Kelly Burroughs is CEO of Jewish Family Service. She may be reached at kburroughs@jfshamptonroads.org.

Busy volunteers and staff were loading carts carrying bags of Thanksgiving turkeys and fixings, bagging onions, potatoes, and yams – preparing for one of the largest Thanksgiving food giveaways ever.  

More than 120 people registered for food bags, each of which is meant to feed about four people. With more than 400 hungry Thanksgiving mouths to feed, JFS took on the challenge, thanks to help from the Tidewater Jewish community and other supporters. Funding for these programs comes from a variety of sources, including the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, and private donors who make cash donations. Contributions of canned and boxed goods, turkeys, pies, and other food items were plentiful. In fact, two area congregations rented U-Haul trucks to carry the amount of food donated! Each of Strelitz International Academy’s classes selected a theme for which item they would collect, and many, many people held canned food drives at their places of worship or employment, or in their neighborhoods. “The generosity of our community is overwhelming,” says Emily Krouse, JFS special projects coordinator. 

As cars streamed through the parking lot, volunteers and staff loaded their trunks with bags of food and a fresh turkey. “We love you all!” shouted one older woman, who is a regular to the pantry. “We wouldn’t make it without you!”  “We love you back!” we replied. 

“It is days like these that make this work so meaningful,” says Brooke Rush, JFS director of marketing. “Knowing that we are helping people come together with their families is so touching.” 

As the flow of cars ebbed away, the rain began to slowly warn that it was time to pack up. Just as the last cart of food was brought in and one of the volunteers returned with the food pantry signs, a young man sheepishly approached. “Is it over?” he asked, looking around at the now empty tables. “I saw your signs earlier when I was waiting with my kids at the bus.” As he spoke, a shy looking woman appeared by his side. The couple lives with their children in the trailer park adjacent to the Sandler Family Campus. “We never been to a food pantry before,” she said. “How does it work?” Without skipping a beat, the family was provided with enough food for Thanksgiving and some special treats for the kids to tide them over until school on Monday where they usually eat breakfast and lunch. 

“People think of the meals for the holidays, which are so important for creating traditions and celebrations,” says Rush. “But we also provide food throughout the year. Without the constant support of volunteers and donors, we couldn’t do this work.” 

The food pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, and by appointment. Individuals in need of food assistance can make a confidential call to 757-321-2227.  In addition to food items, families are also in need of laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.  

Kelly Burroughs is the CEO for Jewish Family Service.

 JFS is excited to be able to share some of its work, as well as share the space, with other nonprofits that are working for the same tikkun olam goal – healing the world through acts of kindness. 

 Stop by the JFS table at the Mitzvah Mall to paint rocks for its Jaffe Family Healing Rock Garden. A “donation station” will also be available to drop off a new, unwrapped gift for a child for its annual Chanukah Gift Program. 

 The Mitzvah Mall is a great opportunity to show the next generation of leaders and philanthropists the impact that even a small donation can make to ensure that the work continues and inspires a generous spirit for a lifetime. This day will be a coming together of much needed hope, fellowship, and service.

Kelly Burroughs is Jewish Family Service’s CEO.

 As part of the agency’s strategic plan, JFS continues to focus on how to meet the growing needs for mental health services. In the Community Needs Assessment that was completed by the Melior Group on behalf of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Tidewater Jewish Foundation, it was noted that mental health services are “clearly the number one” health-related concern in the Jewish community. This survey was completed in 2019 prior to the pandemic. Issues of social isolation, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and other concerns grew during the pandemic, and have continued on that path. 

 To help address these growing concerns, the William A. and Jane M. Charters Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation awarded JFS’ Embrace Counseling Program a $60,000 grant to be used over three years to help expand services. These funds will allow the agency to focus on staff recruitment, including building relationships with interns with local colleges. 

In addition to in-office and telehealth counseling services, Jewish Family Service:

• Provides a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to meet weekly with patients at Maimonides (formerly Beth Sholom Home).

• Provides a social worker to facilitate monthly meetings at Atlantic Shores Adult Community.

• Provides hundreds of hours of school counseling services to the children at Strelitz International Academy. 

• Partners with Edmarc to offer support groups to children and teens through the Peace by Piece program, now celebrating its 25th year in Hampton Roads.

• Participates in the behavioral health coalition to address concerns and share resources about mental health and suicide.

• Certifies Clinical Social Workers in Trauma Informed Care.

Kelly Burroughs, Jewish Family Service CEO, may be reached at kburroughs@jfshamptonroads.org.

 On Tuesday, Oct. 15, families, volunteers, staff, and past and present board members from both agencies gathered at the Women’s Club of Portsmouth to celebrate 25 years of this unique collaboration. Emceed by Joe Flanniggan, former feature reporter for WTKR and WVEC, the event featured an evening of fellowship and stories of hope and inspiration by young people who were past participants of the program, as well as from volunteers.  

 “Peace by Piece was a place where I could come and talk about my dad with other kids who understood where I was coming from,” said one former participant. “I couldn’t talk to my friends at school, because they didn’t understand, and would avoid me because they didn’t know how to act towards me or what to say after my dad died. But at Peace by Piece, I could be myself.”

 JFS presented Edmarc with its biennial Community Service Award for outstanding partnership and collaboration. 

 “This has been an incredible partnership for all of these years,” said Debbie Mayer, director of clinical services for JFS. “The program has changed the lives of grieving families.”

 Debbie Stitzer-Brame, executive director for Edmarc, and Megan Gillespie, Edmarc’s director of community support, presented a special recognition award to Mayer for her 25 years of dedication to the Peace by Piece program. “Debbie was one of the initial founders of the program and has touched the lives of children and families through this program for two and a half decades,” said Stitzer-Brame.  

 Losing a loved one is never easy and can be especially difficult for children. For additional information about the Peace by Piece program, or to explore counseling options, call the Embrace Counseling offices at 757-459-4640.  

Kelly Burroughs, Jewish Family Service CEO, may be reached at kburroughs@jfshamptonroads.org.

 The summit included speakers from JFS’ Personal Affairs Management program and an attorney who works closely with JFS. Each of the speakers brought expertise to share with the attendees – hospital discharge and intake staff, nursing home administrators and staff, owners and managers of group homes for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and representatives from various independent living and skilled nursing facilities. 

 “There is a lot of confusion on what it means to be appointed guardian,” said Dorothy Salomonsky, PAM program director. “Just because someone has poor judgement does not mean they need a guardian.” 

 Greg Pomije, an attorney and Commissioner of Accounts for the city of Portsmouth, noted “Guardianship appointments are very serious. People under guardianship most often lose their right to vote, to own guns, to drive a car, among other things. State statutes outline due process,” he continued, “but the court outlines the individual restrictions.” 

 Lloyd Clements, PAM’s clinical director, shared insights based on his more than 25 years with the agency and background as a licensed professional counselor. “People come to us for a variety of reasons,” he said. “It is our goal to help them as much as we can by providing person-centered strategies that help them maintain their dignity and have a good quality of life.” 

Nikcole Gerhardt, PAM’s client and community relations manager, outlined the intake process, reiterating that the agency does not petition the courts for referrals to the PAM program. Once a person is appointed to JFS, the representative for the agency must post bond and qualify before the court clerk. JFS receives hundreds of referrals each year, and currently serves as guardian to approximately 1,300 incapacitated people. 

 When someone is appointed a guardian, they are often also appointed a conservator, who is appointed by order of the circuit court and is responsible for managing the estate and financial affairs of an incapacitated person to ensure their financial well-being. “This is a time-consuming process,” said Andrei Niazdoimin, JFS director of finance and accounting. “The agency is responsible for the financial affairs of the person appointed to us. We do not know anything about them, what assets they have, what resources. We apply for benefits on their behalf and maintain a fiduciary relationship with them while also ensuring that all their needs are met.”

 Dorothy Salomonsky was recognized at the event with an award. Harry Graber, who was executive director for JFS at the time of the program’s development, remembered hiring Salomonsky nearly 30 years ago. “What started out as a volunteer job for 10 hours a week became a full-time job. Dorothy’s work helped to shape guardianship rules for adults throughout Virginia, and the program was named by the Governor’s Office as a Model Program. I am very proud to have been associated with Dorothy,” he said. For her outstanding achievements for 29 years as the program director, she was presented with an award on behalf of JFS thanking her for her outstanding devotion. 

Jewish Family Service’s 20th Annual Run, Roll, or Stroll was held on Sunday, May 19 on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community. In conjunction with Yom Ha’Atzmaut activities, the campus welcomed thousands of visitors. 

This was the first year that the JFS Run was held on the Sandler Family Campus, as JFS traditionally held its race at the Oceanfront or at the Botanical Garden. This year, however, was special. As the Campus celebrates its 20th year as a community center, JFS marks its 20th Annual Run.  What better than to celebrate together? 

Before the Fun Run, participants, families, and friends enjoyed family-friendly activities and snacks. For adults, JFS partnered with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater to sell Bloody Mary’s with ingredients from An Israeli Chef’s Table Experience’s Chef Yaniv Cohen, who was in town for Yom Ha’Atzmaut. 

As the Run began, people gathered under the blue and white balloon arches, ready for the challenge. When the runners, walkers, and strollers passed through the course, people at various “color stations” doused them with blue- and white-powdered chalk. Some participants had fun trying to dodge the flying powder, while others fully embraced the experience by laying on the ground and making “chalk angels” with the dust. 

Feedback for the event was mostly positive, and JFS is considering having a color run again next year. 

“We learned some lessons this year,” says Brooke Rush, director of the event.  “Next time, we will definitely have wash stations and hoses to rinse off afterwards!”   

Despite the colorful mess, the event showcased the tremendous community support of Jewish Family Service’s programs. 

“This event is not just a fundraiser,” says Anne Kramer, former JFS board president. “It is an annual tradition for the community to come together in friendship and fun, and to show support for the work being done at JFS.”

Kelly Burroughs is the CEO for Jewish Family Service.

Named the 2023-2024 Max Jalpha Volunteer of the Year, Ron Kaufmann is a volunteer for JFS’ home delivered meals program.

“Our team of Home Delivered Meals drivers work every week without exception. It is your smile that our clients look forward to,” said Jody Laibstain, JFS volunteer coordinator. Laibstain expressed her appreciation for Kaufmann’s dedication by saying: “Ron is always adaptable to adjust his route to drive to Norfolk or Chesapeake, and to help out wherever needed with my ever-changing schedule. He has adjusted his travel plans many times, so he is available on Thursday mornings. It is with warm appreciation that we thank Ron for his dedication and commitment.”

After 11 years of dedicated service to the agency, Jody Laibstain celebrated her retirement from JFS at the event. Betty Ann Levin, executive vice president /CEO of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, who was the executive director for JFS at the time of Laibstain’s hire, and Debbie Mayer, who is clinical director at JFS, both spoke of their excitement when she accepted the position as the volunteer coordinator. Mayer recalled being on vacation when Levin called to tell her the good news. “I knew you wouldn’t mind being interrupted on your vacation for such wonderful news!” said Levin. And she was right. “I was thrilled!” said Mayer, who supervised Laibstain during most of her time with JFS.

“JFS has not just been a job for me,” said Laibstain. “It has been a part of me for the past 11 years. How wonderful it’s been to come to work and feel that I can make a difference in someone’s life.”

And she truly has. Mazel Tov, Jody! Best of luck in retirement!

Kelly Burroughs is chief executive officer, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater. She may be reached at kburroughs@jfshamptonroads.org.