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Yiddish Group for Seniors starting at JFS
JFS is constantly trying
to reach out to different segments of our community and
make them feel comfortable
upon settling in Ottawa. One
of the groups that we focus on is Russian seniors. This
segment of the immigrant population is often more at risk
than their younger counterparts. Despite the numerous
and unique challenges
that the Russian seniors who immigrate
to Canada face, JFS has remained committed to helping
them in all areas of settlement.
In the course of the
many workshops that JFS provides for this sector an interesting
phenomena began to occur. When the participants spoke
amongst themselves, instead of attempting to speak English
they reverted back
to a language that they felt comfortable
in, a language that brought them together as a community,
a language that instantly connected them together, a language
that the settlement workers and teachers did not expect
to hear, Yiddish!
After realizing that
a large section of the JFS cliental spoke Yiddish, a language
that for centuries connected Eastern European Jewry together
despite the nationalistic barriers which divided, JFS
began to plan
a Yiddish Social Group.
Rita Bourianova, JFS’s
Russian seniors outreach worker, recognized that Yiddish
was an important facet in the life of many of her clients.
“Yiddish was away for Russians to keep their Jewish identity
alive in a time when it was risky to be outwardly Jewish.
After speaking with several of my clients we realized
that there was a need to form
a Yiddish speaking group
where we could read stories and poetry, watch movies,
and listen to music that is rooted deep in our souls and
most important of all just speak the language.”
“Yiddish could also be a valuable aid in connecting our
clients to the Jewish Community.” Bourianova added,
“We
are trying to setup a Yiddish Social Club for all those
in the Ottawa community that speak Yiddish.
Our goal is
to have both recent immigrants and those within the established
Jewish community that speak Yiddish come together monthly
to speak and engage each other in this special language.
A language that is more than just words.” For Generations Yiddish has had the ability to bind Eastern
European Jewry together. JFS believes that the power of
this language has not been lost in 21st century Ottawa
and can be used to help new immigrants break down the
barriers of isolation and loneliness that many of them
face.
If interested
in being a part of JFS’s Yiddish Social Club Please contact
Shaina Lipsey at 613-722-2225 ext. 325
or Rita Bourianova
at 613-722-2225 ext. 306. The first get program is scheduled
for April 10th between 10 am,
and 12 pm.
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