JewishCare

JewishCare’s web site is headed by its slogan – “The Caring Heart of Sydney”

Voiceless adds voice to domestic violence initiative

Sydney identity Brian Sherman, a director of animal welfare group Voiceless, spoke at JewishCare this morning on domestic violence heralding the beginning of campaign involving 16 rabbis , 16 days…and 16 synagogues.

The initiative is under the auspice of the United Nations and is worldwide and focuses public attention on the plight of those affected by domestic violence.

Sherman used his talk to show how the unpopularity of his cause against ‘violence’ perpetrated on innocent animals by mankind is paralleled by the unpopularity of the cause highlighting plight of those women who experience violence in their homes. He urged the community to stand up for those victims of DV.

The initiative will produce individual efforts from each of the 16 congregations involved including a giant version the white ribbon logo of the campaign being displayed Sydney’s Great Synagogue on the bima of Sydney’s Great Synagogue this coming Shabbat.

JewishCare domestic violence caseworkers Belinda Gold, Roberta Freedman and Lisa Shapiro remained outside the meeting which was an all male affair.

Freedman told J-Wire: “We deal with 19 cases of domestic violence each working week and take on board about two new cases in that period. On top of that we manage 60 cases where family support is needed.”

JewishCare maintains a crisis hotline for  those in its care.

Gold told J-Wire that women are the victims in more than 90% of domestic violence cases. She added: “We appeal to men who know of cases where women are being subjected to domestic violence to let us know. Our aim is to help, not prosecute. We need to help them break the cycle.”

Shapiro told J-Wire that a training program had been held in 2007 for rabbis and teachers. She added:  ”A respect for relationship course is taught to Years 10, 11 and 12 students in Moriah, Masada, Kesser Torah and the Emanuel schools. Help cards headed ‘Never in a Jewish Home’ will be placed in the bathrooms of all the participating Shuls and doctors’ surgeries.”

The participating Synagogues are :

Central Synagogue, Chabad Bondi, Coogee Synagogue, Cremone Synagogue, Emanuel Synagogue, Great Synagogue, JLC, Lindfield Synagogue, Maroubra Synagogue, Masada, Newtown Synagogue, Or Chadash, Sephardi, Shtiebel, South Head and Yeshiva.

Each one has been assigned one day of the 16 and will hold a special event to highlight the cause, including raising the topic of domestic service in their sermons.

JewishCare president Eva Fischl said: “I am very proud of the way our community has united on this issue. Each rabbi we approached enthusiastically agreed to participate.”

89-year-old wins volunteer award

JewishCare worker Dorothy Clarke has won the prestigious Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year Award conferred by the Centre for Volunteering.

Dorothy is the President of the Triple S Friendship Club, which is one of JewishCare’s 11 Friendship Clubs around Sydney, providing regular opportunities for active elderly people to get together, have fun and learn. She is 89 years old.

For the last five years Dorothy has been spending more then 10 hours a week volunteering for JewishCare; organising bus outings, Sunday walks, visits to the local Guild Theatre as well as the weekly meetings which take place at the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Allawah. She also visits local JewishCare clients, volunteers as a mentor at the Gymea TAFE where she helps older women to become computer literate and teaches a course at the Benevolent Society Rooms in Hurstville in conjunction with her involvement with the University of the Third Age.

Eva Fischl OAM President of JewishCare said “Dorothy is defying the typical stereotype regarding the capacity and capability of older people. Dorothy has been setting a wonderful example of remaining active and independent well into what many people may consider to be old age. This award is richly deserved and we hope that she will continue to serve her community for many years to come”.

In accepting the award Dorothy said “I feel uncomfortable when I am congratulated for whatever I do. I help for the satisfaction of just doing. My philosophy is Life is for Living, don’t waste it, be busy, do something for others and use your  time wisely”

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‘Big Brothers Big Sisters’ take ’siblings’ bowling

Over the last 14 years JewishCare’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program has helped literally hundreds of children by providing them with an older role model or mentor.

While the program facilitates regular one-on-one activities between the ‘bigs and the littles’, group functions are organised a few times a year. It is aimed at families where children may be lacking the care and guidance often mentored by an older sibling.

The last such event which was attended by over 50 people was held last week at Strike Bowling at Fox Studios

For more information on referring your child to the program or becoming a valued Big Brother or Sister, please contact Kelly, Rachelle or Violet on 9302 8015 or email bbbs@jewishcare.com.au.

JewishCare’s Expo on Dementia

Over 180 people attended JewishCare’s Expo on Dementia at Sydney’s  Hakoah Club on 24 August.

The event featured a number of stalls which showed some of the activities that can help people to deamin active and possibly delay the onset of dementia.

This included art class, puzzles, dancing etc

Speakers included Prof Brodaty who spoke about the incidence of the diseases and some of the things that may assist in prevention and treatment, an early onset dementia sufferer , a dementia carer and Dr Bryce Vissel – neurological researcher who spoke about the opportunities for stem cell research to treat the disease

See photos attached

JewishCare’s Black Dog Function

On  Tuesday  25th Aug   The  Black Dog  Institute and JewishCare  held a very interesting seminar about assessing and treating  Depression and BiPolar Disorder.

The event was held at Black Dog  Institute POW Hospital , Randwick  Room  -  packed with 80 attendees. 2 great speakers from the institute .

Visit the photo gallery

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