Reflecting on 10 Years by Debbie Zoller

I am celebrating 18 years of being a Jewish Family Service Executive Director – the first eight at JFS of Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the past 10 as your JFSLV Executive Director.

Wendy Rapoport, MSW, LCSW, and Marcia Schechter, MS, RN, are the only current staff members who were at the agency before I came. The staff size has doubled to 16 strong and I am proud of the incredible individuals who are so motivated and dedicated to the agency.

I have served under five presidents: Michael Weinstock, Patty Glascom, Wendy Born, Rabbi Allen Juda, and current board president Robin Rosenau. These leaders have presided over strong boards, and each left an indelible footprint on the organization.

When I arrived here, client records were stored in paper files. Today, we have technology which has enabled us to increase the quality of data collection to help connect clients to our complement of services.

In 2012, one clinical social worker operated the food pantry, which consisted of a few shelves of primarily Kosher food and a staff refrigerator. Food was delivered or donated sporadically, and clients dropped by the office to receive one bag of food.

Today, the pantry has three commercial refrigerators and two commercial freezers to store food delivered bimonthly by our partners at Second Harvest. JFS is committed to ensuring that food pantry clients receive milk, eggs, and butter at every visit, along with shelfstable products, produce, and protein. JFS receives donations from Giant, Not Just Bagels, Wawa, and Wegmans. Clients select foods in a grocery storestyle pantry, complete with shopping carts. Nearly two dozen volunteers support the food pantry along with the Food Pantry Coordinator.

The JFS Mazel Meal program was launched in 2018 as a Jewish Federation Super Sunday Mitzvah Day. Today, JFS volunteers deliver Jewishthemed meals each month to 60 older adults across the Lehigh Valley. This program provides a social and spiritual connection through multiple monthly phone calls, which help relieve social isolation and challenges with meal preparation. Along with our partnership with JFLV, JFS works with ShareCare Faith in Action and GoGo Grandparent for older adult transportation.

JFS has become a leader in creating a more inclusive community by hiring an Accessibility and Inclusion Coordinator. Social work students from Cedar Crest College, Delaware Valley University, and Marywood University are mentored by staff as part of JFS’s internship program. The volunteer program has grown from eight to over 80, with a designated Volunteer Coordinator.

There have been many challenges over the past 10 years – the rise of social media, increases in depression and anxiety, recognition of the importance of LGBTQIA+, a rise in antisemitism, and the changing landscape of Jewish community life. Each of these topics is worthy of attention and discussion.

Life now looks very different from the way it did three years ago. Our amazing JFS staff was able to pivot to serve our clients during the pandemic. They learned how to operate the food pantry safely and our social workers moved to a teletherapy model to deliver services.

As individuals feel more comfortable with in-person events, JFS will continue to provide more opportunities for socialization such as our retired men’s group,

Schmooze and Schmear. Volunteers are once again leading holiday programs at long-term care residences.

I am grateful to live in the Lehigh Valley and be part of a vibrant Jewish community. I love the work of JFS and the individuals I interact with. While I am well aware that I cannot solve everyone’s problems, I appreciate the opportunity to listen compassionately.

In the words of Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

MARTIN PHILIP MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Talia Markowitz

The Torah instructs us, “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the corners of your field.” JFS provides you with the opportunity to plant an extra row of produce in your garden to donate to the food pantry through its Plant A Row program.

Food Pantry Coordinator Doug Trachtman speaks regularly with clients, and fresh produce is consistently one of the most requested foods. “JFS has been participating in this program for many years,” he says, “and the impact it makes in our clients’ health, budgets, and overall quality of life cannot be overstated.”

To learn more about the Plant A Row program and how you can help, contact foodpantry@jfslv.org or visit https://www.jfslv.org/produce

Q:How does JFS ensure that its food pantry clients have access to fresh fruits and vegetables? A:

GAINES FAMILY FOUNDATION PRIZE IN ENGINEERING

Noah Oxfeld

We thank those individuals who have graciously supported Jewish Family Service by sending tribute cards:

IN

Honor

EMILY & BRIAN FORD

In Honor of Al’s Bar Mitzvah

Audrey & Rick Nolte

PHYLLIS & JAY KAUFMAN

In Honor of Alec’s graduation from Temple University Medical School

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

ANGELA LEVY

In Honor of 90th birthday

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

AUDREY NOLTE

In Honor

In Loving Memory

HOWARD CENTER

(Brother of Larry Center)

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

MORRIS JALAZO

(Father of Carrie Glazier)

Barbara Gahry

Gloria Ginsburg

Carol & Barry Halper

Edith Miller

Alice & Mark Notis

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

ANDY KOPYT

(Wife of Nelson Kopyt)

Our community is wonderful about donating fresh produce, either store bought or homegrown from their gardens (see the “Plant A Row” story). Contact foodpantry@jfslv.org for more information. The Community Garden at Temple Beth El, run by Myron Levenson, donates hundreds of pounds of produce to JFS every year. In addition, Monocacy Farm Project, in partnership with Congregation Brith Sholom, grows and donates healthy produce to 12 different hunger projects throughout the Lehigh Valley, including the Community Food Pantry at JFS. Individuals and families can volunteer at Monocacy Farm to harvest vegetables with Farmer Eli. Contact Eli Stogsdill, manager@monocacyfarmproject.org for additional information.

Dara Collins & Donna Miller-Small

ILENE & STEVE RUBEL

In Honor of the birth of grandson,

Tatum

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

CAROL & BOB WILSON

In Honor of Ben’s graduation from the University of Pittsburgh

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

Contact volunteers@jfslv.org to join the team.

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

IRENE SHOMBERG

(Mother of Ruth Nathanson)

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

A wonderful way to share your thoughtfulness with family and friends, the minimum contribution for a JFS Tribute Card is $18. Visit www.jfslv.org/tributes or call 610.821.8722 to place card orders. Thank you for your continued support.