 | | The CMC Mitzvah Gram
Volume 11, Issue 2 // Kislev 5781 // December 2020 |
| MASSIVE CMC EXPANSION SET TO MAKE TREMENDOUS IMPACT FOR COMMUNITY
This special edition of the CMC Newsletter showcases CMC's current and upcoming massive expansion of services, which will soon begin making a tremendous impact on the community. In large part, these expanded services are centered around CMC's extraordinary new two-story, 13,000 square-foot facility, named "The Chatzkel and Sarah Mallor Building." As construction on this magnificent facility at the south-east corner of Pratt and California continues into its final stages, this newsletter focuses on the immensely exciting expansion of services that this building will facilitate for seniors, patients and their families throughout the entire Jewish community.
Construction on CMC's new building is now well into its final stages! As of the time of this writing, the outside of the building is fully complete, including the heated sidewalk and the parking lot. Inside the building, all utilities are operative. The inside walls have been plastered and are currently being painted. The ceiling tiles and flooring will soon be installed, as will the elevator. In the coming weeks the kitchen appliances will be delivered and installed, as well as the exercise equipment and all of the furniture. It is anticipated that by March 2021 the entire building will be completed and ready to open.
CMC is very grateful to all of the donors large and small who have already contributed toward the CMC's capital campaign. More funding is still needed, and many dedication opportunities remain available. Contact the CMC for details, or to make an online donation, click here. |
CHASDEI MORDECHAI BITTON SENIOR CENTER |
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Entire Community Buzzing with Excitement for CMC's Newly Expanded "Chasdei Mordechai Bitton" Senior Center CMC's new two-story, 13,000 square foot Senior Center in the heart of West Rogers Park has created a tremendous buzz of excitement throughout the entire community. Many hundreds of seniors are eagerly anticipating the imminent opening of this center that will offer so many fantastic opportunities to improve their physical health, fitness and nutrition; develop continued lifelong learning and increased intellectual stimulation; deepen their social networking; and strengthen their emotional well-being. Moreover, all of these opportunities will be provided amidst a warm, traditional and enriching Torah-oriented atmosphere, where Jews of all backgrounds and from all parts of the community are enthusiastically welcomed with open arms. Indeed, CMC's new Senior Center facility promises to be truly unique and unmatched among similar facilities in any Jewish community in the United States.
| "SHELDON (A"H) AND FREDA ROBINSON TORAH STUDY PROGRAM"- Newly Expanded! |
Enriching daily Torah classes and guest lectures; participation is available both in-person and via Zoom. All classes are in English, and are suitable for both beginners and more advanced Torah students alike. Current weekly classes (presently by Zoom video and phone conference only) include: - Chumash: An in-depth study of the Five Books of the Chumash; incorporating a comprehensive anthology of commentary, stories, insights and contemporary lessons.
- Parsha Insights: Memorable insights into the weekly Torah portion.
- Parsha Applications: Deriving life-changing lessons from a profound analysis of the weekly Torah portion.
- Stories of the Talmud: Discovering the deep meaning and messages hidden within the stories related by the Talmud.
- Navi: Studying the Books of the Prophets; incorporating a comprehensive anthology of commentary, stories, insights and contemporary lessons.
- "Touring the Jewish World": Guest lectures by Rabbis from around the world, showcasing and drawing inspiration from the uniqueness of their local Jewish community.
- "A Deeper Dive of Insight and Inspiration": Guest lectures by prominent Chicago Rabbis, focusing on a broad-ranging variety of topics relating to Jewish laws, teachings, personalities and events.
- Chavrusa (study partner) and independent Torah learning fully supported with an extensive sefarim library and a conducive learning atmosphere.
| FACILITATING PHYSICAL HEALTH |
- Exercise room: state-of-the-art equipment designed for seniors.
- Available for independent use or with personal instruction.
- Twice-weekly group "chair exercise" classes; participation in-person or via Zoom.
- Daily hot lunches; refreshments.
| PROMOTING INTELLECTUAL GROWTH |
- Periodic lecture events on topics of special interest to seniors, such as: health and safety; financial wellbeing; Jewish history; local community interest. Participation in-person and via Zoom.
- Extensive Jewish library of Torah texts with English translations, history books, stories and insights, laws and traditions, philosophy, culture, biography, and more.
- Computer room for seniors to browse the internet, pay bills online, or communicate with their loved ones via email or online video conferencing. Guidance available for beginners.
| OFFERING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, RECREATION AND CELEBRATION |
Large atrium and several smaller activity rooms accommodate seniors' daily social and recreational activities, as well as periodic special celebrations: - Make new friendships with games and recreation.
- Watch videos.
- Participate in special Holiday celebrations.
- Monthly birthday parties.
| FEATURING SAFETY, COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE |
- All exterior and interior doors are censor-operated.
- Seniors may choose elevator or stairs to move between first and second floors.
- Heated sidewalks outside the building entrances.
- Door-to-door shuttle transportation.
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| Chicago's "United Bikur Cholim Kitchen" Four Organizations Unite to Serve Chicago In an extraordinarily positive development for the community, four well-established local organizations - Chai Lifeline, Chicago Chesed Fund, Chicago Mitzvah Campaign, and Sharlene Levinson Bikur Cholim - have pooled their resources and joined forces to create one, UNITED BIKUR CHOLIM KITCHEN ("UBCK") program to serve the entire community.
WHERE IS THE UBCK LOCATED? HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY CONTACT THE UBCK? WHO DOES FOOD PREPARATION FOR THE UBCK? - Cooking and all food preparation for the UBCK program is located at the CMC's new building (6745 N California), which houses the magnificent "Ethel And Lester Sutker United Bikur Cholim Kitchen" facility.
- The dedicated UBCK phone number for all inquiries and requests is 833-4-Cholim (833-424-6546).
- CMC's food coordinator, Mrs. Adina Aberman, is the kitchen coordinator for UBCK.
- All UBCK meals will be prepared and cooked by Bikur Cholim volunteers.
FOR WHOM WILL THE UNITED BIKUR CHOLIM KITCHEN PROVIDE MEALS? - For patients and their families in hospital.
- For patients and their families at home.
- For children (and their families) going through serious illness.
- For new mothers and their families (new program beginning mid-2021).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND FEATURES OF THE UNITED BIKUR CHOLIM KITCHEN? - Delivering full-course catered meals for Shabbat, Yom Tov and weekdays.
- Full menus of delicious, wholesome and healthy meals.
- Kitchen under the kosher supervision of CRC.
- All meal ingredients and preparation methods overseen by a professional dietician.
- Multiple meat ovens, each designated for a separate choice of hechsher.
- After-hours and emergency deliveries available.
- Meals available for special medical diets.
- Meals delivered by refrigerated vehicle.
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| CMC Overhauls Transportation System, Providing Expanded Services, Increased Efficiency & Safety
One of the CMC's most popular programs is our transportation service for seniors and patients. In terms of how busy the program is, CMC's four medicar vans have now returned to pre-Covid averages of well over 1,000 rides per month. This amazing service allows many hundreds of patients and seniors to safely and conveniently get to and from their medical appointments, participate in CMC Senior Center programs, obtain their essential needs, and attend lifecycle events and important family occasions. In recent months, CMC launched an intense effort to explore possible ways of upgrading its transportation system. This effort led to the development of a sophisticated new software program that was custom-designed especially for CMC's transportation program, and provides wonderful benefits and advantages (see below). The entire overhaul to CMC's transportation system was fully implemented at the beginning of December 2020.
NEW DISPATCH TEAM & EXPANDED HOURS - CMC is thrilled to officially welcome our two new dedicated (and talented!) transportation dispatchers, Mrs. Chani Dubovick and Mrs. Chaya Levovitz.
- EXPANDED NEW DISPATCHER HOURS! Between the two dispatchers, Chani and Chaya will be available for clients between the hours of 7am-7pm on Mon-Thurs, and from 7am-2pm on Friday.
- As always, transportation clients may also continue to register for rides and/or book a ride at CMC's website, at this link.
EVEN GREATER EFFICIENCY - The new transportation system eliminates any need for phone calls between dispatchers and drivers. Instead, the software program automatically sends the dispatcher's updated instructions and GPS driving directions for the next ride to each driver's mobile electronic device.
- The system ensures greater efficiency, accuracy and punctuality. It eliminates errors and reduces potential lag-times in routes and directions.
ENHANCED SAFETY - The system also increases safety by eliminating potential sources of driver distractedness.
- Due to the ongoing pandemic, CMC is continuing to require masks and social distancing for all drivers and passengers who ride in a CMC vehicle.
- Additionally, CMC has also instituted that drivers and passengers must have a daily temperature check before riding. The temperature check is performed with a no-contact digital thermometer provided by CMC.
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Local High School Students Volunteer to Help Uplift Seniors' Lives CMC would like to express our gratitude to all of the many high-school student volunteers for devoting their time and considerable talents toward making a positive impact for seniors and patients in the community. It's well-known that volunteering for a good cause commonly results in many benefits for the volunteers, such as developing new skills, boosting confidence and self-esteem, improving school experience and job prospects, building social bonds, connecting with community, and much more. Nevertheless, volunteering requires a significant commitment of time and effort. On behalf of all the many seniors who benefit from our young volunteers' efforts, the CMC thanks you! Your remarkable dedication, enthusiasm and excitement to make a difference for those in need is truly admirable.
High school student volunteers are currently helping CMC with the following projects: - Students from Ida Crown Jewish Academy assembled many hundreds of CMC's Chanukah gift packages, preparing them for delivery and distribution to hospital patients and nursing home residents throughout Chicagoland during the Chanukah holiday.
- A group of twelve students from Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov recently started making weekly phone calls to lonely seniors, as part of CMC's telephone reassurance program. In preparation for embarking on this very praiseworthy commitment, the volunteer group participated in an enlightening and comprehensive training session with Rabbi Wolf, focusing on strategies and tips for better communication with seniors. Additional local schools have also inquired about having their students join this wonderful volunteer opportunity to make a difference in the community.
- An additional group of students from Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov volunteers every week for CMC's food program. The volunteers help drop off dozens of CMC's specially-prepared Shabbat meals to isolated and vulnerable seniors living alone in the local neighborhoods.
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CMC Striving for Release of Deceased Loner's Body for Burial Months ago, a concerned acquaintance requested that CMC reach out and offer assistance to "JW," a senior who lived alone in the crowded back room of his small, cluttered photography studio. JW had no family, and suffered from health problems, poor mobility, crowded living conditions, and limited income. CMC set up JW to receive weekly frozen home-delivered meals, and also began delivering CMC's special fresh Shabbat meals to JW every Friday. JW requested that if he didn't immediately answer the door for CMC's delivery person, the meals should be left with the owner of a neighboring liquor store. One Friday, the liquor store owner told CMC's delivery person not to make any more deliveries. Unfortunately, JW had passed away more than a week earlier. Since there was nobody with documented authority to take responsibility for the deceased, his body had been transferred to the county morgue, which required a long official search for family members before releasing the body for burial. Because CMC had helped JW during his lifetime, they were in a position to continue helping him after his passing as well. Thus, thanks to CMC's determined efforts and with G-d's help, the county morgue released JW's body for CMC to provide his funeral, thus enabling JW to receive the dignity of a traditional Jewish burial. |
THIS CHANUKAH MORE THAN EVER, CMC VOLUNTEERS HELP UPLIFT SENIORS LIVES DELIVERING PACKAGES OF HAPPINESS AND LOVE Obviously, concerns about the spread of Covid-19 mean that this year, nursing homes and care facilities are unfortunately unable to welcome CMC volunteers to visit their Jewish residents and to lead menorah lighting events in person. Nevertheless, for this year's CMC Chanukah campaign, dedicated volunteers are making a powerful impact by ensuring that THOUSANDS of the most isolated and vulnerable receive a package of happiness and love during the holiday. As every year, CMC is distributing our special Chanukah gift packages to 2,000 Jewish hospital patients and nursing home residents at scores of locations throughout the city and suburbs. The packages bring holiday cheer and put big smiles on the faces of many patients and senior individuals who may otherwise feel very alone and disconnected from their community and heritage, and especially during this pandemic periodic. CMC thanks all the volunteers who are delivering CMC gift packages, thereby helping provide an outsized impact of happiness and love for thousands who may otherwise be feeling lonely and sad. CMC also expresses a very big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers at Ida Crown Jewish Academy who helped assemble the Chanukah gift packages. All of the volunteers who participated in assembling or delivering the packages deserve a great deal of credit. SPECIAL CHANUKAH VIDEO
CMC also prepared a very special Chanukah video for nursing home residents to view, featuring uplifting Holiday messages interspersed with joyous clips of Chanukah songs and traditional celebrations. Indeed, CMC's delightful gift packages along with the special CMC video will surely provide an uplifting Chanukah experience to many hundreds of nursing home residents.
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The CMC wishes a speedy recovery and good health to: "May G-d bless all those who are ill because of the coronavirus to receive a speedy and complete recovery, Amen." |
| CMC Chaplaincy and Senior Services Division
In Hospitals - Patient visitation
- Shabbat and Holiday meals
- Advocacy and support
- Food for Hatzalah transports
- Free kosher guest meals
- Family Counseling
- Tefillin, prayer and observances
- Hospitality suites and food pantries
- Shabbat packages
- Friday night candles
- Maternity box of delights
- Emergency food deliveries
- Bedside refrigerators
At Home - Medicar transportation
- Senior Center daily programs
- Emergency medical alert systems
- Preventing elder abuse and neglect
- Home safety assessments
- Fall prevention equipment
- Free delivery service for groceries
- Tuesday Senior Shopping Day
- Senior friendship
- Medication management systems
- World-wide "SimchaVision" (from any hospital or residence)
Special Holiday Projects (hospitals/nursing homes/home-bound) - Rosh Hashana: Shofar blowing
- Sukkot: Lulov and Etrog
- Chanukah: Menorah lighting and gifts
- Purim: Megillah reading and gifts
- Pesach: Seder plates
End of Life - Musical enrichment
- Counseling and support
- Assistance with traditional Jewish burials
- Minyanim for Kaddish
- Kaddish recitation
- Yahrtzeit and memorial services
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