CONTACT:
Beverly Bromley
(502) 452-6341 ext. 239

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JFVS Brings Cultures and Generations Together at Shalom Tower

Stories Shared in English and Russian during Intergenerational Story Hour

(Louisville, KY) June 29, 2005 -- Multiple generations gathered together to share stories, sing songs, and have snacks at Shalom Tower for the 2005 Jewish Family & Vocational Service Summer Family Mitzvah event. During the Intergenerational Story hour, children heard stories in both Russian and English, sang and danced together and had a wonderful afternoon based on feedback from both the seniors and the children.

"We were so excited to see so many people meeting and sharing their stories and backgrounds for the first time," said Sally Davis, co-chair for the Family Mitzvah Planning Committee. "Many of the children heard Russian spoken for the first time and they seemed to really enjoy the stories." Other committee members included: Julie Ciriano (co-chair), Aly Goldberg, Ann Schwartz, Rhonda Welenken, and Christine Leff.

Judy Freundlich Tiell, Executive Director of JFVS, said, "We are pleased to be a catalyst for bringing Shalom Tower Residents and others in our community together. We believe that intergenerational events have great meaning for all of the generations involved.”

The mission of the JFVS Family Mitzvah events is to enable families to engage in community service activities. A committee chaired by Sally Davis and Julie Cirano meet and plan several events each year including a fall event at Four Courts. Families with newborn children through young teens come together to provide companionship, activities and help for others in the Jewish community.

"The event was a socialization between the residents as well as their grandchildren and the families in our community. It was a warn atmosphere with everyone having a great time," said Delores Glazer, Senior Services Coordinator for Shalom Tower.

Participants of the event included: Yelina Adamova, Miriam Ayzikovich; Elizabeth Belinky, Roza Charnaya; Julie and Rebecca Ciriano; Sally and Elizabeth Davis; Anna Dayen; Christina Flagel; Alvina Frith; Aly and Sophia Goldberg; Faina, Emma, and Gabrielle Kronenberg; Christine and Braynden Leff; Zakar Milzon; Norma Nieman; Anne Rosenbaum; Ann, Sarah, Greg, and Brian Schwartz; Yetta Suzan; Irena Svidler; Shifra Vasserman, Phyllis, Benjamin, and Nathan Weitzner; Henny Witzer; and, Anita and Chloe Yussman. Also, in attendance were JFVS staff members: Alane Goldstein, Judy Freundlich Tiell, and Rose Unger as well as Shalom Tower's Delores Glazer.

JFVS is a non-profit human services agency that has provided services to the general and Jewish communities since 1908. Programs include: Adoption, Counseling, Career Management, College Advisement, Klein Older Adult Services and Multicultural Services. For more information about any of these programs or future JFVS Family Mitzvah events call 452-6341.

Shalom Tower is an independant living facility for mature adults age 62 and older. It is owned by the Jewish Community Federation and Federally subsidized by the Housing and Urban Development Department. There are currently 177 residents with an open waiting list. For more information call the Building Manager Dianne Allen at 454-7795 or Delores Glazer at 451-8840.

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