Miriam Arond, Author at Westchester Jewish Community Services

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 ...

Together, We Transform Lives
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Together, We Transform Lives

Miriam Arond2024-11-12T12:52:50-05:00November 12th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: donate now, Year End Appeal, Nonprofit, Westchester|

Every day Westchester residents of all backgrounds who face mental health, trauma, disability, parenting, aging, and other challenges are provided life-saving services and programs at Westchester Jewish Community Services. It is our privilege and passion to help nearly 20,000 people each year. But we can’t do it without you! Our Year End Appeal is happening now! Every new and increased gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 with a Matching Gift from the Mensch Family in memory of Reggi Mensch. Your generosity transforms the lives of those we serve. With your help, we offer dozens of ...

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 ...

Voting On the Spectrum: Empowering Neurodiverse Voices in the Electoral Process
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Voting On the Spectrum: Empowering Neurodiverse Voices in the Electoral Process

Miriam Arond2024-10-08T15:22:57-04:00October 8th, 2024|Categories: Disabilities, Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: neurodiverse, voting, special needs, spectrum, intellectual disabilites, IDD, developmental disabilities, Autism|

By: Nicholas R. Primavera, MS, MBA, Program Coordinator of WJCS Shelanu & Supper Club Voting in any election can be scary and anxiety provoking. Voting is a fundamental right and a vital aspect of public participation, but for individuals on the autism spectrum, the process can present unique challenges. From understanding complex ballot language to navigating crowded polling places, these obstacles can sometimes discourage participation. However, with proper resources, support, and understanding, voting can become an accessible and empowering experience for everyone. In this article, I will explain some of the challenges I have observed, along with some of the ...

October 7th: One Year Later
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October 7th: One Year Later

Miriam Arond2024-10-07T11:18:22-04:00October 7th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: october 7|

Today marks one year since the devastating attack by Hamas in Israel, a day that inflicted profound and lasting wounds. The trauma of that event is compounded by ongoing violence in the region, most recently with rockets from Iran. Even more heartbreaking is the cruel reality that, after 365 long days, Hamas continues to hold dozens of hostages, denying them their freedom. The pain of that day has only been deepened by the disturbing rise in antisemitism, leaving many in the Jewish community feeling vulnerable and isolated. It is shocking to realize that in a place where safety and ...

Free October 9th Community Forum on Assisting Youth, Young Adults, and Families Impacted by Psychosis
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Free October 9th Community Forum on Assisting Youth, Young Adults, and Families Impacted by Psychosis

Miriam Arond2024-10-02T15:06:01-04:00October 2nd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: community forum, greater mental health of new york, westchester government, psychosis, ontrackny, michael orth, NAMI|

Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, Westchester Jewish Community Services, Greater Mental Health of New York, and NAMI offer a community forum focused on assisting youth, young adults, and families impacted by psychosis. As much as 8% of the population will be impacted by psychosis at some point in their lives and about 4% of the population will meet criteria for a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. These statistics suggest that more than 80,0000 Westchester County residents will be impacted by psychosis at some point in their lives. Psychosis is often confusing and disorienting for those impacted by it, ...

Westchester Jewish Community Services and Family Service Society of Yonkers Announce Strategic Affiliation
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Westchester Jewish Community Services and Family Service Society of Yonkers Announce Strategic Affiliation

Miriam Arond2024-09-20T13:40:17-04:00September 26th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: fssy, family service society of yonkers, yonkers, Westchester|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), one of the largest non-sectarian, not-for-profit human services agencies in Westchester County, and Family Service Society of Yonkers (FSSY), a human services agency with a 140-year history of serving the Westchester community, are proud to announce they have entered into a strategic affiliation, to take effect October 1st. This partnership will enhance the reach and depth of services provided to the residents of Westchester County. Through this affiliation, WJCS and FSSY will deliver a comprehensive and coordinated range of human services that will better support youth, the elderly, and families in Yonkers and the ...

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|

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Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week
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Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week

Miriam Arond2024-09-06T15:58:59-04:00September 8th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: dsp, dsp appreciation, direct support professionals, direct support professionals appreciation week, IDD, Community Programs|

It's Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week! At WJCS we are so proud to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at WJCS. Our DSPs work with developmentally and intellectually disabled adults who live in our 12 group homes across Westchester County. They provide a caring home environment where residents are supported in maintaining and learning daily living skills, enjoying social activities, and pursuing employment while also assisting with medical, emotional, behavioral, and mental health support. The work of DSPs in our Community Programs Division speaks to our value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). ...

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 ...

Volunteering: An Antidote to the Epidemic of Loneliness
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Volunteering: An Antidote to the Epidemic of Loneliness

Miriam Arond2024-09-06T11:45:16-04:00September 6th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: get involved, loneliness, volunteer|

A recent article in the New York Times reported on the skyrocketing rates of loneliness, citing various studies, including one conducted by the American Psychiatric Association that found 25 percent of American residents are lonelier today than they were before the pandemic, as well as the decision by the World Health Organization to make loneliness an official global public health concern. The negative impact of loneliness is not just emotional. Studies have correlated feelings of loneliness with an increased risk of depression and, among seniors, loneliness has been linked with cardiovascular disease, dementia, declines in motor functions, and frailty. ...

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. ...

New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer Awards $125,000 in Grants to Support WJCS Group Homes and ParentChild+ Program
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New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer Awards $125,000 in Grants to Support WJCS Group Homes and ParentChild+ Program

Miriam Arond2024-07-30T16:59:04-04:00July 30th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: Local Community Assistance Program (LoCAP) Grant, NYS senator shelley b. mayer, parentchild|

(From left: Jessica Piecyk, WJCS Managing Director of Early Childhood & Assistant Executive Director of Jewish Programs; Lauren Bassin, Assistant Director of WJCS Community Programs; Lauren Candela-Katz, WJCS Chief Advancement Officer; New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer; Seth Diamond, WJCS CEO) Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) today announced that New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer has selected WJCS as a recipient of two grants that will provide critically-needed support to its group homes and its ParentChild+ program. WJCS operates 12 community residences in Westchester County for adults with developmental disabilities. The Local Community Assistance Program (LoCAP) Grant ...

August is National Make-A-Will Month
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August is National Make-A-Will Month

Miriam Arond2024-07-30T12:59:41-04:00August 1st, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage|Tags: make a will, make a will month, legacy giving, estate planning, bequest, ways to give, personal giving, get involved|

This August we’re observing National Make-A-Will Month, and we invite you to create your own free will, and include a gift to WJCS. It’s a simple act of caring that protects your loved ones and continues your legacy of support to help the most vulnerable people in Westchester. In just 20 minutes of time, you can plan for your future, strengthen our programs and services for more than 20,000 people, and create a better Westchester for future generations. Click here for our free estate planning tool. Have questions about legacy planning? Please contact Jennifer Kaplan, Director of Development, at [email protected]; 914-761-0600 ...

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 Arond2024-11-11T15:40:42-05:00November 3rd, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, 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 ...

WJCS Awarded $35,000 Grant from Aging in America
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WJCS Awarded $35,000 Grant from Aging in America

Miriam Arond2024-07-03T11:17:30-04:00July 11th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: aging in america, 65+, geriatric care management, senior services, senior care, Elderly, Seniors, Westchester|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $35,000 grant from Aging in America to support Geriatric Care Management. The grant will support Geriatric Care Management services to low-income, frail elderly individuals throughout Westchester County to maintain and enhance their physical and emotional quality of life. “For many seniors, especially those who live alone, life can become progressively more challenging and isolating, compromising their ability to age well and safely in place,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. “Stressors, such as chronic medical conditions, the loss of a spouse, lack of connection to family or ...

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 ...

JUNETEENTH: A Message from Our CEO
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JUNETEENTH: A Message from Our CEO

Miriam Arond2024-06-18T14:10:37-04:00June 18th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal, General|Tags: freedom day, diversity, equity, inclusion, juneteenth|

The celebration of Juneteenth reminds us of the continuing struggle for freedom. We don't see the holiday as a declaration of victory but more of a chance to celebrate the progress we have made and to acknowledge there remains much work to do. The holiday also recognizes the countless people, many of whose names we do not know, who fought for freedom. One of those in this fight, whose life has not been long celebrated, is Opal Lee. Growing up in Texas Ms. Lee and her family would celebrate Juneteenth. On one Juneteenth in 1939, when she Ms. Lee was 12, ...

WJCS Awarded Field Hall Foundation Grant to Support Vulnerable Seniors
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WJCS Awarded Field Hall Foundation Grant to Support Vulnerable Seniors

Miriam Arond2024-06-18T11:07:01-04:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: Feature, Featured Homepage, Featured Internal|Tags: field hall foundation, geriatric care management, senior care management, older adults, senior care|

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) is thrilled to have been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Field Hall Foundation for Geriatric Care Management. This support is especially needed because addressing the issues faced by the elderly is becoming increasingly important as the population in Westchester County ages. It is the fastest growing age group in Westchester, with people over age 65 representing 18.4% of our county’s population in 2022. Seniors living on limited incomes in Westchester often face financial insecurity. More than 39%—45,000 people—in Westchester live in poverty, which is higher than Rockland, Nassau, or Putnam counties. “Seniors face ...

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 ...

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