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."