JSDD

In celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest (JFGMW) NJ, a community-wide trip to Israel is planned for July 2023. JSDD and our partner agency JESPY House will be sharing a bus as we embark on this community journey with the generous support of the Centennial Fund. We are thrilled that five men and women who reside in JSDD homes will travel to Israel with three staff members.  For most, it will be their first trip to Israel and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.  For those who travelled to Israel many years ago, it will be a visit of a lifetime with excursions tailored to their interests, while accommodations are made to address the needs […]

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 […]

  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 […]