JewishCare Sydney - JewishCare Sydney

Aged

The JewishCare - Caring for older people living at home brochure summarises the programs provided by JewishCare for older people and their families. Caring for Older people (6.76 MB)

JewishCare provides the widest range of services that help older people to live active and independent lives. This may include access to JewishCare's Mental Health, Disability, Domestic Violence or other relevant programs.

JewishCare also employs an experienced Intake Officer who can provide information, referral and access to programs provided by JewishCare as well as other service providers

JewishCare has a number of ways that it can provide material and financial assistance for members of the community in a crisis. Read more

 

Download the Activities for Jewish Seniors brochure

 Activities for Jewish Seniors (553.17 kB)

Children Family Summary

JewishCare provides a unique and seamless range of programs that help those who are vulnerable or in crisis.

Some programs like Big Brother Big Sister and Family to Family Respite are proactive and aim to reduce the likelihood of problems occurring later in life. Others programs like Family Support and Family Dispute Resolution provide responses to immediate unforeseen problems. Programs like

Mental Health and Domestic Violence have elements of both, helping to deal with a current crisis as well as providing an ongoing framework to reduce future problems.

JewishCare has a number of ways that it can provide material and financial assistance for members of the community in a crisis. Read more

Kosher meals on Wheels

Kosher meals on Wheels are available by contacting COA -  http://www.coasydney.org/.

The aim of the program is to provide positive role models/mentoring support, to young adults between the ages 16 – 25 years in the Jewish community, who may be facing obstacles or challenges in their lives.

Mentoring by a positive role model can open pathways for young people to feel supported, listened to and acknowledged.

The mentors are adults in the Jewish community aged 26+, who are responsible and caring, have excellent communication skills, and have a strong commitment to the rights and needs of young people.

Supported Accomodation

JewishCare is funded by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) to operate 4 houses to support people with disabilities. The support we provide is 24 hour /7 day a week accommodation and support services for people with moderate to high support needs.

The aim of the program is to develop independent living skills in a caring and supportive environment within the community.

The program currently supports 15 people across 4 houses in the Eastern Suburbs

Access to this program is through DADHC.

Beit Chaim

This program provides flexible support for Jewish adults with a disability who need support to live independently in the community.

The aim is to promote autonomy and independence and to enable the person with the disability to access and utilize a full range of community resources and facilities.

This support can include:

Drop in support at the client's residence at certain times

Helping the clients with shopping, banking

Skill building

Social support

Herta Muller

The Herta Muller program aims to keep vision impaired people connected to the community by providing regular audio tapes / CDs of relevant media which are sent to the vision impaired person’s home.

The service is available to any person who has problems reading.

The program includes distributing excerpts of The Australian Jewish News each week as well as offering audio versions of various books and JewishCare’s quarterly Keeping in Touch magazine. 

There is no cost for this service.

To recieve the CDs call 1300 133 660 or firstcall@jewishcare.com.au

Big Brothers Big Sisters of JewishCare Sydney

This program aims to improve the self esteem and feelings of wellbeing of young people between the ages of 7 -15 who are experiencing a challenging upbringing by being linked to a suitable Big Brother or Big Sister. This Big Brother or Big Sister will provide the support of a special mentoring relationship.

The Big Brother and Big Sisters are Jewish adults, 18 years and older who are responsible, mature and caring and are prepared to commit to provide consistent, dependable friendship, guidance and companionship to their little brother or sister for a period of at least 12 months.
If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister - volunteer for JewishCare.

All parties involved including the parents of the little brother or sister remain in close contact with the program manager at JewishCare and appropriate training and supervision is provided to all Big Brothers and Big Sisters

A certain number of places within this program are provided for children with disabilities.

Links

This program has been set up on the North Shore and in the Eastern Suburbs to connect local Jewish volunteers with older members of our community.

The volunteers provide social support to clients who are living at home and may be socially isolated.

This support is usually by way of regular one-on–one activities which may include.

• Home visiting

• Transport to appointments

• Shopping

• Help with correspondence

• Reading

• Playing games eg chess or scrabble

• Going to a movie

The program is operated from JewishCare’s North Shore office and as with all JewishCare programs police checks and other relevant checks are carried out on all volunteers.

 Links Brochure 2012 (2.54 MB)

 

Chessed Bereavement Support

This program provides counselling and support for those who have suffered a loss or are grieving.
This can include people experiencing

• Loss from death of a loved one as well as loss resulting from miscarriage    
• Serious accident or deterioration in health
• End of life / palliative issues 

The program offers the opportunity to talk to someone who is trained to offer empathy and understanding and who understands the process of grieving.


If you want to become a Chessed support worker - volunteer for JewishCare.

Restitution

JewishCare’s Restitution program provides Holocaust survivors and their families with:

• Information about the types of Restitution that may be most appropriate to their experience as well as keeping applicants up to date with    the latest information on current and new funds

• Advice on how to complete and send the necessary forms in order to lodge an application for Restitution

Innovations

 

A number of programs are available under the banner of innovations:

Flexible Funds

Flexible Funds are available to support Jewish families and children with a disability by providing funds that can be spent on regular or unexpected needs as they arise. This is based on the families particular lifestyle and support needs and takes account of the changes that may occur over time. 
The supports can include:

• Weekend respite

• Over night stay

• School holidays

• Parents going away

• In an emergency

• Parents/family members are sick

• After school hours

• Skill development

• Assisting the family to achieve particular goals

Circles of Support

This is a joint project of Access Ezer and JewishCare which as been funded by JCA.

A ‘circle of support’ brings together people who care and have the same interests as a person with a disability. The project provides a skilled facilitator to develop the circle.

Connexions

Connexions assists children and young people with disabilities toreach their potential by providing resources to improve quality of life and participation in thecommunity, responding holistically to issuesand referring appropriately when necessary,Connexions works in a collaborative partnershipwith the individual and his or her family to set and achieve meaningful and realistic goals,focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses.

Case Work Services

A qualified case worker is available to assist Jewish families who have a family member with a disability.

The help provided is determined by the needs of each family in order help them to build a meaningful and independent life for a person with a disability.
This may involve:

• Setting realistic and achievable goals

• Determining what aspects of the person’s life require support from JewishCare

• Help determine the how best to access the supports and resources that are required

Family Dispute Resolution

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR, also known as mediation) provides couples with an opportunity to reach agreement regarding parenting arrangements for their children and/or property settlement in a neutral and informal setting.

The program which is known as Eastern Suburbs Family Dispute Resolution Centre (ESFDRC) has a team of accredited FDR practitioners who are registered with the Attorney General's Department and are able to provide Section 60I Certificates in parenting matters. These certificates are required in cases where there is no agreement and parents need to file an application in court.

The ESFDRC team have a background in psychology, social work and family law and are skilled in addressing emotional and developmental needs of children following separation and can incorporate child inclusive practice.

ESFDRC maintains strong links with family lawyers in the city, Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs and welcomes lawyers' participation in mediation if requested by clients.

 Family Dispute Resolution Brochure (236.39 kB)

 

Print35

Print 35 is a dynamic printing business that provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Print 35 provides training and support to enable employees to develop a wide range of skills which are utilised to produce high quality hand crafted invitations, serviettes, cards and a range of beautiful gifts.

See a range of cards and more at Print35 website

 

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Aged Casework

The needs of older people are often more complex than they may at first appear and sometimes it is useful to talk things over with a professional.
JewishCare has a team of qualified and experienced caseworkers who are available to work with ageing people and their families, including carers who look after elderley family members.
These professionals can complete a comprehensive assessment and devise a care plan best suited to individual needs in order to maximise the client’s quality of life and enable them to remain living in their own home for as long as possible.

Caseworkers can also provide advocacy services  as well as assisting clients to access assistive devices and adapt their physical environment to help improve their quality of life and in home safety.

The program aims to enable older members of the community to live as independently as possible. To do this JewishCare works closely with other organisations including:

Alzheimer’s Australia: http://www.alzheimers.org.au

EnableNSW http://www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au

Independent Living Centre NSW  http://www.ilcnsw.asn.au

COA http://www.coasydney.org 

Workers from the Aged Casework team are also available to give talks and information sessions regarding supporting people with dementia and  specific issues

that may be important when caring for an older Jewish person, especially if that person is a Holocaust Survivor.  

 

Family to Family Respite

The program provides regular planned short term respite care for Jewish children aged 0-16 years with another Jewish volunteer family.
The program helps in situations where children are at risk due to factors including

• Families experiencing loss or disruption or illness or feeling isolated

• Parents who are having difficulties managing children

• Families involved in a situation of child abuse or domestic violence

The program provides a positive link for a family with another Jewish family in the community. It also provides a different experience of family and relationships for children who may have had many difficulties in their own family.   

 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between JewishCare and The Benevolent Society has been signed to ensure that Jewish children who require out-of-home care are given the maximum opportunity to be placed

As part of the MOU The Benevolent Society will provide information and conduct training for potential Jewish foster carers as well as assisting JewishCare to assess the appropriateness of applicants who have expressed the desire to be part of various foster care related programs.

If you want to know how you can make a substantial difference to a child in the community contact Lyn Brand on 9302 8024 or l.brand@jewishcare.com.au

Russian Program

JewishCare provides a range of therapeutic and practical services for older members of the Russian community. The program employs Russian speaking staff who can provide case management, advocacy and education and liaison with other community organisations with the aim of helping migrants from the Former Soviet Union to more fully access the resources and activities of their area and therefore reducing their feelings of isolation.

The Factory is a drop in centre for people who typically came to Australia from The Former Soviet Union at a relatively late age, live in the Redfern/Waterloo area and have generally not managed to acquire a workable level of English language. They also tend to be of very limited financial means.

The Factory which operates 3 days a week at 67 Raglan St Redfern, involves one worker who is proficient in Russian and English and a volunteer who takes the attendees through a range of activities that include current affairs discussions and outings.

English as a Second Language classes (ESL)

JewishCare facilitates ESL classes for Russian speakers

Family Support

The program assists families with children who are in crisis or are in vulnerable situations.
This could involve issues such as:

• Family breakdown

• Domestic violence

• Social isolation

• Financial crisis

• Illness

• Substance abuse

• Depression and mental health issues

• Parenting difficulties, including parents with learning difficulties

Clients are assessed and case managed by JewishCare’s professional staff and offered services which will best meet their needs. These services may include:

• Counselling – either family or individual

• Intensive In Home Support - aimed at assisting with overcoming social     isolation, teaching parenting and child care skills and increasing the self-    esteem of children and adults

• Hardship Assistance – providing food parcels, home cooked meals and other     supports.

• Referrals – to other sources of specialist support which may include short     term housing, if spaces are available

• Community Education – where appropriate the staff will try to involve families     in short courses on relevant issues

• Support Groups – The program runs regular groups on topics including:     domestic violence, parents with special needs, grandparents as carers,     groups for children and teenagers.

The program utilises volunteers who provide a wide range of supports including making and delivering meals, visiting isolated members of the community etc
If you are interested in becoming assisting the Family Support program - volunteer for JewishCare.

Domestic Violence Response and Prevention 

The program assists women and children in domestic violence situations, generally by the provision of casework and counselling by professional social workers.
A first priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of women and children.
This can involve

• Developing a safety plan to provide a safe living environment

• Counselling and emotional support

• Advocacy

• Court support and referral to legal services

• Community education

• Referral to housing services

• Physical abuse including sexual abuse or threats
Psychological and emotional abuse
• Verbal abuse which threatens, degrades or insults people or pets   
• Intimidation and harassment
• Social isolation including being stopped from seeing friends and family
• Financial abuse and being forced to live without money
• Stalking
  
  
For Help, Support and Information call:

Police                                                                           000
Domestic Violence 24 hour hotline   -1800 656 463
NSW Rape Crisis Centre                       1800 424 017
Violence Against Women Helpline     1800 200 526
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service   8745  6999
Law Access Line                                    1300 888 529

Read Article - Australian domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter - PDF

Frequently asked questions about domestic violence

Community Club Network

Activity Centres and Friendship Clubs are popular ways for active seniors to meet with their friends and participate in a range of activities.

Currently there are 11 Friendship Clubs, all located within the Sydney Metropolitan Area, run by volunteers and supported by JewishCare. Many Clubs operate in conjunction with local Synagogues and other community organisations.

These Clubs aim to reduce isolation, loneliness and lack of stimulation by providing regular social meetings which provide a sense of belonging, mutual support and cohesiveness amongst members.

Seniors Groups and Activities under the auspices of JewishCare

The Seniors Friendship Club on the North Shore (St Ives)

Meetings, guest speakers, entertaiment and outings. Many special interest groups. Kadimah Gardens. Jubilee Street Wahroonga Last Thursday of each month at 10.30am - 12.30pm   Contact Fred Seskin 9449-2773 or Maoi Gordon 9988-0261

Lapid for the visually impaired (Rose Bay)

Guest speakers, quizzes, outings, discussions, light refreshments. B'nai B'rith Retirement Village 7 - 11 Princess St Rose Bay Mondays 10.30 am - 1pm Lilly Skurnik - 9371 8336

 Russian Clubs

Optimists
English classes, Information, Excursions, Library, Light refreshments. Last Wednesday of Month. Various venues. Mina Alesinski - 9698 8363
Golden Years
English classes, Information, Excursions, Library, Light refreshments.
Weekly on Fridays. Various venues. Maya Dinaburg - 9699 3882
Russian Association Of Ex-Servicemen and Women Social activities, entertainment
Mill Hill Centre, 33 Spring Street, Bondi Junction.
Last Tuesday of the month, 1pm-4pm.
Efim Solovey - 9699 9384

Triple "S" Friendship Club

Cards, rummy tiles, Scrabble, bingo, guest speakers, outings.
Weekly in Synagogue Hall, cnr. Railway Parade and Noble Street, Allawah. 
Wednesdays 10am - 2pm.
Dorothy Clarke  - 9528 7259

Welfare Ladies Auxillairy

Entertainment, Scrabble, cards, outings, rummy tiles, refreshments Woollahra Seniors Club, corner of Queen Street and Edgecliff Rd., Woollahra, Tuesdays 10.30am -1.30pm.
Edith Ryba - 9326 2798

Sephardi Seniors Group

Weekly bus trips to different venues Thursdays 9am - 2pm.
Esther Solomon  - 9371 4481

The Shalom Group (Chatswood)

Guest speakers, Entertainment, Outings, Light refreshments Temple Emanuel Chatswood  28 Chatswood Ave Chatswood Wednesdays 10am - 2pm Lily Bendelstein - 99898620

Club 50

The Club 50 Survivors of the Shoah Social Club was established in 1995, 50 years after the liberation of the Concentration Camps at the end of World War II, as a joint initiative between JewishCare and the Australian Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants.

The Club aims to
To ensure the preservation of the unique identity of Holocaust survivors and provide therapeutic social support activities in a Jewish framework


Club 50 offers
A monthly Tuesday lunchtime function including speakers and entertainers
A Drop-in-Centre in Woollahra providing attendees with the opportunity to play cards or games or just have a chat or a cup of coffee with friends.
Regular bus outings, including cemetery visits around the Chaggim
Referrals to other internal services and external agencies as necessary

4a Nelson Street Woollahra  2025

Val Rubel - 9302 8050

Club 50 is supported by The Claims Conference

S.P.A.R.C.S.

Conversation, guest speakers, games, entertainment, outings, light lunch Central Synagogue, Bon Accord Avenue, Bondi Junction
Mondays 11am - 1pm
Anne Louise Oystragh - 9363 0456

Cremorne Group

Guest speakers, discussions, refreshments. Cremorne Synagogue 12a Yeo St, Neutral Bay. First Monday of month 11am - 1pm  Linda Subel - 9488 7100 Coming Event - 2 August Gary Samowitz talk 'Jewish Aid Jews Changing the World'

Mental Health

      This program offers a range of supports for people experiencing mental health issues.
      These include:

• Counselling, advocacy and case management for the individual or family to assist with decision making and planning, undertaken by experienced and qualified professional staff
• The facilitation of group activities which play a vital role in encouraging and maintaining social inclusion
• A regular newsletter
• Access to suitably trained volunteers
• A telephone follow-up service where appropriate

Referral can be made to other services or professionals as required

JewishCare's Mental Health program has extensive links and Memorandums of Understanding with leading mental health organisations.

These include

www.mhcc.org.au

www.mental.asn.au 

www.healthscopehospitals.com.au

www.sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

www.stvincents.com.au

www.northsidegroup.com.au

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

www.neami.org.au

www.anglicare.org.au

The Burger Centre

The Burger Centre – your key to independence

The Burger Centre is a joint venture between JewishCare and the Montefiore Home located at 120 King Street Randwick.
The Centre provides:
A Day Centre program and
A Positive Ageing program.
The aim of both programs is to enhance older peoples’ capability to remain living independently in their own homes as well as facilitating their good health and social connectivity within the community.

 

Day Centre program

The Day Centre program is for the frail aged including those with special needs resulting from a stroke, dementia or other illness who live in their own homes in Randwick, Botany, Sydney, Waverley or Woollahra Local Government Areas. The Centre can also offer respite for carers.
Following an assessment by Burger Centre staff, an individual service plan will be developed which then ensures the clients access appropriately stimulating activities which may include:

• Exercise and physical activities. This may involve the use of the Eric Dreikurs Aquatic Centre

• Educational talks and discussions

• Arts and crafts

• Concerts and performances by professional musicians and entertainers

• Outings to local parks and beaches

• The Celebration of Jewish Festivals and cultural events

Clients are given nutritious kosher meals including a delicious hot lunch.
Burger Centre buses collect people from their own homes and drop them off again in the afternoon.
Based on recent research which shows that preventing a first fall is a key to enabling people to live safely and independently in their own homes, the Centre initiated the Fit2Fit program.
This program includes conducting a mobility and shoe assessment, enabling clients to access relevant skills training, walking aids and correct fitting footwear which have been shown to help reduce the risk of an older person experiencing a fall.

The Burger Day Centre program is funded by both Federal and State Government as well as from a grant from JCA

Attendees are asked to pay a small fee although those who cannot afford to pay will not be denied access to the Centre.
While clients are at The Centre they may be able to access a range of other JewishCare and Montefiore services.

Positive Ageing Program

Currently funded via a grant from the JCA, this program is aimed at well older people in the community. The program aims at keeping individuals active, connected and educated. The program follows the current trends in what is considered healthy ageing and promotes activities that help acquire skills in keeping fit and preventing falls.
Current activities include:
A modified form of Tai Chi runs twice a week by a Tai Chi master who is also a qualified doctor. The classes are very popular and many people return each term to build on the skills they have learnt. Tai Chi is an evidence based mind/body practice that can offer real results in improving balance and reducing the risk of a fall.

Hydro-cise, or gentle water exercises run weekly in the Eric Dreikurs Aquatic Centre, the largest hydrotherapy pool in the Southern Hemisphere. Classes are fun and invigorating and a great experience. The gentle support of the water can provide relief for those who suffer arthritic pain and other mobility related ailments or injuries

A number of classes are run on term time schedule (10 week terms), and there are plans to expand the range of activities being offered including Yoga.

All classes attract a small fee and lunch is offered before or after any of the classes.

To enquire about entry into this program call The Burger Centre on 8345 9147 or see www.burgercentre.com.au

Prison Outreach

The program offers support to prison inmates and their families.
This can include

• Legal advice and education,

• Counselling,

• Court support,

• Volunteer visiting / Pen Pals for prisoners outside the metropolitan area,

• Yom Tom parcels and the weekly provision of Australian Jewish News.

The aim of the program is to link inmates with the Jewish community to reduce the possibility of re-offending as well as educating Department of Corrective Services staff about the religious and social needs of Jewish inmates.

 

 Prison Outreach Brochure (237.25 kB)

If you want to become a Prison Outreach volunteer - volunteer for JewishCare

Home Support

JewishCare offers a number of Home Support options.

1. Funded Packages of Home Support

Packages funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing,
The Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany (Claims Conference) or the Jewish Community Appeal (JCA) provide individualised supports aimed at helping older people to live independently in their own homes.

Low to Medium support needs
An older person assessed as having low to medium support needs may be able to receive a range of flexible services that include
Light housework and domestic cleaning

• Shopping

• Meal preparation. COA can be contacted for Kosher Meals on Wheels . http://www.coasydney.org 

• Laundry

• Transport to appointments

• Showering and dressing

• Socialising and companionship

• Respite for carers

• Case management

• Advocacy and liaising with other service providers

• Access to wider range of JewishCare services.

A small number of Polish packages are available for those assessed as having high support needs. These ‘Extended Aged Care at Home’ or  EACH packages will provide some nursing care and rehabilitation as well as the above range of flexible services.

Russian, Polish or Hungarian speakers can be provided on request.

Anyone can make a referral and confidentiality is assured.
If you are making a referral on behalf of someone else be sure to seek their consent before doing so.
A waiting list for Home Support services may exist and we cannot make any guarantees regarding waiting periods.


To enquire about entry into this program call FirstCall on 1300 133 660 or firstcall@jewishcare.com.au

2.  JCare Private Home Care

JewishCare operates   which provides access to care workers who can be privately engaged by clients to assist with daily self-care and basic living tasks. 
It may also be of value to a person:

• With dementia or challenging behaviours who requires extra support
• Who is feeling isolated as a result of their stage of life or disability or mental state
• Being discharged from hospital and where an existing family member who has previously acted as a carer is either temporarily absent or is now unable to continue to provide the appropriate level of care
• Waiting for a funded package to become available

The program may also be suitable for families who have members with a severe illness and require extra support.

The program can also be used to provide respite for a carer.

This service can be provided in the person’s own home or in a residential facility.

The type of support that can be provided by care workers is typically similar to those provided under Funded Packages of Home Support (see above).

There are two types of fees payable for the Care Worker Placement program.
• A one-off placement fee which is payable to JewishCare
• Fees payable directly to the care worker
Please discuss these with the program co-ordinator

To enquire about entry into this program call FirstCall on 1300 133 660 or firstcall@jewishcare.com.au -

Services for Holocaust survivors

Thanks to funding from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) JewishCare is able to offer special services to Holocaust survivors.

Club 50 which as part of JewishCare's Community Club Network provides therapeutic social support to Survivors

Funded home support packages which help survivors to remain living independently in their own homes are available to those assessed as being financially less well-off

Aged Case Work and Assessment which facilitates the provision of appropriate inputs and resources to meet each individual's needs

Emergency funding which can be used to provide short term emergency help for financially less well-off survivors

Restitution support which helps survivors and their families to submit restitution claims

The Claims Conference distributes a weekly e-mail bulletin on current restitution developments and Claims Conference activities. You may subscribe to this free service through the homepage of the Claims Conference's website (click the button below or type this address into your address bar: www.claimscon.org or by sending an email to news@claimscon.org