JSDD

Story by Jessica Goldstein Lori and Steven Klinghoffer have been friends of JSDD for many years and very active leaders in the MetroWest community. At a recent socially distanced birthday party they were introduced to a former Ringling Brothers Circus clown, “Krazy Kevin” Kraft. Sidelined like many others during the pandemic, Kevin was looking for a way to create some positive moments in these most unsettled times and his juggling, balancing act and humor proved to be just the prescription to help loved ones connect (at a safe distance) in a way that many have not been able to for months.   The Klinghoffers offered to bring that joy to the residents of JSDD’s homes and WAE Center members and […]

Shabbat Celebration – Friday, October 23, 2020 The Sabbath (Shabbat) is a day of peace, rest and reflection spent with family and friends. JSDD has developed a new tradition this year to warmly reach out to our community and observe the welcoming of Shabbat together via Zoom.  Effortlessly, this is directed by Hagit Oren, Judaica Coordinator who, each week, conveys her resourcefulness with the lessons she teaches. The rituals include reciting the prayers for lighting the candles, Kiddush (wine/grape juice), and HaMotzi (challah). This week’s lesson emerged from the Torah portion, Parashat Bereishit. This is the story of how G-d created the heavens and earth in six days and on the 7th day stopped working and rested.  It was Shabbat!  […]

JSDD’s spiritual home environment is emphasized each Friday as the residents come together to welcome the Sabbath.  It is a way to socialize in a Jewish context via Zoom meetings led by Hagit Oren, Judaic Coordinator.  The ritual Sabbath candle lighting, reciting the Kiddush (blessing over wine) and HaMotzi (pray over challah) are comforting traditions. This week, Hagit took everyone on a virtual tour of the most populous city in Israel, Tel Aviv.  She highlighted the Old Jaffa Port section of Tel Aviv – home to restaurants, shops, artists quarters, and galleries.  Many of the residents were inspired by the tour and expressed an interest in traveling to Israel.  In fact, pre-COVID, a trip to Israel was in the works […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein   The Residents and DSP’s of JSDD want to give a huge thank you to @BeebeeDesigns for helping our residents to communicate clearly and stay safe with Clear Window Masks! #JSDD #DSPsofJSDD #wearamask  #FindingtheSparkWithin #adultswithdisabilites #inclusion #noplacelikehome To say that our staff, members and residents have gone through a few changes would be quite the understatement. We, along with the rest of the world have been pivoting and adapting to the new normal and now the “next normal.” Our amazing dedicated team of Direct Service Professional’s (DSP’s) leaped into action to make sure that our residents were kept safe and healthy and that “home” continued to be a source of comfort and productive activity. This was […]

Story by:  Jessica Goldstein Volunteering has always been an integral part of JSDD’s community engagement. In the past, volunteer opportunities have ranged from weekly sing-alongs in a JSDD home to teaching classes at the WAE Center. Since COVID-19 forced us to close the physical doors to the WAE Center, we had to hit the “pause” button on volunteering, as well.  Virtual WAE to Connect classes were implemented in April and a full schedule of classes continues today. Dedication to the men and women we support turned out to be more powerful than the pandemic.  Determined community members were still eager to support JSDD so, as always, we turned to “Plan B.” As part of her day of Corporate Volunteering, Jennifer Levin […]