Gifting some holiday cheer

Volunteers suprise seniors over the holidays

For clients of the Goodman Jewish Family Service of Broward that got a knock on their door during the holiday season, many were expecting a visitor bearing a small gift. But what they got was more than most could have imagined.

Opening their respective en- velopes, recipients were given needed money – between $200 and $700.

Holocaust survivors and others in need within the Plantationbased Goodman JFS network were given the small financial assistance gifts during the holiday season, which is often a challenging time of year finacially.

The distribution was due in part to a group of anonymous do- nors known as the ‘Hanukkah Wish List Minyan.’ In all more than $25,000 was pulled together for the endeavor. They group was inspired by a story about a Kansas City man known as “Secret Santa,” who was known to give out $100 to those in need.

Goodman JFS CEO Jacob Schreiber found the response to be incredible for the program’s first year. For him, the effort was one the most inspiring things he’d ever seen during his career.

“It’s amazing when someone sees $200 ... ,” he said. “What a game-changer and difference it is for their mood and situation. The [recipients] are just so grateful, so happy and so open.”

Care managers were able to identify people in the community that would benefit most from the donations. For instance, Schreiber recalled a Holocaust survivor in need of a plane ticket to see his family in Detroit. Another mother needed help to buy her son a gift for Chanukah.

Riva Pinkhasova, 78, used the money she received for bills including rent. With a daughter who is going to school full-time and two grandchildren to think about, the monetary gift was welcome. Pinkhasova, who fled with her family from Europe during World War II, said she is grateful for the assistance.

“I was not expecting it,” she

said. “Bills are big and difficult to pay, so [it’s] very helpful. I appreciate it all. I’m so very thankful for them. God bless them for what they have done for me and my family.”

Given the success, the group is hoping to grow the Hanukkah Wish List Minyan and make it an annual tradition.

For information about Goodman Jewish Family Service of Broward, visit JFSbroward.org.