"WELCOME!"
JFS welcomes refugees from the former Soviet Union! We help New Americans achieve self-sufficiency and adjust to life in their new country.
Youth Enrichment Program
Recognizing the challenges
faced by refugees struggling to adopt a new culture while respecting
their heritage, JFS/MW expanded the New American Program to include
the Russian Youth Cultural Enrichment Center. Children raised
in homes where the dominant culture is Russian often feel alienated from
both their schoolmates and their parents. Learning about their
Jewish heritage for the first time can add another element of confusion.
The Enrichment Center allows youth to feel comfortable being Russian and Jewish in America, and gives them the opportunity to socialize with other
children in the same situation. Activities
include Russian story time for preschoolers, art classes, chess club, Jewish
holiday programs, and life skills workshops for adults and teens.
Programming began in 2000. Current offerings in 2005-2006 include:
- Art (ages 4-10)
- Russian language (ages 3-10)
- Russian story time (preschool age)
- Russian poetry
- Ballroom dancing (ages 5+)
- Chorus (ages 3-6)
- Russian theater (ages 4-12)
The sixth annual talent show will be held in spring 2006.
For more information, please
contact Myrna Winter (508) 875-3100 MWinter@jfsmw.org
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Russian Resettlement
Newly arrived refugees and their families have received assistance from JFS/MW since 1979. Individualized resettlement plans are devised by the Resettlement Coordinator and implemented by volunteer caseworkers.
Our services include pre-migration counseling for sponsor families, preparation of documents, management of the sponsor family cash support, arrangements for emergency loans, and job coaching.
For more information, please contact Malka Young (508) 875-3100 MYoung@jfsmw.org
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Jewish & American Acculturation
JFS/MW provides a number of acculturation services, such as English as Second Language (ESL) classes that are open to the Russian speaking community and emphasize American culture, Jewish education, U.S. civics and history. Trained volunteers contribute to the program's success
by serving as caseworkers, tutors, drivers, job developers, furniture
coordinators and friendly visitors.
For more information, please contact Myrna Winter (508) 875-3100 MWinter@jfsmw.org
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ESL
- English as a Second Language
(ESL) – Learning to speak English is often the most important,
and most difficult, challenge that faces New Americans. Russian-speaking
seniors, in particular, can feel isolated when their family leaves the home to go to work
and school. Taught by talented volunteers, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
offers weekly ESL classes to elders, providing them language instruction
as well as an opportunity to make social connections.
- ESL Tutors – For refugees
joining the workforce and starting school, JFS/MW offers one-on-one
English tutoring. Students and tutors meet frequently to work
on skills of particular interest to the student.
For more information, please
contact Malka Young (508) 875-3100
MYoung@jfsmw.org
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Information and Referral
Russian-speaking outreach worker Naira Gabriyelyan will be in the agency available as a translator on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Myrna Winter is available every Monday and Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SMOC, 300 Howard St., Framingham. These hours are drop-in. To meet at another time, please call for an appointment: (508) 875-3100.
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Club of Friendship: Russian Bereavement Group
The first Russian-language bereavement group in Metrowest began with a 10-session group in early 2004. For many participants, it was the first opportunity they had to talk about their loss. Multi-session groups are scheduled periodically, facilitated by psychologist Inna Liubovich.
For more information, please call Myrna Winter
(508) 875-3100.
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Social Activities
Table Tennis for ages 50 and up is held on Thursday nights from 6 - 8 p.m.
A Yiddish club for the same age bracket is scheduled for Spring 2006.
For more information, please call Myrna Winter
(508) 875-3100.
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