FROM THE
PRESIDENT
ohn D. Marx, D.D.S.
resident, Jewish Family Service
Given the fact that "Jewish continuity" is the
urrent buzz word in the Jewish community, it is
aluable for us to look at some of the many
ays that Jewish Family Service promotes and
evelops the strengthening of Jewish life.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
111 etroit has targeted education as the most
mportant direction to pursue in strengthening
ewish continuity, and there is much discussion
hat significant community dollars be re-direct-
d to provide more support for day schools,
upplemental schools, camping and Israel trips.
his is good, but I want to make it clear that
S, too, plays a crucial role in the Jewish edu-
ational process.
No matter how excellent the day school or
supplemental school experience, the month at
camp, or the trip to Israel, a child's likelihood
of becoming a committed member of the adult
Jewish community is most significantly affect-
ed by his/her family experience. That is why
Jewish education dollars cannot be directed
only toward our youth. They must be chan-
neled into our entire community.
JFS has the knowledge, and the creativity and
the expertise to make many wonderful things
happen in Jewish homes throughout Detroit.
Example: "Kiddushin is for Keeps" - an
exciting program in which engaged and newly
married couples explore the commitments of a
Jewish marriage. Example: "Parenting Your
Parents" is another of the many JFS programs
1which build, support and strengthen our fami-
lies Detroit Jewish families!
Jewish continuity is an inherent part of the
work being done each and every day by JFS.
Our agency has across the board access to
Jewish families that no other community
agency or group has. Although 80% of families
with children between the ages of 8 and 13
belong to synagogues and temples, over
50% of the Jewish families in our area are
unaffiliated. Solid Jewish family values are
central to a vibrant Jewish community and JFS,
with 33 experienced social workers providing
counseling, treatment and support services, is
uniquely positioned to help solidify Jewish
family life.
Growing up in marginal, dysfunctional or
neurotic families often results in children seek-
ing to identify with negative or harmful values.
Children tend to want to be different from their
parents in every way including sometimes
rejecting their religion. Families who are cop-
ing with survival cannot possibly make Jewish
education their priority. It is the stronger,
healthier Jewish families of today that are the
nurturing environments from which the com-
mitted Jews of tomorrow will grow.
-
FROM THE BACK
OF THE TRUCK
Resettlement Service no longer has the
use of a warehouse, so the volunteers who
help our driver, Alex Barenboym, pick up
your furniture immediately take it to the
new apartments of our most recent arrivals.
This system has been working very well
both for the new arrivals who don't have to
wait to receive the furniture they need so
badly, and for you, the donors. Now you
are often able to meet the recipients of your
generosity face to face.
Having no storage space does, however,
affect the ability of Resettlement Service to
accept some donations. Please be aware that
we are unable to accept clothing, books and
large appliances. Our need continues, as
always, for furniture, small appliances
(including televisions and computers) and
household goods in excellent condition.
FOR INFORMATION AND FREE
PICK UP CALL SUSAN ULANOFF,
DONATIONS LIAISON AT
(810)559-4566.
YOUTHS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS TUTORS NEEDED
TO REINFORCE
ON NEW LIVES, NEW LANGUAGE
During the months of June, July, August and September, 1994, Resettlement Service has reset-
tled a total of 198 refugees, 47 of whom are children. Leaving one's familiar surroundings and
friends presents a significant challenge to people of all ages. Here are some thoughts about the
experience from three young people who have all arrived in our community within the past two
years—the most recent arrival was on September 29, 1994.
ANATOLY ASHKENAZI, age 10, arrived from Moscow on January 12,
1994. He attends Avery Elementary School where he is in the 5th grade.
"I was surprised because I came to the United States at 2:00 AM. I looked
outside in the morning and it was so beautiful to me."
Anatoly likes to travel and so far has visited the Toledo Zoo and Toledo Art
Museum. He especially likes Cranbrook and the Science Museum there.
He says there are lots of nice people all around him, but dislikes people at
school who call him wrong names. At first, he had a few problems at
school with the language, "but not a lot. I was so excited to be in an
American school." "Sometimes I want to see my friends again—but I'm
not homesick for Russia." He wants to be a mathematician when he grows up and he likes Math
and computers the most. Finally he wants to say, "I was in two summer camps this year, thanks to
Bronya Specktor (his Resettlement Service caseworker.) It really helped my English to be there."
JANE MIRCHUK, age 11, arrived from Moscow on March 25, 1993
speaking no English. She attends Hillel Day School where she is in the 5th
grade. She likes the United States "better than Russia," and especially likes
the state of Michigan. She has been to Lansing and to Dearborn and to
Greenfield Village. She likes everything here so far, and has lots of friends.
"I don't really miss my friends in Moscow, but I think about visiting there
and then coming back. At first, she had a hard time with the language, but
she took ESL classes in school and now has no trouble being understood
and understanding her American friends. "I have lots of friends." Her best
subject is Art and, "I want to be an English Language teacher when I grow
up." Her favorite teachers are Mrs. Gaba and Mrs. Schuchman.
LINA ELKIN, age 12, arrived from Riga, Latvia on August 29, 1994. She
attends Norup Middle School where she is in the 7th grade. When she came
to the United States, she spoke some English. She was surprised to find
that "school is easier in the United States." She has both Russian and
American friends, and so far likes everything here. "At first I had a few
problems understanding everything (in my classes) but now its good." She
wants to be a computer programmer when she grows up. Finally, she wants
to say "I like all my teachers, my favorite is Mrs. Carpenter who teaches
science."
TRENDS IN RESETTLEMENT ARRIVALS
Resettlement Service has resettled the following numbers of individuals during the months of
June, July, August and September, 1994:
Monthly Totals
— 48
June
Children
9
Elderly
11
— 36
July
— 46
August
September — 68
9
12
17
6
8
18
("children" ages 0 - 17 – "elderly" ages 65 and over)
During this time period 3 babies have been born, automatically making them citizens of the
United States. To everyone we wish a warm welcome home.
NOVEMBER IS
NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH!
Esther Krystal, M.Ed., M.S.W., JFS
Coordinator of Adoption and Foster Care
recently spoke on "Jewish Issues in Adoption"
at the Jewish Community Center in Ann Arbor.
She was featured as part of a panel on adoption
sponsored by the Jewish Family Service of Ann
Arbor.
The Oakland County Adoption Network in
conjunction with the Families for Kids
Initiative is sponsoring "Adoption Summit:
Sensitivity and Awareness" on November, 6
(7:00 pm - 9:00 pm,) and November, 7 (8:00
am - 4:00 pm.) The Summit will take place at
the Management Education Center of Michigan
State University. Esther Krystal, M.Ed.,
M.S.W., JFS Coordinator of Adoption and
Foster Care will present a workshop entitled
"Ongoing Issues of Infertility."
Rabbi Michael Gold, author of And Hannah
Wept will speak on "Infertility, Adoption and
the Jewish Family" at the Applebaum Jewish
Parenting Center of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek on November 20 (9:30 am - 12 Noon.)
Kenneth A. Ginsburg, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. will
lead a workshop entitled "Infertility: Facts and
Fiction." Esther Krystal, M.Ed., M.S.W. will
lead a workshop with Elissa Rosenfeld,
M.S.W., A.C.S.W. on "Exploring Adoption."
Linda Yellin, M.S.W., A.C.S.W. will conduct a
workshop on "As Kids Grow, Common
Adoption Issues." This event is sponsored by
the Applebaum Jewish Parenting Center in
cooperation with the American Committee for
the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Greater
Detroit Chapter of Hadassah, Jewish Family
Service and the Stars of David.
CONTACT ESTHER KRYSTAL AT
(810)559-1500 FOR FURTHER INFORMA-
TION ON THE UPCOMING EVENTS.
ESL CLASSES
Great numbers of new Americans are arriv-
ing monthly. The vast majority of them will
need to find a job. In order to be able to do
this, they will need to learn to speak English.
Even though they all attend ESL classes, hav-
ing a Conversational English Tutor provides
refugees with an opportunity to practice their
English in a one-on-one setting. The assistance
these tutors provide is immeasurable.
Being a Conversational English Tutor offers
great satisfaction. New friendships often devel-
op from these sessions and the tutor knows for
certain that the new arrival is receiving the best
help possible. The tutoring process may
include spending time reading the local news-
papers, practicing speaking English on the tele-
phone, completing forms, or sharing in a gro-
cery shopping trip.
Tutors report, "This is the best thing I have
ever done. I've become very close to a new
American family and learned a great deal about
their customs and traditions, and it's a lot of
fun helping them to settle in here."
Please help our new arrivals by becoming a
Conversational English Tutor. You will find
the experience most rewarding.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
CAROLYN DAVIDSON, JFS/RS VOLUN-
TEER SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT
(810)559-4046.
RESETTLEMENT
SERVICE ACCEPTS
AUTO DONATIONS
Resettlement Service has, for some time,
accepted automobiles in good condition for
donation to recently arrived families of the for-
mer Soviet Union. Many of these families
were either older adults or unable to secure a
loan to purchase a vehicle. The recipients of
the automobiles have been very grateful for the
newfound independence they experience.
Resettlement Service is pleased to announce
that we have recently expanded this program to
include automobiles, trucks and boats in any
condition. Through an arrangement with a bro-
ker, vehicles which are not appropriate for a
refugee will be purchased by the broker, with
proceeds placed into the Transportation Fund
of Resettlement Service.
When you donate a vehicle to Resettlement
Service, a driver will pick up the vehicle, even
if the vehicle is not operating. There is no
charge to the donor. All paperwork will be
completed the same day. Donations are tax
deductible.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION,
PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN ULANOFF,
DONATIONS LIAISON AT (810)559-4566.
MEET OUR NEW
VOLUNTEER SERVICES
PROGRAM MANAGER
The JFS/RS Volunteer Services Department
welcomes Carolyn Davidson as its new
Program Manager. For the past two years, she
has worked as the Intake Coordinator for
Jewish Family Service, and prior to that she
served as the Director of RSVP—Retired
Senior Volunteers of Macomb County. Ms.
Davidson replaces Elina Zilberberg, who was
Program Manager from 1992 to 1994.
"I look forward to the challenges awaiting
me as the Program Manager of the Volunteer
Services Department," Carolyn Davidson says,
and adds "The variety of volunteer opportuni-
ties and the dedication of our volunteers is
amazing. I look forward to meeting everyone
connected with this Department and wish the
very best to Elina in her future endeavors."