Friend 2 Friend Holds Annual Community Seder

Friendship, music and a traditional seder meal were just some of the highlights of the 14th annual Friend 2 Friend Community Seder. The event was held in conjunction with the Jewish Community Centers’ Special Needs Services Department and had over 100 people in attendance.

Seder attendees were treated to guitar music to begin the seder. Friends were invited to singalong as Rabbi Jay Perlman of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham led the traditional seder. In addition to Dayenu, one participant led the crowd in a wonderful rendition of “Lo Yisa Goy.”

Friend 2 Friend Director Jan Klein, commented that this was by far the largest and most spirited crowd to attend the annual event, “I am always so impressed by the spirit and joy that our matches share as they celebrate this special holiday together. The comraderie that our Friends share was particularly special at this year’s seder.”

The event was generously funded by a consortium of Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) member organizations.

Fourth Annual Chocolate Seder a “Yummy” Success

 When was the last time you were at a Passover Seder where instead  of dipping parsley in salt water, you dipped strawberries and pineapple into a chocolate fountain? Unless you were one of the 150 “Bigs”, “Littles”, friends and family, probably never.
 
Where a traditional Seder would speak of the ten plagues, attendees at the JBBBS Seder ate them. For slaying of the first born, “Bigs” and “Littles” indulged on Baby Ruth candy bars, and when it was time for blood, there was a cry of joy as matches ate Gushers fruit snacks (because like blood, they gush).
 
But what would a Seder be without matzah ball soup? After being led in the blessings and traditional Seder Hagaddah by “Littles” as young as six, “Bigs”, “Littles” and their families and guests were treated to a delicious afternoon lunch  followed by a spirited search for the Afikomen (hidden matzah).
 
The event was generously sponsored by Irving and Charlotte Backman, who were able to join the festivities. One Little Brother told his JBBBS Social Worker that “today was the best day of my life.” Next year in Jerusalem.

Click here for pictures from this great event!

JBBBS Hosts 2nd Annual “Promoting Resilience in Children” Conference

Over 150 social workers, teachers, parents and guests were charged with becoming “charismatic adults” to children in their lives at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Second Annual, “Promoting Resilience in Children” conference on Friday, March 20th. Dr. Robert Brooks, a leading speaker on the themes of resilience, self-esteem, motivation and family relationships, and Sarah Ward, M.S., an expert on executive functioning skills were the event’s keynote speakers.

Dr. Brooks shared stories from his work at McLean Hospital with youth that were labeled as destined to fail. When Dr. Brooks spoke with those that had defied the odds, each one cited an adult that believed in them unconditionally. He urged those in attendance to be the “charismatic adult” that makes the difference for children on the brink. After hearing various strategies from Dr. Brooks, one social worker in attendance said “Robert Brooks was excellent- engaging, funny, and had great stories to illustrate his points. I received ideas and solutions that will change my life as a professional and a parent.” Following his talk, Dr. Brooks met with members in attendance and signed copies of his books, including ”Raising Resilient Children : Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child”.

Sarah Ward, M.S. is considered one of the foremost experts on executive function skills in children. Ward is dedicated to developing innovatitve treatment strategies and educating the community to understand, care for, and celebrate learning and behavior-based differences. She spoke to the audience about strategies that they could use in their professional work with children as well as their own children. Many attendees found Ward to be “inspiring, motivating and extremely helpful.”

After two successful conferences, JBBBS’ Vice President of Programs and Services Lisa G. Cohen, LICSW hopes that this will become not only an annual event, but a means for practioners to share ideas, “After receiving such positive feedback, we hope that participants will remain in touch with our agency and together we can work to best facilitate and promote resilience in children.”

The conference was subsidized by the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Judge Lewis Goldberg Endowment for Educational Programs.

Click here for more pictures from this great event.