Page 14 - Boca ViewPointe - December '22

Page 14, Viewpointe December 2022
PJ Library In SPBC And JFS Say “Privet” (Hello In

Russian) To Ukrainian Families New To Boca Raton

Imagine fleeing from Ruth & Norman Rales
your home and Jewish Family Services (JFS)
escaping gunfire and other Ukrainian and Russian-
only to move to a speaking volunteer families from
new place, where PJ Library in South Palm Beach
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you know no one County. Both of these programs
and do not speak the are supported by the Jewish
language. Federation of South Palm Beach
That is what it County.
has been like for The Jewish Federation of
about 40 families South Palm Beach County is
that are adjusting to also a beneficiary of Jewish
life in South Palm Federations of North America’s
Beach County after Ukrainian Resettlement Grant
fleeing war-torn Initiative, a $1 million program
Ukraine this year. They are being helped by a case manager in partnership with the Shapiro
Foundation to support refugees
seeking safety in the United States. greet to celebrate Simchat Torah, where they learned new
Helping Vulnerable Families Re-build ways to experience the holiday.”
Earlier this year, the first of the families were paired up The volunteer PJ Library families are assisting the new
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with JFS Case Manager Alex Chernis, who is helping them families settling into life here by providing practical services,
navigate all services they would need, including housing, like translation and school registrations. Marina Goldberg has
employment, health insurance, immigration services, and participated in the RSJ PJ Library program from the beginning.
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school placement services. Far away from her family in Ukraine, she cannot help them
“We had to jump right in and create a crisis intervention because of the distance between them, so she aids those nearby.
service,” said Chernis, program director for JFS’ Caregiver “This project has been so fulfilling for me and my family
Resources and Respite Program. Families were pointed to JFS to be able to help those families relocated to South Palm Beach
Food Pantry, but Chernis said, “they didn’t want a handout. They County. I look forward to seeing new friendships develop and
wanted to work and to earn a living.” strengthen over the next year,” she said.
“While they are waiting for employment authorization, we The Federation’s Annual Campaign raises funds to assist
help them with job training, resume writing, etc.,” he said. families in need, whether they are seeking refuge from a war
Since many of the families are women with young overseas or overcoming other challenges here at home. To give
children, JFS wanted to connect them with other Ukrainian to the Annual Campaign, visit www.jewishboca.org/donate. To
and Russian-speaking families in the area. Enter PJ Library help support the Russian Speaking PJ Library program, please
®
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in South Palm Beach County. donate to www.jewishboca.org/pjdonate.
Providing Friends Who Speak Their Language To learn more about the program or to volunteer, contact
PJ Library in South Palm Beach County has had an Rales JFS at (561) 852-3333 or visit ralesjfs.org. To learn more
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established program for Russian-Speaking Jews (RSJ), about the programs offered by PJ Library , call (561) 852-6080
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raising Jewish children in the area who want to connect or email pjlibrary@bocafed.org.
with other families who speak their language, for two years. Deepest thanks to Boca Pointe Federation Campaign
The program provides social, emotional and parenting Chairs: Jane and Dan Fishkoff, and to Committee Members:
support programs for these families in their native language, Rhoda Berkow, Allen Brayer, Richard Glazer and Elaine Kaplan,
including Parent’s Night Out, holiday celebrations, movie Bea Gold, Harold Katz, Joel Meisner, Arlene Penner, Murray
nights, and PJ Library story time with Russian books. The Pitkowsky, Mel Schoen, Doris and Stuart Zeuner, for their
program is funded by a grant from the Harold Grinspoon continued dedication and leadership.
Foundation and the Genesis Philanthropy Group. If you or a neighbor are in need of help, please contact
“With the recent influx of Ukrainian families, the program Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services at (561) 852-
has been a perfect fit to help the newcomers get acclimated 3333. In addition, our main Federation telephone number, (561)
to life in America, by networking with other families who 852-3100, is monitored regularly for voicemail messages.
speak their language,” said Elana Ostroff, director of PJ Learn more about our Federation and how you can help at
Library and Family Engagement at the Jewish Federation. www.jewishboca.org - or contact Shirley Gross at shirleyg@
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“The local and new Ukrainian families had a nice meet and bocafed.org or (561) 852-3182 (leave a voicemail). 

Jeffrey S. Fromowitz, M.D., F.A.A.D.

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