The Canadian Jewish News, Friday, April 14, 1978 - Page 5
National News
for expanded social services
ByRUTHKAHANE [Second of three parts]
OTTAWA-
Callers to Ottawals new_ Jewish Information and Referral Service, a telephone agency helping clients plug into community resources, are reinforcing a message the Ottawa Vaad Ha'lr has heard repeatedly in recent years.
In the first six months of its maximum two-year mandate, the pilot project is already providing concrete evidence of the need for expanded social services in the Ottawa Jewish community.
Fifty out of 500 calls received during the first five months directly related to family pathology. In these cases, the agency's purpose is to make referrals to psychologists, psychiatrists, marital counsellors, children's hospital and family therapy rather than to do the counselling itself,
However, a number of these cases could not be handled by other agencies, and the professional
social worker, employed on a half-time basis as ■ directorof the agency, has developed a caseload of 16 to~20 people a month.
Director Elaine Rabin says it "has not been en-"couraged." but "sometimes people hang on three to four months with us. Some people have chronic problems. They've done the rounds of other agencies and are now turning to us for help."
The Ottawa Vaad Ha'Ir's 1976 study on social service needs in the Jewish community, which recommended the setting up of the Jewish Information and Referral Service, showed that available family agency services in the Ottawa region were rarely used, and that private psychologists and psychiatrists were the regular channel for counselling. Social workers participating in the study also said.they were being called at home about specific Jewish problems and called this an "underground
Agency required to assist citizens
By RUTH KAHANE
OTTAWA-
Thc move towards setting up a Jewish family service in Ottawa is part of society's trend to "professionalize help", "not a very healthy sign . . . but a necessary step." says Rabbi Reuven Bulka.
The founding editor of -the Journal of Psychology and Judaism and rabbi of Orthodox Congregation Machzikei Hadas, here, said he thinks the agency is needed "because help is not readily available in our society".
"The question is — is this a progressive step or a necessary step? It's a necessary step because of how society is structured. A progressive step would be a shtetl-like atmosphere where everyone helps. But this is a dream, and it is necessary to overcome these gaps."
Rabbi Bulka and other Ottawa rabbis actively involved in helping to plan social service development in the Ottawa Jewish community, were a key group that made recommendations to the Ottawa Vaad Ha'Ir's 1976 social services needs study. Since the creation of Jewish Information and Referral. Service, Rabbi Bulka has been a user and supporter of the agency.
The study report said Ottawa rabbis were encountering requests for many services outside the realm of existing agendes and saw definite needs in areas ' including foster care, adoption, family and marital counselling inclii-ding youth, single ; parents, singles, and the eld-^ criy, housing, legal aid, help for children, with learning disabilities and guidance counselling in Jewish schools, newcomers, general Jewish information, and information and referral.
In a recent interview. Rabbi Bulka reiterated these needs arid said he thinks a Jewiish agency also may be necessary because Ottawa's position on the border of Quebec ' "could become crucial if a iTiajor upheaval occurs" .
and many Jews suddenly leave.
"No one knows what is happening with the province of Quebec-If many come, or if they come little by little, it will be a concern. Absorbing newcomers has always been a problem. An agency might be able to break down the social barriers and boundaries for new people coming in."
A Jewish family agency, though unable to provide services quantitatively different from those available in the general community, could be geared to deal with ethnic and religious factors.
Rabbi Bulka said he agrees with sociologists who connect the erosion of religious values and the erosion of family life. Because of this, ethnic and religious factors are an important part of the solution to many family problems.
network of Jewish referrals".
Mrs. Rabin said in an interview there does seem to be evidence of a need for specifically Jewish family services, though she was "skeptical about this when she began with the agency.
Rabbis, especially ' 'those welcoming psychological contact, have been overloaded", and some people utilize the services of Jewish family agencies and counsellors in Toronto and Montreal, she said.
"There are a small number of people that really do need Jewish social services. That is one of the reasons why a good number of people turn to rabbis — they turn to them in droves in this city — and not to city social services. In another city, people would never think to turn to a rabbi unless they have a religious problem. But in Ottawa there was no one to fill the breach previously."
Since JIRS began, a number of rabbis have been making referrals to the agency and some are co-operating by keeping trackof the number of people who contact them with family pathology problems, she. said.
Many of the other calls, not directly related to family pathology, have also required extended help. In every case JIRS aims to "hang in with people until we know-they have gotten the appropriate response to their problem — we phone them back or phone through for them, ' and really make sure the person reaches the appropriate resource," Mrs. Rabin said.
Unemployment has been a major problem among callers. JIRS is attempting to help these people find jobs by way of Jewish community contact. Potential employers in the community have been asked to advertise with JIRS and a column is run for both employers and job-seekers in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin and Revieiw. "I've tried to make shidduchs," Mrs. Rabin said, and "about 60% of serious job seekers have foiind jobs."
A similar procedure has been used for helping callers seeking places to live. There is a steadv-lnflux of
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Jewish Information and Referral has been operating its telephone line (613)232-3775, Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 3:30, and . is staffed by Mrs. Rabin and trained volunteers, many of whom have degrees in social work, psychology, or teaching. Four volunteers work on a regular basis and a total of 20 people have volunteered since the service has started.
The agency has "yet to build up a proper resource base." but has contact with its model. Jewish Information Services, in Toronto and receives assistance from it when necessary.
As well, a number of professionals involved in the social services needs study committee have acted as resources for various types of referrals.
Mrs. Rabin said both she and the Jewish Social Services Council are "interested in whether we can become a counselling agency. Basically, what I'd like to see is a small full-time agency under the Jewish Social Services Council with intake (the information and referral service) plus a family component, including child services and services to the Jewish elderly." ,
But whether or not JIRS will continue operating for a second year, and what type of agency the community council decides to sponsor after that, will depend greatly on the results of a study of the strc^ams of calls JIRS receives in its first year.
"It will be a great dis-appointment.to me if it collapses, because there is a great necessity for it." Mrs. Rabin said.
Two Canadians were among those attending International Israel Bonds parlay in Washington. At left is Rabin Zimmerman of Montreal and at the right is Harry Frank of Toronto.
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