News

 Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Northeastern New York and Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors (DOS) are proud to announce the hiring of Rabbi Adam Lautman as the new Jewish Community Chaplain. In this dual role, Rabbi Lautman will provide compassionate spiritual leadership, clinical pastoral care, and religious programming for seniors and families throughout New York’s Capital Region.

Rabbi Lautman will split his expertise between two vital organizations of the community. He will serve as the in-house Chaplain for Daughters of Sarah—supporting residents at the Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and The Massry Assisted Living Center—while also acting as a regional pastoral care specialist for JFS clients and Jewish residents in area long-term care facilities.

“Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors is very excited that Rabbi Adam will be joining us. With a warm presence and passion for the service of our elder community, he is a wonderful addition to our team,” said Samuel Weisblatt, MD, DOS President/CEO.

“We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Adam to our community to continue the tradition of providing compassionate pastoral support and connection to the Jewish community,” said Jane Ginsburg, JFS President and CEO. “Whether for those in long-term care communities or in their homes, the JFS community chaplaincy program has been core to the meaningful services JFS offers. Rabbi Adam has already proven himself eager and dedicated, and JFS is proud to partner with Daughters of Sarah to welcome him and support our older adults.”

Originally from Livingston, NJ, Rabbi Lautman brings a diverse and impressive background to the role. He earned an MA in Education at American Jewish University and was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2020. He completed clinical training at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Most recently, he served as the rabbi of Temple Har Zion in Mt. Holly, NJ, and as a spiritual counselor at Beit Teshuvah, a Jewish addiction recovery center.

“For me, joining JFS means becoming a part of the Jewish holy tradition of Tikkun Olam, repairing the universe; bikkur cholim, visiting the sick; being present and witness to joy, suffering, and our unique, individual Torah; and reminding each other of the Divine spark within each of us,” said Rabbi Adam Lautman.

In his new capacity, Rabbi Lautman will:

• Provide Pastoral Counseling: Offering one-on-one spiritual support for residents, clients, and families navigating the complexities of aging, illness, and loss.
• Lead Religious Services and Programs: Coordinating and conducting Shabbat and holiday services and programs to bring ritual continuity and joy to senior living environments.
• Educate and Consult: Serving as a primary Jewish resource for facility staff and advising on Jewish traditions and observances.
• Community Advocacy: Collaborating with colleagues, local clergy and community members to ensure Jewish residents across the region are supported.

Rabbi Lautman is known for his calm, steady presence and his ability to connect with people through music, midrash, and authentic conversation. An advocate for inclusive Judaism, his personal interests range from theology and Jewish history to playing guitar and piano.

For more information about the Jewish Community Chaplaincy program or other services provided by JFS, please visit jfsneny.org.

About Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York

JFS provides counseling and promotes independence, healthy aging, and access to basic needs while mitigating food insecurity and social isolation. JFS programs and services rooted in Jewish values, available to all individuals regardless of faith. Their mission is amplified by volunteers and sustained by donors, ensuring that support for our community is always within reach.

About Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors

Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors provides a continuum of care for seniors in the Capital Region, offering skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and assisted living services with a commitment to Jewish traditions and values.

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Earlier this week, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero (NY-109) presented JFS with a $90,000 grant to expand the impact of the Albany Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) — a program of JFS that is heading into its 20th anniversary year of supporting local seniors.

The funding, allocated from Assemblymember Romero’s discretionary funds, is earmarked to bolster programs that help Albany’s older adults age in place with dignity, health, and independence.

CBS 6 Albany covered the story HERE (though the anchor said JFC, we know, he knew we are JFS!).

A Milestone for Aging in Place

The Albany NNORC, a signature program of JFS, has spent nearly two decades providing essential community activities and health-related resources to residents aged 60 and older. As the program prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, this new funding arrives at a pivotal moment.

“Jewish Family Services helps our elder population age in place — with dignity, full health, and fun,” said Assemblymember Romero. “I’m proud to make this investment… 90k will help JFS expand programming and improve programming for our elders in Albany.”

Expanding the Reach

JFS leadership expressed deep gratitude for the windfall, noting that the funds will allow the organization to “do more for more people.”

Jane Ginsburg, President and CEO of JFS, recalled her first meeting with the Assemblymember, noting Romero’s keen understanding of both the vulnerabilities and the “incredible power” of the older adult community.

“These funds will allow us to explore how we can continue to expand our services to help even more age in place safely, healthfully, and happily,” Ginsburg stated.

Jennifer Plouffe, JFS Chief Program Officer and former Director of the Albany NNORC, highlighted the strategic importance of the grant. “As we celebrate the NNORC’s 20th anniversary, we see tremendous opportunity to build on its legacy and continue meeting the evolving needs of older adults in our region.”

How the Funds Will Be Used

JFS has already begun outlining a roadmap for the $90,000 investment. Key initiatives include, but are not limited to:

• Increased Outreach: Identifying and connecting with older adults who may not yet be aware of available support services
• Counseling and Mental Health: Providing support from the new JFS Center for Counseling & Resilience to foster emotional and psychological well-being for residents
• Enhanced Programming: Expanding current social and educational activities to foster community connection and lifelong learning.
• And much more…

The Albany NNORC remains a vital lifeline for the city’s seniors, ensuring that those who choose to stay in their own homes have the navigational tools and support systems necessary to do so.

About JFS

JFS provides counseling, promotes independence, aging well, and access to basic needs, mitigates food insecurity and social isolation. Our mission is amplified by volunteers and sustained by donors to ensure support for our community is within reach.

JFS has a long history of responding to changing needs in the community. We’re collecting non-perishable food and unopened toiletries which will be given directly to JFS clients who are facing food insecurity.

Items can be dropped in our designated bin at 184 Washington Ave. Extension in Albany. You can also donate to JFS and designate it to emergency financial assistance.

As a member of the Network for Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA), we share their recent Action Alert to contact congressional members to help families in our region impacted by the lapse in SNAP benefits.

Amidst the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, the US Department of Agriculture has instructed state governments that nutrition benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will lapse on November 1. More than 40 million Americans in communities across the country will lose critical access to food, with many of our Network member agencies’ clients impacted.

This is an unprecedented consequence of the ongoing shutdown, as Administrations in past government shutdowns have instructed USDA to activate contingency funds or reallocated other reserve funds to ensure families and children don’t miss their benefit payments.

The Network is proud to partner with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, and many other coalition and community partners, in urging you to contact your Members of Congress to pressure USDA to immediately deploy contingency funding, release guidance to states, and find additional dollars to help families facing hunger.

Click here to contact your members of Congress.

 

The Jewish World, the Capital Region’s trusted Jewish newspaper for over 50 years, is kicking off the 2025 High Holidays with a campaign that brings food, tradition, and community together.

Subscribe by October 15, 2025, and you’ll receive a $25 gift card to 518 Kosher. Plus, the first six new subscribers will each win a $125 gift card from 518 Kosher — and six lucky families will win a fully catered Shabbat dinner featuring traditional favorites like matzah ball soup, brisket, and challah. Read the full contest details here.

Best of all, 10% of every subscription supports Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York, which helps not only seniors but people of all ages and backgrounds. JFS provides essential programs across the Capital Region — from meals and rides to medical appointments, to mental health services, family support, Holocaust survivor care, and volunteer opportunities.

The Jewish World is more than a newspaper — it’s the heartbeat of Jewish life across the Capital Region. From covering beloved community events like the Carrot Festival and Jewish film festivals, to uncovering unique stories such as Elvis Presley’s surprising connection to Troy, NY, and providing a robust community calendar, the paper connects readers with the culture, traditions, and people that matter most.

“This campaign is about community, tradition, and celebration,” said The Jewish World team. “Subscribing is a win-win — you get connected, you get rewarded, and you give back.”

PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS
The Jewish World
518 Kosher
Jewish Family Services

Subscribe or enter the Shabbat Dinner Giveaway here

QUESTIONS
Monica Tan, JFS Director of Marketing – Email
Victoria Talbot, Jewish World, Marketing/PR/Advertising Director – Email

Thanks to  KAVOD-SHEF, funded in large part by Seed the Dream Foundation, they have committed to providing over $20,000 in emergency financial support to help survivors live safely and with dignity. This special fund helps pay for and coordinate dental care, hearing aids, stove repair and so much more. JFS, in partnership with the Jewish Federation will raise $10,000 in 2025 which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by KAVOD-SHEF.

If you would like to support local survivors, please click HERE or call 518-482-8856, Ext. 2 and designate your contribution to Holocaust Survivor Assistance.

In addition to emergency financial support, JFS also provides robust care management to help survivors with necessary paperwork, navigating complicated healthcare systems, while also coordinating social programs and special food packages around the holidays.

If you or a survivor you know needs this service, please contact JFS:
518-482-8856, Ext 0

Celebrating community volunteerism and dedicated leadership is at the heart of Jewish Family Services’ annual celebration, Mensches & Mimosas. This year, JFS will celebrate 27 community mensches and bestow the Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award to one of the area’s most cherished leaders and community standard-bearer, Scott L. Shpeen, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Emeth. Having served the congregation since 1985, and as Senior Rabbi since 1992, Rabbi Shpeen proudly led and represented the Congregation until his recent retirement in 2023.

Garry Sanders, JFS Vice Chair and former Congregation Beth Emeth Board President, said “Rabbi Shpeen is a consummate compassionate leader and wonderful listener. His commitment to social justice and the greater good and concern about both the congregants and Albany Community makes him an exemplary Anschel Weiss Awardee.”

Rabbi Shpeen now splits his time between the Capital District and Florida, where he serves as High Holy Rabbi for Congregation Yemei Teshuvah at the Boca West community in Florida. Still, Rabbi Shpeen remains a fixture at any local community meeting or conversation. From local organizations like the Albany Symphony Orchestra and Park Playhouse to JFS and Federation to the national stage and URJ leadership, where he presently serves on the HUC-JIR President’s Rabbinic Council, Rabbi Shpeen’s contributions are innumerable. He has also been an Adjunct Professor at the College of St. Rose in Albany and served the City of Albany Human Rights Commission.

“I joined the JFS Board under Anschel Weiss’s leadership and am particularly honored to receive this award that reflects his special brand of leadership and highlight the good work that JFS does for our entire community,” said Rabbi Shpeen. Jane Ginsburg, President & CEO of JFS, noted that “Rabbi Shpeen has given so much to the Capital Region and exemplifies the spirit of the award as a true community builder, serving humanity with humility. Rabbi Shpeen is a leader that has walked the talk, just like JFS — serving the greater community passionately and compassionately guided by Jewish values. It is an honor to honor him.”

Rabbi Shpeen was married for 31 years to the late Susan Balan, who was the Executive Director of the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center at the time of her death in November 2009. He has two married adult children, Hilary (Josh) Brownstein and Adam (Emily Farber) and five grandchildren.

The JFS Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award

The Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award was first presented in 2007 to Anschel Weiss in honor and appreciation of his 16 years of services as Executive Director of Jewish Family Services. During his tenure at JFS, he grew the agency into what it is today — a recognized leader of human services in the Capital Region. Because of his guidance, the agency embraces his vision to serve more members of the community.

The heart of the Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award is “Serving humanity with humility,” which embodies the spirit with which Anschel served the agency.

Past recipients of the Anschel Weiss Community Builders award include Jane and Mark Levine, Marvin A. Freedman, Alan Iselin (z”l), Herman Ungerman, David Alan Miller, Jean Becker, Amy Klein, Fred Erlich, Mara Ginsberg, Chanie Simon, Rabbi Beverly Magidson, The Golub Family, Jerry and Ilene Sykes, Michael Castellana, Steve Lobel, Morris (z”l) and Esther (z”l) Massry, Dr. Mark Sullivan and Representative Michael McNulty.

2025 Community Mensches

Jewish organizations throughout our region were invited to nominate an individual or couple selflessly giving their time, passion, and hard work to our community.  This year’s honorable menschen from 24 organizations include Jayne Architzel from Congregation Berith Sholom; Barry & Shelley Bader from Temple Sinai; Sharon L. Berko from Congregation Ohav Shalom; Erica & Len Berger from Schenectady Jewish Community Center; Susie R. Caplan from Shalom Food Pantry; Rachel Douglas from Clifton park Chabad; Bram Freedman from temple Israel; Elisa Harrington-Verb from Congregation Gates of Heaven; Barney Horowitz from B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation; Kellie Leinung from Albany Jewish Community Center; Zvi Klopott from B’yachad Collaborative Religious School; Tom Kurkjian from Maimonides Hebrew day School; Keith & Cecile Kowalski from Congregation Beth Emeth; Linda Grimm from Colonie Chabad Chai Life Center; Rabbi Amiel Monson from Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York and Daughters of Sarah Community for; Anita Merims from Congregation Agudat Achim; Amanda Aussems Poskanzer from Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York; Howard Pressman from Jewish War Veterans; Dr. Dina Gottesman & Daniel Reznik from Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob; Menuchah Sherman from Chevra Kadisha of the Capital District; and Brenda Sugarman from Congregation Beth Shalom. Newly participating organizations are Amidah, who nominated Laura Weisblatt and Jewish War Veterans whose mensch is Howard L. Pressman.

The 6^th Annual Virtual Mensches & Mimosas Celebration will be on Thursday, June 5 at 7 p.m. JFS is keeping the event virtual to prioritize their focus on community needs and to direct money raised to underwrite free services offered by JFS. For sponsorship, honorary committee and mensch tributes, visit jfsneny.org/mm2025/ or call 518-482-8856.