CMYonnIssue 2 Spring 2020/Tishreiecti 5781 on Caring For Our Elders MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO INBOX The past few months have been I still have tears in my eyes as I write unprecedented, to say the least, this email - I am just blown away by your causing far-reaching distress thoughtfulness, support and care. Words and destruction on the lives of cannot adequately describe how much many individuals and families. Jewish Care’s offer means to me, I am so Australia’s extraordinary beyond grateful. Thank you so much. From uninterrupted run of economic the first time we spoke your sincerity and growth has experienced a most genuine concern for me and my children’s dramatic interruption. We wellbeing has been so heart-warming and are now officially in a severe I wanted to thank you again for just being Susie Ivany OAM, President Bill Appleby, CEO recession after 29 years of there to listen on the other end of the prosperity, impacting hundreds of thousands of people and communities across this line, simply taking the time to call, and for country. The effects have amplified pre-existing disadvantage in our community, arranging the food deliveries. adversely affected the most vulnerable, whilst also impacting individuals and ~ Anonymous families who have never experienced such despair. This viral tsunami has compelled our governments to act quickly to protect those most negatively impacted through a Share your feedback about range of various supports. Nevertheless, these supports will be wound back over the our services by emailing next 6 months and we must be ready as a community to stand up and respond. [email protected] Our focus has been to protect those people in our care whether it’s our clients living at home independently, people living with a disability, or our Elders residing in our residential homes – our number one concern has been the safety and wellbeing of our Elders, clients, staff, and volunteers. Our other area of focus has been responding to community need, as individuals and families have had their lives turned upside down. Job loss, home schooling, remote working arrangements, mental health, family violence, financial distress, confusing and constantly changing restrictions, home isolation, and the list goes on. Jewish Care has received over 8,500 calls for help since the 23rd March! This is indeed unprecedented, and we anticipate the need will dramatically increase as government supports our wound back. We acknowledge the various organisations and individuals who have reached out and supported Jewish Care, to support the community during these challenging times. Thanks to our incredibly generous community, our Crisis Appeal was a wonderful success raising over $4.25 million. Your ongoing financial support ensures vulnerable people in our community will be supported. To the five foundations that were instrumental in the launch of the COVID-19 HELPLINE, your partnership continues to be invaluable. To everyone else who have expressed and provided support - Thank You! It’s inspiring to live in a community that comes together during the most difficult of times. Notwithstanding the present challenges, we continue to work towards our transformation in the way we support ageing in the Jewish community, with the successful completion of the beautiful Anne & Eric Smorgon Active Living Centre and our Carnegie Senior Living Precinct, on time and on budget! We look forward to seeing our Elders living at Smorgon Family Nursing Home move into their new home in Carnegie mid-November. The Carnegie Precinct is a state-of-the-art design Front cover: Lifestyle Coordinator at based on the Hand-in-Hand model of support. Gary Smorgon House, Tamara Zeltsman, It has not been business as usual with restrictions imposed on our everyday life. in personal protective equipment supporting As an organisation dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of elders and Elder, Fryda clients, it is truly wonderful to see our staff and volunteers adapting and innovating Schweitzer to in this strangely restrictive environment. connect with her family via Zoom For over 171 years, Jewish Care has been the safety net for the Victorian Jewish during COVID-19 community throughout tough times, and COVID-19 pandemic is no different. stage four We encourage you to continue to do your part. Together, we will come out of this restrictions. stronger than ever before - our human spirit will prevail. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Susie Ivany OAM Bill Appleby 2 Spring 2020/Tishrei 5781 2020 CRISIS APPEAL Continuing to Keep Our Community Safe Jewish Care’s 2020 Annual Appeal was converted to a As part of the Appeal, a special Giving Day was held on 14 Crisis Appeal to support vulnerable members of the Jewish June for 24-hours where all donations were matched dollar community whose lives have been severely impacted by the for dollar by generous matchers. Both these campaigns were COVID-19 global pandemic. pivotal to the success of this year’s Crisis Appeal. Meanwhile, the designated HELPLINE that was launched with the support Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Jewish Care was able to of the Erdi Foundation, Spotlight Foundation, Victor Smorgon raise in excess of $4.2 million to ensure vulnerable people in our Charitable Fund, Besen Family Foundation, and Gandel community are cared for and supported during these difficult Philanthropy will continue to assist those in the Victorian times, and in continuing to provide long-lasting and viral supports Jewish community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. to over 6,000 people experiencing crisis and hardship, each year. Our HELPLINE 8517-5555 operates Monday to Friday and This year’s target was revised from $3.6 million to $5 million to provides immediate relief to people experiencing emotional meet the demand for additional assistance as a consequence of distress or worry, social isolation, financial hardship, loss of COVID-19, and we were fortunate to have the continued support connection to community, and others in need. of our community. We thank you for being incredibly generous. FOR EXAMPLE: YOU GIVE WE RECEIVE $50 = $100 $250 = $500 $500 = $1,000 Rosh Hashana is a Time of Giving Our community is experiencing the most challenging time in our 171-year history and it has been gut-wrenching for Jewish Care to see the impact of this virus first-hand, especially on the vulnerable Adam and Danny, just one family seriously affected by in aged care and those accessing our disability services. the COVID-19 Pandemic... and helped by Jewish Care. Victoria is in serious crisis… once again, our community really needs you! Dear Sarah, Sadly, the impact of this pandemic does not stop at our residential This year has been like no other. With Rosh Hashana upon us, we hope to see the end of the Stage 4 lockdown and with that, we hope to celebrate a new beginning as we welcome the New Year. homes. In addition to what we are seeing in our residential homes, We called upon you, and hundreds of other loyal Jewish Care supporters, at the start of the pandemic to help the vulnerable. So many dug deep to give generously, helping countless individuals and we continue to be inundated with calls for urgent financial, families in crisis. The gratitude shown by the individuals and families who received our assistance has been overwhelming. housing, employment support, and many other vital services. Rosh Hashana is a time of giving important time to reach out again. andHaving help been one inanother, Stage 4 making restrictions, the year there ahead has a never little beensweeter a more for those who are now in even greater need. There never has been a more important time to reach out and help We have all been affected in different ways by this pandemic. This next stage of restrictions has been incredibly hard for everyone. But sadly, some people have been affected more than others. one another, making the year ahead a little sweeter for those who Jewish Care set up a COVID-19 Helpline in response to the pandemic, receiving an influx of calls for immediate support. With the toughest of restrictions placed on all Victorians, this number has are now in even greater need. Please give generously to our 2020 continued to grow . One of the calls we received to our Helpline was from Adam*. He and his son, Danny* are one of many Rosh Hashana Appeal. Our community needs you now more than families that our wonderful community has helped with their incredible generosity this year. Adam is a single dad who started his small home cleaning business two years before his son Danny ever! was born. Danny, who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder is the apple of his dad’s eye. When Danny’s mum left Adam, it was a difficult time for both Adam and Danny. Adam had always been a hard worker and, although his business was small, he was able to make ends meet so that he Wishing you and your family a Shana Tova. May we all keep healthy, could provide for Danny. It was not an easy life, but with the support of family, Adam and Danny were happy and they got by. keep safe and be blessed with a sweet New Year! Then, devastatingly the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia… Adam lost all his work due to COVID-19 and the fear of losing his home quickly became a reality. To make a donation, visit jewishcare.org.au/2020RH, call Anxiety about what the future held for him and his son kept Adam awake at night. He worried about 1800 539 474 or complete the coupon on the back page.