Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID CAMOS is planning a fall 3 Permit # 428 Shabbaton for families interested Binghamton, NY in moving to Stamford. 7 A UJF Parlor Meeting discussed the importance of summer camp for kids; on page 4, JFS announces its summer camp scholarships. Three local teens reflect on their 10 experiences on the annual March of the Living. july 2014/tammuz-av 5774 a publication of United jewish federation of Volume 16, Number 6 Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien Tzofim Friendship Caravan Children to Benefit from New Concert at JCC 3 Square Program The Tzofim (Israel Scouts) Friend- for the entire community. By Elanit Kayne Linder ones. The “3 Square” program, with sup- ship Caravan, a troupe of young Israeli The Tzofim Movement is an Israeli One out of five children in Con- port from Jewish Family Service, will run performers who travel across North youth movement that serves the needs necticut goes hungry or is considered on teamwork. Not only are contributions America each summer performing for of more than 60,000 Israelis by organiz- “food insecure.” In fact, these children to purchase food needed, but volunteers camps and Jewish organizations, will ap- ing youth groups and programs that have their breakfast and lunch meals, will be asked to pack the bags with food on pear at the Stamford Jewish Community include nature hikes, community service during the week, provided by the free a weekly basis and deliver them to schools Center on Tuesday, July 1, at 7 pm. The projects, cultural activities and informal meal programs at the public schools. in the community. Volunteers in teams of entire community is invited to attend education programs. During the weekends, however, there is a two or three will give just a few hours of the concert, which is free of charge and In 1995, the Friends of Israel Scouts void. Members of the board of Women’s their time on a chosen week to pack and open to all ages. Inc. was formed to encourage programs Philanthropy of Stamford’s UJF were deliver bags of healthy, nutritious foods The Caravan is made up of carefully that develop and maintain a connection shocked to hear this statistic and decided to supplement at-risk elementary school- selected Israeli teenagers who seek to between the Tzofim movement in Israel that something had to be done. age children. Food will be distributed by share their passion and knowledge and North American Jewry. The goal of And so, the “3 Square” service project a school staff member. Bags tucked into about Israel through song and dance the program is to show Israel in a positive was created. This ongoing project, begin- a child’s backpack may include crack- performances. For the third consecutive light, promote brotherhood, tolerance ning in September, will provide supple- ers, protein bars, milk and juice boxes, summer, the JCC will host the Tzofim, and respect among people of all faiths, mental nutrition to students identified dried fruits, pasta, tuna and fruit cups. who will perform during the day for form strong bonds of friendship between as “in need.” The program will start off All packages will be easy to open and will children attending the JCC’s O-la-mi the Israeli youth and their American in one elementary school with the hope not require any cooking. summer program, and in the evening, See “Tzofim” on page 2 of quickly expanding to the remaining See “Square” on page 2 Eighteen Israeli Inventions New Intergenerational Campus That Could Save Your Life for Jewish Senior Services By ISRAEL21c Staff (also known as the “Israeli bandage”), in- Every day, Israel21c reports on Israeli vented by an Israeli military medic, is used Ground Breaking Ceremony for $72 Million innovations that are making life easier to stop bleeding from hemorrhagic wounds and better across the globe, from medical in trauma situations. Credited for saving Building and agricultural advances to social-action the life of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Joined by Connecticut Governor services to the community. initiatives and high-tech wonders. Giffords in a 2011 shooting, the bandage is Dannel Malloy and Bridgeport Mayor Approximately 150 people – including To celebrate the 66th Israel Indepen- widely used by military medics and civilian Bill Finch, Jewish Senior Services broke Jewish Senior Services’ President and dence Day, which took place this year on first-responders the world over. ground for the new $72 million, 367,000- CEO Andrew H. Banoff and members May 6, here are 18 innovations from Israel 2. A fatal car crash can happen in a square-foot Jewish Senior Services build- of the organization’s Board of Directors, specifically designed to save lives – some al- split second. That’s why Jerusalem-based ing on May 21 in Bridgeport. The cer- employees, volunteers, residents, families ready on the market and some coming soon. Mobileye technology for identifying and emony kicked off a collaborative effort to and the community-at-large – attended In Hebrew, the number 18 corresponds to alerting to driving hazards is being built provide a new intergenerational campus the event at the 4200 Park Ave. property the word “chai” (“life”). Israel21c is sure into virtually every new vehicle in the and the creation of the first “household” to be named Jewish Senior Services® you will share its pride in Israeli ingenuity world. Mobileye is the largest private high- model nursing home in the state of Con- at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg benefiting humankind everywhere. tech company in Israel and the world’s necticut. The addition of assisted living Campus. 1. The First Care Emergency Bandage See “Inventions” on page 14 provides a full continuum of senior care See “Campus” on page 4 Candle 6 Better 8 Professional 13 Voices & 14 Israel Bits & Pieces 6 Lighting Together Support Views Mission 16 A Big Thank You to 350 Teen Volunteers Almost 1,000 people attended the Friendship Circle’s Evening of Appreciation on June 1 at the Stamford Hilton Hotel, joining together as a united community to support the teen volunteers and Friendship Circle families. The Friendship Circle seeks to bring Jewish teen volunteers together with children with special needs for hours of fun and friendship. These shared experiences empower children with special needs, while enriching the lives of everyone involved. More than 100 families who have children with special needs benefit from Friendship Circle programs. Three hundred and fifty teenage volunteers provide more than 12,500 friendship hours annually. Above: Some of the Friendship Circle teen volunteers gathered for a group photo at the Evening of Appreciation. 2 THE NEW JEWISH VOICE ■ JULY 2014 CEO Message “A Perspective on Impact” By James Cohen Readings Partner’s Program school year. The gratitude felt by these Shimelfarb of the Jewish Agency for I recently marked my one- is one of the true jewels in the students is breathtaking. Israel told those assembled (as he has year anniversary in this position UJF crown. This incredible In the last edition of The New Jewish previously told our Board of Directors) and as a result, I admit to having program reaches hundreds of Voice, we reported on the moving and the story of his journey from boyhood indulged slightly in some reflec- kids every year and gets them inspirational Yom Hashoah commemo- to the present day and how Federation tion. The past year has seen a on the path to reading at grade rations undertaken by UJF this year helped him at every stage – from his ex- good deal of positive change level. When you talk to one of – both the seder conducted in Stamford perience as a camper at a Jewish Agency at UJF, much of it centered our amazing reading partners, and the state of Connecticut ceremony camp where he gained an appreciation around our multiple uses of as I have done, you cannot help in Hartford. At both events, Holocaust for his heritage, to the help he received the word “impact.” And while but be inspired by their service survivors from our community shared when making aliyah, to a scholarship to I have talked about the impact and the incredible joy they get their stories. Their willingness to access attend Hebrew University. All of these a strong Federation has on our James Cohen, from helping these kids. I have their pain in order to teach us and help experiences informed his decision to be- community, both at home and UJF CEO also been impacted greatly by us never to forget had a tremendous im- come a Jewish professional. His heartfelt worldwide, and how our new Better stories from the kids themselves, like the pact on me. So, too, did Ethan Schaff’s words filled me with pride. Together campaign connects donors ones who have been tutored by Ellen moving words while telling his mother’s I suspect that all of these experiences more directly to the impact of their Weber, who, in addition to serving as story. Ethan’s dedication to continue to and dozens of others, space prohibits me gift, I wanted to take this opportunity Women’s Philanthropy president, has bear witness to the past gives us hope from sharing, impacted many people in to share some of the experiences that been a reading partner for more than that the world will not be given the our community. For me, they are shining have had an impact on me over these a decade, or Lois Dreyer, who spends luxury of forgetting. examples of the value of Federation and past months. hours of her time selecting the books to At a recent parlor meeting discussing serve as building blocks for doing more.