News Archive: April 2009

April 29, 2009: NYU Silver School Honors Mary Pender Greene

On April 29, New York University Silver School of Social Work at NYU presented a Distinguished Alumna Award to Mary Pender Greene (MSW '74).

Mary Pender Greene, JBFCS Assistant Executive Director	2009 Honorees

Mary Pender Greene is an Assistant Executive Director at the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, the largest voluntary mental health and social services agency in the country. JBFCS serves 70,000 families of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds each year in 160 programs with a staff of 3,400. She joined JBFCS in 1984 and has been Chief of Social Work Services and the Director of Group Treatment since 1993. She was appointed Assistant Executive Director and a member of the Executive Management Team in 2007.

Mary Pender Greene with Dr. Gladys González-Ramos, Associate Professor at NYU Silver School	Mary Pender Greene with Philip Coltoff, Former CEO of the Children's Aid Society

Ms. Pender Greene is being honored for her years of service at JBFCS, and her work to enhance our profession, including leadership in NASW-NYC and for her work in family and group therapy, multiculturalism and antiracism efforts. Ms. Pender Greene is the co-editor of Racism and Racial Identity: Reflections on Urban Practice in Mental Health and Social Services (Dec. 2006) and the author of Beyond Diversity and Multiculturalism: Towards the Development of Anti-racist Institutions and Leaders, article in The Journal of Non-Profit Management (2008).

April 24, 2009: Senator Savino Tours Geller House Residential Treatment Program

L-R: David Sweet, Chair of JBFCS Public Policy & Government Relations Committee; Stephanie Bernheim, JBFCS Boardmember; NYS Senator Diane Savino; Beryl Kende, Director of Geller House; Mark Levy, Chair of Geller House Divisional Board; Laurie Sprayregen, JBFCS Boardmember; and Paul Levine, Executive Vice President and CEO.

Top Row (L-R): David Sweet, Chair of JBFCS Public Policy & Government Relations Committee; Mark Levy, Chair of Geller House Divisional Board; Stephanie Wise, Geller House School Principal. Middle Row: Carmen Collado, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations; Laurie Sprayregen, JBFCS Boardmember; NYS Senator Diane Savino; Beryl Kende, Director of Geller House. Front: Stephanie Bernheim, JBFCS Boardmember and Paul Levine, Executive Vice President and CEO

On April 24, 2009, New York State Senator Diane Savino took a tour of JBFCS' Geller House program on Staten Island and met with agency leadership for a discussion of the children's residential treatment program.

Senator Savino, herself a former caseworker, is a legislative leader — a champion of human services — and a long time supporter of our work. At the conclusion of the tour, Geller House children presented the Senator with a framed photo and certificate of appreciation.

April 23, 2009: JBFCS/NCJH Co-Sponsors Conference on Pregnancy Loss

On Thursday, April 23rd, approximately 150 professionals attended “A Loss Worthy of Grief: Jewish Approaches to Bringing Comfort After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death,” organized by the JBFCS National Center for Jewish Healing in partnership with Plaza Jewish Community Chapel and UJA-Federation of NY. This conference on pregnancy loss attracted rabbis, cantors, chaplains, early childhood directors, social workers, and other communal professionals. The conference sought to help the Jewish community respond more effectively to the many people impacted by this particular loss.

The day was introduced by Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein, LMSW, of the JBFCS Shira Ruskay Center. The keynote presentation, on the topic of “Losses Worthy of Grief: Personal, Professional and Jewish Perspectives,” featured Rabbi Yamin Levy, author of Confronting the Loss of a Baby: A Personal and Jewish Perspective and the Vice President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School together with his wife, Dvorah Levy, LCSW, a Clinical Social Worker at the Sephardic Bikur Holim in Brooklyn, NY and a practicing clinician.

After the keynote, the day continued with the plenary given by Janet Stein, MD, of the Beth Israel Medical Center, who spoke on “From Conception to ? A Medical Perspective on Pregnancy Loss.” The workshops and networking over lunch followed.  After lunch, the conference continued with a panel on “Best Practices/What Helps?” moderated by Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW, the Rabbinic Director at JBFCS. The speakers addressed peer/mutual support, hospital-based support and synagogue-based support. Speakers included Perry-Lynn Moffit, author; Rabbi Laurie Katz Braun, National Council of Jewish Women; Nancy Berlow, LCSW, North Shore University Hospital; Ruth Gabay, LCSW, Beth Israel Medical Center; and Sara Hurwitz, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. Rabbi Richard Address, D.Min. of the Union for Reform Judaism continued the day with “Next Steps.” Finally, Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, author, concluded the day with a ritual.

Participants left the conference having gained support from other professionals as well knowledge about new resources. “Wonderful — a huge door has been opened” was one participant comment. “Eye/heart opening! Good information to bring back to our congregation” was another.

We thank our many collaborating organizations for encouraging their staff to attend this conference, particularly to BJE of NY for exceptional outreach to their leadership, which resulted in a significant presence at the conference. JBFCS will continue to partner with Plaza Jewish Community Chapel and UJA-Federation of NY to provide new information and resources on this necessary topic.

April 2nd, 2009: Gala Benefit Raises Over $1 Million, Despite Hard Economic Times.

L-R: Paul Levine, Executive Vice President and CEO, John A Herrmann, President, Anthony E. Mann, President-Elect, Roger A. Goldman, Board Trustee, Jamie B.W. Stecher, Vice President of the Board, Laurie N. Sprayregen, Board Trustee, Honorees - Michael A. Epstein, Senior Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and JBFCS Trustee serves as Secretary of the Board and Chair, Lori R. Fife, Senior Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and JBFCS Board Trustee, John Reinsberg, Deputy Chairman of Lazard Asset Management, Lori Reinsberg JBFCS Board Trustee and Private Art Consultant, Stephen E. Jacobs, Senior Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and JBFCS Board Trustee

L-R: Paul Levine, Executive Vice President and CEO, Stephen E. Jacobs, Senior Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and JBFCS Board Trustee, Michael A. Epstein, Senior Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and JBFCS Trustee serves as Secretary of the Board and Chair, Lori R. Fife, Senior Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Board Trustee, Lori Reinsberg JBFCS Board Trustee and Private Art Consultant, John Reinsberg, Deputy Chairman of Lazard Asset Management

On Thursday, April 2, 2009, the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services exceeded funds raised in previous years. The agency raised a record of over $1 million at a gala benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street. More than 400 people were in attendance. The event honored Weil, Gotshal and Manges Partners and JBFCS trustees Michael Epstein, Lori Fife and Stephen Jacobs and Lori and John Reinsberg for their outstanding contribution to the organization and commitment to provide the highest quality social services to New Yorkers in need.

Jean L. Troubh, JBFCS Chair of the Board, Harvey R. Miller, Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges	L-R: Presenters - Anthony E. Mann, President-Elect, Roger A. Goldman, Board Trustee, Jamie B.W. Stecher, Vice President of the Board, Laurie N. Sprayregen, Board Trustee

According to Paul Levine, CEO of JBFCS, "We are seeing the repercussions of the growing economic crisis in the lives of individuals and families coming through the doors of our community counseling centers and in the voices we hear on the phone from people seeking help…and in the face of extreme economic hardship we honor those trustees who have stepped up and made a tremendous difference — not only in our financial coffers but in the fabric of the agency itself."

Paul Levine, Executive Vice President and CEO and wife Ethel	Carol L. Levin, JBFCS Board Trustee offering a blessing over the challah

JBFCS, along with other organizations, faces major cuts in government funding which pays for a large share of the operations of services — from counseling centers to day treatment programs to residential facilities. Every year, across the five boroughs and in Westchester, more than 65,000 people rely on JBFCS for help through some 175 programs.

Cocktail hour	Dinner reception

April 2nd, 2009: Gala Benefit Honoring Leaders who Never Give Up on Caring

JEWISH BOARD OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES
honors
Michael A. Epstein
Lori R. Fife
Stephen E. Jacobs
Lori and John Reinsberg
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Thursday, April 2, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City

JBFCS will host a gala benefit honoring agency leaders who steadfastly and actively support the work of an organization which for more than 125 years has brought support and comfort to New Yorkers in need.

The event will honor Weil, Gotshal & Manges partners, and JBFCS trustees, Michael Epstein, Lori Fife and Stephen Jacobs; and Lori and John Reinsberg.

Mr. Epstein, Mr. Jacobs and Ms. Fife play key leadership roles on the agency's Board of Trustees. All care enormously about the work of the agency and the well being of children and families. One of the most highly regarded law firms in the world, Weil Gotshal has demonstrated an abiding commitment to the health of the community and has received accolades for its innovative diversity and pro bono initiatives.

Mrs. Reinsberg, a private art consultant, has led a significant transformation of a JBFCS treatment center for mentally ill children. Mr. Reinsberg is Deputy Chairman of Lazard Asset Management.

The benefit, to be held at Cipriani 42nd Street, will bring together leaders from the worlds of business, philanthropy and government who will have the chance to appreciate the life-changing work of JBFCS which helps New Yorkers of all faiths and cultures. During this time of economic challenges, enhancing support for services for the most vulnerable children and families is more important than ever.