FROM THE PRESIDENT Betsy G. Winkelman, President Resettlement Service It is a pleasure to give you an update of recent initiatives undertaken by Resettlement Service to enhance our com- munity's resettlement program. The staff and board have initiated several wonderful projects since last autumn to assist the new families in our midst, and to inform and include our Jewish community as a working partner in the resettlement process. In October, 1994, Resettlement Service board presented a program for the reli- gious school students of Adat Shalom Synagogue and their parents simulating the intake procedures used during the resettlement process. The participants pretended to be newcomers and thereby gained insight into the many challenges faced by the emigres. This effective and educational program can be made avail- able to other groups in the community. We also initiated "Friendly Encounters of a Jewish Kind", in which Resettlement board members and their families are matched to new families who have lived here for a short time. The encounter is centered around an activity shared by both families and presents a wonderful opportu- nity for informal acculaturation. In November, we launched our "Teams Visits". At least ten teams, each consist- ing of one American-born English speaker and one former refugee Russian speaker, visited the newest families, welcoming them to our community with a short, RS CASEWORKER BECOMES U.S. CITIZEN Tanya Fingerman came to the United States in 1989. The former interpreter went through the resettlement process in Boston. In July, 1989, she moved to Detroit, and started work as a receptionist for Jewish Family Service. In 1990, she was promoted to caseworker for Resettlement Service. Mrs. Fingerman estimates that, during the past 5 years, she has helped close to 200 families embark on their new lives in the Detroit area. On November 28, 1994, "one of the defining achieve- ments of my life," Tanya realized her dream and became a U.S. citizen. She says: "I am so happy because the country Tanya Fingerman where I was born deprived me of my citizenship when I left it. I lived as a stateless person for 5 years until the U.S., the country that gave me refuge, granted me citizenship status." The joyous occasion was celebrated by the staffs of Jewish Family Service and Resettlement Service at a party given in Tanya's honor. Often, now, Tanya receives many calls from refugees regarding the citizenship process. Everyone at Jewish Family Service and Resettlement Service congratulates Tanya on this very happy achievement. DID YOU KNOW? • The United States allows people to apply for citizenship if they have been permanent residents for 5 years. RESETTLEMENT SERVICE WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR Rachel Yoskowitz has been named Director of Resettlement Service. She comes to this position after serving as Director of Adolescent Health Services, Delaware Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services. For her master's thesis she developed a health education and orientation to the U.S. health care system for emigres from the former Soviet Union. Ms. Yoskowitz says: "Resettlement Service has a long history of helping our fellow Jews and I am proud to be a part of this effort in our community." She plans "to continue to work with our volunteers, community and staff to help newly-arriv- ing refugees to effectively achieve self sufficiency and acculturation." The staff of Resettlement Service is privileged to have Ms. Yoskowitz as direc- tor, and wishes her a long, happy associa- tion with the agency. • Applicants have to pass either the written or oral exam on the history and structure of the United States government. • When receiving a Certificate of Citizenship, an immigrant can assume any first or last name he or she chooses. • Jews from the former Soviet Union enjoy one of the highest percentages (62%) of becoming United States citizens. 1111111111111111118111 TRENDS IN RESETTLEMENT ARRIVALS Resettlement Service has resettled the following numbers of individuals during the months of October, November and December, 1994, and January, 1995: Monthly Totals Children Elderly October — 23 4 6 November — 40 11 9 6 11 4 2 December — 42 January — 16 1 ("children" ages 0 - 17 — "elderly" ages 65 and over) TOTAL NEW ARRIVALS FOR 1994-529 PERSONS L to R: Betsy Winkleman, Margaret Demant, Barbara Nusbaum, and Marcy Feldman with shower gifts. friendly visit and a small gift. In December and again in January, friends, bringing new, beautiful and useful household items for our newcomers, met at showers initiated by Federation's Womens' Division Communiteas pro- gram. In March, Resettlement Service participated in our community's Tzedakah Experience, and was one of the recipients of funds raised by the participating stu- dents. Finally, at the end of March the Board of Resettlement Service hosted a shower for the newcomers, inviting over 100 community leaders who generously brought gifts, and who were given in return an enhanced understanding of our agency services and programming ideas for their own organizations. Through our many activities, the staff and board of Resettlement Service has endeavored successfully to help the new- comers integrate into their new communi- ty. We are looking forward to meeting the challenges of serving the large numbers of refugees who continue to resettle in the metropolitan Detroit area. FROM THE BACK OF THE TRUCK At the time this is being written, Resettlement Service is experiencing it's most serious lack of furniture dona- tions in recent memory. Fortunately, the agency is able to purchase new beds for the new arrivals, but many will have a long wait for the tables and chairs, sofas, dressers, lamps and other items necessary for a comfortable level of living. After a bed, the most press- ing need is for a table and chairs. Again, the staff and clients of Resettlement Service thank the com- munity for its generous furniture dona- tions during past years, and, in advance, thanks those who will donate furniture in the future. Remember, all furniture donations are tax-deductable. FOR FURNITURE PICK-UP APPOINTMENT AND OTHER INFORMATION CALL SUSAN ULANOFF AT (810)559-4566. JFS THANKS ITS FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY Jewish Family Service recently completed its annual Friends of the Family Membership Drive. This effort raises needed funds which sup- port agency programs serviing Jewish children, older adults and families. With sincere thanks, we would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their generosity as 1994/95 Friends of the Family: FRIENDS: Andrew and Lisa Barbas Mary Brophy/Philip Kessler Robert and Susan Citrin Bruce Frankel Edward and Francine Gold Irving Gould Nancy and Stephen Grand Barbara Grant Gerald Harris/Furniture Club M.G. and Gail Hennes David and Doreen Hermelin Michael Horowitz John and Gilda Jacobs Nancy Jacobson Martin and Cis Maisel Kellman Agnes Klein Robert and Michelle Kleiman Caren L. Landau Frances and Fred Marblestone John and Judy Marx Irving and Barbara Nusbaum Sophie Pearlstein Stuart Pernick Marta and Benjamin Rosenthal Dr. and Mrs. Richard Rubinstein Helen and Frederick Shevin Lewis and Cheryl Silver Buzz and Jan Silverman Gary and Francine Snyder Brent and Nancy Triest Betsy and Mike Winkelman William and Janis Wetsman Andrew and Helaine Zack Helene Phillips/Paul Zerkel SPONSORS: Richard Blumenstein Warren J. Coville Fayga Dombey Henry and Marla Dorfman Beatrice and Joseph Epel Harry and Rachel Maisel Edythe Jackier-Mulivor Allan and Joy Nachman Donn and Edith Resnick Arlene Rhodes Marshal Rubin Stollman Foundation PATRONS: Dr. and Mrs. Eli V. Berger Abraham and Charlotte Burnstein Steven P. and Amy D. Dunn Sophie Fierro-Share Ruth Gable Bruce and Beverly Gale Alan and Susan Goodman Stephen L. Greenfield Diane D. Hauser Douglas and Ilene Klegon David Lerner and Sharona Shapiro Don and Gail Lansky Mr. and Mrs. Myron L. Liner Joel Lutz Mark L. Small Eleanor Snyder DOUBLE CHAI: Richard and Nancy Barr Roz and Stanford Blanck Douglas and Barbara Bloom Stacy and Jeffrey Brodsky Fran Cook Fran Cox Marcia Fligman Peggy and Dennis Frank Pola and Howard Friedman Marlene Gropman Mr. and Mrs. Harold Josephson Herbert Kaufman Esther and Henry 'Crystal Rita Rochlen Harriet and Fred Rosen Howard Rosen Alvin C. Sallen Dr. Sheldon and Karen Schore Norval and Judith Slobin Joel and Florence Steinberg Dr. Warren and Charlotte Tessler Ruth Wayne Eric Zuckerman, D.O. CHAI: Marvin and Helene Cherrin Albert and Harriet Colman Lawrence and Sara Epstein Igor Gabrielov and Rimma Igolinskaya Max Garber Doris Goodman Kerry and Elaine Greenhut Paula Inowlocki Deborah and Martin Karp Milton P. Kogan Melvy Erman Lewis Steve and Beth Margolin Albert and Dorothy Mazer