Stepping Out Committee members who organized the Jewish Family and Children’s Services 80th anniversary celebration, included Tina Berman (back row, left to right), Lori Silver, Kelly Guiliano, Ilene Weinberg and Randi Stoopler; Melanie Stoopler (middle row), Jennifer Gerstein, Stephanie Krause, Jill Hammel and Lori MacHenry; and Caryn Spector (front row), Stacy Asbell Levin, Rachael Satanoff Ovitz and Tony Saura.
Jill Hammel and Melanie Stoopler were appointed in September as associate executive directors of Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), a charitable nonprofit that has been helping people since 1945.
Just seven months later, on April 3, they celebrated the organization’s 80th anniversary with an inaugural Stepping Out gala at the Jonathan Sinay Building on Springdale Road in Cherry Hill.
“For 80 years, JFCS has stood as a beacon of hope for South Jersey residents facing life’s challenges,” Stoopler said. “What began as a commitment to Camden County’s Jewish community has blossomed into a comprehensive support network touching thousands of lives across Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties – serving people of all faiths, ages, and backgrounds when they need us most.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome you to our first Stepping Out fundraiser in the beautiful, newly renovated Jonathan Sinay Building,” Hammel noted. “It is a comprehensive facility that houses our TOPS Day Rehabilitation Program, the Soups & Sweets culinary training program and the Aleph Adult Day Center, truly embodying our vision for inclusive community services.”
“Tonight would not be possible without our incredible team,” Stoopler emphasized. “First and foremost, a special thank you to our Stepping Out co-chairs, Stephanie Krause and Jennifer Gerstein. Your vision, dedication, and leadership of our totally awesome committee have made this ’80s celebration possible. You two are the true rock stars of the evening.”
Guests had smiles on their faces as they enjoyed the 1980s-themed anniversary celebration replete with Ray-Ban sunglasses, Members Only jackets, legwarmers and lots of hairspray.
Special guests included new Camden County Commissioner Jennifer Fleisher and Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher, who are married and “are longtime friends and supporters of our agency. It was wonderful to have them join us at Stepping Out,” Hammel said.
“JFCS is such a vital organization to the South Jersey community,” Commissioner Fleisher observed. “Supporting the work they do is extremely important, and we are excited to show our commitment to this wonderful group.”
Other elected officials included township council Vice President Michele Golkow, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, Assemblywoman Melinda Kane, Commissioner Jeffrey Nash and Voorhees Committeeman Harry Platt.
“Their collective contributions play a vital role in the success of JFCS, and we are so grateful for their partnership,” Hammel explained. “We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to Jen Weiss, our Jewish Federation CEO, and Rob Kiewe, executive director of Jewish Community Properties, for their guidance and leadership in planning this event in our new space.”
Hammel also thanked dedicated staff and volunteers, sponsors, community partners and the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey (JFSNJ).
“Your support amplifies our impact,” Hammel remarked. “And to everyone here tonight – thank you. By supporting our programs and services; you’re helping repair the world through tikkun olam (repair).”
The JFSNJ hired its first professionally trained social worker in the mid-1940s, marking the start of the counseling services by JFCS, the service arm of the federation, which has launched several important initiatives over the past decade.
They include “One Step at a Time,” an addiction awareness and prevention program, and “This Life Counts,” a suicide prevention program aimed at shattering the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse among South Jersey’s youth.
“We are so proud of these life-affirming programs that have reached thousands of teens, tweens, educators and parents,” Hammel said.
There are also expanded family assistance offerings in the new Rhona Fischer Family Assistance Building on the west side of Cherry Hill.
“We are incredibly proud of our agency’s holistic approach to care,” Stoopler pointed out. “Through a comprehensive intake, we get to know each new client and connect them with other services throughout the agency, including domestic violence support, mental-health counseling and vocational coaching.”
JFCS also runs the township’s Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantry. Donors can bring kosher, non-perishable food to the pantry, at 6 East Miami Ave. in Cherry Hill, or to the main office in the Katz Community Center on Springdale Road. The most-needed items include cereal, granola bars, cereal bars, canned fruits and vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, soups, canned tomato products, pasta and allergy friendly foods such as nut-free, gluten-free and dairy-free products.
Shoppers can see the pantry’s Amazon wish list by visiting https://a.co/gI8Atva.
“This is a great option for those who can’t get to the store or simply prefer shopping online. All purchases are delivered right to our pantry door,” offered Hammel, adding that food drives are held throughout the year, including on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Thanksgiving.
Community members who find themselves in need of food support can call the office at (856) 424-1333 and ask to speak with a family assistance intake coordinator or email faphelp@jfedsnj.org.
Services at the main office within the Katz JCC include counseling and support groups, Project SARAH (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home), Holocaust Survivor Services and Advocacy, older adult services and volunteer services.
The Sinay building is the headquarters for the JFCS’ wide-ranging disability services offerings, including the TOPS (To Our Positive Success) day habilitation program, Soups & Sweets, Supported Employment, Project SEARCH and other high-school transition programs, as well as the SAIL and SOAR social-recreational program.
Hammel and Stoopler were asked about future plans.
“Looking ahead to the next 20 years,” they said, “we know that our community’s needs will continue to evolve rapidly and that we can expect increased demands in specific areas. Thanks to our robust management team and strong lay leadership, we are confident that we stand ready to address communal needs, fill the gaps in service and create new programs and services within the scope of our core service areas.
“Based on current trends,” Hammel and Stoopler added, “we anticipate continued expansion of the services offered in the Jonathan Sinay Building; growing need for food support; growth in our transportation offerings for older adults, including veterans through Take the Wheel; and continued growth in our mental-health services to support children, teens, adults and seniors living in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties,” they said.
