JSDD News

Never ones to forgo a celebration the members of JSDD’s WAE Center gathered on November 16th to share a Thanksgiving feast. This annual ritual is always wonderful and important to the entire JSDD community. It is a time to come together and reflect on all that we are thankful for. WAE Center Director, Harry Klein, went around the room asking people what they felt moved to share – the common theme was being grateful for friends, family, and their opportunity to learn and be together at the WAE. Each member expressed their appreciation for a different staff member who is important in their daily life. This tradition started as a lunch in honor of the birthday of Scott Reich who […]

By: Randy Harris This is a compilation of poems and group stories from the Poetry class.  I’m extremely proud of our members for opening themselves to create such beautiful and imaginative work.  They have imagined worlds of coffee waterfalls and tap-dancing clouds.  Used the alphabet grid amid a myriad of words to spin their rhymes. What great fun and joyful times. This work is the result of a team of people –  volunteer and staff who have treated this process with dedication, passion, and joy.  Thank you, Pam, Onica, Julie, Rebeka, Erica and Olivia.  Poems My Swim I love swimming The butterfly is so thrilling When I do the backstroke, I’m swimming in clouds At the swim meet people are […]

Virtual Shabbat celebrations continue at many of the JSDD Group Homes. Residents, DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) and Managers look forward to gathering with their housemates and friends each week. Frequently, they are also joined by several members of the WAE Center. The weekly celebrations, led by JSDD Judaic Coordinator, Hagit are always fun and educational. Listening to Shabbat songs to start the celebration really does set the mood. Everyone has come to know the songs in both Hebrew and English and sings along. The prayers, though recited in Hebrew have become second nature to some and begin the formal portion of Shabbat. After the prayers have been said, Hagit discusses the weekly torah portion. The group then discusses the lessons […]

The advisory committee of Heidi Gallery has been meeting since May of 2022. Their work has been focused on developing the first juried open exhibit held in this stunning new space.  Expanding upon the idea of displaying the artwork of artist members of JSDD’s WAE Center, the gallery’s goal is to cultivate a creative space for exhibits, education, collaboration, and performance to co-exist in a fully inclusive environment. The WAE Open welcomed over 200 people to the reception on October 20th. Committee Chair Teddi Dolph and Juror, Diedre Harris-Kelley welcomed and addressed the crowd.  Most all of the 33 artists who were accepted into the exhibition were present to share their work with the public. True to its stated mission […]

  Name: Michelle Johnson Title: Senior Residential Manager- Millburn, Woodland and West Orange Group Homes How long have you been with JSDD? Friday November 25th marks two years Was this the position you started in? Started as a group home manager What is your first memory of JSDD? My first memory was receiving a phone call from Shila, my assistant, before I even started welcoming me to the Millburn home. Also, when I started going through the in-house training with Jen and Letticia I was in awe of how organized everything was from the medical to all aspects of homes. What has most surprised you about working with JSDD? How organized and supportive the team was here. Coming from other […]