Who's Who in Outreach : Sally Weber
Two Years ago, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles created
a Task Force on Intermarriage and Interfaith Families.
Most of our clients are Jewish. However, most are also
non-affiliated and turn to JFS at times of crisis because
we are ³family.² Many are or have been intermarried; yet
more have children and family members who are intermarried.
Our primary interfaith program. in fact, is called ³Mostly
Jewish Families,² reflecting the reality that most Jewish
families today have non-Jewish family members.
The Task Force was interested in another side of the
picture: How are JFS workers prepared to listen for
and address the issues of interfaith families--particularly
since most families who come to us do not come because
of Jewish issues, although these issues frequently arise
later through the course of counseling. In addition,
what kind of training do JFS social workers feel would
be of assistance to them in listening for and responding
to the needs of families grappling with the issues of
intermarriage. Finally, how can we create a multidisciplinary
professional environment to develop relevant and useful
programs for ³Mostly Jewish Families² where JFS is partnered
with institutions such as synagogues, schools, and JCCs
who are also addressing these needs with their members?
As a result of our findings, we have received several
generous grants to further our work, and are grateful
for the opportunity to develop partnerships among agencies
that promote outreach efforts.
< Back
to Who's Who in Outreach
|
