Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities abound for adults, teens, children and families!

Prepare or deliver food packages to isolated seniors and families in need.
Become a Chaplain Aide and lead Shabbat services for nursing home shut-ins.
Join Knitzvah and warm your own heart as your provide warmth to others.
Be a Friendly Visitor and bring the world to isolated elders.
Assist refugee job seekers from around the world.
Put your writing and layout skills to good use with our newsletters and other publications.
Tutor émigrés or assist with an ESL class.

…and more! Volunteers do make a wonderful difference. Days and hours are flexible. If you wish to volunteer in one of these areas, or want more information, please contact:

Michele Myron
Volunteer Coordinator
michelem@jfssv.org
(408) 357-7453

Volunteering for Kids, Teens and Families

Inspire your children in giving to others. Volunteer opportunities for kids, teens, or the entire family abound - preparing holiday packages of gifts and food for our local elderly and families in need, holiday decorating of senior residential facilities, participating in holiday toy drives for needy children, and much more. Teens can earn community service credits for school. More importantly, doing good deeds (mitzvot) strengthens all who participate, from the youngest children, to parents and grandparents. Everyone benefits!

Knitzvah

Kudos to Knitzvah! Knitzvah’s “Fabulous and Amazing” members contribute so much to JFS SV and the community! Through the work of our wonderful knitters, we are able to distribute blankets, hats, sweaters and scarves to those who need them.

In the last year, we distributed over 1,500 blankets, hats, sweaters and scarves, with about 600 more items currently awaiting distribution! These acts of kindness benefit 15 community groups that receive Knitzvah donations.

We are all inspired by this generosity and the love that is put into this work. Join us! Knitvah always welcomes new members, and we are happy to teach anyone how to knit. The JFS SV Knitzvah program needs many generous hearts and willing hands to provide warmth and comfort to those in need within our community. This is an opportunity to use your talents to do a" mitzvah" (good deed). All ages and levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome! Yarn, patterns and needles will be provided or bring your own.

Join our Knitzvah Group

The Knitzvah group usually meets one sunday a month at 10:30 a.m. Check event schedule.

Info:

Michele Myron at michelem@jfssv.org or (408) 357-7453
Barbara Berlant at auntbarbara@comcast.net
Cherie Ravel at cherir@jfssv.org or (408) 357-7467

Embrace a Family: Make a Difference in Our Community This Hanukkah

Hanukkah is fast approaching and JFS wants to make sure that we share the miracle of light with as many people as we can!

Beginning November 1st, and through November, JFS will be accepting donations for our 3rd Embrace-A-Family for Hanukkah program. In this current economic crisis, it is difficult for many families to provide basic necessities for their children. How this program works: locate an Embrace-A-Family board with dreidel tags at either JFS, Yavneh Day School/ JCC Preschool lobby, or one of our local synagogues. Pick a tag, purchase the requested item (new items only please!) and bring it to the JFS office - and bring happiness to a grateful child, adult, or family. Please contact either Michele Myron 357-7453 for more information about the program.

We are especially in need of gift cards for Target, Trader Joes, Safeway, and gas stations – for Hanukkah and year round - to help these families and income seniors get through these difficult times. If you or anyone you know can benefit from this program, please contact

Lizi Oceransky, Social Services Counselor
(408) 357-7425

Dreidels, Gelt and Candles Drive

Adults and children alike love to either play dreidel, or remember fondly their memories of playing dreidels as children! Our goal for this Hanukkah is to collect 600 new dreidels and pieces of gelt as well as 150 boxes of Hanukkah candles to share with Jewish seniors in care facilities, isolated elders, holocaust survivors as well as families in need. Donations of these items will be accepted at the JFS SV office, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 202, at the Levy Family Campus in Los Gatos. For other locations accepting donations on behalf of Jewish Family Services, please contact

Michele Myron
(408) 357-7453

Community Group Programs

Volunteer programs are available for your synagogue, chavurah, service organization, school or youth group. Help us to give support and care to our isolated seniors, refugees, recent émigrés, families and others in need during the holiday seasons, as well as, all year round.

Helping Isolated Seniors

JFS SV volunteers make a big difference in the lives of our senior community, including Holocaust survivors. Holiday Package Preparers and Deliverers bring connection and nutrition to frail elderly. Chaplain Aides lead Shabbat at local senior retirement facilities, and JFS’ Friendly Visitors bring friendship and a sense of community to isolated seniors. Decorate a senior retirement facility or nursing home for Hanukkah.

Refugee & Emigré Support

Support JFS SV resettlement programs support a multitude of clients who struggle to make a new life in America. Our volunteers include ESL (English As Second Language) tutors and teachers, and career mentors.

ESL Tutoring

JFS SV needs experienced ESL teachers to volunteer in our classroom. We need people with ESL teaching experience who can commit a minimum of 1 to 2 hours per week for at least six months to work with ESL beginners.

Career Mentors

Do you have knowledge of any of these fields: education, finance, medicine/healthcare, environment, beauty, IT, machining and manufacturing, construction …or other industries?

JFS SV seeks volunteers willing to provide tips and information to help our clients learn about working in the U.S. Many of our clients have advanced degrees and work experience in other countries, but need guidance in finding opportunities here.

As a volunteer mentor, you will provide advice on job trends, entry-level opportunities or internships, professional associations and perhaps even referrals to good contacts about jobs or informational interviews. You may help by reviewing a resume and directing the job seeker in the right direction.

We need mentors from many industries, currently working or recently retired, willing to accept a phone call or take time to meet with our clients at our offices at the Levy Family Campus.

If you can help, please contact:
Helen Sappa, Job Developer
helens@jfssv.org
(408) 357-7459