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- A Caring Community ... 150 years of Jewish Care Scotland
- 2008 Fun Walk - sponsored by Chessington Estates
- Tall Ship Re-enactment - January 2008
- Annual General Meeting - 2007
- 2007 Annual Appeal
- Thistle Bowling Club- Equipped for new members
- Roundabout
A Caring Community ... 150 years of Jewish Care Scotland
A Caring Community...150 years of Jewish Care Scotland treats us to glimpses and pictures from the past and then guides us through to the present day. Profiles bring to life many of the characters involved in all aspects of the organisation of the day. Case details give insights into the many problems experienced while also providing a picture of past times.
The role of women, the continuity of family support, fundraising and the changing nature of welfare needed by families, refugees, the elderly and ill are all featured. The book highlights the various caring organisations that evolved into the professional service we have today. Running through the book is a timeline of world events and one of Scottish Jewish welfare events.
The book is a packed full with the history of welfare and is also very much a history of the Jewish people in Glasgow, Scotland's largest Jewish community.
It is written in an accessible way and attractively presented, with full colour illustrations throughout.
Author, Sharon Barron, is a volunteer with Jewish Care Scotland. A librarian by profession, Sharon is also a published author. Over the course of a year she undertook the research and writing for the book on a voluntary basis so that A Caring Community...150 years of Jewish Care Scotland could be published this year to coincide with Jewish Care Scotland's 150th anniversary year celebrations.
Sharon drew on the historic resources and photographic collections of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre along with a number of personal reminiscences from former staff, volunteers, board members, friends and people whose family's were recipients of welfare support. A Caring Community...150 years of Jewish Care Scotland is A4 size, 55 pages with a softback cover and is available from Jewish Care Scotland, The Walton Community Care Centre, May Terrace, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6LD.Tel: 0141 620 1800 Fax: 0141 620 2409.
Price is £10.00 per copy plus post and packaging Copies can be ordered on our website www.jcarescot.org.uk by emailing admin@jcarescot.org.uk to purchase the book.
150 WALKERS MADE THE 2008 JEWISH CARE SCOTLAND 150th ANNIVERSARY YEAR FUN WALK SPONSORED BY CHESSINGTON ESTATES EXTRA SPECIAL AND A REAL SUCCESS
The call was heard- the walkers came- over 150 of them including lots of youngsters, babes in buggies and some four-legged friends.
On a fine Sunday morning in June they £ounded the roads, paths and parks of Giffnock and Newton Mearns taking on the 4 and 8 mile walk challenges.
The banner was up, the balloons ballooning and the piper piped them on their way. Some hours later legendary walker Millie Hilllman presented returning walkers with their special 150th anniversary year medal. Then it was off to enjoy bagels, smoked salmon and refreshments. 
A massive thank you to everyone who came along on the day. The Walk was FUN and it has raised a terrific sum. Thanks to all walkers and to their the sponsors- every penny you raised will be used to help Jewish Care Scotland support people in need in the year ahead.
And! if you missed out, don’t worry, we will be running! the walk again in 2009! Watch out for details.
With the click of a button you can set up your own fundraising page for your own personal sponsors- anywhere in the world! Just click on the button below to get started.
It’s a super fun event- you get a bit fitter, meet lots of people and help raise much-needed funds for Jewish people in need in Scotland! So what are you waiting for?
Tall Ship Re-enactment - January 2008
They could never have known that the welfare society they started modestly all those years ago would still be functioning in 2008, albeit renamed and transformed beyond recognition.
The Glasgow Hebrew Philanthropic Society was first recorded in 1858, trying to alleviate poverty and distress among the poor immigrant Jewish community who had settled in the west of Scotland and Glasgow, mainly to escape pogroms across Russia.
And today, Jewish Care Scotland is still helping new Jewish immigrants to settle in Scotland 150 years later, as well as supporting Scottish Jewish families in need wherever they are in Scotland.
Chair of Jewish Care Scotland Maureen Solomons launching the year long celebrations said: “Jewish Care Scotland today prides itself in carrying on the traditions of the Glasgow Hebrew Philanthropic Society, supporting people in the community in a compassionate and professional way.
“On 29th January 2008 at 10.30am on the Tall Ship, Glasgow, descendants of both the early Jewish philanthropists and refugees donned costumes of the period to commemorate symbolically the arrival in Glasgow of thousands of Jewish refugees between the 1850s and early 1900s.”
Many of the arrivals sought work in the tailoring and ironmongery trades.
Deputy Lord Provost of Glasgow City Council Bailie Allan Stewart and Provost of East Renfrewshire Council Alex Mackie were also on the quayside, representing the welcome their authorities and communities have given over the 150 years.
Said Bailie Stewart: “Our Jewish citizens have helped enrich Glasgow culturally and financially over the years.
“I am proud as Deputy Lord Provost to be at the Tall Ship to commemorate the arrival of your refugee antecedents 150 years ago.
Jewish Care Scotland does so much important work looking after needy people with humility and compassion.
This is an emotional day for the Jewish community and I am indeed honoured to be here.”
Provost Mackie said: “As home to Scotland’s largest Jewish community, we recall the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the body that became Jewish Care Scotland.
East Renfrewshire enjoys a mutual, beneficial and very practical relationship with Jewish Care Scotland - and that is in the best traditions established when it was founded - and Jewish people arriving in our area looked for support and welcome.
We are happy to continue to provide that welcome by supporting the excellent work that the charity continues to do, by basing social work staff within Jewish Care Scotland and by meeting the kosher catering needs of its clients.”
Three families of today’s Jewish asylum seekers were also present, as well some of the beneficiaries of the services provided by Jewish Care Scotland today.
The Tall Ship 150th Anniversary re-enactment
A veritable deluge of Scottish rain greeted our “refugees” arriving in Glasgow for the first time – however the civic welcome more than made up for that!
To watch the STV coverage on Scotland Today, click here.
This may take a moment or two to appear.
The following pictures of the event are by Alistair Sinclair and Hugh Dougherty.
A warm welcome to Glasgow...
The big adventure begins...
Four year old Baila thinks about her new home...
Where do we go now?
Is the weather always like this?
Annual General Meeting 2007
Tuesday 28 August 2007
“A successful and moving Annual General Meeting” was how Maureen Solomons summed up the 149th AGM of Jewish Care Scotland.
The meeting was attended by over 60 people from the community. Mr Paul Morron and Mrs Angela Hecht were welcomed onto the Board of Directors. Tributes were made to retiring Directors Mr Marcus Green, Mr Melville Robinson and Mr David Strang. Each had made a long and strong commitment to Jewish Care Scotland and their dedicated work had contributed to a wonderful legacy for the future.
Thanks were made to everyone who had helped throughout the year with the all-important task of fundraising. The ongoing partnership with East Renfrewshire Council was highlighted along with Glasgow City Council’s support for Glasgow clients attending the Day Centre.
Maureen Solomons, chair of Jewish Care Scotland, concluded her report by thanking the Board of Directors, Chief Executive, the staff and volunteers and adding: “We will continue to help all who come to us for help and we will do it with the finest care we can. “
The meeting received the annual reports of the Chief Executive, Treasurer, Secretary and Social Care Agency (see some highlights from these at end of this report).
A number of clients and volunteers then took centre stage to share something of their experience of how Jewish Care Scotland has impacted on their lives.
Mae Statt said without the Aviv Club she would be at home, staring at four walls with nothing to do….” I appreciate it very much-long may it be for the good of Glasgow Jewry.”
Julia an asylum seeker in 2004 from South Russia described how harassment drove her, her husband and young child to flee. She was transferred to Glasgow’s Sighthill. She said: “Within a few weeks we were lucky enough to meet two people from Jewish Care Scotland and our lives were transformed.” She spoke movingly of ongoing friendship, and help and support that has been there as the family has started their life here. “I don’t have enough words to say thank you so much for the support you have given to my family.”
Myer Gladstone paid tribute to the social side of Jewish Care Scotland. After his wife passed away he stayed at home until his children persuaded him to come back to the Thistle Club. “ It has helped me put my life back together. I am not allowed to be down in the dumps. Suddenly my life had meaning, companionship and good support. Jewish Care Scotland has helped me enjoy life again”
Roy Levine speaking on behalf of his wife Lesley Levine described how Jewish Care Scotland and the Kandu Club have made a positive difference to her life. “When you have a chronic illness you cannot cope with the situation. I went along to the Kandu Club with a lot of trepidation and was welcomed with open hearts, offered comfort and support. We laugh a lot, are involved in very different activities and the staff and volunteers try their very best to make our days as good as possible.”
Sandra told how her parents were involved with the Board of Guardians and the Mentally Handicapped the precursors of Jewish Care Scotland and Cosgrove Care. Sandra said: “ When I had a difficult time I delayed for a long time until I realised I had to do something to help my situation. That delay has prolonged my recovery. I want to get across that Jewish Care Scotland cares for younger people so they realise this is a place you can come and people will help you.
Barry Langman is a volunteer bus escort, which he described as a mobile chat shop! “Jewish Care cares,” he said.
Julia Slater OBE and Gerry Freeman described how the Social Club had started as a little group of 5 three years ago organising outings. Now over 30 members enjoy theatre, concerts and holidays. Julia said: “ I don’t know what I would do with my life without it”. And she paid tribute to Agnes Logue for helping the group run such a lovely happy club. Julia and Gerry presented a cheque for £100.00 on behalf of the Social Club.
Aubrey Levine told how his daughter in law encouraged him to come to Jewish Care Scotland’s Thistle Club and he enjoys every minute of every time he has here. He said: “It has lifted me up.”
Aubrey presented a cheque for £541.00 on behalf of the Thistle Club raised from their card nights.
Highlights from the annual reports of the Chief Executive, Treasurer, Secretary and Social Care Agency:
Ethne Woldman, Chief Executive highlighted the success of the new therapeutic programme for Aviv and Kandu Club members funded in 2006 by donations from the Blind Society and an individual donor. She hoped future fundraising would allow the programme to continue. A new visiting service is being developed in partnership with Newark Care for people living in West Acres and Burnfield Care. Training remains a high priority for staff and volunteers and Margaret Lothian has been taken on as a development consultant with this remit. The review for alternative accommodation for the Kandu Club will continue. Any future capital building programme would include specific provision.
Brian Links, Treasurer noted that income and expenditure had increased. Overall the situation was similar to the previous year. He noted without increased donations the Board will struggle to introduce new services.
Trevor Schuster Davis, Secretary reported on the changes to the Board and the decision to appoint Melville Robinson and David Strang as Honorary Vice Presidents in tribute to their contribution to the Board.
Lesley Roles, Chair of the Social Care Agency reported on a successful year. Two new volunteers- Ruth Beattie and May Gillan- took the volunteer corps to 96. Lesley thanked all the dedicated volunteers from the community who give of their time to help Jewish Care Scotland. Lesley paid tribute to her vice-chair Angela Hecht, to the activity group chairs and to all the volunteers for their support in all the Clubs, undertaking baking, bus and reception duties, fundraising and outreach befriending.
2007 Annual Appeal
20th August 2007
Jewish Care Scotland Needs To Raise £70,000
“If members of Scotland’s Jewish community want us to maintain the fantastic social care services we have then we need everyone who can to support our Annual Appeal. “
That’s what Maureen Solomons chair of Jewish Care Scotland said at the launch of the Scottish charity’s
2007 Annual Appeal this week.
And Maureen continued: “We need everyone’s contribution to reach this year’s Appeal target of £70,000. This money will ensure we can be here for everyone who contacts us for help regardless of the problems they face.”
We support and assist people facing personal financial problems within the family, mental or physical ill health and the difficulties associated with the onset of old age. Today too we are privileged to help Jewish people who are seeking asylum here in Glasgow.”
A recent Jewish asylum seeker from Russia told us:
“I am so appreciative of Jewish Care Scotland. When I made contact about 5 years ago I felt so alone, depressed and frustrated. As asylum seekers we were stuck and labelled, we felt so isolated and no one sees you as a person. The people at Jewish Care Scotland treated me with respect and as a human being with my own personality. They helped us to build new relationships and sort out schooling for our child. The social worker helped me access financial support so I could do my masters degree. Now, we have British citizenship and work and we are building our lives here as part of the community.” (name withheld)
Maureen told us:“Today Jewish Care Scotland impacts positively on over 600 people’s lives each year delivering real caring in the community every day of the year. “
And Lesley Levine who attends the Kandu Club said: “The Kandu Club twice a week is a lifesaver. It is good to be with people who totally understand what it is like living with an enduring illness like Multiple Sclerosis. I have made some really good friends and together we focus, not on our disabilities, but on doing and being social. “
Suki Goldberg, 99 years old this October, is a regular at Jewish Care Scotland’s attractive and modern Day Centre. She attends the Aviv Club- the twice-weekly lunch and social Club with 80 places for housebound older people.
Suki added: “I love it here. I have been coming for about 5 years. This is the most wonderful place for relaxation. I know everybody and if they are a wee bit sick I try to make them feel better. I love my arts and crafts and I do all the music and movement activities sitting down!“
Jewish Care Scotland also runs the Thistle club a twice-weekly social club for active older people and the Sunday Club.
Lesley Roles who chairs Jewish Care Scotland’s 100 plus volunteer Social Care Agency said: “Jewish Care Scotland also supports people in need in all sorts of ways outside of the Clubs and Day Centre. We know that without Jewish Care Scotland many in our community would be isolated, lonely, anxious and depressed. ”
Maureen Solomons concluded: “When people find themselves in need of a helping hand they need to know they can turn to Jewish Care Scotland. “
And she stressed: “This is the time for everyone in the community to make their donation. They need to ensure Jewish Care Scotland has the necessary funds for staff, increased running costs and resources in the year ahead. Whatever the amount, each and every donor can be assured they will be making a real difference.”
Additional information: Over the last ten years, Jewish Care Scotland has built up an unrivalled social care service to address the changing needs of the Scottish Jewish community. The organisation employs a professional social work team with experts in mental health and family issues. The Day Centre is a modern and attractive purpose built building in East Renfrewshire where the majority of the community now live. It includes offices, a dining room and day centre equipped with reception, lounge and meeting rooms. Outreach services include meals on wheels and befriending. Volunteer support for the organisation has grown and now over 100 people are regularly contributing their skills, time and caring to assist the charity in its Day Centre, clubs, outreach and fundraising.
Thistle Bowling Club- Equipped for new members
Within the many and varied activities of Jewish Care Scotland is the indoor bowling club which meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings. The club now has five carpets and all the equipment including bowls. New members are welcome to join in this very pleasant pastime…..so why not give us a call on 620 1800 and you can bowl along and see for yourself!
Roundabout
The latest edition of 'Roundabout' is out and about - check out the Walton Community Care Centre tables!
Editors Bob Kutner and Pamela Levin have been scurrying about gathering scandalous stories and more awful jokes!
(Sorry Bob we don’t mean that - really.)
It’s a great read and you can find out a bit about Jewish Care Scotland too. Call us on 0141 260 1800 or email us at admin@jcarescot.org.uk for a copy.
In a few months the presses will be rolling again so club members be inspired, sharpen your pens and give Bob and Pamela a piece of your mind!