Strengthening Lives in Times of Need...
Since 1943, Jewish Family Service has played a vital role in responding to the constantly changing challenges and stresses of everyday life experienced by individuals and families in Greater Cincinnati.
Our professional and experienced staff can strengthen your life in times of need - at every age and stage.
Call us today for a better tomorrow. 513-469-1188.
In times of need, Jewish Family Service is There!
Click on the arrow, clap along, and see how our community counts on Jewish Family Service to be there to strengthen lives in times of need:
Heaping Kindness at the New Year
Rosh Hashanah may be the holiday that connects most directly to our work at Jewish Family Service. It celebrates the creation of humankind. And if humans were created as G*d’s emissaries in this world, then one reason we give is because those who need us also are creatures of G*d. We are called to heap kindness upon them.
As we spiral back to the head of a new year, the way we come together as a community is a source of optimism. In all the ways that can be measured, from people served to lives changed and all the geeky metrics we track, it’s clear that working together we “heaped” an awful lot of kindness on people during 5779. Thank you for being a part of our mission and may you have a sweet and joyous 5780.
Barbash Family Donates Brisket and Soup to Those in Need for the Holidays
While many households across Cincinnati celebrate the High Holidays by attending services and partaking in family dinners, too many members of the Jewish community don’t have the means to enjoy a traditional, hot meal. Jewish Family Service Barbash Family Vital Support Center has long been committed to providing many of the items typically enjoyed during the holidays. Pam Barbash and her family generously purchased and prepared brisket and matzo ball soup to feed 150 people.
Aging Services emerge as a community priority in JFS community survey
In keeping with a promise to provide updates on its strategic planning process, Jewish Family Service is continuing to share highlights from a survey about community needs. Through input from more than 300 people, Jewish Cincinnati made it clear that aging services are a top priority.
“Finding information, services and care to help people as they grow older can be incredibly challenging,” said Jewish Family Service
CEO Liz Vogel. “When the complexities of health insurance are factored in, it becomes even more difficult. This issue transcends education and financial means to impact nearly
everyone.”
Personalized solutions for older adults
Jewish Family Service is excited to lead AgeWell Cincinnati, a central solution that helps links those 60 and better – along with their family members, friends, and caregivers - to community resources for aging well in Jewish Cincinnati.
This new program, AgeWell Cincinnati, was created by the Cincinnati Jewish Senior Service Coalition. Whether you or a loved one are looking for a thought-provoking class, a ride to the grocery store or medical appointment, a new home, or ways to live independently, you’ve come to the right place. Learn more about AgeWell Cincinnati
Have a question about MEDICARE?
Jewish Family Service has been approved by the State of Ohio as one of only a handful of sites in the Tri-state area to provide Medicare counseling and information; and the only Jewish communal site in Southwestern Ohio. Learn more
Thank you for making Passover Delivery a success...
The 21st Annual Dr. Samuel S. Rockwern Passover Delivery Project of Jewish Family Service was an incredible success - all due to our amazing staff, donors, and volunteers. On April 7, 2019, 125 volunteers were able to pack and deliver nearly 600 meals to members of our Jewish community who would otherwise be unable to traditionally observe Passover.
Managing Senior Adult needs requires more than hiring home care services.
Jewish Family Service has an
experienced team of aging life care managers, Your Experts in Aging, to oversee the full range of demands and
responsibilities associated with aging.
Jewish Family Service Launches Social Enterprise With Acquisition of Cedar Village Home Care...
Jewish Family Service is now providing personal caregiving services through the acquisition of Cedar Village Home Care. Renamed “StarPoint Home Care,” caregivers are available 24/7 to help older adults with daily living activities, so they feel comfortable, secure, and independent while remaining in familiar surroundings.
Sharing and showing abilities at Barbash Family Vital Support Center...
During a recent group activity at our Barbash Family Vital Support Center, a few individuals openly shared their challenges, finding support and understanding within the group. Here are two pictures from "Share a Word" that reflect each artist’s reflection about their growth into adulthood, having overcome childhood adversities. Our Vital Support team acknowledges each participant in taking an active role in sharing their story. When we discuss our vulnerabilities, we break down the stigma, showing our abilities.
Coping with a Crisis
Jewish Family Service is trusted by our community to be there to strengthen lives in times of need.
To help you and your family cope with tragedy, Jewish Family Service's knowledgeable social workers are available to listen, counsel, and offer you support.
This crisis can especially be difficult for children and for Holocaust survivors. Please read and share this list of suggestions to help them cope.
Another Success! 2018 Dancing with our Stars...
Eight generous community members raised nearly $201,000 through individual donations and sponsorships to help Jewish Family Service strengthen lives in times of need when they volunteered to dance on stage for the 2018 Dancing with our Stars gala on Saturday, November 3. This event was vital to help fund our many important programs including Heldman Family Food Pantry, Barbash Family Vital Support Center, and Center for Holocaust Survivors.
Thank you to all our dancers, co-chairs Meryl Juran and Judy Kadetz, staff, and supporters.
Holocaust survivors' personal stories recorded for history
Bonnie Rupe partnered with Jewish Family Service Center for Holocaust Survivors to create beautifully written "books" recording their personal stories and family photos.
Volunteer to help Holocaust survivors stay connected to family, friends, and the world
Is using an iPad easy for you?
Volunteer with our Tablets and Technology: Alleviating Isolation in Holocaust Survivors project and teach survivors how to use an iPad to help them stay connected to family, friends, and the world.
Russian speakers are especially needed. Learn more.
Read more about the Tablets and Technology: Alleviating Isolation in Holocaust Survivors project in this spotlight article by The HealthPath Foundation of Ohio.
Donate your car to Jewish Family Service
Want to get rid of an old car? Donate it to Jewish Family Service Cincinnati! Donating your car, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle is easy - even if it won't start! All you need is a clear title and we'll do the rest, including free pick-up. Once it is sold, we'll send you a tax receipt and the sale proceeds will go directly to helping those most in need in our community.
A few notes of appreciation from our clients...
We asked clients and volunteers to write personal notes explaining how Jewish Family Service strengthened their lives.
Below is a sampling of the heartfelt messages we received:
Creating Your Jewish Legacy to keep the flame alive
We all strive to leave the world a better place – through our children, our good deeds, our generosity.
Thank you to our supporters, such as Mona and Dick Kerstine, who have created a Jewish legacy for Jewish Family Service so future generations will say of us, "The world is a better place because, for a brief time, they lived in it."
What is elder abuse?
It is well known that millions of older adults are financially exploited each year. In fact, reports from Bloomberg indicate that those over 60 in the US are losing $37 billion a year to fraud—and that is just what is reported. However, the impact goes far beyond the pocket book and affects the physical and emotional health of victims. Unfortunately, in approximately 60 percent of financial exploitations of older adults, the perpetrator is a family member.
Abuse of older adults is not limited to finances. Elder abuse also includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. These perpetrators are also often known to the victim and can include adult children, other family members, and spouses, as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities.
Why don’t older adults ask for help?
Many older adults find these problems difficult to talk about, and so many just don’t. They hesitate to share them with others because of:
Spotting the signs of elder abuse
While an older adult may not report elderly abuse, there are some things people can watch out for as a caregiver or loved one to spot the signs of abuse. Take concern if an older adult:
Where to report suspicions of elder and dependent abuse
Adult Protective Services agencies investigate complaints about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are unable to care for themselves or make decisions due to mental or physical impairment, illness, or a crisis in their lives.
If you believe that an adult age 60 or older has suffered abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you may file a report with your county department of Job and Family Services by phone, mail, fax, or in person during agency hours—or you can call 1-855-OHIO-APSS (1-855-644-6277) toll-free at any time of day. In Hamilton County, call Adult Protective Services at 513-421-LIFE (5433). All calls are confidential. People who witness any form of abuse should call 911.
AgeWell Cincinnati is also able to answer your questions about elder abuse and help connect you to the agency that can best provide support.
Taking action
We live in an aging society. A large number of older adults are isolated, and it is easy for elder abuse to happen—particularly as Baby Boomers age and scammers and others recognize that this population has trillions in assets that they can help themselves to with seemingly little repercussions.
The Elder Fraud and Elder Justice Act was passed in 2010. Prosecutors and practitioners say that more money needs to be appropriated to try to prevent elder abuse from happening. Unfortunately, there is not enough money to research, prevent, and train people to recognize and deal with this epidemic. Collaborative action focused on preventing abuse across the lifespan—from keeping children safe to the well being of elders—is vital for the entire community.
Lifting Up Voices for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2019 in Cincinnati
Every year on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated in the US and around the world. WEAAD was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) and the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) has joined forces with WEAAD with this year’s theme, Lifting Up Voices for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2019. AgeWell Cincinnati strives to increase elder abuse awareness, as we Lift Up Voices for older adults in our community.