Text Size

Community Updates

| JFCS, Uncategorized

Stay informed with updates from JFCS

12:00 PM – Oct 31

An updated list of our services offered during this difficult week:

Support Updates – October 31, 2018

9:02 AM – Oct 31

https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14230810-74/refugee-resettlement-group-undeterred-by-pittsburgh-synagogue-attack

8:29 AM – Oct 31

“They want safety, peace and a better life for their children,” Jordan Golin, JFCS’s president and chief executive, said at a news conference.

During yesterday’s press conference, Jordan Golin spoke about the violence, saying that the refugees they bring to the region are no different from their own relatives and neighbors.

Thank you to Washington Post, Moriah Balingit and Lenny Bernstein for the story.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/synagogue-shooting-tests-pittsburgh-a-community-proud-of-welcoming-refugees/2018/10/30/19b92ce2-dc7a-11e8-b3f0-62607289efee_story.html?fbclid=IwAR0JiD4B3MaIU56RgEmmR4QkTfavEqKezdScVP4acy8FP1NnUoiVvPK-mAY&noredirect=on&utm_term=.010423da8dc9

7:57 AM – Oct 31

“We have drop-in hours staffed by professional clinicians, who have experience managing trauma…”

JFCS CEO Jordan Golin tells CNN’s Anderson Cooper about the drop-in hours currently at the JCC, offering a safe space to speak with professionals for those who need support.

Thank you CNN and Anderson Cooper for the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGwUDkZ7Hi4&fbclid=IwAR0mgYXeuCj10xnhtKj4Fp7v6DkK852wFdk1lGyGf4pDkh-hYu1wsDhcFOo

3:57 PM – Oct 30

https://globalnews.ca/video/4610472/jewish-family-and-community-services-of-pittsburgh-to-continue-work-in-refugee-resettlement

1:48 PM – Oct 30

Refugee Aid Group Leader Can’t Believe ‘Act Of Love’ Triggered Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Suspect

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/30/Pittsburgh-jewish-refugee-resettlement-HIAS-squirrel-hill-synagogue-shooting/stories/201810300100

 

1:20 PM – Oct 30

Statement From The Children of Bernice and Sylvan Simon:

Our lives were forever shattered on the morning of October 27, 2018 when our beloved Mother and Father were senselessly, brutally, and savagely murdered at Tree of Life Congregation along with nine other fellow congregants.

Our parents did everything together as a married couple. They were deeply in love with each other and persevered in the tragic loss of a son in 2010. As long-time and deeply-rooted Pittsburgh residents, their life together began 62 years ago and forever ended last Saturday in the exact same chapel where they were wed. What my mother and father witnessed and endured is utterly unspeakable.

We had plans to meet at their home in the afternoon to celebrate my sister’s birthday. This family event would never occur. Our brother had plans to visit in the coming week from the West coast, but now he will arrive for our parents’ funerals.

Thank you to the entire law enforcement community for their bravery in preventing further carnage. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring from the entire support-system afforded to us and others in the community during this very difficult time. The FBI, Pittsburgh Police Department, Pittsburgh, State, and Federal Government agencies, Salvation Army, Red Cross, and various business merchants did and continue to perform outreach, assistance, and comfort to all those hurting. Their and the entire community’s outpouring of unselfish assistance, sympathy, kindness, and understanding during this difficult time are greatly appreciated. With time, comes healing. We as a caring community, will only grow stronger.

 

11:48AM – Oct 30

 

11:40AM – Oct 30

An updated statement from our morning press conference:

Press Conference Statement

7:58AM – Oct 30

3:43PM – Oct 29

Remembering the victims:  https://www.jfcspgh.org/remembering-the-victims/

3:19PM – Oct 29:

3:14PM – Oct 29:

10:52AM – Oct 29:

10:24AM – Oct 29:

**The JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry will have 2 social works on site from 2-4pm today, October 29 if anyone in the community would like a safe space to talk.

10:00AM – Oct 29:

**JFCS is leading the effort to provide critical counseling services to injured and bereaved families, community members, schools and agencies across the city. If you need help, contact us right away, 412-422-7200.

**Counselors will be available for the community on a drop-in basis from 9am-9pm in room 202 at the JCC, and by appointment at JFCS at 412-422-7200.

9:12AM – Oct 29

**HIAS, the Jewish Agency Criticized by the Shooting Suspect, Has a History of Aiding Refugees

4:05PM – Oct 28

**

We are devastated by the attack yesterday on our friends and neighbors at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, Dor Hadash, and New Light. The loss to our community is incalculable. Our hearts and prayers are with the congregations and all those affected by this senseless act of violence. We pray for the wounded and for the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

JFCS is opening its doors and services to all those in the community seeking counseling or a place to gather to mourn and reflect. JFCS is leading the effort to provide critical counseling services to injured and bereaved families, community members, schools and agencies across the city.

Starting on Monday morning, counselors will be available for the community on a drop-in basis in room 202 at the JCC, and by appointment at JFCS at 412-422-7200. Our staff is also coordinating counseling and therapeutic support for children at all the local Jewish day schools.

In the 80+ years JFCS has served our beloved Squirrel Hill and surrounding communities, all our work has been directed at improving the lives of all who live here, encouraging self-sufficiency, fostering inclusion, and making our community a better place to live. While the tragic mark of yesterday will be felt forever, JFCS will be here for you, whoever you are, in the days, months and years ahead.