We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We have been recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Sherry London. Sherry has been donating to JUF her entire life and now regularly volunteers at the JUF Uptown Cafe. 

We asked Sherry a couple questions about what has shaped her volunteer experience and life in general.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF? 

After donating to JUF my entire life I finally met with Robyn who became my liaison with TOV. She mentioned it to me and put me on the email list. I never knew about TOV until a few years ago.

2. Why do you enjoy volunteering? 

For me, it is important to give back. I feel as though I have been very lucky and have had a good life. It is time for me (since being mostly retired) to help others directly. I taught ESL at Truman College, a second career, for about 25 years. It, too, gave me opportunities to give and to help students get adjusted to their lives in America while teaching them English. Now I like to try new projects. I went to Freidman Place for the first time on Christmas. That was great!

3. Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know? 

I love to travel, and I think one of the reasons that while teaching I met students from everywhere. It gave the curiosity bug about other cultures. I like to scuba dive. It's a good way to get away and to see new things. I very much like to try new things whatever they may be. I also volunteer and read to the blind once a week. 3 summers ago I volunteered at a camp for the visually impaired in Oregon.

4. Who, or what, inspires you? 

Giving. Just giving. It makes me feel so good. I like to give directly to the person or persons that are in need. I also like to meet new people who have totally different lifestyles than myself.

5. Why is it important to you to volunteer with JUF? 

I like to see where my donations go and what they do. I increase them every year since about 1974. I was interested in the Ark also. It's very different from Ezra and has a different clientel.

We want to thank Sherry for all of her hard work and dedication to our volunteer programs throughout the years. You have been an inspiration to us Sherry, and we look forward to watching you continue to make an impact with TOV and JUF in general.

Congrats to our May Agency Spotlight of the Month, Cradles to Crayons! The projects and programs of TOV are made possible by our outstanding partner agencies.

Cradles to Crayons provides children ages 0-12 some of the most important basics of life for free. By partnering with social service organizations, communities that have surplus resources are connected with communities that need access to those resources.

We asked Kayla Furjanic, Volunteer Coordinator, a couple questions about the agency and their involvement with TOV.

1. What is your agency mission?

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need.

2. What kind of population does your agency serve?

We distribute our items to children living in homeless and low income situations in Chicago.

3. How do volunteers help impact your agency?

We need volunteers for every aspect of what we do, we are built by the community. We have volunteers who host collection drives, roll up their sleeves and volunteer in our Giving Factory, and people who spread the word in their community. We would not be able to serve the amount of children we do without help from volunteers in our door and around the Chicagoland area.

4. How long have you been working with volunteers from TOV?

We have been working with TOV since we began here in Chicago and opened up our Giving Factory, about 9 months ago.

5. Why do you like working with TOV in particular?

TOV volunteers are always very excited and motivated to give back to other folks in Chicago. It is wonderful to host groups that not only work hard in our Giving Factory, but are inclined to spread the word about our mission and model to their networks.

We want to thank Kayla and Cradles to Crayons for their valuable partnership with TOV.

Congrats to our July Volunteer of the Month: Lauren Levy! We couldn't do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers like you.

Lauren has been volunteering with TOV since 2015 through Mensches in Motion, TOV Reads, Feed Chicago, and various Mitzvah Mania programs. We wanted to get to know Lauren a little bit more, so she answered some of our questions below.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF and what makes it important for you to volunteer with them?

I got involved with TOV because I've been donating to JUF for years, and I heard how amazing TOV is with all of its volunteering opportunities. I've always loved giving back to the community and making others smile, so volunteering at Uptown Cafe and WITS always appealed to me. What fantastic experiences!

2. Are there any fun facts about you that we might not know? Feel free to tell a story or experience that has inspired you. 

All of my positive experiences volunteering with TOV, whether that was serving food to members of our community, playing bingo with seniors, or reading with kids, inspired me to do a different type of volunteering...I just started performing as a hospital magician for kids at Lurie's Hospital! It's an incredible experience! TOV's opportunities continue to inspire me to always do more! And that's the beauty of TOV!

We are so lucky to have Lauren as part of our TOV family! To learn more about JUF's important work in the community, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation in Lauren's honor, please visit juf.org/tov.

Congrats to our June Volunteer Family of the Month, the Shanker family! We couldn't do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers like you.

The Shanker’s have been volunteering as a family since 2012. They’re active in various TOV programs such as Mitzvah Mania, Good Deeds Day, and the JUF Uptown Cafe. We wanted to get to know the Shanker family a little bit more, so Lisa answered some of our questions below.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF and what makes it important for you to volunteer with us?

We first got involved with TOV in one of the holiday season Mitzvah Mania programs when my daughters were in elementary school, we have tried to instill in our children the concept of giving back, and especially, as young children, to get across to them how fortunate we are. Understanding that there are others in our own community who are in need can sometimes be a difficult concept to get across. Participating in TOV has a threefold benefit as I see it: we are able to perform mitzvot, we are able to do so as part of the larger Jewish community, and we are able to find avenues to volunteer that we might not otherwise know about.

2. Are there any fun facts about you that we might not know?

Years ago, a TOV activity was bringing your pet to Brentwood (a local nursing home) to visit with the residents. We wanted to participate in this event very much, but did not have a pet. To do so, we borrowed our neighbor’s dog for the afternoon! She was a big hit with the residents. Now we do have our own pet and we have brought her to Brentwood and other nursing homes regularly to visit with residents. It is one of our favorite activities.

We are so lucky to have the five of you as part of our TOV family! To learn more about JUF's important work in the community, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation in the Shanker's honor, please visit juf.org/tov.
 

Ever wonder who the people behind the scenes are?

Meet Maya Garcia! Maya joined TOV in August, 2015. As TOV’s Administrative Assistant, Maya is the voice you hear when you call the TOV Hotline or schedule a date at the JUF Uptown Café. When Maya’s not in the office, she enjoys creating soul art, writing, singing/songwriting, live music, traveling, advocating for women’s and children’s rights, and participating in art shows and poetry contests.

The projects and programs of TOV are made possible by our outstanding partner agencies. We are recognizing them periodically in our agency spotlight. This month, we are highlighting SHALVA. SHALVA supports Jewish women experiencing and healing from domestic abuse, through counseling, supportive services, and community education. 

We asked Deborah Zionts, Outreach and Education Coordinator, a couple questions about the agency and their involvement with volunteers.

1. What is your agency mission? 

SHALVA supports Jewish women experiencing and healing from domestic abuse through free, confidential and unlimited counseling, supportive services, and community education. 

2. What kind of population does your agency serve?

We do not have a "typical" client, as domestic abuse happens equally throughout the Jewish community, regardless of religious belief or practice. Domestic violence occurs in all sectors of our population, no matter what one's age, education, race, gender or income are. Our clients come to us from the Chicagoland area, many of the suburbs, and neighboring states. We also speak on the phone to loved ones calling out of concern for someone they think may be suffering from domestic abuse, some from as far away as Israel. 

3. How do volunteers impact your agency?

Knowing that someone has taken time away from their busy life to volunteer at SHALVA is inspiring to both our clients and our staff. We have many volunteers who generously donate their time and talents to SHALVA, which allows us to offer even more support and expertise to our clients.

4. why do you like working with volunteers?

SHALVA gets many phonecalls from volunteers because they are passionate about wanting to help women who are victims of domestic violence. Our volunteers are selfless, bright, talented, and come from interesting and diverse backgrounds that have led them to want to work with our agency. It has been a pleasure to work with our volunteers who understand the devastating effects of domestic abuse on the victim and their family, and have chosen to give their time and energy to SHALVA and our clients.

We want to thank SHALVA for all the incredible work they do and look forward to collaborating with them in the future!

The projects and programs of TOV are made possible by our outstanding partner agencies. We are recognizing them periodically in our agency spotlight. This month, we are highlighting Friedman Place. Friedman Place is a non-profit Supportive Living Community for blind and visually impaired adults in Chicago. A full range of services and activities is provided so that residents’ days are healthy, dignified, and stimulating.

We asked Beth Elman, director of Activities and Volunteers, a couple questions about the agency and their involvement with TOV.

1. What is Friedman Place’s Mission? 

Friedman Place provides housing and supportive services to adults who are blind or visually impaired, so that their lives can be healthy, dignified and stimulating. Friedman Place strives to be a primary force among professional organizations serving adults with visual disabilities. They provide a wide range of social psychosocial and medical services to our 85 diverse residents whose ages range from 22 to over 90. Ninety-percent of residents have a chronic health condition unrelated to blindness such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney failure. Almost all the residents meet the Federal definition of Very Low Income and two-thirds the Poverty Level. 
Specially trained staff work with the visual impaired and blind residents, providing social work and nursing services; housekeeping; meals; and a variety of programs and activities fitting resident needs and interests. 

2. How do Volunteers help impact your agency?

The volunteers at Friedman Place provide a range of activities, many more than are required by the State regulations and nearly all residents take part in some activities over the course of a year. The activity department provide nearly 4,200 hours of activities this past year. The most popular activities were weaving, outside activities (e.g., concerts, theater, etc.), music, shopping, Uno, Bingo, bowling, reminiscing, along with religious services, creative writing, advocacy group, movies, musical history and more. These activities would not be possible without the help and assistants of our volunteers. 

3. How long have you been working with volunteers from TOV?

We have worked with TOV for the past two to three years. We appreciate having the TOV volunteers so much. Many of our residents do not have the chance to be with family or friends during the holidays and the wonderful TOV volunteers have come to help in our dining room during these times. It brings such joy and comfort to our residents. Some TOV volunteers come to assist the staff on Sundays during lunch and dinner which provides companionship for our residents and eases the kitchen staff’s work load. Additionally, we have also had a corporate group volunteer with us. During this volunteering opportunity the staff and residents provided an educational component for the volunteers by residents sharing their lives stories as well as learning about blindness and playing bingo with the residents. 
Having the TOV volunteers is a wonderful partnership! 

We want to thank Beth and Friedman place for their valuable partnership with TOV.

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We have been recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Harold Israel. Harold became involved with JUF by serving on the Young Leadership Division board and now serves on TOV's Good Deeds Day committee. 

We asked Harold a couple questions about what has shaped his volunteer experience and life in general.
1) How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF? 

Tracy More asked me to join TOV shortly after I completed my term on the YLD Board (more years ago then either of us care to admit).

2) Why do you enjoy volunteering and why is it important to you to volunteer with JUF?

I volunteer to give back to the community and as a way to spend time with a family, especially installing in my children the importance of helping those less fortunate then themselves. Volunteering through JUF allows me and others to assist people literally cradle (Shalom Baby) to grave (Grief support groups) and everywhere in between through the umbrella of agencies that JUF supports.

3) Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know? 

I have a grandmother who just turned 100! Also, I have been to 46 of the 50 states.

4) Tell me a story about why giving back is important to you? OR tell me a story about a volunteer experience that really inspired you. 

For 18 years I led a group of families that delivered food to elderly, primarily Russian immigrants, through Maot Chitim. We often hear that volunteering means as much to the volunteer as the recipient of the volunteer services. When the children in our group become B’nai Mitzvah, it was particularly inspiring to hear how many of them mentioned in their D’var Torahs how much their Maot Chitim volunteer experience meant to them and the lessons they learned from that experience.

5) Which TOV project are you most involved with? Why? 

My current TOV project is serving on the Good Deeds Day committee, which brought back memories of when we first created Mitzvah Mania. Why am involved? Once again, because Tracy asked! More seriously, because I thought it was an amazing opportunity to bring to Chicago a worldwide movement (started in Israel) that sets aside a day for volunteerism. In 2016, 1.5 million participants from 75 countries took part in 14,000 Good Deeds Day projects, including just under 1,500 people in Chicagoland taking part in 37 projects. April 2, 2017 is Good Deeds Day and we will have over 40 Good Deeds Day projects throughout Chicagoland for people of all ages. Please join us on a day to help others and help Good Deeds Day exceed 2.0 million participants.
We want to thank Harold for his hard work and dedication to JUF and TOV. 

We are lucky to have a volunteer as passionate and warm-hearted as Harold. We look forward to working with you this April on Good Deeds Day. More ways to get involved with Good Deeds Day and TOV in general are listed on our website- www.juf.org/tov.

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We are going to be recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Dan Sterdt. Dan first became involved with TOV as a graduate student at the Adler School of Professional Psychology where he volunteered with fellow Jewish students at the Ezra Uptown Cafe​. Dan continues to be a dedicated volunteer to this day; most recently volunteering for the Baton Rouge disaster relief mission!

We asked Dan a couple questions about what has shaped his volunteer experience and life in general. 

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF?

I first became involved with JUF and TOV as a graduate student with the Adler school of Professional Psychology. We had a small Jewish organization within the school, and we arranged a volunteer opportunity at the Uptown Café. I happened to live walking distance from the café, and immediately fell in love with my first volunteer experience. I loved that we serve our clients restaurant style, and that we had a chance to sit and mingle with them as friends. I continue to volunteer with them over the years, and also am a Purim package delivery driver for the Ark every year.

2. Why do you enjoy volunteering?

I have loved volunteering my whole life. Some of my earliest memories are of visiting elderly members of my childhood congregation, volunteering at our local soup kitchen in my home town of Poughkeepsie New York, and participating in mitzvah days every year. I am a psychologist, and it gives me joy to help others, both in my professional and personal life.

3. Why is it important to you to volunteer with JUF?

I love JUF as it gives me opportunities to serve numerous populations in need, and makes me proud to be a Jew. I was drawn to volunteering in Louisiana because I was able to make an immediate impact and a difference in the lives of those in need, I loved the chance to see a new part of our country.

4. Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know?

Some fun facts about me: I have a sonographic memory, and can commit pretty much any song and it's lyrics to memory pretty quickly. I also do impersonations of celebrities and cartoon characters. I also have an immense autograph collection numbering in the thousands, including athletes, actors, politicians, and other public figures.

5. Who, or what, inspires you?

I am inspired by my parents, both of whom were helping professionals and have instilled in me a sense of pride in helping others and in taking advantage of as many volunteer opportunities as possible. I'm inspired by the clients with whom I work each day as a therapist, and I'm inspired by being a Jew and what that represents as a citizen of the world.

We want to thank Dan for his passion and dedication to volunteering with TOV. We are lucky to have a volunteer as wonderful as him!

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We have been recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Sam Berry. Sam has been involved with a number of different JUF programs throughout the years including our young adult volunteer programs Mensches in Motion and Feed Chicago. 

We asked Sam a couple questions about what hasshaped his volunteer experience and life in general.

Who, or what, inspires you?
-My parents taught me to "leave things better than I find them" at an early age. At the time, it applied to cleaning up after myself, but as I've grown I realize that the phrase means so much more. This motto has resonated deeply with me across aspects of my career, giving back to the community, and even my relationships with family and friends. We are all beneficiaries of the compounding effects of past leaders building upon the success and improvements made before their time. I am inspired by the challenge and responsibility to continue "leaving things better than I find them."

Why do you enjoy volunteering?
-Each time I volunteer I learn something new about my community, the people I meet, cooperation, passion, and myself. Taking time to positively impact someone else's life, no matter how big or small, helps keep perspective and balance.

Why is it important to you to volunteer with JUF?
-JUF has an extensive global reach, while also impacting individuals in need around the corner. They are quick in providing relief after an unexpected national disaster, while also thoughtful and thorough in providing a unified voice for the local Jewish community. JUF actively engages a wide-ranging and diverse group of people to collaborate and contribute towards its worthy mission. I am proud to be a part of such a unique organization. 

How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF?
-My first touch point with JUF was a coffee chat with a YLD Board Member. After discussing my interests, he recommended I participate in the Mensches in Motion volunteer program. From the very first session, I could tell that JUF/TOV was a special organization with limitless opportunities to get involved and give back.

What drew you to this project/program(s)?
-Both Mensches in Motion and Feed Chicago allow participants to experience an array of JUF agencies and other similarly aligned organizations. In addition to making an impact on the local Chicago community, both programs are excellent opportunities to meet and work alongside a group of passionate, like-minded Jewish leaders.

Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know?
-It has become a recent goal of mine to experience each of America's national parks. So far I've checked off many across Northern California, Washington, and the South East. This Fall I'm looking forward to adventuring through all five parks in Utah. I'm still finalizing details of the trip - so any suggestions are more than welcome!

We want to thank Sam for all of his hard work and dedication to our volunteer programs throughout the years. Your commitment and passion for each program has inspired us. We are very lucky to have a volunteer like you, Sam!
 

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We have been recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Jenny Dickens Patinkin. Jenny got involved with JUF 26 years ago and regularly brings her family to volunteer projects.

We asked Jenny a couple questions about what has shaped her volunteer experience and life in general.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF?

I first got involved with JUF 26 years ago when I moved to Chicago, through YLD. Many years later, after I had children, my friend Rachel Sternberg introduced me to TOV.

2. Why do you enjoy volunteering?

I always pick the interactive family volunteer opportunities because I want my children to grow up knowing how to engage with people from all walks of life with empathy and compassion, and that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and dignity. It should come so naturally to them that there's never any question or hesitation.

3. Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know?

I'm a Makeup Artist and Beauty Expert which can be a pretty superficial business. Volunteering gives me a different type of fulfillment. I'm also really superstitious and completely believe that what we put out there will ultimately come back to us.

4. Who, or what inspires you?

I'm inspired by the commonality of the human experience and by how interconnected we all are. Humans of New York reminds me all the time that people are all just people and that even our small moments are important and impactful. It reminds me to be grateful for my many blessings.

We want to thank Jenny for all of her hard work and dedication to our volunteer programs throughout the years. You have truly inspired us, Jenny, and we look forward to seeing you and your family continue making an impact with TOV!

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We are going to be recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Miles Cohen. Miles started volunteering with TOV's Jewish Community Legal Services (JCLS), which provides individuals and families in need of legal services with access to free and much needed legal representation. 

Sima Blue, Program Coordinator of JCLS says “Rarely does one find an individual with as thorough a command of legal matters, commitment to helping the under served, and self-effacement in a single person and yet, Miles Cohen possesses those qualities and more, while also demonstrating sensitivity and support to his clients and having the dedication to help as many people as possible, through the JCLS program.”

We asked Miles a couple questions about what has shaped his volunteer experience and life in general.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF? – 
I was among the first batch of volunteers when the JUF restarted the program. I was recruited by Ron Krit, who works in marketing for JUF in Legacies & Endowments. Ron and I have a good friend in common. I attended that first meeting and have been going ever since.

2. Why do you enjoy volunteering? -
I'm fortunate to still enjoy practicing law after 19 years (oy!), but my practice doesn't tend to lend itself to helping individuals in need. To sense that you are helping ease a volunteer client's burden or helping put what has felt like an overwhelming problem into perspective is very fulfilling. Volunteering helps keep me in touch with "justice for all.” 

3. Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know? -
As a Chicago little leaguer, I played an all-star game in the Old Comiskey Park. 

4. Who, or what, inspires you?-
I'm inspired by great legal writing and opinions. I'm also inspired by those who give their time and energy to help others without seeking notoriety.

We want to thank Miles for his hard work and consistency with our volunteer program throughout the years. You are an inspiration to us, Miles, and we are so glad to remain a part of your life.

We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers. We are going to start recognizing them periodically in our volunteer spotlight! This month we are highlighting Benjamin Krumstok. We asked Benjamin a couple questions about what has shaped his volunteer experience and life in general. 

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF?

I volunteered for the first time at the Uptown Café at the original site around Sheridan and Irving Park. Word of mouth…it was something that people at the synagogue were doing, it seemed worthwhile, potentially rewarding, and was close to home. That was either later 1999 or early 2000. I went with a group from Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel. After several years of doing that it became difficult to be included in that group (I couldn’t commit early enough). I then went occasionally on my own. Later, for several years, I coordinated a group of volunteers who would come from Anshe Emet monthly. I passed that baton to someone else at the synagogue after a while and then continued volunteering on my own and off of the emergency volunteer list. I now come almost monthly with the group from Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel and try to snatch up the opportunities off of the emergency list when I can.

2. Why do you enjoy volunteering?

I have enjoyed the relationships I have made with the patrons over the years. The faces, life experiences, and circumstances of the people can be so different but we are all united by a common humanity. I enjoy the fact that for the hour or so that we are together the patrons are the empowered and are in a safe space (things they might not experience the rest of the day). The Café/EZRA/TOV staff do all the heavy lifting and planning; I have the chance each night to just enjoy interacting with the people. I’m a little bit of a competitive volunteer! My goal each night is to see that the patrons at my table are served most efficiently…catch me if you can! I prowl my area and attend to other tables on occasion, not because other volunteers haven’t kept up…but because I know patrons at many of the other tables and am looking for any opportunity to interact with them as well. Some of the patrons had tremendous successes and achieved amazing things earlier in life…only to have a range of circumstances or conditions change their life course. It’s a humbling reminder that everybody could be at risk, in spite of success and comfortable conditions today.

3. Any fun facts about yourself that we might not know?

I love biking and whenever the weather and time allow (really folks…you are brave to bike in the winter…but that’s not me) you will find me on the lakefront trail. I enjoy discovering and exploring the different neighborhoods of Chicago. In the summer I love a good Shabbos nap on the deck (a neighbor once told me that you can see my hammock when you look the address up on Google Earth). One summer on staff at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin I rented SCUBA gear and pulled the weeds up from a large percent of the swimming area. Pulling was easy but I forgot that we’d have to clean the stuff up when it washed ashore…THAT was a bigger job! I think that the number of fish bites suffered by swimmers decreased for a little while after that (few hiding places for the little guys to lurk).

4. Who or what inspires you?

So many influences. Mostly family who have been wonderful teachers and influences. I’m very often inspired by TED Talks speakers (not all…some people do crazy things and live to tell about it); sometimes they help me to wonder “how” and not “if” or “why.” 

We want to thank Benjamin for his dedication, commitment, and passion for volunteering that we are lucky enough to be a part of!