You’re not alone: JSA, JFS offers help for those in need

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The Jewish Seniors Agency of R.I. and Jewish Family Service of R.I. are launching a column, Living Well, in The Jewish Voice with the goal of providing information on social services to those in need in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.  Over time,  Living Well may evolve into a question-and-answer format.  For now, Living Well will focus on providing valuable information on resources, inspiring conversation, and eliciting community-wide curiosity, support and engagement in family and elder matters.

 

The Jewish Seniors Agency of R.I. was born in 1912 as “The Jewish Home for the Aged” by the Ladies Union Aid Association.  The Ladies Union Aid Association was started by a group of women from the North End of Providence in 1887 and incorporated in 1890 for the purpose of providing assistance to needy Jewish families. Visiting committees called on the sick and the infirm, at home or in hospitals, to lend a helping hand.

The JSA’s commitment to providing a continuum of care to seniors in the Jewish community has endured for more than 100 years. Jewish Eldercare of R.I. (JERI), a part of the JSA, was founded upon the closing of the Jewish Home for the Aged.  JERI volunteers visit nursing-home and assisted-living residents regularly to help with services and ensure that they can continue to engage in Jewish culture and traditions. JERI also provides friendly visits and safety assessments in homes. 

The Louis & Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry, the only Kosher food pantry in Rhode Island, was launched to provide Kosher food to those who are economically challenged.  Staffed by volunteers, both JERI and the Full Plate serve those in need statewide. In addition, the JSA is proud to be the parent agency of Warwick’s Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living and Shalom and Shalom II housing. In these residences, JSA creates vibrant, engaged communities.

Jewish Family Service of R.I. opened its doors in 1929, during the Great Depression.  Initially called the Jewish Welfare Society, the agency started with clothing distribution centers to help the needy.  Services then expanded to providing financial assistance to the unemployed.  Over the decades, providing services to help with basic needs has remained a constant while other services have been introduced to meet changing Community needs. 

Today, JFSRI sustains, nurtures and strengthens the emotional and general well-being and stability of families and individuals of all ages through the life cycle, within the framework of Jewish traditions and values.  Professional services offered include The Counseling Center and Adoption Options; Older Adult Resources (OAR), which provides for seniors and their caregivers though Home Care Solutions; Lifeline R.I. and the Kosher Nutrition Program; and Community Services, which includes Kesher (congregational outreach), case management, emergency financial assistance, and Patient Partners.

SUSAN BAZAR (sbazar@jsari.org) is Executive Director of the Jewish Seniors Agency of R.I. ERIN MINIOR (erin@jfsri.org) is the CEO of Jewish Family Service of R.I.