Jewish Federation staff helps assemble Kosher Food Boxes, a program of Jewish Family Service. From left: Mark Freedman, Federation executive director; Susan Pankowsky; Pam Kelner, JFS executive director; Heath Hinson; Barbara Schwarcz; Toni Jacobsen, JFS social worker; Naomi Limor Sedek. Kosher Food Boxes are funded in part by NCJW, The Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle TN and individual foundations and donors.
Many of us never believed that financial troubles would find their way to our doors. But the past few years – an economic downturn, a tentative recovery, a slide in the markets, Europe’s economic crisis – have shown us a new reality. There are many people in our community who have difficulty making ends meet.
The Gesher Fund (gesher is the Hebrew word for bridge) was created by the Jewish Federation of Nashville through the generosity of Raymond and Etta Zimmerman. Jewish Family Service administers the fund. It was launched in June of 2009, at the height of the economic downturn, with an intended end date of January 2012.
“The goal of the fund is to provide economic assistance to members of the Jewish community who are experiencing financial distress as a direct result of the economic downturn. Unfortunately, as we all know, the economic picture hasn’t improved for many in our community. As a result, the Zimmermans have generously agreed to make the funds available for another 18 months,” said Mark S. Freedman, Jewish Federation executive director.
The Gesher Fund is an extension of the emergency financial assistance program that JFS has run for years, making it possible for the agency to help meet the increased need for assistance in a more significant way. The assistance can be used for food, shelter (includes rent, mortgage assistance, or transition to suitable housing), utilities or other emergency needs. Like the traditional JFS emergency financial assistance program, the Gesher Fund cannot be used to cover medical bills, legal bills, credit card debt, car repairs or other non-emergency needs.
“People are still having a lot of difficulty and are running out of resources,” said Pam Kelner, JFS executive director. “Many are reaching the end of their unemployment eligibility. JFS and the Federation Gesher Fund help make ends meet while they put their financial picture back together. This need for help may be the result of a job loss or lack of income from a business. The goal of the fund is to bridge a gap that will hopefully no longer exist once they find new employment and become financially stable again.”
Seeking, qualifying for and obtaining assistance through the Gesher Fund is completely confidential. To begin the process of applying, a community member should call Jewish Family Service. Applicants will be asked to meet with a licensed clinical social worker, provide necessary documentation, and participate in a plan that will lead to self-sufficiency.
In addition to financial assistance, the clients will have the opportunity to avail themselves of other services offered by Jewish Family Service. These include counseling on a sliding-scale fee schedule, Kosher Food Box, and the Jewish Job Network which puts resumes of those seeking jobs directly into the hands of community business leaders who have agreed to review them.
To contact Jewish Family Service regarding any of these services, call 356-4234.