Please support the JFS Food Pantry.
This week we are in need of the following items:

• Boxes of mashed potatoes
• Juice boxes (100% juice please)
• Sugar free cookies
• Toothpaste

Thank you for your continued support!

Please complete this survey to help us understand your child(ren)’s needs and help us plan our programs accordingly.

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School for Senior Enrichment is a collaborative project provided by Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte and the Levine-Sklut Judaic Library and Resource Center.  The 30 week course provides Jewish senior residents of facilities an opportunity to explore Judaism and Jewish identity in ways that are not currently available to them.  The curriculum is brought to their location at the Carriage Club of Charlotte, a senior living community, every Tuesday morning.    

The students range in age from 66 to 91, men and women from various backgrounds, and one Holocaust survivor. Most of the students arrive early and are eager to get started. Julius Goldman, age 90, says, “I’ve gone to hundreds of classes and this is the best. Malka Me-Zahav (the teacher) is a talmidah chachamah (talmudic genius).” Malka, who has been a Jewish educator for many years says, “The students are extremely motivated.  For some it is an experience in re-learning that has been forgotten, for others it’s a tool to increase their knowledge.  The enthusiasm in the class is contagious.”  The topic of the first class was “What is Jewish Learning” and the next week the class discussed “The Exodus from Egypt”.  The students study from the “JPS Tanach” as well as the book, “Purposes of Jewish Living”.  

Bea Kleinman, age 91, says that everything she is learning in the class is new to her.  She was raised Jewish but when she was growing up, Judaic studies were only available for boys.  Many women in the class echoed those sentiments and remarked that this is finally their time to learn about Judaism.     

Some of the students have physical limitations due to aging or illness.  This class allows them an opportunity to interact, socialize and learn with a group of Jewish people without the worries of mobility and transportation.   

The students all seem enthusiastic to learn and share their opinions and stories with one another.  The class participants are thankful that they have such an enriching course available to them right at the Carriage Club.  

It is expected that the students will develop a greater appreciation for their Jewish heritage, culture, beliefs, values and traditions by exposing them to our rich texts.  In addition, the goal of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School for Senior Enrichment of Charlotte is to empower individuals by educating them and forming connections with other Jewish individuals which allows them to take on more leadership roles and become more engaged members of the local Jewish community.    

This program is funded in part with a grant from the BJH Foundation for Senior Services, the Jerome Madans Fund and the Bea Gibbs Senior Outreach Fund.

With the help of JFS, 16 Jewish post secondary school students received interest free loans from JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) that totalled $62,797! 

The Jewish Educational Loan Fund grants interest free loans to Jewish students from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  These loans can be used for study at a college or university, graduate school or professional/vocational school that leads to a degree or certificate.  JELF provides funds to help students ‘bridge the gap’ between the student’s financial resources and the cost of attending the school.

Applicants must be enrolled full time in a program leading to a degree or certificate at an accredited institution that is located in the U.S., be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and be able to demonstrate financial need (FAFSA application required). 

Lynda Woodburn, JFS Clinical Supervisor, facilitates the application process with the students.  Lynda says, “This year we had more applicants, more funds distributed, and larger sums of money offered to aid students in their educational quests thanks to the generous contributions provided to the JELF program.”

For more information about JELF you can contact them at info@jelf.org or call 770-396-3080 or visit their website at www.jelf.org.

The link below will take you to the Falafel 5K slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/lbass/falafel-5-k-photo-album

The results are as follows:

http://www.foxcharlotte.com/rising/whats-on-rising/Falafel-5K–121382699.html