Community Resources
Limud
American-Israeli Jewish Book Club
The American Jewish-Israeli Book Club is a program launched for the purpose of bridging the cultural gap between American Jews and Israelis. People 20 – 45 year olds from both countries will come together on a monthly basis to read and discuss the literature of each culture. For more information, call 212-751-4000, x403.
Health
Ovarian Cancer in the Jewish Community
As a Jewish community, it is important to educate ourselves about ovarian cancer; the genetic defects related to ovarian cancer are more prevalent among Ashkenazi women than in the general population. Almost half of ovarian cancer cases in the Jewish community are hereditary; over 40% of ovarian cancer in Jewish women could be predicted, and potentially prevented. New York City’s chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition wants to educate you about ovarian cancer and its risks, and to increase your awareness of symptoms so you can help yourself and your loved ones.
Ovarian cancer affects approximately 22,220 women per year, but has the highest death rate of gynecologic cancers. Almost 70% of cases are diagnosed at a late stage where the five-year survival rate is only 15-20%. Of the 22,000 diagnosed, it is estimated 16,210 will die. The five year survival rate for patients diagnosed at earlier stages increases dramatically, ranging between 70-90%.
You can protect yourself and your loved ones by knowing:
- Your family history of cancer Especially breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate or colon cancer
- Risk factors including: genetic predisposition, infertility, no pregnancies, no use of birth control pills, use of high dose estrogen without progesterone for long periods
- Symptoms including: pelvic or abdominal pain and/or swelling, vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets, urgency of urination with no infection present, unexplained weight gain or loss, ongoing unusual fatigue, unexplained changes in bowel habits
For more information, visit National Ovarian Cancer Coalition or contact the New York City Chapter.
Support Groups
Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence
If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence, the Shalom Task Force can help. Their telephone hotline staffed by trained religious Jewish women who provide a sympathetic ear and referrals to psychological, financial or legal counseling, job placement agencies, shelters, and more. Help is available in Yiddish, Hebrew, Spanish, Hungarian, Russian, and English. The Task Force also provides educational programs to young women and girls, rabbis, mikvah attendants, and Jewish communities across the country.
Confidential Hotline: 718-337-3700
Outside of NYC call toll-free: 888-883-2323
Donations can be made to:
Shalom Task Force
PO Box 137
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-0137
For general information, call 212-742-1478.
Sustaining Our Spirits
The New York Jewish Healing Center offers drop-in support groups for family members of persons who are ill, which offer opportunities to draw strength, support and solace from the rich resources of the Jewish tradition and community, together with psychological understanding and practical information.
Tuesdays, 1:00 – 2:00PM, and
Thursdays, 11:30 – 12:20PM
Suggested fee: $18 per session. For more information, please call Rabbinic Director, Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, CSW: 212-339-2320 x215.
Survivors
Avadim Hayinu – Once We Were Slaves
The German Slave Labor Fund is prepared to give 5 billion dollars to Holocaust survivors who performed slave or forced labor under Nazi control. The Swiss Bank Settlements will give an additional amount of money to slave laborers, as well as to other refugees and survivors. If you are a survivor, you may be eligible for compensations. Please call NYLAG’s (New York Legal Assistance Group) Holocaust Assistance Project for free assistance at 212-688-0710.
French Restitution Announcement
The French Government has recently announced it will pay restitution to Jews whose parent(s) were deported by France to Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. For information on how to apply, call Mark Schleisner: 917-837-1972.
Sugihara’s Survivors
Chiune Sugihara served as the Consul General of Japan in Kaunas, Lithuania from March 1939 until August 1940. In that time, with the help of his wife, Sugihara saved more that 6,000 Jewish refugees from Nazi horror. He decided to issue transport visas to Japan to as many Jews as he could, despite opposition from the foreign office in Tokyo. In order to pass his achievements and merits down to future generations, the people of the town of Yaotsu are building a museum in Sugihara’s memory.
The Planning Division of the town of Yaotsu is looking for survivors and their family members to help with this important project. They are collecting information, documents, visas that Sugihara signed, personal stories, messages and any other related material to display in the “Chiune Sugihara Memorial Museum.” Information and Contributions can be sent to: Planning Division, Yaotsu Town Hall, 3903-2 Yaotsu, Yaotsu-cho Kamo-gun, Gifu-ken Japan or e-mail: yaotsu@synnet.or.jp, call 81+574-43-2111 or fax 81+574-43-0969.
Social Action Social Justice
Uri L’Tzedek and the Tav HaYosher
On Yom Kippur, our rabbis taught us that “The discipline of Kashrut teaches us to be mindful about what we consume and how we consume. Kashrut regulates our instinct and puts limits on our appetites. Kashrut demands that we eat and consume thoughtfully and carefully.” In this spirit, and given our commitment to embodying values of righteousness in the world and our mandate to pursue justice, we support Uri L’Tzedek and the Tav HaYosher, a local, grassroots initiative to bring workers, restaurant owners and community members together to create just workplaces in kosher restaurants. Please let restaurant owners know that you care about ethical treatment of their workers by clicking here.
Jspot
A project of the Jewish Funds for Justice, a national public foundation guided by Jewish history and tradition. JFSJ helps people in the United States achieve social and economic security and opportunity by investing in healthy neighborhoods, vibrant Jewish communities, and skillful leaders. Our holistic approach to social change includes grantmaking and loans, service learning, leadership development, organizing, education, and advocacy.