The COVID-19 crisis continues to tighten budgets and has forced many — Jewish young adults in particular — to live without reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. Many of our community members are facing challenges caused by the pandemic, and hunger and food insecurity are among them. In response, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles is making more $250 gift cards immediately available to redeem at grocery stores through our program, WellFed. If you’re a Jewish young adult between the ages of 18 and 40, live in the Greater L.A. area, and are experiencing any kind of food insecurity, this resource is for you.
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles
The Jewish Federation homepage is a trove of resources on programs, interest-free loans, volunteering, and more. See www.jewishla.org
COVID-19 has radically changed nearly all aspects of our daily lives – including how we care for the sick, bury, and mourn our dead. It has also propelled many people to ponder their choices surrounding end of life care and decision-making, often for the first time. Below, you’ll find stories and resources from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, My Jewish Learning, Kveller, and Alma exploring these issues.
Zoom Shiva Shouldn’t End Once the Pandemic Does
Can I Refuse Life Support and Still Be a Good Jew?
What Sitting Shiva in Quarantine Really Looks Like
Why Jews Need to Talk About Death
Jewish Perspectives on End-of-Life Care
How to Talk To Loved Ones About Your End-of-Life Wishes
Los Angeles County residents can sign up for a Headspace Plus subscription at no charge, to access hundreds of science-backed guided meditations in English and Spanish, as well as workout videos, sleep exercises, and helpful information to manage stress and anxiety. Visit: www.headspace.com/lacounty.
Affordable Therapy Resources
Miracle Mile: 323-939-6355. They also have bilingual (Spanish-speaking) therapists.
Southern California Counseling Center: 323-937-1344.
Thanks to Lynne Rosen for these resources. If you have questions please reach out to Lynne at lrosen@larchmontassociates.com.
HAND IN HAND
While it’s hard to know what the impact of COVID-19 will be on our community, one thing we do know is that domestic workers and care workers are among the most vulnerable. Domestic workers are in close contact with people in their homes and have been caring for children, supporting elders and people with disabilities, and making our homes safe and clean.
The pandemic has left many domestic workers afraid for their lives: Will they be exposed to the virus if they work? Will they lose wages or their jobs? This virus is exposing many of the flaws and inequities in our system – from lack of universal health care coverage to a lack of paid time off or sick time when working people need to stay home. Let’s not leave this workforce that cares for us without care and support.
Hand in Hand, a network of domestic employers organizing in solidarity with domestic workers, urges you to pledge to continue paying the worker you employ throughout this crisis if you are able.
To learn more or talk through how to support the nanny, house cleaner, or home care worker you employ, please reach out to Kayla Shore at kayla@domesticemployers.org or 617.504.6741.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is administering the Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants Project (“Project”). The project provides one-time disaster relief assistance to undocumented adult immigrants impacted by COVID-19, who are ineligible for most other forms of pandemic assistance, including direct assistance under the CARES Act and unemployment insurance. CDSS-funded nonprofit organizations will distribute $75 million in disaster relief assistance to an estimated 150,000 undocumented adult immigrants. Nonprofit organizations will begin providing these disaster assistance services in May.
Jewish Family Service (JFS) SOVA Community Food & Resource Program
Jewish Family Service (JFS) SOVA Community Food & Resource Program is now providing prepackaged bags of food to help minimize the risk to both clients and volunteers. The JFS senior nutrition program is now providing all food via delivery.
To receive these services, please call JFS Central Access at (877) 275-4537.
They are also in urgent need of volunteers to help out at the food pantry in Van Nuys on Sundays – Thursdays from approximately 8am–12:30pm. Volunteers are provided with masks, and staff and volunteers adhere to social distancing within the pantry.
For more information or to sign up for volunteer shifts, please contact Felice Resnick at fresnick@jfsla.org or 818-988-7682 x 118.
The Karsh Center needs volunteers
The Karsh Center is proud to be a resource to meet the significant needs facing the Koreatown community, specifically through continuing to provide groceries to hundreds of families and individuals every week, as well as diapers. While they are currently hosting a limited number of volunteers, to maintain a safe and socially distanced environment, volunteers are a crucial part of their ability to meet community needs.
If you are interested in volunteering in the future on an as-needed basis, please fill out this applicationto add your name to our pool of interested and eligible volunteers.
Interest Free Loans
The Jewish Free Loan Association of Los Angeles offers interest-free loans on a non-sectarian basis to individuals and families whose needs are urgent and who may not qualify through usual financial channels.
