Alpert JFS News

Going Green for Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-informed Care Month

 As the county’s leader in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and dedicated coordinator of its multi-agency county coalition, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) proudly helps raise awareness about mental health issues, promotes good mental health practices, and encourages people to support others around them every day. In May, we were part of the community-wide movement to destigmatize mental illness, addiction and suicide, and debunk the myths attached to those with mental health challenges, as part […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/going-green-for-mental-health-awareness-and-trauma-informed-care-month/

Movin’ and Groovin’ with M4K

Alpert JFS’ Judith & Jack Rosenberg Mentoring 4 Kids (M4K) program is shaking things up, providing new, interactive activities for its mentors and mentees! In mid-May, 14 of 16 matches, along with yet-to-be-matched kids and mentors came together online for Game Night. The Zoom squares were a happy space filled with 35 friendly faces who virtually shared a pizza dinner before joining breakout rooms to check-in with each other and play. Gift cards of players’ selection to Amazon, GameStop, Marshall’s/TJ […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/movin-and-groovin-with-m4k/

Zikaron BaSalon: Opening Hearts and Minds to Holocaust Survivors’ Stories

On Sunday, April 11, five Holocaust Survivors from the Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service Holocaust Survivors Assistance program were among the speakers who met with groups at temples and organizations to commemorate Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day (April 7-8 2021).  The Zikaron BaSalon (Hebrew for “Memories in the Living Room”) events, a part of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s ISRAELDAYS 2021, were reimagined this year, took place not in living rooms, as in years past, but […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/zikaron-basalon-opening-hearts-and-minds-to-holocaust-survivors-stories/

Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Yom HaShoah is the day all of Israel and Jews around the world commemorate the Holocaust, the six million Jews who perished, and the heroism of Jewish resistance of that period…and survivors. It is a day of great importance – for tradition, continuity, connection, and familiarity with all that is meaningful. We have, and will continue to remember – for ourselves and for future generations. It has never been more important to make history relevant. . .to care and share […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/yom-hashoah-holocaust-remembrance-day/

Two Initiatives Bring Passover Meals to the Homebound and Holocaust Survivors

Approximately 60 volunteers from The Kind Kitchen of Palm Beach, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach county’s Jewish Volunteer Center, and Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service prepped, packaged, and delivered 500 meals for the Passover holiday, with some very special surprises! Drivers navigated throughout Palm Beach County, making deliveries in masks and gloves, practicing social distancing. They safely dropped off festive, traditional meals (gefilte fish and horseradish, salad, chicken, brisket, kugel {a baked casserole side dish}, tzimmes {a […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/two-initiatives-bring-passover-meals-to-the-homebound-and-holocaust-survivors/

THE JOYFUL NOISE OF MISHLOACH MANOT (PURIM BASKETS)

Temple Israel of West Palm Beach showed their support of Alpert JFS’ Guardianship Program clients with Purim baskets filled with hamantaschen, candy, chocolate, masks, sparkling water, trail mix, Pirate’s Booty snacks, gragger (noisemaker), and an informational sheet about the significance of the holiday. “These Purim packages are lovely, and our clients have been delighted to receive them,” said Pam Wiener, Ph D., Director of Guardianship program. Ellen Goldenson spearheaded the Sisterhood-sponsored initiative (with the participation of Brotherhood members), in keeping […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/3480-2/

Mental Health First Aiders Are Listening!

Like many programs and services in the age of COVID-19, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a nationally renowned, evidence-based training course that teaches participants the skills to help someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, has gone virtual. Presented by Alpert JFS, the Palm Beach County coordinator for Mental Health First Aid, in partnership with Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition, and 14 agencies that comprise the Mental Health First Aid Coalition […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/mental-health-first-aiders-are-listening/

Everyone Can Benefit from Honest Discussions About Mental Health and Suicide

Alpert JFS is devoted to destigmatizing mental illness, addiction and suicide, and debunking myths attached to those with mental health challenges, so those affected can feel more comfortable seeking help and support. This month, National Suicide Prevention Month, the agency is joining mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies and community members across the country, to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness, and connect people with suicidal thoughts to treatment services. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, and […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/mhfa-suicide/

Meet Kelley Whiter, Alpert JFS Chief Development Officer

Alpert JFS is pleased to welcome Kelley Whiter as Chief Development Officer. She will be responsible for all fundraising and development activities, and furthering the agency’s mission of providing help and hope to people of all ages and faiths at the most challenging times of their lives. Kelley comes to us from the American Society for the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (ATS), where she spent seven years as Senior Director of Development, providing strategic direction and vision for the ATS […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/meet-kelley-whiter/

Alpert JFS Welcomes Whitney Cherner, Jewish Community Career Services (JCCS) Director

Newly launched JCCS Supports All Community Members Whitney Cherner, LCSW, MSW, has joined Alpert JFS to lead the Jewish Community Career Services (JCCS) department, to help experienced job-seekers find their next job, and local businesses and non-profits find their next employees. The initiative comes at a most opportune time, as the COVID-19 pandemic has left many in the Greater Palm Beaches unemployed or underemployed. The JCCS is funded by a grant from Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s J-Help Coronavirus […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/whitney-jccs/