BOULDERMattersVolume 24, No. 1 • WINTeR 2014

Flood waters rushed into Boulder County in mid-September and wreaked havoc on houses, neighborhoods, and towns. JeWISH-colorado rapidly set up a fund to raise money for flood victims and donations poured in from near and far. Boulder JFS became a designated agency to distribute funds and was then inundated with calls for assistance from local Jewish families who needed help rebuilding their lives. Due to the influx of calls, Meg Quiat was hired to work with Cathy Summer and Ingrid Swords (Boulder JFS staff) to assist flood victims. Meg is a member of the Boulder JFS Advisory Committee, was an attorney in the financial sector, and currently serves as a volunteer attorney for Boulder County Legal Services. She is familiar with public benefits, has compassion for people in crisis situations, and is great at listening to people tell their stories and finding ways to help. most of the flood relief efforts are now winding down, but Meg is still helping people who had catastrophic damage apply for Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) funding for larger grants to rebuild their homes. “It was a real pleasure to make a difference in people’s lives,” says Meg. Meg’s job was to speak with everyone who applied for funding, assess their situations, and provide what she could to help with their immediate needs from the JeWISHcolorado fund. More than 55 families received grants from $100 to $1,000 for items ranging from new windows, washers and dryers, to grocery and clothing gift cards, to rent assistance for people who had to move out of their homes temporarily.

When the flood hit, Betsy Hicks, a Boulder resident, didn’t get a drop of water from outside of her house. Instead, the basement toilet and sink spewed out sewer water. Her basement was filled five feet deep with sewer water for four days. There was no question that everything had to be thrown away. Betsy’s 20-year-old daughter, Sophia, is on the autism spectrum and was living in the basement. All of Sophia’s things were ruined and she had to move upstairs. Like most people in Colorado, Betsy doesn’t have flood insurance, but she needed to do something fast to prevent mold from growing everywhere and wasn’t sure where to turn for help. The basement had to be cleaned out, sterilized, scrubbed down, and dried out. She learned that the wiring had to be replaced because con-taminants could get into the outlets. Betsy belongs to a Jewish moms’ group for people with special needs kids. “Our biweekly group happened to meet during the time all this was going on,” says Betsy. “I shared what I was going through and the psychologist facilitating the group, Cathy Cohn, suggested calling Boulder Jewish Family Service. I had never heard of the

Meg Quiat

Volunteers cleaning Betsy’s basement

Boulder JFS Helps the Community Weather the Storm

Continued on page 4

2 BOULDER MATTERS WINTER 2014

FOcUs GROUps Identify Service Gaps for Boulder SeniorsIn November, Boulder JFS wrapped up a comprehensive needs assessment study that will chart the course for program expansion and new services. The first phase was an online survey of community members, seniors, and caregivers to evaluate current service offerings and identify gaps and future needs for Boulder’s growing

population of older adults. Based on those results, the final phase included three focus groups held at the

Boulder JCC. The groups included a group of Boulder Jewish residents who are age 72+, a group of residents who are age 60+, and a group of people who are caregivers for a senior spouse or parent. The key questions asked of the groups were: • Interest in “relocation” and “hospital-to-rehab-

to-home” care management services provided by Boulder JFS

• Interest in support groups and individual counseling

• likelihood of using these services from JFS as opposed to other community agencies

• Perception of anticipated pricing for these services

All of the groups indicated strong support for help with home relocation and hospital-to-rehab-to-home services. There was also strong interest in JFS-led grief groups and other support groups, in-home counseling, and end-of-life education/programming. “Based on the feedback we received, we are excited to start incorporating these ideas into our Boulder strategic planning process,” said JFS president and CEO Yana Vishnitsky. The study was made possible by a generous grant from 18 Pomegranates Foundation. The Highland Group of Boulder was hired to conduct the needs assessment. We extend heartfelt thanks to all who responded to the survey and partici-pated in focus groups. You are helping us plan the future of Boulder JFS!

There are many ways to connect with Boulder JFS! If you are a senior who needs care management, help in your home, counseling, grief support, emergency financial assistance, or companionship, we can help! If you have some extra time to volunteer, we have several meaningful ways for you to make a difference in the lives of seniors or adults with disabili-ties. Your generous monetary donations will help us continue our important work in the community! Please designate “Boulder” on the enclosed envelope or when you donate online at www.jewishfamilyservice.org/donate and your contribution will benefit Boulder JFS. Visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/boulder or call our office at 303.415.1025 to learn more and get involved today!

Get Help. Volunteer. Donate.

GEt InvOLvED!

Boulder Jewish Family Service (JFS) and TRu Community Care (formerly HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties) are offering a grief support group for members of the Boulder Jewish community, affiliated and non-affiliated, who have experienced a loss. Registration is required. For information or to register, please call Cathy Summer at Boulder JFS, 303.415.1025.

Jewish Community Spring 2014 GRIEF GROUp

When Rabbi Josh Rose, senior rabbi at Congregation Har HaShem, moved to Boulder seven years ago, someone from JFS called and asked him to lead services for older adults. “of course I said ‘yes’—it’s a mitzvah!” Rabbi Rose says enthusiastically. Since then, he has led holiday services in senior communities as a devoted JFS volunteer. “I led services sporadically at first, but then Roberta Reinfeld, one of my congregants and a Boulder JFS employee at the time, gently nudged me to get more involved,” Rabbi Rose explains. “It then became a regular part of my life to participate in High Holy Day, Passover, and Hanukkah celebrations.” He adds, “It’s a mitzvah to spend time with people who are often cut off from family or are new to Boulder. The people that JFS serves are beautiful souls. They make you feel appreciated and welcome, and are so happy you’re there. The collective wisdom and varied life experiences these incredible people bring to the table are very powerful and a holy light to be in the presence of. I walk away feeling like I’ve gotten some of that holiness and wisdom that only come from time and age. Ingrid and Cathy at Boulder JFS are great about thanking me for my time, but I should be thanking them for giving me the opportunity! Cathy and Ingrid are doing inspired and much-needed work to make JFS part of the fabric of Jewish Boulder. It’s been an honor to work with them.” Rabbi Rose is entering a new chapter in his life and moving to Portland at the end of June to join Congregation Shaarie Torah. He says it is very hard for him to leave Boulder, but is excited to return to his hometown where his parents still live. “Boulder is such a special place and I will miss it terribly,” Rabbi Rose says. “The Boulder Jewish community has a great sense of openness and experimentation, crossing boundaries and breaking through petty walls that often separate

people from doing mitzvot. “I will definitely miss the people who have been pouring their hearts into JFS and making sure Boulder residents will be well served in the future. It is amazing to see what JFS has done over the years—it is a world apart from what it was when I moved here. The Boulder JCC is also going through big changes. I will miss seeing the maturation of these agencies and the benefits paying off in the community.” Ingrid Swords, Boulder JFS volunteer resource coordinator, says, “I am impressed by Rabbi Rose’s compassion, insight, knowledge, inclusiveness, and kindness. Honestly, I can’t say enough about him and we will miss him greatly! What’s Boulder’s loss is Portland’s gain.” She adds, “We are grateful that his colleague at Har HaShem, Rabbi Ruthie Gelfarb, serves on our advisory committee and leads services for seniors. We are so lucky to have such dedication from our local rabbis.”

BOULDER MATTERS WINTER 2014 3

vOLUntEER Spotlight

Resident Judy Epstein and Rabbi Rose light the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah.

Rabbi Josh Rose

Boulder Matters is published quarterly

by Jewish Family Serviceof Colorado,

3201 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver CO 80231

www.jewishfamilyservice.org

Boulder JFS, a program of Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS), provides Boulder-area Jewish seniors, their families, and individuals in crisis with services to enhance their quality of life and connect them to Jewish values, traditions, and community. JFS believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder.

Boulder JFS is now on Facebook! “Like” us and stay connected at www.facebook.com/BoulderJFS.

3800 Kalmia AvenueBoulder, Co 80301

ReTuRN SeRVICe ReQueSTeD

tel: 303.415.1025www.jewishfamilyservice.org /boulder

Beneficiary Agency of JEWISHcoloradoand Mile High United Way

NoN PRoFIT oRG.

uS PoSTAGe

PAID

DeNVeR, ColoRADo

PeRmIT No. 1217JeWISH FAmIly SeRVICe oF ColoRADo

We will host Seders at several local retirement communities in April as well as monthly Shabbat services. Please contact Ingrid Swords, Boulder JFS volunteer coordinator, at 303.415.1025 or iswords@jewishfamilyservice.org for more details.

Passover and Shabbat vOLUntEERs Needed

agency, but I called and immediately felt better! They are real people who are there to talk to you and to provide help; it was the exact opposite of the horrible experience I had filling out government paperwork.” JFS helped Betsy buy mold inhibitor for her 1,100-square-foot basement. Her friend’s son’s Boy Scout troop needed a service project, so they painted it on the walls. JFS also paid to rewire the basement and Meg is currently helping her apply for JFNA funding to help with rebuilding. Betsy says, “I am so grateful for the way so many people came together to help me fix my house—from moving furniture and appliances, to painting and rewiring. This whole experience has really affirmed my faith in the Jewish community and made me realize what a strong group we are! I was disconnected from my Jewish roots and didn’t know how to approach going to synagogue with a child with special needs. Now I’m feeling more open and thinking about joining a temple.” While Betsy moves forward with securing funding to rebuild her basement, she and Sophia have made the upstairs cozier and are just grateful that they were able to remain in their home. meg says, “It’s been great to help people like Betsy, and to know that JeWISHcolorado, JFNA, and Boulder JFS can make a difference in the lives of individuals and our Boulder community.”

Boulder JFS Helps the Community Weather the StormContinued from page 1

JFS recently launched JFS AgeForward Consulting Services. Our licensed master’s-level geriatric specialist in Boulder will create an indi-vidualized assessment of your situation and provide a plan of action and referrals, as appropriate. Learn more about JFS AgeForward Consulting Services at jewishfamilyservice.org/ageforward or contact Cathy Summer, at 303.415.1025, or csummer@jewishfamilyservice.org.

JFS Now Offers AgeForward Consulting Services to Navigate Life’s Transitions