General Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Westchester Jewish Community Services

WJCS Hosts Passover Luncheon for Holocaust Survivors in Westchester
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WJCS Hosts Passover Luncheon for Holocaust Survivors in Westchester

Miriam Arond2025-04-09T16:21:40-04:00April 9th, 2025|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: allison danzig, beth el synagogue, passover, UJA federation of NY, holocaust survivor luncheon, Claims Conference, Holocaust survivors, Jewish|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) hosted a Passover Luncheon for members of its Holocaust Survivors program at Beth El Synagogue Center In New Rochelle on Wednesday April 3rd. In partnership with UJA-Federation of New York and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, WJCS created a pre-holiday celebration filled with music, delicious food, and many smiling faces. Holocaust survivors attended with family members and caregivers, all of whom delighted in the opportunity to be together. "WJCS is committed to ensuring that Holocaust survivors in Westchester feel supported, both in practical ways as well as socially and emotionally," said ...

WJCS is Named Best-in-Class Employer
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WJCS is Named Best-in-Class Employer

Miriam Arond2025-04-02T12:45:47-04:00April 2nd, 2025|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: gallagher, best employer, best-in-class employer, scott bojer, Nonprofit, Westchester|

(From left: Seth Diamond, WJCS Chief Executive Officer; Milagros Rivera, WJCS Director of Human Resources; Scott Bojer, Area Vice President at Gallagher; Stephan Spilkowitz, WJCS Director of Engagement and Culture) Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is delighted to share that our agency has been named Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher. Scott Bojer, Area Vice President at Gallagher, visited WJCS Headquarters in North White Plains and presented the award to WJCS CEO Seth Diamond and WJCS Human Resources Director Milagros Rivera. “This Best-in-Class designation is a reflection of our agency’s unwavering commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, ...

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Miriam Arond2025-02-19T16:13:51-05:00February 19th, 2025|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: white plains high school, teen dating violence awareness month, margaret's place, teen dating, domestic violence awareness, healthy relationships, Young People Achieve|

This February, WJCS youth programs throughout Westchester are observing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about teen dating violence and promoting healthy relationships, with a particular emphasis on consent this year. Consent is fundamentally an ongoing mutual agreement between partners regarding their experiences. While often associated with physical or sexual activity, it pertains to the decision-making process behind actions, not just the actions themselves. The WJCS Young People Achieve (YPA) program is educating White Plains High School students about the importance of consent and boundaries with peers and partners. Self-care ...

Winter Happenings at WJCS!
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Winter Happenings at WJCS!

Miriam Arond2025-02-06T11:17:55-05:00January 28th, 2025|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: winter, grant news, newsletter, Nonprofit, Westchester|

Thank you to our generous donors who contributed to the WJCS 2024 Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive, children and parents in WJCS Early Childhood Programs as well as in our mental health clinics were delighted to receive toys, games, and gift cards that brightened their holiday season. Clients in our WJCS Outpatient Services for People with Developmental Disabilities Program created beautiful artwork in gratitude for the gifts they received from the Drive (see above, right)! We're deeply grateful to the many legislators and legislative staff who attended our New York State Delegation Breakfast on January 24th. ...

Providing Connection For Older Adults
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Providing Connection For Older Adults

Miriam Arond2025-01-30T14:42:49-05:00January 25th, 2025|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: isolation to connection, senior support, jccmw, jewish community center of mid-westchester, cheryl brandwein, senior programs, senior services, aging safely, older adults, Nonprofit, Westchester|

Almost 40% of people living in Westchester who are age 65 and older live alone. In recognizing that many seniors face physical, emotional, and practical challenges, the Jewish Community Center Mid-Westchester (JCCMW) and Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) are proud to announce the continuation of their Isolation to Connection program, a free program that is open to all. Knowing what senior services are available and accessing then can be confusing. The Isolation to Connection program, which is funded through a grant from UJA-Federation of NY, assists isolated older adults in Westchester by providing a caring professional who offers support ...

Annual WJCS 2024 Staff Awards
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Annual WJCS 2024 Staff Awards

Miriam Arond2025-01-15T16:04:26-05:00January 16th, 2025|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: staff recognition, staff awards, WJCS, Nonprofit, Westchester|

WJCS celebrated outstanding achievements by employees over the past year at our annual holiday celebration on January 10th. Congratulations to our well-deserving 2024 Staff Award Winners! Batkin Developmental Disabilities Professional of the Year Award Kendra Fray, Residence Manager Kendra has been a vital member of WJCS Community Programs since 2014, bringing exceptional leadership and compassion to her role as Residence Manager. Known for her hands-on approach, Kendra ensures individuals’ needs are prioritized—whether coordinating medical appointments, supporting families through transitions, or decorating new spaces to ease adjustments. Her leadership was especially evident during the successful transition of residents from ...

A Year of Challenge, Support, and Resilience
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A Year of Challenge, Support, and Resilience

Miriam Arond2024-12-16T10:42:03-05:00December 16th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: challenge, year end giving, antisemitism, holocaust survivor, Year End Appeal, resilience, Jewish Programs, Nonprofit, Support|

This year has been one in which the Jewish community has faced unprecedented challenges. The skyrocketing rise in antisemitism and antisemitic incidents has alarmed people, young and old. Youth in day schools and synagogue programs with whom WJCS partners are shaken by reports of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and rhetoric. Parents are worried about their children and how to explain and protect them from hate speech and hate in general. Holocaust survivors, who never imagined they would once again see antisemitism spreading across the world, are filled with fear and concern about their children and grandchildren’s futures. WJCS is here ...

Community Counts: Coming Together to Celebrate Holidays
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Community Counts: Coming Together to Celebrate Holidays

Miriam Arond2024-12-11T14:00:13-05:00December 12th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: holidays, have a heart for the holidays, gift drive, holocaust survivor programs, Shelanu, Chai House, IDD, Community, Nonprofit, Westchester|

Loneliness was declared a public health epidemic in 2023 by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. A 2024 American Psychiatric Association poll found that 30% of adults reported having experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week during the past year. Ten percent said they feel lonely every day. The array of programs and services we offer at Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest non-profit agencies in Westchester, range from mental health, trauma, and disabilities to senior care, early childhood development, educational enrichment, LGBTQ+, caregiver support, Jewish educational, spiritual, and cultural enrichment, and much more. What ...

WJCS April 8th Gala Will Honor Joel S. Beckman and Gillian Rittmaster
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WJCS April 8th Gala Will Honor Joel S. Beckman and Gillian Rittmaster

Miriam Arond2025-01-30T16:17:49-05:00January 30th, 2025|Categories: Gala, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: joel s. beckman, gillian rittmaster, wjcs 2025 gala, brae burn country club, fundraiser, Gala, Nonprofit, Westchester|

On Tuesday, April 8th, we will be celebrating our WJCS 2025 Gala at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, NY.  We are thrilled to announce that we will be honoring Joel S. Beckman and Gillian Rittmaster, two remarkable individuals who have contributed so much to the impact of WJCS and to the Westchester community at large. Joel S. Beckman co-founded Greenbriar Equity Group, a private investment firm, in 1999 and retired in 2017. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director and Partner at Goldman Sachs. He has been a dedicated member of the WJCS Board and active in ...

We’re So Grateful on this Giving Tuesday
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We’re So Grateful on this Giving Tuesday

Miriam Arond2024-12-16T15:14:52-05:00December 3rd, 2024|Categories: Featured Internal, General|Tags: grateful tuesday, giving tuesday, support wjcs, caring, connection, donate now, Year End Appeal, Community|

You are going to be receiving lots of emails, phone calls, and social media requests today asking you to donate to causes. At WJCS, we renamed today—what is known as "Giving Tuesday"—Grateful Tuesday. We are devoting today to thanking you, our donors, our community of supporters, who help keep WJCS strong. You ensure that we can help our Westchester neighbors when they need us most. You can make a difference and you do! When you donate to WJCS, you are making an impact.  Because of you, thousands of our Westchester neighbors, of all ages and backgrounds, are provided with ...

WJCS 2024 Annual Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive Luncheon
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WJCS 2024 Annual Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive Luncheon

Miriam Arond2024-11-12T12:50:34-05:00November 12th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: have a heart for the holidays gift drive, have a heart, toy drive, annual luncheon, suzanne yearley, Sarah Kayle, Linda Plattus, Nina Ross, Michele Brettschneider|

From left: Nina Ross, Michele Brettschneider, Linda Plattus, and Sarah Kayle Scarsdale resident and Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) Board member Linda Plattus hosted her Annual Luncheon, along with Board members Michele Brettschneider, Sarah Kayle, Nina Ross, and Suzanne Yearley, for the WJCS Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive on November 6. Luncheon guest brought toys, games, and gift cards that will be distributed to WJCS clients who live in under-resourced communities. For many of these families in need, these toys will be the only gift they are able to give their children this season. “It is ...

Time to Take a Breath
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Time to Take a Breath

Miriam Arond2024-11-04T12:54:45-05:00November 26th, 2024|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: breathing technique, breathing exercises, calm, brenda haas, mindful, Breath, meditation, breathwork|

By Brenda Haas, LMSW, Ed.M., Director of WJCS Guiding Parents Through Services Program and Partners in Schools Consultant at Leffell School The fall season is in full swing. Kids’ schedules are packed, parents are trying to balance work and family, and the holidays are almost here. Having a full life is a blessing, but it can also be stressful to manage it all. Stop. Pause for 60 seconds. And breathe. Calming our bodies and minds through simple breathing techniques is a proven ways to reduce anxiety and modulate mood. Consciously switching our attention from everything whirling around in ...

Halina Rosenkranz to be Inducted into Westchester’s Senior Hall of Fame
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Halina Rosenkranz to be Inducted into Westchester’s Senior Hall of Fame

Miriam Arond2024-10-23T14:47:51-04:00October 23rd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: westchester senior hall of fame, halina rosenkranz, Holocaust survivors, Jewish Programs|

We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Halina Rosenkranz, Group Facilitator and Case Manager for the WJCS Holocaust Survivor Program, will be inducted into Westchester County’s Senior Hall of Fame. Halina has been a passionately dedicated and caring advocate and supporter of some of the most vulnerable people in Westchester County: aging Holocaust survivors. Her compassion for survivors, who have lived through unimaginable loss and devastation, has made her an invaluable source of comfort and emotional and practical support to them as well as to their children, the Second Generation, who bear the scars of their parents’ ...

WJCS Hosts Sukkot Holiday Luncheon for Holocaust Survivors
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WJCS Hosts Sukkot Holiday Luncheon for Holocaust Survivors

Miriam Arond2024-10-23T13:48:59-04:00October 23rd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: shelley b. mayer, sukkot, sukkot luncheon, UJA federation of NY, Westchester Reform Temple, Claims Conference, Holocaust survivors, Jewish Programs|

Holocaust survivors and their relatives and caregivers celebrated the joyous holiday of Sukkot together at a festive luncheon on Tuesday October 22nd at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale. “Having just gone through the high holidays and that extended period of teshuva (repentance) and introspection that comes with it, we now celebrate,” said Allison Danzig, Coordinator of WJCS Holocaust Support Services, as she welcomed more than 70 guests to the event. “This is a time for showing appreciation to others and for all the good around us. It is a time of Thanksgiving and harvest, and a time to begin ...

What’s New at WJCS! Fall 2024
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What’s New at WJCS! Fall 2024

Miriam Arond2024-09-18T10:46:07-04:00September 17th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: fall news, newsletter, westchester community, WJCS|

Support WJCS!

WJCS Initiates Zero Suicide Model with NYS Office of Mental Health
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WJCS Initiates Zero Suicide Model with NYS Office of Mental Health

Miriam Arond2024-09-09T15:22:37-04:00September 6th, 2024|Categories: Mental Health, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: suicide prevention, suicide prevention awareness month, zero suicide, 988, trauma resources, Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Substance Use, Depression|

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a yearly reminder of the staggering rates of suicide and the importance of identifying and helping people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with over 49,000 people having died by suicide in the U.S. in 2022 and 13.2 million seriously contemplating suicide, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), the largest provider of licensed community-based mental health services in Westchester County, is closely collaborating with the NYS Office of Mental Health ...

Volunteer Spotlight: Murray Forseter
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Volunteer Spotlight: Murray Forseter

Miriam Arond2024-11-01T16:17:33-04:00August 23rd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: murray forseter, meal delivery, get involved, volunteer, Westchester|

1,600 home-delivered meals to seniors! That is the astounding number of meals WJCS Murray Forseter estimates he has delivered to senior residents in Yonkers, Scarsdale, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and Hartsdale since he began volunteering in the WJCS senior food program 15 years ago. Murray began volunteering at WJCS after retiring from a successful career in publishing in 2009. Now, 75, he made his last food delivery on June 26th and marked the milestone by publishing a post, entitled “Delivering Food to the Greatest Generation,” on his blog called No Socks Needed Anymore. In his post, Murray shares stories ...

Your VOTE is Your VOICE
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Your VOTE is Your VOICE

Miriam Arond2024-09-17T12:27:58-04:00September 17th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: voting, election day, voting resources, find my poll, national voter registration day|

During the next two months, we can expect to hear talk about the upcoming General Election (Tuesday, November 5, 2024) 24/7—in the media and, probably, in your conversations with friends and family. The most important thing to keep in mind is that every person’s vote counts. Your vote matters! The following are key dates to keep in mind to ensure that you can express your voice with your vote: September 17, 2024 National Voter Registration Day October 21, 2024: Last Day for Change of address October 65, 2024: Last day for voter registration October 26, 2024: Last day for ...

WJCS Awarded United Way Grant to Support Women and Children in Yonkers
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WJCS Awarded United Way Grant to Support Women and Children in Yonkers

Miriam Arond2024-08-20T12:49:17-04:00August 20th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: united way of westchester and putnam, pepsi, strength of a woman, grant, academic and career support, envision, early step forward, infant-toddler, crime victims, yonkers, child development, Mary J. Blige, early childhood|

We are proud to announce that WJCS has been awarded a Pepsi X Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Community Fund Grant by United Way of Westchester and Putnam. The grant will support WJCS programs that provide services to women, young women, and children who are underprivileged, marginalized, and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations in Yonkers. The grant will help support WJCS programs available to the community at the Mary J. Blige Center in Yonkers. These programs include: which includes adult basic education and preparation for the TASC high school equivalency exam and career readiness workshops. ...

Congratulations to WJCS Staff Recognition Award Recipients!
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Congratulations to WJCS Staff Recognition Award Recipients!

Miriam Arond2024-07-22T13:26:47-04:00July 22nd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: wjcs staff recognition, staff awards|

We're thrilled to announce the most recent recipients of WJCS Staff Recognition Awards. Johnathan Wilson, Maintenance Supervisor Jonathan is recognized for being an outstanding member of this agency. He is extremely reliable and productive, meeting the needs of multiple houses in a timely manner. Jonathan has gone above and beyond to ensure the rooms were ready for the new individuals at Gramatan House, showcasing his hard work ethic, positive attitude, and professionalism. Jessica Sansone, Project Coordinator (MHFA/Training) Jessica is being recognized for her wonderful impact since joining the agency under the MHFA/Training Program in March 2023. She ...

We’re Hiring!
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We’re Hiring!

Miriam Arond2024-11-25T10:05:59-05:00November 3rd, 2024|Categories: General|Tags: we are hiring, westchester jobs, careers, job opportunities, join our team|

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? WJCS has been a cornerstone of support in Westchester for over 81 years, providing a wide range of services to help residents lead their best lives. Our success is driven by our dedicated and skilled staff, and we're looking for talented individuals to join our mission. At WJCS, we believe in transforming lives—both our clients' and our staff's. We offer a variety of job opportunities, including positions for Social Workers, Direct Support Professionals, and more. When you join our team, you'll benefit from: Continuing education opportunities Excellent ...

Exciting News from our WJCS Vocational Programs
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Exciting News from our WJCS Vocational Programs

Miriam Arond2024-06-27T16:31:05-04:00June 27th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: vocational programs, supper club, taft center, skill-building, job preparation, Shelanu, intellectual disabilites, IDD, White Plains, developmental disabilities, Autism|

We are thrilled to share exciting news from WJCS’s vocational training program, which promotes skill-building for young adults with autism in preparation for the workplace. Two participants, Lindsay and Andrew, have achieved a significant milestone by moving forward to new opportunities. Their success showcases how our unique approach to job preparation can transform lives. Congratulations to Lindsay and Andrew! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things they will accomplish next. WJCS’s Vocational Program offers classes for residents in documentation preparation, scanning, and file organization management. These classes are held at our Taft Center in White Plains and are ...

Helping our Westchester Neighbors in Tough Times

Miriam Arond2024-06-20T15:26:08-04:00May 31st, 2024|Categories: General|Tags: health and healing support services, family caregivers, pathways to care, Grief, support groups, Bereavement|

Thanks to your support, the WJCS Jewish Programs and Health & Healing Support Services continue to fan out across the county to comfort adults, youth, and seniors as we all try to make sense of what is going on in the world. Kudos to WJCS for offering a Bereavement Support Group to the community. Dealing with grief is a need which is often not addressed. Thank you for taking the lead in supporting individuals during this painful stage in their lives and facilitating the development of their resilience as they face this challenge. ~Participant in a WJCS Bereavement ...

Bringing Joy, Connection, and Confidence to Adults with Disabilities
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Bringing Joy, Connection, and Confidence to Adults with Disabilities

Miriam Arond2024-05-20T16:07:10-04:00May 20th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, General|Tags: Shelanu, Chai House, spring 2024 newsletter, developmental disabilites, intellectual disabilites, IDD, POINT, Disabilities, Autism|

Just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean they don’t have hopes, dreams, things they love to do, good days, bad days… Because of YOU, our adults from all backgrounds with disabilities are living the best life possible and our amazing staff support them every step of the way. Pizza-making tips from an expert chef, a visit to Bryant Park in Manhattan, celebrating Purim, vocational counseling, a fun Supermarket Sweep activity to enhance grocery shopping and budgeting skills, a hibachi dinner, outings to ball games, and much, much more. When you give to WJCS, you help individuals with ...