MITZVAH THE HIGH HOLY DAYS

AND TZEDAKAH

By Rabbi Michael Lotker

The Hebrew word tzedakah is often translat-

ed as charity but this does not exactly cap-

ture the Jewish meaning. Tzedakah comes

from the root word tzedek which means jus-

tice or righteousness. The idea is that the

funds that someone contributes were not re-

ally theirs to begin with. God has entrusted

these funds to us so that we may use them

to help others according to Jewish law. The

ideal is that 10% of our resources should be

devoted to tzedakah. Not to do so is not an

act of lack of charity, it is an injustice.

The work of Jewish Family Services makes it

an excellent candidate for a portion of

your tzedakah funds. As a congregational

rabbi, I always turn to JFS when approached

by a family in crisis. I know that they have

the staff and expertise to determine if the

need is real or a scam, and, more important-

ly, if other forms of assistance such as social

services and counseling is called for. There

is simply no other source of such assistance

in our Jewish community to which Jews can

turn for such help.

Beyond these services, JFS provides support

to Jewish seniors, counseling to Jews and

non-Jews alike, support to students in public

schools throughout Ventura County and a lot

more as detailed in this newsletter

In the words of our High Holy Day litur-

gy, teshuvah, tefiliah u’tzed-

akah (repentance, prayer and charity/

righteousness) are the tools that we have to

atone for the transgressions of the past

year. The community’s support is what al-

lows Ventura County Jewish Family Service

to do all the good work that they do.

A contribution to JFS is always high on my

list – I hope it will be on yours as well.

Rabbi Michael Lotker, Board Treasurer

Rabbi Lotker was recently asked by Con-

gresswoman Brownley to give the blessing at

the opening of Congress in Washington DC.

Please turn to Page 2 for the story.

Ventura County Jewish Family Service

Ventura County Jewish Family Service Newsletter 2014/5775

Rabbi Michael Lotker Offers Opening Prayer for

Congress

Each year when Congress opens its session, a prayer is said by a religious leader from

the community. This year the prayer was offered by Rabbi Michael Lotker of Camarillo.

Rabbi Lotker is the Treasurer for Ventura County Jewish Family Service. Rabbi Lotker was

sponsored by Rep.Julia Brownley. He and

his wife, Sonia, enjoyed a private tour of the

White House and spent several days enjoy-

ing Washington D.C.

Rabbi Lotker’s prayer was very timely in

emphasizing unity to a deeply divided

Congress. When asked about the theme

of unity in his prayer, Lotker said it comes

from a Jewish mystical idea found in Deuteronomy that "everything is unified in God."

"What I'm trying to say is I pray for unity of purpose and unity of action. It's in the Instruc-

tions from the Chaplain's Office we are not to be political, so I want to be very careful in how

I say it, but there is something holy about unity," Lotker said. "It is certainly my prayer that

unity can overcome the partisan strife that is so easy for us to fall victim to."

Thank you!

Unitarian Universalist Church

Last December 2013, the Unitarian Universalist Church in Ventura dedicated

their Sunday offering to JFS. They donated over $800 to us. The money was used

to assist clients in our Counseling Program. The church plans to do it for us again

this fall. JFS wishes to thank their congregation for their support. Without people

in the community, JFS could not do the work that we do.

Rabbi Lotker addressing Congress

Nemerson Social Work Stipend The JFS Justice Clinic

One Monday evening a month, the JFS

Office is filled with people waiting to get

what they cannot find elsewhere-free legal

consultation. JFS has been conducting a

Justice Clinic for over 10 years. JFS re-

ceives calls daily from people struggling

with legal issues or needing help in compre-

hending legal paperwork. Many of these

are referred to the only other Legal Clinics

in the County if the issue is too pressing to

wait or their name is taken and they come to

the JFS Clinic. On a given night, the clinic

includes people from a wide range of back-

grounds, ages and careers. They range

from college students to the elderly. They

are united by the fact that legal services are

very expensive and they have a need for

legal services.

JFS currently had three attorneys who

volunteer their time to assist the community.

They are Patrick Cherry, Martin Rosenberg

and Seth Shapiro. A fourth attorney, Terry

Viele, volunteered for many years until

health issues caused him to resign.

JFS is very proud of its Justice Clinic and

the fact that we meet an important need in

the community. You can support our Jus-

tice Clinic through your donations. If you are

an attorney who is interested in helping,

contact JFS.

The Nemerson Stipend is an award that is

given annually to one or more deserving Master

in Social Work (MSW) students. This Stipend

was started by Scott Nemerson in memory of his

wife, Louise. Louise Nemerson was a wonderful

social worker, an active member of her Temple

and an amazing wife and mother.

JFS has students from five different universi-

ties including USC, UCLA, CSUN, CSULB and

UNE.for this school year. JFS has a reputation

for providing outstanding training for MSW stu-

dents.

For 2014-15, the Nemerson Social Work Sti-

pend has been awarded to Donelle Witlin and

Jonah Baronian. Scott Nemerson, Chairman of

the Nemerson Committee, said

that he was very impressed by

both recipients.

Donelle Witlin is a second

year student at CSUN. Her

Field Placement last year was at

RAIN Transitional Living . She is excited to

begin her second year with JFS.

Jonah Baronian is a first year

student at USC. Jonah has

traveled extensively and prior to

returning to school, worked as a

Captain’s Mate on boats. Jonah

is also an Emergency Medical

Technician.

Joel & Barbara Aaronson

Jean Apple

Nat & Joane Baumer

Ken Belden & Dora Saenz-Belden

Irving & Arlene Bergman

Leonard & Ruth Bieber

Michael & Pamela Bogen

Robert & Mary Braitman

Robert & Lynn Brandt

Fred & Linda Burgess

Raymond & Mimi Diller

Helene Dorman

Lee Edwards

Debra Feldman

Kathryn Fink

Martin & Marianne Flam

Judith Freedman

Sherman & Irene Garry

Joseph & Elaine Gaynor

Wendy Gerard

Robert Goldberg

Peter & Diane Goldenring

Herbert Goldman

Your dollars make our programs possible.

Jewish Family Service would like to thank the following donors for their support

September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014

Robert and Carol Goodkin

Claire Greenberg

Harvey & Jessica Harris

Leah Harris

Oliver & Leslie Hess

Norma Holonov

Reed & Michele Horwitz

Ellen Johnson

Herman & Verna Kagan

Shirley Kampf

John & Barbara Kerhoff

John & Beverly Kerwien

Gregory & Kathleen Kircher

Jay & Sally Kosoff

Esther Kurta

Anita Levine

Isabel Levitt

Ellen Linder

Geoffrey & Nancy Loman

Rabbi Michael & Sonia Lotker

Gladys McDonald

Barbara Meister

David & & Carole Minkin

Alan & Barbara Murray

Helen Myerson

Patricia Okamoto-Caballero

Irene Olson

Israel & Beth Perel

Roy & Rita Poders

Paula Reach

Suzette Renaud

Vincent & Barbara Roach

Madeleine Schultz

Katherine Scott

Jim & Mary Sheldon

Sharon Shoemaker

Helene Sicherman

Simon & Lily Starobinets

Maurine Stein

Ed & Reiko Stein

Sylvia Tockerman

Aleta Trogdon

Frank & Marian Ven Der Maten

Rose Walsh

Lee & JoAnn Weisel

Daniel Weissman

Please note that while we strive to be completely accurate, we are human and there are occasional errors. If your name has been left off or the spelling

is incorrect, please let us know and a correction will be printed in the next newsletter.

Board of Directors Alan Murray—President Bob Braitman—Vice President

Sally Kosoff—Secretary Rabbi Michael Lotker—Treasurer

Pam Bogen, LCSW Israel Perel, Ph.D

Dora Saenz-Belden Julie Saltoun, Esq.

Amy Balchum, LCSW —Executive Director Angie Martin—Executive Assistant

Senior Holiday Luncheon Join JFS and the Federation for a Kosher luncheon

When: Thursday, October 9th at 11:30 am

Where: Temple Beth Torah 7620 Foothill Rd. Ventura

This luncheon is free for Seniors through a grant from

Joel Aaronson and the Affordable Living Choices Trust

RSVP- JFS 805-641-6565

Senior Care Management

JFS has two Licensed Clinical Social Workers providing Senior Care Management

to our Seniors. Several of the Seniors they serve are Holocaust survivors. The Senior

Care Managers have been able to obtain vital funding for them which allows them to

live a much more comfortable life.

Both Debra Hyde LCSW and Kathleen Oates LCSW have many years of experience

working with Seniors. Referrals come from the Seniors themselves, their spouses,

their children and concerned community members. Care Managers go out to the Sen-

iors and provide comprehensive assessments and services.

This program was originally funded through support from the Beyer Family and this

year received a grant to help compensate for the services in the East County. That

grant came from the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles to provide a portion of the cost

of Case Management for residents of East Ventura County. For this program to con-

tinue and for JFS to help the neediest Jewish Seniors in our community, JFS needs

your support and donations. You may make a donation directly to our Senior program

by designating “Seniors” when you send your check or use your credit card.

Give to Jewish Family Service!

Call us at 805-641-6565 or email us at jfsventura@jfsvc.org

The Perfect Way to Say

“We’re Thinking of You!”

Jewish Family Service Tribute Cards

Send donations to:

Ventura County Jewish Family Service

857 E. Main St. Ventura, CA 93001

Or use PayPal on our Website, www.jfsvc.org

Ventura County Jewish Family Service

857 E. Main Street

Ventura, CA 93001

PLACE STAMP HERE

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