For Howard Mellman and his mentee, Jacob, it’s all about cars! When he was younger, Jacob collected and built model cars, and Howard raced them semi-professionally for 15 years. Since they were matched through the Judith & Jack Rosenberg Mentoring 4 Kids (M4K) Program of Alpert Jewish Family Service, the two have been inseparable for nearly four years. M4K provides a same-gender role-model for a child between the ages of 6-14 who has lost a significant caregiver through death or […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/mentoring-success-story-howard-and-jacob-bond-over-cars-and-more/
Susan is a longtime client of Alpert JFS, who meets regularly with Psychiatrist Dr. James Thompson. With child support as her only income, she struggles to make ends meet. If that wasn’t enough, her ex-husband harasses her constantly, bringing her to court over frivolous things, and she she doesn’t have resources for an attorney. After a recent session, both Dr. Thompson and Behavioral Health Administrative Support Coordinator Jayne Lewis noted the mounting severity of Susan’s emotional state and financial struggles. […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/client-grateful-for-wraparound-services-of-alpert-jfs/
Starting tomorrow, July 16, 2022, everyone in the United States can dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Calling, texting, or chatting 988 connects individuals with counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen to callers, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to other resources if necessary. The current Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) still remains available to people in emotional distress or suicidal […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/988-suicide-prevention-dialing-code-starts-july-16/
Volunteer Margie Feldman recently mobilized a successful food drive at Coral Lakes, the large 55+ community where she lives with her husband Michael. Her efforts brought in much needed donations, replenishing the shelves of Alpert JFS kosher food pantries in both West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach. But with the steady increase in requests for food from young families to homebound seniors, Margie encourages more individuals to step up. “There’s a crucial demand for food in the community, and we […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/5-essential-tips-for-a-successful-food-drive/
The following story appeared in both The Gateway Gazette and the South Florida Jewish Journal. A West Palm Beach-based Jewish social service agency has formed a partnership with a national organization which fights to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. Through the partnership, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service’s Satell Ending Food Insecurity Emerging Leadership Initiative members have the opportunity to learn from the experts at MAZON: A Jewish Response […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/alpert-jfs-partners-with-mazon-a-jewish-response-to-hunger/
Food Insecurity is an often misunderstood and underestimated problem that impacts many people that you may not expect. Belinda Lasky, Director of Volunteer Leadership for Alpert Jewish Family Service, recently joined Scott Greenberg on his radio show, “OMG I’m Getting Older And So Is My Mom” to discuss the problem and what Alpert JFS does to address this very real need. Click here to listen to Belinda Lasky’s interview. https://www.alpertjfs.org/volunteer-leadership-director-featured-on-radio-show/
In honor of Holocaust Survivor Day, over 60 survivors joined together at Temple Shaarei Shalom to celebrate their resilience and strength. Survivors reunited with old friends and met new ones, they enjoyed a delicious dinner, music & dancing. Thank you to the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany), KAVOD, and Seed the Dream Foundation (https://seedthedream.org) for their partnerships. We were pleased to be joined by elected officials Ty Penserga Boynton Beach […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/holocaust-survivor-day/
“A big part of who I am is giving back and building community,” says Tamika Rawleigh, who recently relocated to Florida from Brooklyn, New York to join Alpert Jewish Family Service as its new Domestic Abuse Program Director. “I’m excited to use my talents in a meaningful way that benefits the community.” A New York City native, Tamika was a 16-year veteran of the New York City Department of Education, most recently serving as a Parent Coordinator. “I bridged communications […] https://www.alpertjfs.org/meet-tamika-raleigh-alpert-jfs-domestic-abuse-program-director/
This recent Op-Ed authored by Cindy Wides, Alpert JFS Director of Mental Health First Aid & Community Outreach, continues to spread the word about the premiere mental health education, training, and support Alpert JFS provides to the Palm Beach County community and beyond. The pieces recently appeared in the Boca Times, Delray Sun, Gateway Gazette, and West Boca Times. https://www.alpertjfs.org/mental-health-first-aid-lifesaving-you-didnt-learn-in-school/