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!

Sisters “See What You Can Be” with Acclaimed Tween-Author Liz Suneby

Nationally recognized “tween” author Liz Suneby joined Big Sisters and Little Sisters in a two part workshop hosted by Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters and funded by a grant from the Boston Jewish Community Women’s Fund. Suneby is the author of the acclaimed book published by American Girl, “See What You Can Be” a book aimed at girls exploring careers and goals.

Big Sisters were invited to the first workshop exclusively tailored to them in early January. Suneby explained how to use her book, with girls ages eight to twelve, which included determining what “type” of girl they were “hands on girl,” “big thinker,”  or “shaker-upper.” Many Big Sisters commented how fun the event was and that it would have been helpful to them earlier in their own lives.

In late February, Big Sisters were invited to bring their Little Sisters to a second workshop aimed at helping the girls discover careers that could be of interest to them. The workshop began with a panel of women who shared with the group how their interests and experience led to their current jobs.

Big Sister Jen, a high school guidance counselor in East Boston spoke about her education and career path that lead to her current position.  Linda, a Big Sister in the community program shared how she transitioned from paralegal to her dream of being a lawyer. Dog Trainer Martha shared her experiences as a Dog Trainer and shared how she was able to follow her love of animals into a career that she loved.  

Following the panel, “Bigs” and “Littles” enjoyed working through the activities in “See What You Can Be” including using an old fashioned paper fortune teller to help them discover new interests and possible careers. The event ended with a pizza party and many Little Sisters asking how they could enroll in dog obedience school!

Check out more pictures from this great event!

MAGIC Moment: Friend 2 Friend participants enjoy Pizza Making!

Friend 2 Friend program participants enjoyed a night of food, friendship and fun at Pizzeria Uno’s in Allston at February’s MAGIC event. Each group met with friends and fellow group members to create their own customized pizza and share good company and conversation. A fantastic time was had by all.

 

Volunteers Gather to Share JBBBS Stories

In honor of National Mentoring Month, a small group of JBBBS volunteers gathered for dinner and conversation on Tuesday, February 3rd. The “parlor meeting” allowed a small group of volunteers to meet with other volunteers, chat about ideas for activities and share their special “aha!” moments with their “Littles” or “Friends.” Below are pictures from the event and some memorable stories shared from our volunteers.

Friend2Friend Volunteers Amy and Lindsay, and Big Brother Jacob shared stories of their time volunteering with JBBBS

“When I go to MAGIC each month, my Friend’s excitement and smile reminds me of the little things in life that matter” –Friend2Friend Volunteer Amy

Big Brothers Adam and Rob and Big Sister Carley share an "aha" moment

 “My Little Sister’s mother called me the day after Thanksgiving to share that when asked what she was thankful for, she said ‘My Big Sister Carley’.”- Big Sister Volunteer Carley

A Night of Good Food and Good Conversation

 “More than ever before, from my experience as Chair of the Board of the agency and as a Big Sister, thank you for all that you do.” – Chair of JBBBS’ Board of Directors, Carolynn Levy

Real Life Big Brothers Jeff and Barry shared stories about their experiences as JBBBS Big Brothers

“After graduating from college, I’ve had a few different jobs. But what remains constant is my connection as a “Big Brother.” -Big Brother Volunteer Barry

See All That You Can Be: JBBBS Welcomes Liz Sunneby

On Wednesday, January 21st, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters invited its Big Sisters in the community, activity and school plus programs to attend a workshop put on by award winning ”tween” author, Liz Suneby.

The room was packed with Big Sisters for this great event which aided our volunteers in working with their “Littles” in seeing the broad range of careers and opportunities available to them. Liz showed our “Bigs” the best way to use her book See What You Can Be including ways to share with “Littles” what their personality suggested about future careers. Are you a “Hands on Girl” or a “Shaker-Upper”?

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters and Liz Suneby have another workshop in store for back again for all of our community, activity and school plus Big Sisters and their “Littles”. Participants do not need to have attended the past event to attend this event.

During this workshop the two of you will have the opportunity to interact in fun and creative ways with other Big and Little Sisters while meeting a panel of professional women to hear about what they loved as girls, what they do today, and how their dreams lead them to their professional success.  Every Little Sister will get her own copy of the book, See What You Can Be for the “Big” and “Little” to use together in the future, and another book to give to another female friend!

Immediately following the event, JBBBS will host a pizza party for all those in attendance!

For more information please email Alanna at Alanna@jbbbs.org or ask your social worker.

We look forward to seeing you there to “See What You Can Be”!

Some of the JBBBS Big Sisters in attendance take a moment to show off thier new "See What You Can Be" books

JBBBS Joins with Kevin Youkilis’ Hits for Kids for Hanukkah Homerun!

On Monday, December 22nd, 2008 (the second night of Hanukkah), Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters invited “Bigs” and “Littles” to play a little dreidel, eat some latkes and hang out with the Boston Red Sox’s own, Kevin Youkilis at the annual Silk Family Hanukkah Party.

Nearly one hundred “matches” attended the event held at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC which was held in conjunction with Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids. After enjoying a Hanukkah meal and hot fudge sundaes served in Red Sox mini-helmets just like those at Fenway Park, “Littles” and “Bigs” were entertained by DJ Drey-Del and were challenged to a dance party and games. You could feel the buzz in the air as seven o’clock approached and our favorite Jewish baseball player’s arrival came closer and closer.

JBBS Big and Little await Kevin Youkilis

A JBBBS "Big" and "Little" eagerly await Kevin Youkilis

Shortly after 7:00, JBBBS President/CEO Harvey Lowell announced that a special guest was in the building, “Not only is he a wonderful ball player…he is a lot like our Big Brothers and Big Sisters who we can emulate and we can be proud of. We all love the way the way he plays the game. We all love what he represents, and we are so happy he was able to join us.” Kevin Youkilis was greeted with applause and cheers of “Yoouukk” as he joined the Silk Family and two special matches to light the menorah and lead us in the Hanukkah blessings.

Kevin Youkilis, the Silk Family and JBBBS matches light the menorah

After sharing his favorite Hanukkah stories and memories, Kevin spent more than an hour answering each question asked by JBBBS “Bigs” and “Littles.” The questions were vast and diverse. One match asked about his unusual batting stance, while others were interested in his best friends growing up and his favorite books. Handshakes and hugs were given, and there was even one marriage proposal. Following the question and answer period, our “Littles” joined Kevin on stage for a group picture.

Kevin Youkilis answers questions from JBBBS matches.

The 2008 Silk Family Hanukkah Party is sure to be an event that all whom attended will remember for years to come. Many thanks for those that joined us for this special evening and to Kevin, his wife Enza and Hits for Kids for making this a true Hanukkah miracle.

Kevin Youkilis and members of the JBBBS Staff