonMichele Lee

Dear Friends:

It is with decidedly mixed emotions that I write this message, which is my last as Executive Director of Jewish

Family Service. After more than 16 years with JFS, I am leaving the agency to pursue new opportunities.

I am tremendously proud of the high quality services that JFS has provided in the desert community in this time.

The work of JFS has provided security and support for countless seniors, school children, families and individuals in

need. It has truly been a privilege to work with an extraordinarily dedicated staff that always put the needs of the

people we serve first.

I have been humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support that JFS has received over the years from our

donors, volunteers and community partners. Your trust in our organization is never taken lightly.

I would like to thank the Jewish Federation of Palm Springs & Desert Area for having the vision to launch JFS in

1982 and for providing extraordinary support and encouragement for almost three decades. Thank you also to the

many talented and dedicated individuals who have served on the JFS Board of Directors, providing wisdom,

leadership and guidance. Perhaps most importantly, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to the people

we serve, whose courage and dignity in the face of adversity will always inspire me.

It has been both an honor and a privilege to work in partnership with all of you

in the desert community these past 16 years. We are bound by our common

goal of providing our neighbors with the security of knowing that they are not

alone; that there is someone that they can turn to in a time of need.

Sincerely,

Dan BassEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JFS IS A CARING RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING GUIDANCE, COMFORT, SUPPORT AND HOPE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.

COUNT ON JFS TO BE THERE FOR YOU WHEN LIFE CHANGES.

801 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 202, Palm Springs, CA 92262-6990

Non Pro�t OrgPOSTAGE PAIDP E R M I T # 1 4 9Palm Desert CA

SUPPORTED BY

Count on us...for lifeBOARD OF DIRECTORSOfficersDon Levy, PresidentMarc Kashinsky, Vice PresidentDeanna Pearl, Vice PresidentBarry Kaufman, TreasurerAnnabel Goldstein, Secretary

DirectorsCarol FeinsteinBill FisherCarol FragenBarbara FrommMyra GordonEd GubmanBarbara KellerBertel LewisCindy Muscatel

Immediate Past PresidentJudy Wallis

Past PresidentsViolet FelixMurray FelsonMerv LemmermanSam ObermanBarbara Pitts

Honorary Board MembersEve ChaikenJoan RoseJoyce FreundMarion Schaefer *Deceased

Executive DirectorDaniel Bass, LCSW, MAJCS

Susan RosserJane SalloJeanne SassoonBabs SchragerSandy SeplowRoyal TaxmanHoward VogelJoyce Wolff

Dee Dee RaskovSam Rosenthal*Martin RussellJane SalloMolly Saltman*

Tom OstwaldMaurice PapernyBernice Posner*

SERVICES & PROGRAMS

CONTACT US801 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #202Palm Springs, CA 92262(760) 325-4088 Fax: (760) 778-3781Email: info@jfsdesert.orgwww.jfsdesert.org

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SOCIAL

SERVICE NEEDS OF THE JEWISH AND GENERAL

COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE GREATER

COACHELLA VALLEY WITH A COMMITMENT TO

PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF PERSONS OF

ALL AGES, INCOMES AND LIFESTYLES.

Solutions for SeniorsKidsFirst School CounselingMental Health CounselingJFS Express Transportation Outpatient Drug & Alcohol ProgramReferralsFinancial AssistanceCareer Guidance

Case Management for Homeless IndividualsBereavement ServicesCamp ScholarshipsTrauma CounselingVolunteer Programsand many additional servicesJFS is a beneficiary of the United Way of the Desert and a member of the Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies.