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THE CENTER'S
From
Mike Lainoff
Assistant Executive Director
A Real Mitzva
The Atlanta Jewish Community Center has many
wonderful programs. Some programs are good, others
are better, some services are vital, and some services are
not only absolutely necessary to the families whom they
serve, but are unduplicated in the entire metro Atlanta
area.
The Respite Care program for developmental^ dis
abled children and youth is one of these services. Three
years ago, prior to the starting of the Respite Care pro
gram. 1 had a meeting with a woman who was widowed,
and who had a severely developmentally disabled child. So
severe was this child’s handicap that babysitters were
unavailable and there was no family support to help with
child care to give this mother any free time.
She could not go shopping without bringing her dis
abled child; she could not visit friends; she could not go to
a movie; she was feeling helpless, trapped and alone. In
discussing this problem with Robyn Berger, AJCC board
member, I was informed that there were many parents,
both Jewish and non-Jewish, who had a similar problem.
Robyn convened a committee to study the problem,
and a plan for offering a Respite Care program for devel
opmentally disabled children at the Center’s rented facil
ity on Long Island Drive was formed. Charges were
established on a sliding fee basis, recognizing that most of
the parents who needed the service had heavy medical
expenses because of their disabled child; therefore very
few people would be able to pay the full fee and would
need scholarship assistance.
Although only $4,000 was needed to support this pro
gram for a full year, it was $4,000 the Center didn’t have.
An appeal was made to the Governor’s Emergency Fund
and $4,000 was granted the Center to start the program.
In its second year of operation, the Center was funded by
grants from the Metropolitan Atlanta Foundation, the
First National Bank of Atlanta and private donations.
Respite Care is offered twice a month beginning at 6
p m. on Friday and running through 6 p.m. on Sunday. A
staff ol two full-time trained professionals serves a com
plete complement of only four children because of the
very special nature and severity of the handicaps of these
children.
I wish 1 could share with the readers of this column the
agony in the voices of parents who call in desperation
looking for respite and a place for their children. I wish 1
could share the many tearful telephone calls of thanks
and blessings heaped on the Atlanta Jewish Community
Center for providing this much-needed service.
Those of us who are Atiantans should feel proud that
our Jewish community offers this service; those who are
members of the Atlanta Jewish Community Center,
should feel especially proud that you are helping to sup
port this program—a genuine and true mitzva!
Insights into Israel’s Economy
On March 18 at 8 p.m. the “Visit Israel Informed”
Series will present Dr. Arthur Roll, the vice consul of
Israel in Atlanta. Fie will share with the group a presenta
tion on the economic history of Israel, its place in the
world market and its potential for the future. Our moder-
News from the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, Inc,
ator will be Toby Steinberg, chairman of the Visit Israel
Informed Series. The series is sponsored by the Israel
Program Center Committee, Asher Benator. chairman.
Have We Got a Singles EXPO for You
Where can Jewish singles go to meet people with sim
ilar interests?
Try the second Atlanta Jewish Singles EXPO, spon
sored by the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, March
28-March 30, at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. This unique
weekend is designed to attract singles of all ages, all
interests and backgrounds and from many areas outside ol
Atlanta, including Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, and
even as far north as Ohio. At EXPO, singles can rap with,
learn from and meet other singles who may pique, chal
lenge and agree or disagree with them.
A huge exhibit hall will feature continuous displays
and presentations especially designed for singles.offering
everything from advice on investments to instruction on
massage. In addition, 24 presentations—workshops,
playshops and seminars (18 on Saturday and six on Sun
day) led by professionals, offer a chance to learn.
There will be Shabbat Services on Friday night and
Saturday morning with other social functions through
out the weekend, complete with kosher food.
Why EXPO? Because EXPO will provide an oppor
tunity for at least 2,000 Jewish singles to broaden their
experiences by meeting others, to develop more Jewish
awareness and to share ideas and skills with others.
Come!!! Stay for an hour, the day, the night or the
entire weekend!!! If finances are a problem, or for further
information, call Patsy Goldberg, 875-7881.
NOTE: The keynote speaker will be Mr. William
Novak, nationally acclaimed writer who co-authored the
best selling book, “Iacocca” and wrote the book, “The
Great American Man Shortage.” Novak's topic will be,
“I’m OK, You’d Better Be Perfect.”
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PAGE 15 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE March 14, 1986