LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Jewish
Family Services of Ulster County

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend organizations which faithfully serve the needs of their communi-
ty and its senior citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment
to improving the quality and dignity of life in the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Jewish Family Services of Ulster County upon the occasion of its 10th
Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, two retired women, Toby Krawitz, a licensed clinical
social worker, and Skit Rabbino, a retired business executive, realized
there were very few supportive services for mature adults in Ulster
County; after discussing their ideas with Office for the Aging, Adult
Protective Services, Family of Woodstock and other agencies in the
community as well as talking with all the Rabbis in Ulster County, they
decided to create a new agency dedicated to enhancing the quality of
life of older adults; and
WHEREAS, The new agency, Jewish Family Services of Ulster County
(JFS), whose mission was to provide services to all mature adults living
in Ulster County regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation,
immediately affiliated with the Association of Jewish Family and Chil-
dren's Agencies (AJFCA), a national confederation of Jewish agencies
throughout the country, and funding was initially provided by Jewish
Federation of Ulster County and private donations; and
WHEREAS, Original programs and services, which continue to be an
important part of the agency to this day, included trained volunteers to
provide a link to the community through transportation to doctors and
errands, visiting to share a few hours and an information and referral
service which was an important source of information for people seeking
help for family members; and
WHEREAS, Additional programs and services which have been added and
expanded as Jewish Family Services of Ulster County has grown and recog-
nized new needs and concerns include Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Programs and Caregiver Support Groups begun in 2003, Home-Based Family
Support Programs introduced in 2005, and an annual family caregivers'
conference; and
WHEREAS, This year Jewish Family Services of Ulster County held its
First Annual Centenarian's Luncheon on May 5, 2010, and will convene its
4th Annual Circles of Caring Conference on Friday, June 4, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Jewish Family Services of Ulster County has been serving the
needs of people of all faiths since 2000 and truly merits the appreci-
ation of all those who have benefited from its services; as it observes
its 10th Anniversary, this Legislative Body is pleased to applaud its
enduring commitment to the people and community it has served so well
and to extend its highest commendation to its founders and its board,
staff and volunteers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Jewish Family Services of Ulster County upon the occasion of its
10th Anniversary of service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jewish Family Services of Ulster County, Kingston, New York.