JewishCare
JewishCare’s web site is headed by its slogan – “The Caring Heart of Sydney”
Hearing Loss Victim inspires JewishCare
August 2, 2010 by Warren Hurst
JewishCare and Central Synagogue joined forces some 18 years ago to establish a Friendship Club for older people named Special Program of Arts Recreation and Crafts for Seniors.
Ann Louise Oystragh and Faye Yaroll
On a weekly basis the Club provides interesting speakers and the regular social opportunities which can be so valuable in helping to combat isolation and even depression in older people.
Faye Yarroll was the very special guest speaker on 26 July 2010. Born with hereditary hearing loss, as a teenager Faye learned a range of skills that enabled her to watch and understand conversations. Sadly, she later had an accident and a medical problem that greatly compromised her already poor hearing. While she stoically remained working as IT support manager for a Multi National company these events placed her under great stress and Faye even contemplated giving up her job. Between 2005 and 2007 she had cochlear implants in both ears, a ‘miracle’ that changed her life.
She is now a member of the Cochlear Awareness Network and in the words of longtime President of S.P.A.R.C.S Ann Louise Oystragh, “Faye is one of the most inspirational people she has ever met”.
JewishCare launches bereavement support
June 3, 2010 by Warren Hurst
Sydney’s JewishCare’s Chessed Bereavement Support program launched for a wonderful resource booklet on loss and grieving.
It was officially launched by Julie Dunsmore, President of National Association for Loss and Grief .
Want to be an Aussie?
March 15, 2010 by Warren Hurst
Sydney’s JewishCare will conduct a naturalisation ceremony in June.
Malcolm Turnbull at last year's ceremony
JewishCare is holding its regular Citizenship Ceremony on 30 June this year.
These are always wonderful events and often the preferred way for members of the community to officially become Australian citizens.
Malcolm Turnbull will be officiating, as in previous years.
Please ask any family, friends, clients who may be interested to contact Warren Hurst on 9302 8005 or w.hurst@jewishcare.com.au
100 not out
March 12, 2010 by Warren Hurst
Fred Austin has celebrated his 100th Birthday at Sydney’s Burger Centre.
Fred Austin receives awards from peter Cavanagh
The Burger Centre celebrated its second centenarian since moving to the Randwick campus in March 2007.
Fred Austin was joined by his wife Alice, son Jeff and family and 40 Burger Centre clients, plus special guests from JewishCare and Montefiore Home.
Mr Peter Cavanagh Deputy Mayor of Woollahra presented Fred with congratulatory certificates and letters from The Queen, Governor General, Prime Minister and local Member Malcolm Turnbull.
Voiceless adds voice to domestic violence initiative
November 25, 2009 by Henry Benjamin
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.
Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, Brian Sherman and Rabbi Eli Feldman pic: Henry Benjamin
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.
Robeta Freedman, Lisa Shapiro and Belinda Gold pic: Henry Benjamin
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.”
