By Don Armstrong, Director of Professional Services, Jewish Family Service, , Larry Broder, Executive Director, Temple De Hirsch Sinai
We would like to thank you for the article on the new Endless Opportunities program (�Programming the gap,� Oct. 27). This is an exciting venture which benefits older adults throughout the greater Seattle Jewish community, and we appreciate the positive attention that it was given.
It is important to note, however, that the role played by Temple De Hirsch Sinai in this program was not accurately reflected in the article. The genesis of Endless Opportunities was twofold. First, as part of its strategic planning process, Jewish Family Service invited the temple staff to a focus group on older adults. Concurrently, Temple De Hirsch Sinai was exploring its own older adult programs, so the JFS focus group came at the right time for both organizations.
The idea of creating a community-wide educational, social and volunteer program for individuals in the second half of life came out of that meeting, and Temple De Hirsch Sinai has worked very closely with Jewish Family Service to bring this idea to fruition. In fact, there exists a Memorandum of Understanding between TDHS and JFS delineating the requirements of each party in our partnership.
During its initial �start-up� year, the Endless Opportunities program has been a collaborative project of Jewish Family Service and Temple De Hirsch Sinai. It is our hope that other synagogues and communal organizations will join the partnership in the near future, but at present JFS and the temple are the two co-sponsors of all activities, and virtually all of the non-field trip events have taken place at the temple�s two campuses. Temple staff members have played an indispensable role in supporting these activities, they have financially supported the effort, and their generosity and commitment should be acknowledged. We believe that it would be only appropriate that the JTNews correctly credit Temple De Hirsch Sinai for its efforts.
Thanks, again, for what was otherwise an excellent article.
Don Armstrong
Director of Professional Services
Jewish Family Service
Larry Broder
Executive Director
Temple De Hirsch Sinai