Sofia Rose Mastri is not your typicalfifteen year old chatting on the

phone with friends, watching moviesand shopping for clothes. She does,however, have her own ideas abouthow she likes to dress, favorite televi-sion programs to watch and her ownway to show people that she cares.Sofia was born five weeks prematurelyand was diagnosed with CerebralPalsy. The physicians told her parents,Ken Mastri and Tamelyn Feinstein, thatSofia would have vision, motor andspeech and language delays but theseverity could not be determined. Kenand Tamelyn started early interventionright away that resulted in Sofia begin-ning to see images at age three.Today, Sofia is wheelchair bound withminimal mobility, limited vision andlacks an effective way to communicate.Her progress has been slow through-out the years until September of 2014when she was the recipient of an iPadthrough the JFS Low Vision Programsponsored by B’nai B’rith MaimonidesLodge #46.

Toni Jacobsen, JFS social workerand Elaine Parker, B’nai B’rith member

and JFS volunteer, met with the fam-ily, spoke with the vision specialist atSofia’s school and carefully researchedoptions for Sofia. It was determinedthat an iPad would be most beneficialfor her situation. The first time shesaw the iPad, she immediately responded by turning her head andsmiling as she watched the colorsmove across the screen. Sofia takesher iPad to school on a daily basiswhere the team of professionals including a Speech and LanguageSpecialist are working with her on beginning to communicate. The iPadwill make communication easier because of the touch sensitivity andsimplicity. Without the help from JFSand B’nai B’rith, Sofia would not havethis opportunity because the schoolsystem does not have resources topurchase iPads for students.

Tamelyn pointed out that in addi-tion to beginning to meet some of hereducational goals that there have alsobeen unexpected benefits. These in-clude Sofia being able to engage in anactivity independent of her parents.Ken and Tamelyn feel that the most

beneficial aspect of having an iPad forSofia is that it is a useful tool for creat-ing new ways for her to communicate.Tamelyn describes Sofia as being a social child who enjoys interacting withothers and wants to talk.

JFS and B’nai B’rith have partneredto address the needs of individuals inour community living with low vision.The program serves individuals whofind it difficult to engage in basic dailyactivities such as cooking, locating appropriate clothing, continuing hobbies or reading the newspaper dueto vision difficulties. While most of theclients of the program are senioradults, the program will serve any ageindividuals with low vision. The fundingfor this program is provided by B’naiB’rith Maimonides Lodge #46.

To see more photos of Sofia, pleasevisit our Facebook page, search forJewish Family Service of Nashville andMiddle TN.

If you feel that you, or someone you know, could benefit from the low-vision program, contact Toni Jacobsen,Clinical Social Worker at Jewish FamilyService at 354-1672. •

Newsfrom theHeartsupporting our community one child,

one adult, one family at a time

2014

A gift of technology

Executive Committee:

Sandra HecklinPresident

Howard SaferVice-President

Nan SpellerTreasurer

Elliot PinslySecretary

Lynn BartonExecutive Committee at large member

Stan SchklarExecutive Committee at large member

Daniella PressnerPast-President

Board Members:

Sam AverbuchDianne BerryNancy FlexerMimi FriedmanTara GoldbergRae HirschSteve LapidusYuri LivshitzPatty MarksBen RussJustin SchneiderJames SchulmanLisa ShmerlingRyan SmallCarol Smith

Staff:

Pam KelnerDirector

Teri Sogol, LCSWCasework Director

Toni Jacobsen, LCSWClinical Social Worker

Anna SirHelping Hands Coordinator

Janet Parr Office Manager

Roslyn Landa, CPAController

Dear Friends,JFS has had a remarkable year. Our projects and programs have met the

needs of over 1700 clients.Please take the opportunity to read through the newsletter to educate

yourself with the work YOUR Nashville Jewish Family Service agency facilitates in our community. JFS is able to provide support to individuals in need and aidsfamilies facing challenging life transitions.

42 young women (grades 6-9) participated in Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing!The program empowers young women to navigate the complexities of adolescentlife through a Jewish perspective and to think for themselves.

This year, thanks to a grant from the Selma and Ernest Rosenblum Founda-tion, JFS launched Shevet Achim: The Brotherhood, which empowers young menin 9th grade to enhance their self esteem and make connections to Judaism withtheir peers.

Through a new initiative grant from The Jewish Federation, JFS began Welcome Shabbat this year. Welcome Shabbat is a daytime welcome to our Sabbath for seniors. Through this program seniors are provided with a meaningful Sabbath experience, a delicious and nutritious meal and communitycompanionship to help reduce isolation.

JFS facilitated an educational program for professionals and volunteers whowork directly with children regarding recognizing sexual offenders in our com-munity with the main goal of protecting our children as well as our institutions.

The list of our JFS services goes on and on. Thanks to our amazing staff andour giving volunteers we work to meet the need of today. Also thanks to a givingand committed community we are able to continue to serve the Jewish communityin Nashville successfully.

We are all grateful for the opportunity to complete Mitzvot.

Warm regards,

Sandra HecklinJFS President

Ben and Marissa Russ, Annual Campaign co-chairs with Sandra Hecklin, President

supporting our community one child, one adult, one family at a time2

President's Corner

Highlights of 2013-14Jewish Family Service’s

core services and programs:

(statistics are July 2013-June 2014)

Adoption 117 people served

Case Management 12 peopleserved

Counseling 61 people served

Emergency Financial Assistance 40 people served

Family Life Education121 people served

Golden Lunch Bunch56 seniors served

Hanukkah Gift Program39 individuals served

Healthy Skills for Healthy Kids30 children served

Helping Hands Volunteer initiative 63 seniors served

Helping Hands Music Program10 people served

Information and Referral506 people served

Jewish Job Network 91 job seekers served

Kosher Food Boxes 44 individuals served

Low-vision Program6 people served

Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing!42 tween and teen girlsserved

Senior Seder 58 seniorsserved

School Supplies 38 childrenserved

JFS News from the Heart 2014 • www.jfsnashville.org 3

Our Honorees of the Year

Frank May presents his dad, Leon May, with the 2014 Chesed Award.

Roslyn Landa, Ruach award recipient,  with her sons Jeremy Landa (left) and AdamLanda (right)

Lynda Gutcheon, Chaver award recipient, with Sandra Hecklin, JFS Board President

Earl Kirshner adoption loan program builds Jewish families

Earl Kirshner’s relatives remem-ber him as a caring man who

valued his family above everything. His wife, Betty, recalls that

when their children, Howard andMeryl, were growing up, therewere always additional children intheir home, and Earl loved it.Howard describes his father as asaint who had unwavering loveand compassion for his childrenand grandchildren.

Earl and Betty grew up in fami-lies where family was importantand everyone was close to eachother. Naturally they created aclose, loving family of their own.

After Earl’s passing in 2003,Howard and his wife, Leslie, de-cided to donate $20,000 to startthe Jewish Family Service Earl Kir-shner Adoption Loan Program.Jewish families can apply for in-terest free loans up to $10,000 tobe applied toward adoption ex-penses. To date, four families havebeen approved for the loan andthree children have been adopted

into the Jewish community sincethe program began in 2005.

The average adoption costs$30,000, and a loan often is whatenables the families to finish theprocess.

“The Kirshner loan providedthe last bit of money we neededto finalize our adoption, and itcame at a point in the processwhen we felt we were out of op-tions,” said an adoptive motherwho, along with her husband, wasthe first Kirshner loan recipient.“It was such a gift and relief forus to be able to bring our babyhome for good.”

Asked how Earl would feel if he knew about the program established in his honor, Bettysaid, “I think he would be happythese children are being takencare of and have their own families.”

The Earl Kirshner AdoptionLoan program is available to qualified Jewish families who areadopting through JFS. •

Family was always important to Earl Kirshner, shown herein a photo with his wife, Betty, and two of their threegrandchildren, Andrea Kirshner (left) and Allison Kirshner,who are now grown.

supporting our community one child, one adult, one family at a time4

“It was such a gift and relief for us to be able to bring our baby home for good.”

Jewish Family Service has updatedand published the second edition of

the JFS Directory of Senior Services. Itcontains over 80 resources includinghousing, transportation, social activi-ties and volunteer opportunities thatare often needed by seniors. The proj-

ect was fully funded by a grant fromthe Jewish Federation of Nashville andMiddle Tennessee. You can pick up acopy at Jewish Family Service locatedinside the GJCC or your local syna-gogue. You can also download a copyat www.jfsnashville.org/ •

Directory of Senior Services

JFS News from the Heart 2014 • www.jfsnashville.org 5

Jewish Family Service Open House

On September 10th, JFS held our very first OpenHouse. Over 50 members of the community

had full access to our typically confidential space.Their time was very well spent learning about the 19 different programs and services we offer, meetingour incredibly dedicated staff, eating some tastytreats and picking up some JFS swag. We plan onhaving an open house every other year, so next timewe want to see YOU there! •

Jewish Family Service

is grateful to the families

and individuals who

participate in our

ongoing Tribute program.

It is a wonderful way to

honor special people in

your life and, at the same

time, help fund the vital

programs of JFS.

IN HONOR

Elizabeth AsherThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Lynn BartonMelissa & Frank Bloch

Lynn & David BartonIn honor of your receiving TheNashville Business Journal 2014Health Care Heroes LifetimeAchievement Award!Leslye & Steve LapidusCarolyn & Barrett Rosen

Dianne BerryThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Stacy BeyerIn honor of your receiving the “TIME” Award!Lynn & David Barton

Bob EisensteinIn honor of your receiving the “2013 Jewish Federation President’s Award”Carolyn & Larry Levine

Dan EisensteinBetsy ChernauBarbara & Frank Ghertner

Dr. Jeffrey EskindCongratulations on being honored by the Public SchoolHall of Fame!Cindee & Michael Gold

Simon GorelikWishing you Good Health!Laura Thompson & Yuri

Livshitz

Lorna GraffThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Lynda GutcheonIn honor of your receiving the “2014 JFS Chaver Award”Lynn & David BartonCindee & Michael GoldJan LiffCarol & Roy Smith

The Guttman FamilyLaura Thompson & Yuri

Livshitz

Stacey HanaiThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Sandra HecklinThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Sandra HecklinIn honor of your becoming theNew JFS President!Carolyn & Larry Levine

Sandra & Steve HecklinIn honor of Stephanie Hecklinbecoming a Nurse Practitioner!Carolyn & Barrett Rosen

Sandra HecklinGretchen GoldsteinGloria & Paul SternbergLisa & James Usdan

Sandra HecklinIn honor of your taking the “IceBucket Challenge!”Ellen & Steve Dansky

Toni HellerThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Toni JacobsenDoug Bishop & Mo RileyLynn Kanter

Pam KelnerAmy-Jill Levine & Jay Geller

Leslie & Howard KirshnerKaren & Howard Weil

Evelyn & Moshe KochThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Jessica & Rabbi Joshua KullockThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Leslye & Steve LapidusIn honor of your wonderfulfriendship!Diane & Sy Trachtman

Stephen LapidusIn honor of your receiving the “2013 Chesed Award”Carolyn & Larry Levine

Louis LipschutzIn honor of your being named“Gabbi of the Century!” Margot & Martin Nash

Rabbi Shana MacklerIn honor of your 10 Year Anniversary at The Temple! Jan Liff

Mimsye & Leon MayIn honor of your receiving the “2014 Chesed Award”Robert L. BallowBernita BrownNancy J. Brown & Andrew

MayBetsy & Richard ChalalVictoria Cohen-CrumptonSis & Paul CohnRenette CorenswetAnnette EskindJamie & Billy EskindDavid GoldbergMartha & Fred Goldner, Jr.Katie Greenebaum & Josh

MayLynda & Bernard GutcheonMiriam & Arie HalachmiSandra & Steve Hecklin

Mindy & Kenneth HirtLaura & Andrew HirtMelanie & Doug HirtErica & Billy JacobsPam & Saul KelnerMarilyn & Ted KrickJanice KrohnEllen LehmanHedy & Norman LustigDiane & Frank MayJack MayLynn & Joseph MayMargaret & Ludwig

ReinheimerSara Rachel RobinArlene & Howard SaferGeraldine SadowHermina SeidenJan & Lee SteinAnn & Willy SternBetsy & Wally SternGloria & Paul SternbergNancy UrbachDeborah & Neil Wolfman

Roslyn Landa McMahanIn honor of your receiving the “2014 JFS Ruach Award”Jan LiffCarol & Roy Smith

David NaftIn honor of your being named“Gabbi of the Century!” Margot & Martin Nash

Sam PerlenCongratulations on becomingthe Grand Aleph Godol ofBBYO!Cindee & Michael Gold

Daniella PressnerRoberta & Lenn Goodman

Trent Rosenbloom, M.D.In honor of your serving asmohel!Jennifer NelsonRobert Rosen

Eileen RuchmanThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Jim Schmidt & Joe WoolleyMelissa Russell

Polly ShepardCongratulations on getting yourMaster’s Degree!Leslye & Steve Lapidus

6TR

IBU

TES

Amy SmithThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Charles SprintzBetsy Chernau

Lynne SrebnikThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Karen WeilThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

Yaara YeminThank you for showing our outof town guests true “southernhospitality” for Shoshana’s BatMitzvah! The Kelner Family

RETIREMENT

Judge Dan EisensteinCongratulations!Leslye & Steve Lapidus

Nancy FlexerCongratulations!Lynn & David Barton

Dr. Richard HellerCongratulations!Leslye & Steve Lapidus

NEW BABY

Tara & Ben GoldbergCongratulations on the birth ofyour new baby girl, Vivian ClaireGoldberg! Pam & Shaul Kelner

Sandra & Steve HecklinCongratulations on the birth ofyour new grandson, DylanSimon Hyatt! Toni & Dick Heller

Glenda & Lee KraftCongratulations on the birth ofyournew grandchild, Ellis Kraft! Jan Liff

Roslyn LandaCongratulations on the birth ofyour new granddaughter, ShiraChaya Landa! Evelyn & Marvin Koch

Julie & Bob NeaderthalCongratulations on the birth ofyour new grandchild! Jan Liff

Jane & David SorinCongratulations on the birth ofyour new granddaughter! Leslye & Steve Lapidus

NEW HOME

Irma & Herman KaplanLeslye & Steve Lapidus

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Toni & Dick HellerGinny & John Aita

B’NAI MITZVAH

Jessica & Dan VinerCongratulations on the B’naiMitzvah of Rebecca & Gabrielle! Nan Speller

BAT MITZVAH

Shoshana KelnerDianne & Brian BerryRae & Bruce HirschJan Liff

Nan SpellerCongratulations on AnnaSpeller becoming a Bat Mitzvah! Sandy Schwarcz

ENGAGEMENT &WEDDING

Chuck Cahn & NancyMaruyamaLynn & David Barton

Gina KuhnCongratulations on your Engagement!Cindee & Michael Gold

Stan Schklar & Marco FernandezCongratulations on your Wedding!Dianne & Brian BerrySuzanne Bradford & Judy

LojekRandy & Michael Gross

7

Stacey & Coby HanaiSandra & Steve HecklinPam & Saul KelnerPeter Martino & Paul

HoffmannMarianne & John MayerBernadette & Todd NobleDebi & Charlie RobinJoe RowlandMaria SalasSteve Sirls & Allen

DeCuyper Mike Wright & John SnydersTodd Stutts & Sam Nugent

Goldie & Mark ShepardIn honor of Polly Shepard’s Engagement!Anne & Larry Evans

Karen & Howard WeilIn honor of Rachel Weil’s Engagement!Cindee & Michael Gold

Joe Woolley & Jim SchmidtPam & Saul Kelner

ANNIVERSARY

Elaine & Frank ParkerLee & Michael GryllEdria & David RagosinBarbara & Jay RittenbergRuth ScheflinTeri Sogol

Laura Thompson & YuriLivshitzJan Liff

SPEEDY RECOVERY

Ruth AlexanderLeslye & Steve LapidusNan Speller

Gerald AverbuchNan Speller

Sandy AverbuchLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Eric ChazenBetsy ChernauAlice Zimmerman

Larry EvansCarolyn & Larry Levine

Royce FishelNan Speller

Barbara GhertnerNan Speller

Dr. Herman KaplanCarolyn & Larry LevineNan Speller

Michael KaplanNan Speller

Inge LoewensteinJan Liff

Larry MelnickLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Steve NedelmanLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Bob NemerLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Jay PilzerNan Speller

Carolyn RosenLeslye & Steve LapidusNan SpellerAlice Zimmerman

Lisa SmallNan Speller

Rabbi Alvin SugarmanLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Barbara TurnerBetsy Chernau

Sylvia WeinbergerArlene & Jerry AverbuchLynn & Scott GhertnerCarolyn & Larry Levine

BIRTHDAY

Karen BersonJan Liff

Louise ColeMimi & Frank FriedmanArdis JacobsonLisa Shmerling

Dr. Jeffrey EskindSandra & Steve Hecklin

Marcine GoldfarbLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Sandra & Steve HecklinDianne & Brian BerryRobin & Mark CohenDonna & Jeffrey EskindLaurie & Steve EskindAnne & Larry EvansNancy FlexerHeidi & John Hassenfeld

TRIB

UTE

S

8

Rae & Bruce HirschDonna JohnsonTeri & A.G. KasselbergPam & Saul KelnerPatty & Jimmy MarksCarolyn & Barrett RosenAnna & Martin SirGloria & Manuel Sir

Toni HellerSylvia & Alan Winner

Ellen JacobsCarolyn & Barrett RosenNan Speller

Keith KraftPatty & Jimmy Marks

Jan LiffMargot & Martin Nash

Tom LoventhalNan Speller

Margot NashJan Liff

Ted PailetNan SpellerDiane & Sy Trachtman

Martin SirCarolyn & Barrett Rosen

Jimmy SmallSandra & Steve HecklinLeslye & Steve LapidusNan Speller

Dr. Ira SteinLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Rabbi Saul StrosbergJan Liff

Alice ZimmermanCarolyn & Barrett Rosen

IN APPRECIATION

Joel Abramson Jan Liff

Felicia AnchorIn honor of your many years ofdedicated volunteerism!Carolyn & Larry Levine

Dianne BerryIn honor of all you do for JFS! Robin E. Cohn

Forrest GallowayMargot & Martin Nash

Dr. Fred GoldnerThank You!Larry Evans

JFS StaffIn honor of all your accomplishments that continue to aid and assist the Jewish community!Janice Krohn

JFS Staff Senior ProgramThank you for giving the Seniors many days out!Janice Krohn

JFS StaffBarbara Nogg

IN MEMORY (Z " L)*

Robinson Neil BassNan Speller

Evelyn BeyerLynn & David Barton

Martin “Don” BrandesCindee & Michael GoldJan Liff

Jeanne BresnickLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Dr. Robert “Bob” BrodCindee & Michael GoldNan Speller

Murray CohenLynn & David BartonCarolyn & Larry Levine

Rebecca CohenCindee & Michael Gold

Rosemary Williams DuckloCindee & Michael Gold

Rabbi Randall FalkCindee & Michael GoldNan Speller

Sandy FineArlene & Jerry Averbuch

Lois Kuhn FoxLynn & David BartonCindee & Michael GoldLeslye & Steve LapidusJan LiffNan SpellerTri Arts Book Club Members

Ernest G. FreudenthalLynn & David Barton

Leslye & Steve LapidusJudith SaksMaxine & Fred Schaefer

Maurine “Suzy” GlazerNan Speller

Dr. Arie HalachmiLynn & David BartonCindee & Michael GoldJan Liff

Mildred HerschNan Speller

Jerry KarrCindee & Michael Gold

Louise KatzmanFelicia & Ken AnchorNan Speller

Phyllis Feldman KatzoffLeslye & Steve LapidusNan Speller

Arnold LefkovitzCindee & Michael Gold

Rowena Lightman LevyLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Clyde Saunders LillyAndrea & Michael BergerDidi & Brian BiesmanNatalie BockianMarsha & Bruce BrandJan LiffMargot & Martin NashEllen and James

PrendergastJessica & Cantor Stanley

Weinberger

Samuel Charles LoventhalFelicia & Ken AnchorCindee & Michael GoldLeslye & Steve LapidusCarolyn & Barrett RosenNan Speller

Inge LoewensteinNatalie BockianKay & Ron CohnDoug ColbyRita E. FeldmanPrudence HallarmanMary & Leonard IsensteinDora & Joe JaegerSue & Randy JosephLilly & Mark KurtzPamela & Ronald MaxEleanor ParkerSandy & David SaltielAndrea & Roger ShepardSherry Silvers

Susan Tabases & familyJody & Scott Verson

Mimsye Seiden MayLynn & David BartonCindee & Michael GoldPam & Saul KelnerLeslye & Steve LapidusNan Speller

Eva Rosenblum MendelsohnInge Loewenstein

Josephine MerlinLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Dorothy MillerJan Liff

Elliott MinerCindee & Michael Gold

Lore OppenheimCindee & Michael Gold

Madeline Lipshutz ParghDaniella & Jack FleischerLinda & Joel GluckPam & Saul KelnerLeslye & Steve LapidusNan Speller

Rabbi Zalman PosnerCindee & Michael Gold

Herman RosenthalCarolyn & Buddy Rosen

Regene SchottensteinCindee & Michael Gold

Bernard SchreiberAdele & Ivan SchenbergKraft CPAs, PLLCNan Speller

Sandee Liebowitz SchreiberNan Speller

Eugene ShavlanFelicia & Ken Anchor Pam & Saul KelnerLeslye & Steve Lapidus

Mark Shinkarev Jan Liff

Peggy D. SmirnowSharon & Peter Archie

* (Z " L) - Of Blessed Memory

*** Tribute donations receivedafter November 20, 2014 willbe included on the next JFSNewsletter.

TRIB

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JFS News from the Heart 2014 • www.jfsnashville.org 9

Building Families While Standing Against DiscriminationPRIDE! This is the overwhelming

emotion that many feel when theyhear that for the past 12 years JewishFamily Service has been building fam-ilies in the LGBT community throughJFS’ Adoption Journeys program.Through the diligent work of JFS’sclinical social workers, Toni Jacobsenand Teri Sogol, many families havebeen formed through adoption.When members of our communityhear the actual numbers, 35 originaladoptions and 87 second parentadoptions, they kvell.

While most people are familiar withadoption, the term second parent adop-tion may be less known. Second parentadoption is a critical step for same sexcouples. It provides security and stabilityfor children, by ensuring that if some-thing unforeseen happens to their bio-logical or originally adopting parent, theremaining parent will retain legal,parental rights. This ensures that chil-dren will have a legal relationship withthe only other parent they have everknown. This sense of security is impor-tant in all families.

Over the past 12 years, many adop-tive families have expressed tremen-dous gratitude and appreciation to JFSbecause while other adoption agenciesmay refuse to help them, JFS has con-sistently treated members of the LGBTcommunity with the same dignity, re-spect, and openness with which all po-tential parents are treated. Andalthough few of JFS’s LGBT clients areJewish, JFS Board Member Stan Schk-lar elaborates on the connection be-tween the two communities, “JFSsupports LGBT adoption rights be-cause Jews remember what it was liketo face that kind of discrimination.There was a time when no one wouldhelp Jews adopt without a pledge toraise the child in a particular non-Jew-ish faith. So we stand against this dis-crimination too.”

The appreciation for the work JFSperforms has been reinforced by thestrong financial support fromNashville’s LGBT community. For thepast three years, JFS has held afundraiser for its Adoption Journeysprogram each fall in private homes. Thehighlight of these events has been theadoptive families sharing their storiesand elaborating on the ways in which

JFS helped to form their families.“One of the most incredible as-

pects of this fundraiser every year isthe gift of hearing from parents whoare finally able to breathe realizingthat their partners will have legalrights for the children,” says DaniellaPressner, JFS Immediate Past Presi-dent. “I can't imagine the fear a parentfeels when she or he is unsure aboutwho will have custody of the children.Hearing from these families truly putsa face and a soul to every story andmore importantly, these families pro-vide a voice for so many families whohave not yet had the opportunity toshare their stories.”

To raise awareness about the adop-tion services it provides to the LGBTcommunity, JFS has had a booth atNashville’s Pride Festival for the pastthree years. Renee Kasman, a steadfast

volunteer, says of the experience, “Having lived in NYC for most of my lifeI have been to some huge gay pridecelebrations but I have to say the mostmoving ones have been working theJFS table at pride here in Nashville. It isan incredible feeling to see how manyGLBT families have been created withthe help of JFS. One by one they cameby to talk about how no one else wouldhelp them. I was so proud that the Jewish community stepped forward tohelp families regardless of sexual orien-tation in Tennessee.”

JFS’s work to help gay and lesbianNashvillians build loving familiesthrough adoption began in 2002. Aman trying to adopt as an openly gayperson in Nashville had been strug-gling for two years to find an agencyto assist him. He called JFS, and foundthat where others said no, JFS saidyes. Teri Sogol completed a homestudy (a required step for an adop-tion) and the man was approved toadopt within two months.

JFS’s involvement deepened in2005, when at the request of NashvilleJudge Marietta Shipley, we conductedthe first home study in Tennessee forsecond parent adoption.

Each one of the more than 100families that JFS has helped to buildthrough original and second parentadoption is yet one more reason thatwe take pride in the work that JewishFamily Service does. •

JFS thanks our adoption clients for sharingtheir stories with an Adoption Journeys mugwith art created by Kaaren Hirschowitz Engel.

Pam Kelner, Executive Director, with Stan Schklar, Board Member at Pride Festival

Your gift will be acknowledged in ac-cordance with your instructions, andthe gift amount will not be disclosedunless you request it.

Auto Donation Program: JFS part-ners with Charitable Auto Resources toaccept donations of automobiles, boatsand motorcycles. The net proceeds ofthe sale of your vehicle go to help sup-port our programs and services. To do-nate, please call 877-537-4227 or visithttp://www.jfsnashville-cardonations.org/

Legacy Giving: Including JFS inyour estate plans enables you to sup-port those programs that are most im-portant to you and to leave a lastinglegacy while retaining control of yourassets during your lifetime. Giving op-tions include bequests, named endow-

Be someonewho gives

hopeGenerous community support provides indispensable fundingfor all Jewish Family Serviceprograms and services, ultimately improving the livesof the 1700+ clients we serveevery year.

So many ways to helpRestricted or Unrestricted Giving:

Every contribution helps make a tan-gible difference in the lives of the peo-ple who need it most. “Unrestricted”donations support the full range ofvital programs and services – allowingus to direct funds to where the need isgreatest – and to help support our op-erating costs. As a donor, you can also“Restrict” the gifts to specific pro-grams or services that have specialmeaning to you.

Memorial and Tribute Gifts: Whenyour gift is a “tribute” for a special oc-casion, or in honor or memory ofsomeone special, you get the satisfac-tion of giving a truly meaningful giftand we take care of sending the card.

supporting our community one child, one adult, one family at a time10

Powerful presentation on drunk and distracted driving hits home with teensDon’t drink and drive! Don’t text

and drive! How many times doteens hear this from their parents,teachers, and others? We often won-der whether they are listening. A pro-gram offered by JFS seemed to strikea loud chord with many teens as evi-denced by their questions and writtencomments. On that day Phaedra Mar-riott-Olsen and Blake McMeans toldtheir personal stories of the repercus-sions of drinking and driving to a raptgroup of Jewish teens in grades 8through 12 at the Gordon JewishCommunity Center. Additionally, thevideo “It Can Wait” brought home themessage of the dangers of textingand driving.

At age 22, Phaedra Marriott-Olsenwas working as a preschool teacherby day and a part-time model atnight. She was driving a group offriends home after a concert oneevening when a drunk driver hit herhead-on, leaving her paralyzed and ina wheelchair. She came close to losingher life and, after a tortuous recovery,has spent much of her time educatingothers about the dangers of drivingwhile intoxicated. Now, as ProgramSpecialist for Mothers Against DrunkDriving of Tennessee (MADD), Phae-dra speaks to groups across the coun-try on the topic and provides trainingto law enforcement personnel on howto notify family members of a death.

By the time he was in high schoolBlake McMeans was ranked number 4in the nation as a tennis player. He was

looking forward to college and a ca-reer in professional tennis. On Novem-ber 13, 1994 he was out at a bardrinking and decided he could drivehome. It turned out to be the biggestmistake of his life. Close to home, heran off the road and hit a tree. LikePhaedra, he almost died, was hospital-ized for months, underwent many sur-geries and was left paralyzed. Sincethen he has spent his life speaking toteens across the country through theBlake McMeans Foundation in hopesthat he can keep them from makingthe mistake that he did. One of themost powerful moments of the pro-gram occurred as Blake made his wayfrom his chair to the podium, on

crutches and with his aide standingclose by. For several heart stoppingmoments, the entire room was soquiet one could have heard a pin drop.

As Stephanie Blumenthal, onemember of the audience wrote in anarticle published in the Observer, “Inow understand that when an acci-dent of this caliber takes place, thericochet effect is enormous”. In thesame article, another student, CalebLichtenstrahl, wrote “No one reallythinks about the people in the othercar—how one bad decision can affecttheir lives and the lives of their familymembers. Listening to these peopletell about their experiences made animpact.” •

Blake McMeans, Teri Sogol (JFS), Phaedra Marriot-Olson with her daughter

Welcome Shabbat is Jewish FamilyService’s newest program. We

create a Friday evening Shabbat expe-rience for seniors, complete with aservice and beautiful nutritious meal ofchicken, wine and challah. This“evening” service takes place duringthe day.

When surveying seniors, welearned that many no longer go to syn-agogue for Friday night services be-cause they don’t like to travel at night.Others told us they don’t cook a niceShabbat meal…what is the point whencooking for one? Responding to thoseneeds, we launched Welcome Shabbatduring the day on Friday.

We also intentionally created Wel-come Shabbat as an intergenerationalexperience, inviting students fromAkiva, Vanderbilt Hillel and Chabad tolead services. In our grant proposal tothe Jewish Federation of Nashville andMiddle Tennessee, we expressed confi-dence that one of the most appealingaspects of Welcome Shabbat for theseniors would be the joy of interactingwith Shabbat leaders of all ages.

Boy did we achieve this goal!Akiva students led the first and last

Welcome Shabbat services. Before thesecond, one of the students, Ari, ap-proached Anna Sir, who runs the pro-gram. He wanted to know if Varda, oneof the seniors he had met at the firstservice, would be at there.

“I really enjoyed talking and eatingwith her. I really hope that she will bethere so I can see her again,” he said.

Ari’s mother explained that afterthe first Welcome Shabbat, he talked

JFS News from the Heart 2014 • www.jfsnashville.org 11

Building relationships and community

ment funds, life income plans, charita-ble remainder trusts, charitable leadtrusts, and stocks. You may also use alife insurance policy to make a gift byirrevocably naming JFS as the ownerand beneficiary of the policy.

Matching Gifts: Many corporationsand businesses have programs tomatch employee gifts. Ask your em-ployer or human resources departmentif they will help make your gift to JFStwice as powerful.

Federated Campaigns: If your em-ployer conducts a campaign, we hopeyou give generously and consider des-ignating some or all of your contribu-tion to Jewish Family Service. • Employees of Metro Nashville Gov-

ernment and School system as wellas employees of many local colleges

and universities, Community HealthCharities code 80244

• Employees of organizations partici-pating in a United Way Campaignuse code 24

• Employees of the Federal Govern-ment , Combined Federal campaign,code 79963Corporate Sponsorship: Receive

exposure by sponsoring our annualChesed Dinner – sponsorship levelsvary.

Volunteer: A personal, valuable, andrewarding way to give is that of time.JFS could not operate without the self-less dedication of our volunteers.

Kroger Gift Cards: Now it’s easierthan ever to support JFS while shop-ping at Kroger! Just follow these sim-ple steps:

1) Go to www.kroger.com2) SIGN IN or CREATE AN ACCOUNT3) Go to the Community Rewards sec-

tion on the page. 4) In the Search bar, TYPE in “Jew” (or

#88836) and click search.5) You will see Jewish Family Service

along (with our address to the rightof it).

6) Choose the dot on the left andClick ENROLLOnce you have signed up, JFS will

benefit every time you shop and swipeyour Kroger Plus card!

To find out more about any ofthese opportunities, please call

(615)356-4234 or visit www.jfsnashville.org

Varda and Ari Ruchman met and have become friends through the Welcome Shabbat program

non-stop about Varda. He was lookingforward with great anticipation to see-ing her again. Varda did attend thesecond Welcome Shabbat, where sheand Ari deepened their relationship.

A week later, Varda approachedJFS staff social worker Toni Jacobsenat TGIT, the regular Thursday luncheonat the Gordon Jewish Community Cen-ter. “I think Ari is graduating fromAkiva soon, I would really like to go tohis graduation,” she said. “Do you thinkthat is possible?”

We called Ari’s parent’s to see if it

would be okay. “Okay??!!,” they said.“He would love to have her there. He’s abit disappointed because his owngrandparents won’t be able to make itto graduation, but once he hears this,he will be thrilled.”

So, Varda went to graduation and itmade both her and Ari’s day.

I tell you this story for four reasons.One is that we uncovered multipleneeds in the community and created aprogram to meet those needs. Second,we set goals for our programs and weachieve them.

Third, is that we have relationshipswith people to make things happen.Every week Toni goes to the Thursdaylunches to check in on the seniors.She asks them if they need anything,notices if there are any changes andtries to address their concerns. As aresult, the seniors trust and are com-fortable with Toni. If that wasn’t thecase, Varda wouldn’t have approachedher to see if it was okay to go to Ari’sgraduation.

The fourth reason is that as a non-profit we tend to get caught up in sta-tistics. Very often that is how aprogram is judged. To be quite honest,we aren’t serving very many people inthis program. On average we have 10seniors at a lunch. But stories like thisone make it all worth it. It shows howrelationships and community are built,how people care for one another – onechild, one adult, one family at a time! •

This article is adapted from PamKelner, Executive Director’s, remarks atthe 2014 JFS annual meeting.

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Jewish Family Service of Nashvilleand Middle Tennessee

801 Percy Warner Blvd., Suite 103Nashville, TN 37205

615.356.4234

Jewish Family Service strives toImprove social, emotional and economic conditions

Enhance personal growth Increase opportunities for independent, productive and satisfying lives

“One who saves a Single Soul Saves an Entire World” – Sanhedrin 37a

Jewish Family Service of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, Incorporated

provides professional social services from Jewish perspectives which respond to and support

individuals and families through life’s transitions.

Save the date for the Chesed Dinner April 30, 2015

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