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Youth
B`NAI MITZVOT - GET INVOLVED!
Are you celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in 2009? Come out to our new Bar and Bat Mitzvah Sessions. In our first two session we “Started Things Off with a Sneeze” where we examined blessings for many occasions and discussed “Who is a Jew Today” and delved into the many issues surrounding Jewish lineage and conversion not to mention a huge list of Jewish celebrities. Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids did a huge Mitzvah during the first of two Mitzvah Days. In a partnered program with Ve’ahavta the Jewish Relief Organization, we baked chocolate chip cookies and donated special dessert bags filled with delicious treats and a special personalized note to the homeless.
A JEWISH CHILD NEEDS YOU - The Foster Care Crisis in Our Community
The Jewish community is not immune to poverty, abuse, addiction, and family breakdown. As in any community in our society, these issues can devastate individuals and families. Perhaps no cases, however, tug at the heartstrings more than the children who, for a myriad of reasons, are unable to live with their parents.
As the children`s aid society for the Jewish community, Jewish Family & Child is responsible for the welfare of all of our children. You may wonder why Jewish children come into the care of JF&CS. They may be victims of abuse or neglect; they may have severe physical or developmental challenges; they may be teens for whom staying at home is not an option. They range in age from infancy to 16 years. Many are in care for just a short-term emergency; some require long-term care. Some are able to live with relatives; many have no one to rely on but JF&CS.
The stories of children in care and their foster parents have the power to shock, anger, and sadden. They also have the power to inspire. Many of these young people have overcome extraordinary obstacles, and their foster families have played major roles in their success. But too many of them are at risk of falling through the cracks, of not getting the loving support they need to thrive and become productive, happy adults.
At any given time, about 80 children are in the care of JF&CS, living in private foster homes, group homes or other institutions. While Jewish Family & Child strives to place children in the most appropriate setting, there are often no foster homes that match a child`s level of religious observance or that are close to his or her school or extended family. These children are safe but, quite simply, there are not enough foster homes to meet their individual needs. This community is, in fact, experiencing a foster care crisis.
As a children`s aid, JF&CS has a mandated responsibility for all Jewish children in the GTA under the age of 16 who are in need of care, protection, and a stable home. As a community, we all have a moral responsibility to make sure our children are safe and well cared for.
These are our children: Jewish kids who need loving homes, for a week, a few months, or maybe even many years. These are our children. If you have ever thought about becoming a foster parent, now is the time to act. Foster parents come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and ages. They may be married or single, parents of children still at home or empty nesters. The common thread is a love of children and the desire to perform the mitzvah of providing a loving home.
Foster parents receive full training and ongoing support from Jewish Family & Child, and a stipend is paid to cover the costs of accommodating foster children.
A Jewish child needs you! Please consider opening your heart and your home to a child in need. For more information, please call Marsha Urowitz, Foster Home Recruiter at Jewish Family & Child, at 416.638.7800 ext 306.
*** Last Updated 2009/07/29 ***
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