Foster care system marred by discrimination based on faith, LGBTQ status
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies reports that although foster care agencies in the United States are mandated to act in the best interest of the child, some undermine that objective by permitting discrimination against children and potential foster parents based on who they are or what faith they practice.
On September 26th, NJHSA Washington Representative Mindy Brodsky took part in a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill with advocates from child welfare and civil rights organizations to end discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) youth in foster care. During meetings with Congressional leaders, former foster youth shared their experiences within the system, and how LGBTQ+ discrimination affected them personally. Others explained the dire state of foster care in the U.S., a system in which less than half of the 117,000 children waiting to be adopted will find a home within the year, and the discrimination that often feeds this statistic.
Briefings were held for Congressional staff, one in the House and one in the Senate, with standing-room only. All panelists reiterated that agencies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ youth are failing to meet their obligation to provide a safe and loving environment for every child in their care.
NJHSA organized the participation of the sole faith-based agency on these panels – the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, and provided Jewish human service agencies’ perspective on the harm caused by allowing religiously-motivated discrimination in the foster care system. Speaking on behalf of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, Meghan Wojtal explained the importance of having a diverse, culturally competent staff, and provided a Jewish perspective on why permitting religiously-motivated discrimination affects everyone, not just those who are LGBTQ+. – From the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
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Modular system will help paramedics evacuate patients down stairs
A modular system to be installed on existing ambulance chairs enables a signle Emergency Medical Technician to lower a patient down a staircase rather than the two EMTs usually required.
The invention, “Training Wheels 8150,” was unveiled at a competition sponsored by Magen David Adom on Friday, Oct. 5, at Afeka College of Engineering in Tel Aviv.
Teams consisting of engineers, students, and medical personnel were challenged to devise prototypes for technologies to increase the efficiency of first responders.
The device winning second place was an augmented reality training system utilizing low-cost dolls. Third place was taken by a drone equipped with a video camera and a computer programming allowing it to map the scene of a mass casualty incident.
Winning team members inclued Batel Segal, Or Ben Yair, Perach Abutbul, Oriel Valeniak, Gili Vinograd, Daniel Shiilo and Itamar Rabinshteyn. — Based on information provided by Magen David Adom. – Based on material provided by Magen David Adom
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Israel’s flag based on one designed for Columbus Day Parade in Boston
The Boston Globe tells an interesting story about how a Zionist group designed a flag that was featured in a Columbus Day Parade celebrating the 400th anniversary of the explorer reaching the New World. That flag, with slight modifications, ultimately became the flag of Israel. Read the story by clicking here. — Forwarded to SDJW by American Zionist Movement
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Zuritskys to be honored by National Museum of American Jewish History
The National Museum of American Jewish History will honor Renée and Joseph Zuritsky at its Only in America Gala on Monday, October 29. The Gala will celebrate the Zuritskys’ commitment to the Museum and honor their service to the city’s business, cultural, and philanthropic community. The Gala will also celebrate the ongoing work of the Museum dedicated to exploring the American Jewish experience – how an immigrant community and religious minority shapes and is shaped by America.
NMAJH trustee Joseph Zuritsky is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Parkway Corporation. Zuritsky has served as a NMAJH trustee since 1993, and played a central role in securing the Museum’s current location on the corner of 5th and Market Streets. The Zuritsky family is among the leading supporters of NMAJH, playing an integral role in the creation of this national institution, the only museum in the country devoted to telling the story of the American Jewish experience. In recognition of their many generous donations, the final artifact gallery on the second floor of the Museum, Recent Trends in American Jewish Life, is named in their honor, along with the Winigrad family. This gallery examines the amalgamation of Jewish culture and popular American culture post-1980s.
The Zuritskys’ philanthropy and influence extend outside of the NMAJH community. They recently donated koi to the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park. As part of the ongoing donation, Zuritsky will keep the pond stocked with koi from his breeding farm in Carneys Point, New Jersey. He has donated the farm to Rowan University, which will use it for aquaponic research. Joseph Zuritsky also serves on the Board of Directors of the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Parkway Corporation has acquired, developed, managed, sold, and leased many forms of commercial Real Estate properties with a specialty in parking facilities across the United States and Canada. Zuritsky is largely responsible for the extraordinary growth realized by Parkway over the last forty years. – From the National Museum of American Jewish History
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SDJA to halve tuition for Kindergarten and 9th grade
San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) on Monday announced its “Open Door Program beginning in the 2019/2020 school year. In this first year, the school will offer half price tuition for children in Kindergarten and 9th grade. SDJA’s vision in subsequent years is to offer half price tuition across all grades, removing cost as a barrier for a world-class private school education.
“Open Door can be an absolute game changer for San Diego Jewish Academy to welcome families in the area who felt our school was beyond their reach,” says Chaim Heller, Head of School at San Diego Jewish Academy. “Now, more students can benefit from the world-class SDJA educational experience. Critically, we also will have more resources to continue to hire the best teachers and to offer more tuition assistance for all students at any grade. Everyone wins with this model as more families experience our welcoming, strong, and vibrant community.”
SDJA contracted Fisheye Research to learn about the number of families in the area who might consider Jewish Day School at certain price points. According to their data, more than 1,100 Jewish families with children in San Diego would consider SDJA with tuition between $10,000 – $15,000. Current tuition per year is for grades K-5 $23,375; 6-8 $26,805, and 9-12 $27,705.
A donor is funding Open Door for students entering the program in the 19/20 academic year. Half price tuition continues for four years for those students as they matriculate into higher grades. At the same time, in order to continue to support and expand this program to all grades, SDJA is asking each family who is willing and capable to then donate that savings back to the Open Door program at the maximum amount they are capable of contributing.
“We are piloting this approach in two key grades, and then we plan to expand to all grades as enrollment targets are met,” Heller adds. “With the right combination of more families enrolling and contributing whatever cost savings they are able to, we are confident we can restructure the cost model for our school. The Open Door program is part of a larger vision that promotes accessibility and affordability for many families out there. This community-building endeavor can yield significant benefits for the Jewish community of San Diego.”
San Diego Jewish Academy is a pluralistic K-12 school with a beautiful 56-acre campus and with more than 550 students. SDJA’s Lower School recently was awarded the prestigious National Blue-Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, indicating test scores in the top 15 percent of all schools nationally. The school is in the midst of its $15 million Our Family is One Campaign, which, along with increasing affordability for more families, positions the school as a cutting edge and world-class learning environment. Our Family is One enables SDJA to retain and hire outstanding educators from California and beyond, and to expand resources and learning opportunities, such as its new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking, which creates innovative real-world experiences and entrepreneurial environments for students.
“My family continues to experience the long-lasting, positive impact of SDJA first-hand,” says Alan Viterbi, a parent of SDJA graduates and previous president of the school’s Board of Trustees. “The high-level academics, the genuinely meaningful Jewish learning and experiences, and the powerful sense of community simply are second to none I am thrilled that Open Door enables more families to be a part of this warm and caring community.” – From San Diego Jewish Academy
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Preceding culled from news releases. Send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com