Westchester Jewish Community Services, Inc.
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
February 28, 2011
I have been volunteering as a tutor at the Mount Vernon New York Edward Williams Elementary School Afterschool Advantage program which is a WJCS sponsored program. The program is invaluable to the school community. I am involved as a member of Westchester Reform Temple which supports the program with many adult and student volunteers. As an experienced teacher I am able to tutor students on their school work and give very much needed help. The relationships that I have formed with the students are extremely gratifying. They are so appreciative of the help. They have told me that the attention that the tutors give them makes them feel special. An impressive group of high school student have organized their peer group into a high school club. They take their responsibility seriously and come in strong numbers to tutor the children in the program and to work on special projects with them. This is a win win situation - the children in the after school program get invaluable help and the high school students experience the satisfaction of knowing that they have done an amazing job in giving to those who are in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
included in the above review
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to get even more support for the after school program
February 28, 2011
These seders provide an invaluable servide to the Jewish community they serve. I have been volunteering for nearly 20 years, and have seen firsthand the joy the seders bring to the developmentally disabled population and their family members. The guests look forward to the seders, not only as a chance to celebrate their Jewish traditions with song, prayer and food, but also to connect with friends they have made at the seders over the years. It is also a wonderful experience for the younger generation of volunteers, to actively participate in such a heart warming event.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the seders for the developmentally disabled
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get them more funding
February 28, 2011
I have been one of the volunteers at the WJCS Seders for the disabled. Clearly the benefit to those who attend is incredibly worthy, however, the benefit received by our student volunteers ( B'nai Mitzvah age and older) is PRICELESS. For some it is their chosen Mitzvah project for others it is a project that they participate yearly. It is quite an experience ~ all around to behold!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
For about 6 years
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none
February 28, 2011
The staff at WJCS is warm and caring. I am a volunteer helping out with meal delivery to home-bound seniors. The seniors are SO happy when they have a visitor and a warm home-cooked meal. I am so proud to be a part of their program and I hope they can continue to provide this service - and so many many more to those in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I see the happiness it brings the home-bound seniors
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
they run a great and caring organization...no changes needed
February 27, 2011
I have been one of the volunteers at the WJCS Seders for the disabled. I witness many of the same people attending the service. They look forward to coming and taking a part in the Seder. I believe I have participated for at least five years, and I feel good about seeing the happy look on the faces of the people, during the services.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I feel good about seeing the happy look on the faces of the people, during the services.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none
February 26, 2011
I have been participating as a table leader in this Seder for 18 years. It is a beautiful and wonderful experience. The team of volunteers lead by Gail is terrific and have become my close friends. I love seeing our work come together for this special population. This program is necessary as it fills the population with cultural joy. "Jewish spiritualism" is the theme of the room. All are so easily connected to being together to experience the Seder story, the food, the music, the tradition and the so much care and friendship. All three of my children have participated as waiters and now my oldest son enjoys sitting at the table with the population and feeling their joy at the Seder. It is truly a deep and wonderful connection for our family to our Jewish life. We all look forward to seeing our friends from all the different group homes year to year. I love seeing their faces light up showing recognition that we are all together again for our Passover Seder.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally experienced the joyful power of self confidence and group belonging the Seder has given this population. They love being connected to their Jewish identity. They love being with each other and apprieciate all of the volunteers.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had to make changes to this orgaization, I would make sure that there will always be funds to help the Seder events continue.
February 14, 2011
WJCS serves a tremendous role in Westchester.
The organization embraces the diversity of the County and is able to support every need that arises.
An example of this is the Women's Home Center on Barton in White Plains. This center has been operating for almost 2 years and provides a safe and healthy home environment for 6 Jewish women. These 6 women are in their 20's and 30's and are developmentally disabled. This is their first home away from home which provides them with independence. The experience gives these women supervision, their own living area, daily responsibilities in a group setting, and either part time employment or school - all of which are coordinated by WJCS.
It is an amazing program that has changed the lives of these women.
It is imperative to understand the needs of our community and the critical need to serve it, as WJCS does.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Knowing that so many of Weschester's children benefit from WJCS programs.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would make sure the public understands that WJCS serves MUCH more than Jewish programs.
February 1, 2011
As a volunteer with the WJCS Compeer program for over 15 years I feel that WJCS does an excellent job of making volunteers see themselves as part of the community and contributing in their specicific program and activity
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the support it gives to volunteers both for the specific program and as part of the overall WJCS operation
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find ways to encourage more voluteers
November 11, 2009
As a volunteer with the WJS Havorah program, I work with two important services: The Community Seder for Developmentally Adults and Share-a-Shabbat. I will describe them both. I have co-chaired 22 years worth of Community Seders for Developmentally Disabled Adults in Westchester and Putnam counties, co-sponsored by WJCS's Havorah program run by Gail Abromowitz Oliver. We already have a date for the 23rd one in Bedford, New York at Temple Shaaray Tefilah who has co-sponsored all of these super seders. We take a three prong approach to each seder, one person finds volunteers, one found donations of food and paper goods (me!) and one finds the guests (Gail). This Passover event has grown so big that now it is held in two synagogues on two different nights because it got too big for Bedford. At both events the volunteers consist of teens to serve the tables and adults as table leaders, kitchen helpers, table setters, etc. The teens come to earn hours for community service but they leave with much more than the hours. Some have come back for many years because they enjoy it so much. I come back year after year because of the impact it's had not only on my life, but on the lives of the special guests. They keep coming back. They love the gift bags we prepare for their group homes. They love the rabbi and musicians who lead the service. And of course they love the food. As donation coordinator for the Bedford event, I've had some donors ask, "Are you sure you have enough?" They can't understand that they are just one of 30 or so donors contributing to the event. For example we get roasted chicken from four or five kosher butchers, green beans from two different places, gefilte fish from another, etc. It's truly a community event. WJCS Havorah program has made a tremendous impact on the Jewish developmentally disabled adults through this Seder. I have also helped on one of the children's seders that Gail has run. That was another amazing event, but I decided to focus on the adult one since the synagogue at which it takes place is closer to my home town. I've also volunteered for WJCS Havorah's Share-a-Shabbat program through my synagogue, Temple Israel of Northern Westchester in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. I brought our temple band, Sh'ma Na Na, to a group home in Ossining last winter to sing and play Shabbat songs after dinner. It was such a success that we were invited back in August (filmed for TV!) and we already have another date scheduled for spring 2010. As a musician, the Share-a-Shabbat fulfills my dream of bringing Jewish music to everybody who wants to and more especially, should, hear it. The WJCS Havorah program is outstanding and vital. Thank you for reading this far. Laura Copel, Yorktown Heights, NY
Photos
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing how it increases the amount of Jewish involvement with a population that would otherwise not have much interaction with Judaism - the developmentally disabled.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
November 11, 2009
I have worked with Westchester Jewish Community Services as a volunteer for New Rochelle Hadassah and my synagogue, Beth El Synagogue Center, for 25 years. I have been Program Vice President for both organizations and they have always provided me with wonderful speakers. I have used Linda Caigan in the 1980s and 1990s and have been working with Shari Baum for the last four years. Through the years, I and my fellow members of both organizations have learned a great deal in a caring, understanding atmosphere. The programs I have worked were always parent related, starting out learning about elementary school years and now learning about college years.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
parent education
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
learning and sharing with other parents and gaining insights working and talking with a professional
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Social Workers and other parents attending the lecture
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
enhance programs and advise to all those who need emotional support
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Filter by reviewer role:
- Volunteer27
- Client Served42
- Expert11
- Public6
- Board Member16
- Donor5
- Advisor0
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews