Jacksonville Gives 2018

Sunday, November 11, 2018 J5
jacksonville gives Jewish Family & Community Services
A CARING VOICE
“Jewish
Family &
Community
Services
is built on
a strong
foundation of
tradition that
begins with
helping our neighbor. It doesn’t
end there. It stretches out to reach
people of all creeds and faiths who
need help. Since 1917, we have been
helping people help themselves.
Whether it is a short-term
challenge or one that may require
more intense or longer engagement
with our services, our doors are
open to the entire community.”
Colleen L. Rodriguez
Executive Director
Jewish Family & Community Services
HOW TO GIVE
Jewish Family & Community Services
8540 Baycenter Road, Jacksonville, FL
32256
(904) 394-5752
jfcsjax.org
Join millions of others Tuesday, Nov. 27,
for #GivingTuesday — is a global day
of giving fueled by the power of social
media and collaboration.
Celebrated on the Tuesday following
Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely
recognized shopping events Black Friday
and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday
kicks off the charitable season, when
many focus on their holiday and endof-year
giving\. By giving in multiples
of $18, you can join JFCS and the global
movement this #GivingTuesday as we
continue to “help people help themselves”
right here in Jacksonville.
Why $18 in ’18?
Founded by Jewish rabbis in 1917, we
continue to help the entire Jacksonville
community, regardless of religious affilition,
in the Jewish tradition of Tikkun
Olam: repairing the world. The word
chai in Judaism means life. The sum of
the Hebrew letters that spell chai is 18.
The number 18 is significant in Judaism
because of its connection to life and
hope. 2018 is the year of chai or the year
of life.
Judge David Gooding (left) hosts a “Home for the Holidays” adoption event each year around the holiday season, which is also the time
for Jewish Family & Community Services’ Holiday Gift Giving Campaign. The campaign delivers gifts for Christmas, Jewish and other
religious celebrations to more than 1,500 children in agency programs, as well as to seniors in the community. For information about how
you can sponsor a child or donate a gift, contact Donna O’Steen (904) 394-5714) or by email at dosteen@jfcsjax.org. [PROVIDED BY JEWISH
HISTORY OF CARING
FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES]
Tradition and faith
strengthen programs
that help
those in need
By Jean Sealey
Special for the Times-Union
Imagine Jacksonville
100 years ago. The
population was a little
more than 90,000.
Today, it is estimated
to be nearly 900,000,
making it the most
populous city in
Florida. This is due in
part to the consolidation
of the city and the
county in 1968 which
added population and
square mileage.
Another significant
factor was
Jacksonville’s climate
and lifestyle, which
attracted new residents
from other parts
of the country and the
world.
With all the changes
that have occurred in
Florida’s First Coast
over the last 100 years,
one thing has not
changed.
There were people
in poverty in 1917 just
as there are today. The
Jewish community in
Jacksonville saw the
need and took action.
They came together
to form United Jewish
Charities, now known
as Jewish Family &
Community Services.
“Jewish life is
steeped in tradition,”
said Executive
Director Colleen
Rodriguez, a licensed
clinical social worker.
“Our tradition and our
faith tell us that we are
expected to help each
other in times of need.
If someone is hungry,
without shelter or
needing clothing, we
cannot turn away.
It doesn’t matter
whether the person in
need is Jewish or not.
We are taught that if
we help one, we must
help all.”
More than 100
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