News

Thursday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Are you enrolled in Medicare but still have questions about your coverage options? Will you soon be 65 and wonder how Medicare works? NNORC is again offering a program designed to give you a better understanding of your options and obligations regarding Medicare.

Join us to get accurate, unbiased information about Medicare from veteran Certified Medicare Counselor Janet Kiffney.  There will be time for questions, and helpful handouts will be shared.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. 

Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Jewish Community Chaplain sought to serve as in-house chaplain in senior continuum of care community (50%) and as regional resource (25-50%)

Responsibilities include:

• Serving as the in-house Chaplain for Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors.  Job functions will include:
  • Providing pastoral care and counseling for residents of the Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and The Massry Assisted Living Center;
  • Liaising as needed with other community clergy (both Jewish and non-Jewish) to address resident needs;
  • Coordinating and conducting religious services for Jewish Holidays and celebrations;
  • Advising Activities, Dietary, and Social Service Departments on aspects of Jewish Holiday traditions, and serve as a resource to address Jewish observance questions (other than supervising Kashrut);
  • Providing programming on Jewish topics for residents, as requested;
  • Performing in-house funerals, as requested.
• Serving as community-wide chaplain for Jewish residents in other long-term care facilities, providing Jewish education and support to activities and related staff and provide pastoral care for Jewish residents;
• Training community volunteers who offer Jewish holiday, cultural and traditional activities to residents;
• Liaising with community rabbis and clergy to ensure residents and families in long-term care settings have option of receiving pastoral care.
• Providing guidance for Jewish holiday information and community-wide displays.
• Coordinate and manage distribution of Jewish holiday newsletter and similar communications to promote education as to Jewish holiday customs and traditions.
• Collaborate with Jewish and non-Jewish community professionals and volunteers to promote understanding and appreciation and innovations for Jewish pastoral care.
• Serve on Jewish Community Committee for Aging and related committees.

Requirements include:

• Minimum of one unit of clinical pastoral education and commitment to pursue additional units in first year of employment
• Rabbinical ordination or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Theology, Pastoral Care, Judaism or Spirituality is required
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in chaplaincy or pastoral experience, preferably in healthcare setting
• Affiliation with NAJC: National Association of Jewish Chaplains within first year of employment preferred
• End-of-life expertise is preferred.
• Understanding of family dynamics; issues related to chronic disease management and emotional health; death and dying.
• Able to work in a collaborative team relationship.
• Able to perform public speaking engagements and lead weekly Shabbat and memorial services, as needed
• Able to work flexible hours, including potential for some evenings and weekends
• Able to work remotely
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Own or have access to a reliable car

All potential employees of Jewish Family Services are subject to a criminal background check.

For consideration, please submit a resume, cover letter and two professional references to:

Human Resources
Jewish Family Services
877 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
or
jginsburg@jfsneny.org

Being mobile and steady in your home or out in the neighborhood is vital to living a happy, healthy, independent life. Join us “virtually” for a fun and informational workshop on preventing falls:
November 4, 11 and 18 from 10 to 11 a.m.

In this workshop, we will:
• Explore ways to stay safe AND continue to be active and independent
• Share ideas with others about our beliefs, fears, and concerns about falls
• Practice a sequence of exercises to build the strength, balance, and flexibility important to fall prevention

Presenters
• Judi England, RN, BS, LMT, Kripalu Yoga Instructor – Senior Health Education Coordinator for the NNORC, JFS
• Lynda Shrager,OTR, MSW, CAPS, Program Manager, Senior Resource Network, JFS
• Scott L. Homer, MS, OTR/L, Program Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Maria College
• Meghan A. DeNitto, BS, COTA/L, CH, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Instructor
• Plus, Maria College Occupational Therapy Students

Registration
Registration is required. Please contact NNORC to sign up: 518-514-2023 or nnorc@jfsneny.org. Once registered, we will email you a packet of supportive reading materials and a few “homework” assignments to complete between sessions. The email will also include a Zoom link to join the group.

The program is free to NNORC residents. Non-residents can attend for a $20 requested donation for all 3 sessions.

Please Note
There is an exercise component to each session. If you have concerns about any physical challenges you may have, please talk with your health care provider before participating in the exercises. It might also be a good idea to have another person with you if you have concerns about your ability to move safely.

October is a wonderful time to take a walk!  Join us for another socially-distant walk at The Crossings of Colonie.  If you feel comfortable going out, bring your mask and join some of your NNORC friends to catch up.  Please plan to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. (And don’t forget your mask!)

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at 10 a.m.

Park by the playground (second parking lot on the right as you drive in) and we’ll meet by the pond.  The Crossings is located at 580 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville. 

The City of Albany’s Department of Planning and Development wants input from our older adults!  Representatives from the Planning Department will discuss current topics on walking and cycling around the City of Albany. The meeting will help inform the development of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

The goal of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is to update the 2009 Bicycle Master Plan to include a pedestrian plan and make policy and infrastructure recommendations that will encourage more residents and visitors to walk and bike in the City. To learn more about the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, you can visit the project website: https://tinyurl.com/y5pqaf8n, which has a project video. Scroll down to see a WikiMAP and to take a survey, which allows people to provide location-specific comments about cycling and walking in the city.

Join us on Wednesday, October 14 at 10 a.m.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial or refer to Zoom instructions on page 6. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Join us as we watch this enlightening documentary about how Shannon Harvey, an award-winning health journalist, puts mindful meditation to the test. This documentary is filled with stories and interviews with scientists about how she worked to improve her mental well-being.  If you prefer to watch the movie on your own, we can send you the link to access it.
Join us on Wednesday, October 28 at 1 p.m.

My Year of Living Mindfully – Post-viewing Discussion
Thursday, October 29th at 11 a.m.

Mindfulness has been defined as living in the present moment – aware of our constantly changing thoughts, sensations and emotions. Let’s discuss Shannon Harvey’s experience in the creation of her film and explore ways we can apply mindfulness practices to make our lives richer and more satisfying.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial or refer to Zoom instructions on page 6. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Didn’t you just love The Dick Van Dyke Show? We bet you can hear the program’s theme song in your head and picture Rob Petri hopping over the ottoman! NNORC has invited David Van Deusen, former publisher of the show’s newsletter called The Walnut Times, to share his unique experiences meeting and befriending Dick Van Dyke. Van Deusen’s presentation will include some fascinating stories about the rapport he established with cast members and fun photos that he collected through the years, as well as answer any questions that folks may have about the show. Join us for this unique insider’s view of Carl Reiner’s The Dick Van Dyke Show. 
Join us on Wednesday, October 7 at 10 a.m.

NNORC has embraced Zoom (online video and audio conferencing) so we can continue to offer you programs. If you prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate, all you need is a telephone line to join in. 

Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up for a program. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial or refer to Zoom instructions on page 6. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!

Do you know who your Common Council Member is?  Each Common Council Member functions to protect the interests of their residents.  They will speak about the work that they do on behalf of their residents and issues that may impact your neighborhood. Please help us welcome the Hon. Judy Doesschate, the Hon. Catherine Fahey and the Hon. Joseph Igoe.

Join us on Tuesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m.

NNORC has embraced online video and audio conferencing using a service called Zoom, so we can continue to offer you programs. Prefer not to use a computer or smartphone to participate? No problem! All you need is a telephone line to join in. Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up so that we can give you the correct access link or phone number for you to participate. You can also contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial with a staff member. We look forward to seeing you or hearing from you!