Warm welcome for Kisharon’snew learning centre

Parshas Mishpotim l February 13, 2015 l 24 Shevat, 5775

Dayan Ephraim Padwa meets Work and Pensions Secretary Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP andKisharon Chairman Philip Goldberg. Photo, John Rifkin. For the full story, see page three.

K–NEWS

A fine exampleof collaborationThis week we celebrated the opening ofKisharon’ s Further Education College inStamford Hill. And what a celebration it was!The college represents the mostoutstanding example of collaborationbetween various groups to create a much-needed community provision. Kisharon isindebted to Hackney Community College,

Hackney Learning Trust, Interlink andJewish Care who have each played animportant role in the venture.The college is more than a vehicle foreducation; it opens up a whole pathway foryoung people with learning difficulties to

develop their independence which willenable them to live inclusive adult lives ascontributors to the community. This is whatKisharon is about, and is the underlyingtheme of all the work that we are undertaking.The stories is this edition of K-News mirrorthis. Whether it be the development of newsupported living flats in Golders Green ornew jobs for the individuals we support, it isan exciting time. Kisharon is on the move. Weare laying down a flagship and sustainableinfrastructure for the future and are delightedto have you with us on this journey.

BEV’S BULLETINK–NEWS

2 Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949

by

Dr BeverleyJacobson

Kisharon Chief Executive

Chin-Lien volunteersA trainee dance therapist found working atKisharon so rewarding, she stayed on as avolunteer after her training placementcame to an end. Goldsmiths Universitystudent Chin-Lien Natascha Hsu joinedKisharon in summer 2013 at Hackney DayServices, finished her training a year later,then carried on as a volunteer. She helpspeople with learning disabilities to findfurther ways to express themselves.

Kisharon is launching boxes of mixed greetingscards, bringing to an end the need to trudge to theshops every time you need one. Cards withenchanting designs for birthdays,anniversaries, bar and batmitzvahs or just tosay mazeltov will be in the new boxes.

Several of the cards were designed and donatedespecially for Kisharon by illustrator ColleenWhittaker, a family friend of Joe Coogan, Director ofOperations.

The boxed cards will be available soon from kosherfood outlets in Jewish communities across the UK.

Pick apack of cards

n You can donate to Kisharonwithout putting a dent in your

wallet. Give As You Earn letsemployees donate to charity fromgross salary, and every year almost£80 million is raised for good causesin this way. It’s easy for your

employer to sign up to this payrollgiving scheme. Go towww.cafonline.org. Matched fundingis another way to help Kisharon.Some companies will match charityfunds raised by employees. ShimonLev, the cousin of Yoni Lev who is

supported by Kisharon, ran in twoLondon Marathons and raised£14,500 after his employers, ThomsonReuters match-funded his money. Formore information for you or yourcompany call Corporate FundraiserDean Lesser on 020 3393 0153.

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3Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949

n Bella Sharer, whose son Chaim Boruch Sharer, 24, issupported by Kisharon, spoke movingly at the

inauguration. She said: “I am really humbled to think of all theefforts behind the scenes for my son, who has been helped byKisharon since he was eight. I have nothing but praise for ChiefExecutive Dr Beverley Jacobson because she wanted more forour children. I am really grateful to her and to HackneyCommunity College for their determination to bring structureinto our children’s lives. Thank you for making our children sospecial.” Read about Chaim's new job on page 6.

VIP guests visit Kisharon’s new facility

Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP, Work and PensionsSecretary, was “very impressed” when he inauguratedKisharon’s further education facility in Stamford Hill onMonday.

Showing great interest in the college, where adults withlearning disabilities can gain life skills and become moreindependent, Mr Duncan Smith said: “Everyone hassomething to give to life and to be able to find that talent istruly remarkable.”

He spoke with students and staff, toured classrooms ontwo floors and met people with learning difficulties whohave been helped into work by Shlomo Weltman,Kisharon’s Adult Services Employment andOpportunities Manager.

“It is a privilege to be here for the inauguration of thisexcellent project and huge congratulations to everyoneinvolved. Looking at Kisharon and HackneyCommunity College, this is a great example of howtwo ends of a community can come together to createsomething very special and very good,” he said.

Earlier, Dayan Ephraim Padwa toured the facilitywhich is run at the Brenner Community Centre, inpartnership with Hackney Community College. Hegave Divrei Brochas before expressing “my deepappreciation for Kisharon and the efforts of its staff.The whole community recognises the importanceof what you are doing for the students.”

Learning centreopened by MP

Adult Day Services and the furthereducation facility at the BrennerCentre in Stamford Hill had anunscheduled visit last week fromthe Israeli Ambassador, DanielTaub. Day Services ManagerAviva Braunold, Team LeaderMicki Herzog, other staff andadults supported by Kisharonmet the surprise visitor who wastouring the Hackney Jewishcommunity. Aviva said: “ TheAmbassador said it was apleasure to visit a place where allpeople are welcome and cometogether from all parts of thecommunity.”

A surprisevisitor

TOP: Curriculum Manager Gillian Adamson,Zeesel Spitzer and Iain Duncan Smith MPCEnTRE: naftoli Kahan, Rabbi Harvey Belovski,Iain Duncan Smith MP and Shlomo WeltmanRIGHT: Akiva Deutsch with Rabbi Belovski andIain Duncan Smith MP

Israeli Ambassador Daniel Taub(right) with Jamie Field of JewishCare

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4 Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949

Volunteer Aron Carr’s step intothe unknown with Kisharon hasbrought huge rewards – for themen he supports and forhimself too. Aron, 19,volunteers at Adult DayServices every Monday. It’sshopping in the morning readyfor cookery on Tuesday, thenboard games and an art class –print making for this term –after lunch. “I was nervous at first. I didn’tknow if the men would trust orlisten to me,” said Aron, who ison a gap year after leavingYavneh College. “But I built arapport with the men andlearned that they are all unique.You have to get to know eachone on his own terms.”Aron, who is to studyhistory atCambridgeUniversity, wantedto contribute to thecommunity. Hesaid: “Themen havetaught meso muchand Iadmirethe staffworkingwiththem.”

Do you know someone with special needs whowants to lead an independent life in a brand-newhome of their own? That dream could becomereality this summer with seven stunning newapartments at the former Hanna Schwalbe Home.Demand is likely to be high for the self-containedhomes in Leeside Crescent. Two are two-bedded, ideal for friends who want to share, or fora live-in carer. The remainder are singleoccupancy, each with a first-rate lounge/kitchen

with separate areas for meat and m bathroom. Ground floor communa be superb, giving residents the op socialise. There will be a dining roo kitchen with a laundry room and a s apartment will be wheelchair acce Homes will be available too at Mon Golders Green. To find out more coHadassa Kessler, Supported LivinDevelopment Manager on 020 339

new homes are a dream come

Lessons inlife for Aron

This Purim, go crazy, act mad or be as nutty as afruitcake – just Kollect for Kisharon!

Fancy dress, a big smile and a yellow bucket isall you need to raise much-needed cash onThursday 5 March. The collector who raises themost stands to win a heart-stopping helicopterride or £150 in Amazon vouchers.

To find out more, or register, emailpurim@kisharon.org.uk or call 020 3393 0162.

...or take a Kisharon challengeKisharon can save a place for you in the 100 kmNightrider on 6/7 June, or the PrudentialRideLondon – Surrey 100 on 2 August.

If running’s your sport, there’s the Maccabi GBFun Run on 14 June, or the Royal Parks HalfMarathon on 11 October.

Want to take part? You’ll receive a fundraisingpack, a running t-shirt and bags of support.

To find out more, call the fundraisingdepartment on 020 3393 0162 or emailjo.lubbock@kisharon.org.uk

Go CRAZY for Kis

n Kisharon Day School children setoff on a literary voyage around the

world. Using books set in farawaycountries, pupils from every class visiteddistant lands, learned about the weatherand animals, dressed in native clothesand ate native foods – cooked

in the school kitchen. Through books, thechildren experienced life in Norway,Colombia, Greece, Israel, Nigeria and SriLanka. Senior Teacher, Lyna Panas, said: “It’simportant that pupils see what’s out in thewider world as it is full of beauty.”

Moishe Goldblatt has twoincredible new jobs –thanks to the power ofnetworking.He landed a job at theUnited Jewish Israel Appeal(UJIA) after bumping intoJacalyn Sank, its MajorGifts Manager, on a train.The pair knew each other from the days when

Jacalyn worked at Kisharon.

Job number two fulfillsMoishe’s lifelong ambition towork in a hospital. He ishelping at the school atGreat Ormond StreetHospital. The Headteacheris Jayne Franklin, sister ofKisharon’s Director ofFundraising and Marketing,Richard Franklin.Shlomo Weltman, AdultServices Employment andOpportunities Manager, said:“I told Jayne about Moishewhen she came to Kisharonlast year. Neither job is paid,but Moishe is delighted withboth of them.”

K–NEWS

5Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949

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6

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6 Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949

Illana keeps kosher

Finding a voicethrough music

People unable toexpressthemselvesverbally will havethe chance tocommunicatethrough musicwith two newtherapists. KateAndrews, top, andCharlie Merton,trainee music

therapists at the University ofRoehampton, are to work atKisharon’s Adult Day Services for ayear. Clients will be able to select aninstrument and create music with it.

Aviva Braunold, Adult Day ServicesManager, explained: “Even those whospeak can find some issues toodifficult to talk about. By creatingmusic that conveys their feelings,clients can start to feel comfortableabout expressing themselves.”

When Illana Ellison decided to keepkosher, Support Worker GeraldineFrankel helped her every step of theway. Together they went on shoppingtrips to Sainsbury’s where Geraldineexplained what was kosher, andshowed Illana where to buy othersupervised groceries. Next,Geraldine helped Illana replace herdishes and cooking equipment withtwo sets: for milk and for meat.Together they toivilled the new items.Illana cleaned her oven and hob, andbought a new microwave. Finally aLubavitch Rabbi, using boiling waterand a blowtorch, made Illana'skitchen truly kosher.

Ever wanted to meet the three bears fromthe Goldilocks story? Best head forKisharon Day School where their after-school club has taken a close look at thefairytale. The seven pupils have madedough bears, created bear masks and 3Dbear houses. Now the children will performthe story for parents using Makaton signs.The club is open to all youngsters withspecial needs.To find out more, emailclub founder Jes Waldman atjes.waldman@ kisharon.org.ukorcall her on020 8445 7483.

n Kisharon has given ChaimBoruch Sharer and Boruch

Hyams the chance of a job – andthe duo are enjoying every minute!The friends are paid for their workat Farla Medical Supplies inClapton, and deciding how tospend their wages gives their selfesteem a huge boost. Chaim andBoruch organise medical suppliesand other equipment at thewarehouse once a week.

Young artistsgrin and bear it

netanel Mason

Tali RoseMicah Samuel

K–NEWS easy read

Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949 7

l The Torah says that if a person digs a hole, they must puta fence around it.

l This is to stop people falling in and hurting themselves.

l Nowadays we can call it Health and Safety.

l Hashem tells the Bnei Yisroel to remember how we werestrangers in Mitzrayim.

l This is why it’s important for us to never be mean to astranger or to someone who is weaker than us.

l It is a mitzvah to return a lost item to its owner – even ifyou do not like that person!

l Every seventh year the land of Israel must be allowed torest.

l The farmer uses his time to study Torah.

l This special year is called a Shmitta year. This year is aShmitta year.

l The Torah tells us to keep three special Yomim Tovim calledthe Shelosh Regolim – Pesach, Shevuos and Succos.

l The Torah tells us that we may not cook or eat milk andmeat together.

l This is why we keep milk and meat items separate in ourkitchens.

The Parsha

Yaakov Kramer is Head of Limmudei Kodesh at Kisharon. Yaakov

tells us about Parshas Mishpotim.

8

Tu B’ShevatK–NEWS easy read

Kisharon Head Office: 54 Parson Street, London, NW4 1TP l T: 020 8203 2233 l Helpline: 0300 222 5949

l It is a custom to make the shehecheyanu blessing

over fruit on Tu B’Shevat.

l Chaim Dovid Rotenberg found many exotic fruits.

l Pupils at Kisharon Day School examined the shivas

haminim – the seven foods that are plentiful in

Israel.

l They tasted all of them.

l In Israel, where it is warmer, trees are planted on

Tu B’Shevat.

This week, Shabbos Mishpotim Shekalim

comes in at 4.55pm and goes out at 6.05pm.

Chaim Dovid’s Zmanim

l At Tuffkid Nursery, the children planted shrubs

instead.