The Canadian Jewidi News, Thursday, January 31,1980 -Page 9
Organizations and People
no]
13 officers are to be e^^
V   (Ben Lechtman photo)
Stan Zynoberg, a resident connsellor at Reena's Orchard View group hdme, along with Annette Kurtz and Michel Urner, meet with two of the residents of the home for adult
to
ByBEVERLEYSTERN
TORONTO —
In recent months a significant number of phone calls asking for Jewish group homes for middler aged retarded persons has been reported by Sandy Keshen, executive director of Reena Foundation.
A Toronto-based agency, Reena provides residential services with a Jewish e;nvironment to the mentally handicapped adult in three group homes in Metro Toronto.
"Of particular interest, she said, "was the fact that all the calls were about the mentally handicapped living at home with parents rather than those in institutions."
"We have always known abbut the Jewish mentally handicapped who are in institutions, but had no idea about how many were living at home,'' she remarked.
"Based upon phone calls (which have come from Toronto, Sudbuty,: Hamilton and eyen Buffalo ) we project about 22 to 25 middle-aged meintally . handicapped, living at home.-' estimated Jerome Diamond, executive director of the Jewish Family and Child Services (JFCS), whose agency works closely with Reena.
He added that about 57 middle-aged Jewish handicapped lived in institutions across the province.
Both Diamond and Mrs. Keshen feh there were many factors behind, the latest phone calls asking for Jewish group homes.
"A superficial but precipitating impetus may have come from the popular film. Best Boy", Mrs. Keshen remarked. "The film acted to shift focus from the young to the adult and middle-aged' handicapped," she said.
Best Boy, a moving and true story about a Jewish middle-aged handicapped man who leaves his family-to begin a new life in a group home with others like himself, has been drawing "record crowds at a downtown movie house in Toronto.
Diamond and Keshen, however, stressed that there were some pretty sound' objective reasons for the stronger interest in. group homes per se.
"The cold facts are that many older people in their 60s and 70s are now wondering what is. going to happen to th'eir handicapped children when they die.'-Uhey said.
Mrs. Keshen continued: "Siblings are also confi^nting the prospect of caring for retarded brothers and sisters. VSTien they see the responsibilities that lie aheadi then they call both. Reena and JFCS."
"JFCS provides all the family back-up services,'' said Diamond. "We provide regular ongoing programs and interviews with both the residents of the homes and members of the familiy.
•'It is often-hard for a family to think of the handicapped '|n terms ,of growth, development and maturity," he continued. "It means a new kind of relationship." ;
"The conventional wis-
dom has been riot to press too hard because there are only limited things the handicapped can do, but increased research and experience has shown otherwise," Diamond affirmed.
Joy Newton, 42, who has a mentally retarded brother, Allan, 39, confirmed Diamond's sentiments.
One of those who recently called Reena, Mrs. Newton is how preparing to help her brother move into Reena's group home on Laverne Avenue.
After visiting the Lav-erne home many times with her own family as well as Allan, Mrs. Newton was impressed with the self-sufficiency of the residents and the feelings of pride and companionship that they showed.
"Their skills in cooking, cleaning, shopping, and basic hygiene were all self-evident," she noted.
Mrs. Newton told. The CJN that her brother had not developed, any comparable skills While living at home with her parents who were now both in their
:70s:.-
"Allan is very happy, easy-going, loves sports of any. kind, but he is also very spoiled. He is perfectly capable of going shopping by himself, but if he wants anything, even cigarettes, my mother and father go out to get them.
"There is so much more Allan can do," Mrs. Newton asserted. "He has an excellent memory for somethings. He can recall all the scores and.players, in practically any sport. .
"And socially," she continued,' "he is very, friendly. My children, who used to be his closest friends, are now growing up and becoming more involved with school and friends. They have little time to give Allan now, so he is lonely."
"Now that my parents are older, the plans for Allan's future could no longer be postponed. When I heard about Reena, we felt that at last wehad some real answers to oilr concerns." she commented.
"Reena specifically
answers the need for group homes for the adult, semi-independent handicapped in keeping with ia Jewish Ijfe style," commented Rabbi Joseph Kel-man from "Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda.
It was Kelman who led the drive for an organization to provide Jewish group homes in 1974. Responding to the direct . appeals of a group of people many of whom were involved parents of handicapped adults — Kelman said he realized that "it was tirrie to offer a Jewish option for those adults who wanted to continue their Jewish traditions."
Kelman emphasized that while a Jewish environment was provided in
all the homes, it was not pressed upon the residents. Led by Jewishly-trained live-iri. counsellors, the group homes celebrate all the holidays and observe kashruth as much as possible.
"But obviously," Kelman remarked, "if someone rushes out to buy a hamburger, we're not going to get too excited."
Pleased by what he described as the "serious-ness and enthusiasm" which the residents bring to their Jewishness, the rabbi observed:
"The mentally handicapped do not suppress their religious yearnings. They come into the religious experience very openly and receptively."
TORONTO —
' Nominiations for officers and executive of Toronto Jewish Congress were announced this week by a nominating committee headed by Milton Harris. Thirteen officers and 50 executive members are to be elected for a one-year term at the TJC's annual meeting, to be held on Sun., March 9. at Beth Tzedec Synagogue.
The nornihating committee points out that, in accordance with the TJC bylaws* there ai-e no nominations from the floor. . However, any seven mem-: bers of Tbrohto Jewish Congress cart make additional nominations but these must be deilivered in writing, ho later than a week before the annual meeting, to the TJC office, 150 Beverley St. Nominations must be accompanied by the written consent of the nominees.
The committee lists the following nominations for officers: president, Wilfred; Posluns; vice-presidents, Ronald Appleby. Madeleine Epstein, Mel Finkelstein, Milton E. Harris, Saul Koschitzky: Joseph B. Salsberg, Lionel Schipper; treasurer, Mur-
ray Segal; assistant treasurer. Dr. Sydney L. Wax; secretary, Donald Carr; assistant secretary, Harry Steiner; honorary counsel, J. Sydney Midanik.
Nominated for the^ executive:
Gordon Atliri, Ru.th Bass,-Lucille Bensky, Gay Berger, Samuel Bier- . stpne,..Judy Carr, Harold Chapman, Henrietta Chesnie, Jack Chisvin. Dr. Robert Disenhouse. Sol Edeil. Jacob Egit, Murray Ehrlick, Robert B. Eisen, Dr. Arnold A. Epstein, Eric Exton, Max Feder-man. Meyer Feldinan. Morris Flicht, Aaron Frankel, Gerald Goldberg, Henry G. Goodrifian, Beverley Gordon. Samuel Gotfrid, Lawrence Grossman MPP, Sandy Hofsted-ter. Nathan O.Hurwich, Louis KirshenbJauni. Dr. Joseph Klinghofer, Peari Langer, Morrie Latchman, Saimuel Lipshitz, Louis L. Lockshin, Harry Mandel:. baum. Malka Mirsky, Lewis J. E. Moses. Penny Offman, Eleanor Rose, Da%id Rotenberg MPP, Kun Rothschild. Samuel J. Sable, Les Scheininger, Saul Sigler, J.J. Silver, Harry Simon, Francie Storm, H. Wayne; Tanen-
baum, Bea Wolfe, Rose Wolfson, Diane Zeidel.
Nominated as individual representatives to the TJC Council for a two-year term are;
Morris Adams, Larry An-klewicz, Gordon Atlin, H. Thoinas' Beck, Sophie-Bennett, Samuel Bier-stone, Mrs: FiBuchman. Fred Catzman, Harold Chapman, Julius Ciecha-nowski. Shoshainah Cole. E, M. Creed, Alex Davis, Charles Diamond, Dr. Robert Disenhouse, Prof. Sydney Eisen, Dr. Ernil L. Fackehheim, Bert Godfrey, Paul Goldstein, Bieverley Gordon, Sam Gotfrid, Jerry Graf stein, Alfred Green, Morris Gross, Jack Gwartz, Milton E. Harris, Murray Heifetz, Nathan Hurwich, Genya Intrator, Robert Kaplan, MP, Morris B. Kaufihan, Ben Kirshen-baum. Arthur Kleinstiein. Jack Kosoy. Mrs. Charles Mekler, J. Sydney Midanik. Nicholas Munk. J.C.: Oelbaum, Leon Oziel. Jack D. Pearlstein, Dr. Ira Pollock, Morton Rapp. David Robbins. Barrie D. Rose, Jack M. Rose, Mrs. Bernie Rubin, Lionel Schipper, Alex Serota. Ida Siegel, Dr. Jerry Smith.
Sheldon Sper. Sidney Starkman,. Izy Stern, Harold Strom, Larry Ta-.nenbaum, Mrs. Max Ta-neiibaum. Prof. Harold Troper. Ed Waitzer, Ray Dr-Wolfe, Rose Wolfson.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
for  national Jewi^  women's organization. Opportunity for professiomkl growth. Attractive salary and benefits.
Send resume to United Israel Appeal of Canada, 491 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 502, Toronto, Ontario M5M 1C7.
BETH EMETH BAIS YEHUDA SYNAGOGUE
is proud to announce the formation of the
Zemer Chorale
under the direction of CHARLES HELLER.
New members, both Men and Wohierii are welcome. You don't have to read music — all you need is . , a love of singing.
The choir rehearses every Tuesday ftt 7:30 pjn. at the Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue, 100 Elder Street, Downsview.
Please Join us ever)[ Tuesday for an evening of ^    : -
Friendship, Song and Refr^
Keren HatartNit bist
REGISm NOW for the . BEGINNERS'COURSE in Cofiversatipnar Hebrew
All levels. Adults, Teenagers — Mornings & Evenings Call Joseph kliiiger, 787-0107
ACCBEDIT.ED'
CAMP MASSAO"*
IN THE LAURENTIANS
"THE BEST IN SUMMER . CAMPING WITHIN A HEBREW SPEAKING JEWISH ENVIRQNMENT
■ ■■ ■. Interested in , enrolling your child .; .    ,   in our
ciated new oois
of Tbrohto-i-s'r^n
Senior Kindergarden?
Yoilxirc cordially invited to
* Hear and see a demonstrabout about our exciting Senior Kindergarten Program
* Discuss mutual interests and concerns
*  Meet our Educational Director, Principals, Teachers and Executive Administrator
at an Orientatioh Meeting
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 61980 8:00 P.M.
FINGH EDUCATIONAL CENTRE, 252 FINCH AVE. W.
Harold L. Dessen, G.A. President
REGISTRATION OPEN!
Director Jerry Kulnick
will be in TORONTO on
SUNDAY, FEB. lOdi
to interview Staff 10 a.m. -12 noon at
Associated Hebrew School
(Bathurst & Neptune) to meet parents 2 — 4 p.m. at
Adath Israel Synagogue
South bourne Ave.
For infornnation and appointment contact Miss Fern Lerner (416) 781-9764, 8-10 p.m.
. Dietary Laws Observed
f        BETH TZEDEC
COMING EVENTS
Beth Tzedec welcomes Guest Cantor TIBOR KELEN to SiiabbatShira Services FEBRUARY 1 & 2 KabbalatShabbat-Services: Friday. Feb. 1, at 5:15 p.m. .       , / Saturday Morning Services,
Feb. 2, at 9 a.m.      ' ____
The' Installation of the Elected Officers and Board of Governors will take place during the Morning Services.
10% DISCOUNT
rf2
LUBAVrrCH DAY CAMPS
* PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN
Ages 3 -5 1/2
* SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
Ages 5 1/2-12
Separate - identical prograrns ■       for boys and girls
« SENIORS
Boys ages 12 - 15 Half-day programme
For abrochure and more information call 633-8020.
♦Applications received before.March 28,1980 will be given a special discoiint
LUBAVITCH VOUTH ORGANIZATION 44 Edinburgh Drive, Downsview, Ontario
MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER DAY CAMP"
. In Observance of JEWISH MUSIC MONTH Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue
is pleased to present THE RENOWNED
TJie Folk Dance Ensemble of tfie Jewish Cbnvmmity Center
ofQevebnd in an evening of folk: national and dmactei-dances diri\m from the diwrse heritage of the Jewish people. Directed b\• Qavleand Rnil Kantdr
also featuring ''THE.TIVONS'^Is^aeli Musical Duo^,^:\:
Sunday, February 17, 8:00 ^jn?)
I Tickets Available At: ^~^_.y
I Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue •        Admission: $5.00
j 100 Elder Street, Downsview, Ont. Students: $3.00 Telephone: 633 -3838
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 8 P.M.
Mens Club presents "YIDL MITN FIDLE" Yiddish, movie (English sub-titles) REFRESHMENTS SERVED
NO CHARGE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 9:30 A.M. SISTERHOOD BOOK-OF-THE-BRUNCH presents DR. SEYMOUR EPSTEIN to review •CONFESSIONS OF A MEDICAL HERETIC" Members $2.00, non-members $2.50,'Seniors $1:50 GENTLEMEN WELCOME TELEPHONE 781-3511
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1:15 P.M. FRIENDSHIP CLUB PLUS SOpresents MARGARET GORMAN to discuss "DIABETES" BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 & 10
Weekend Guest Lecturer RABBI DR. GERSHON WINER, Adjunct Professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University,
Director of its Israel Branch. FEBRUARY 9: , 1. He will deliver a Sermon in the morning
Folldwing Kiddiish, iii the Chapel: Topic: "THE INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE TO ZIONISM IN ISRAEL"
Seudah Shlishit at 5 p.m. Topic: "MY FAVORITE PESUKIM FROM  THE TORAH:  THEIR RELEVANCE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE"^--- ^ ,4'. ■ Melavah Malka^at^ 8:30 p.m. He will speak in Yiddish on Topic:
CHAIM GRADE -! on  the occasion of his
2.
3.
"YIDDISH POET 70th Birthday'V
(Co-sponsored by'^e Yiddish Committee. Canadian Jewish Congress^
1.
2.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10 \ Men's Club Breakfast, 10 a.m. Topic: !'THE RISKS OF PEACE FOR ISRAEL" r"^
Lecture in Hebrew:' 8:30 p m. Topic: "HALASHON HAIVRIT NE'EVEKET AL NAFSHA B'MENDINAT YISRAEL"
^ (Co-sponsored by the Keren Ha tar but)
ciated
of lbroniOT,8^ Tc
REUNION
for
ALL FORMER STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, SUPERVISORS, STAFF, (Simcoe Street, Brunswick Avenue, Neptune, etc. - Evening and Day Schools)
RESER VE THIS IMPORTANT DA TE NOW!!
Monday, April 28, 1980
To help the Committee - complete and return the form below:
"A NIGHT TO REMEMBER"
The Secretary, Alumni Committee, Associatedjiebrew Schools of Toronto _ 3630 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ont. M6A 2E3
YES! Please send me an Invitation to the Associated Hebrew Schools REUNION on Monday, April 28,1980.
Name: . Address aty . . . ^ Postal Code Year.  . ,
. Province . . Telephone . Class   . .