New rules concerning German social security pensions for work in a ghetto during World War II could means much needed funds for many South Florida Holocaust survivors. Last week, Kevin Packman of  Holland & Knight was at Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service in Boca Raton to assist survivors with the paperwork.

When Danielle Hartman moved into her new office at Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, all she needed was a pushcart. She was moving around the corner from her office in the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

Artist Jennifer Berger is a special volunteer at Welcome Home, a drop-in program for adults with severe, persistent mental illness that provides structure, educational and life-skills groups, arts and crafts and companionship for clients.

Paul Borenstein of Delray Beach lost his hearing in one ear and developed ulcers from the slave labor he performed as a teenager in a Nazi-created ghetto. His mother, brother and three sisters were murdered in the Holocaust. He visited Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service west of Boca Raton seeking a newly available stipend from Germany.

Fifty-eight-year-old artist Jennifer Berger has been battling ovarian cancer for the past 10 years. Berger volunteered her artistic talents to the Welcome Home project, a community-based drop-in center for adults with severe, chronic mental illness such as bi-polar disorder and depression.

Construction is almost complete on a new senior-focused activity center, where Delray Beach residents will be welcome to spend the day taking classes, meeting with counselors or schmoozing in the café. The 12,000-square-foot-building will be named the Shirley and Barton Weisman Delray Community Center.

Gay and lesbian counseling – individual, couple, and family counseling available. Most insurance plans accepted. Flexible payment options available.

Men’s Group - a new group is forming for men 70 years and over. Topics to be discussed include relationships, maximizing enjoyment of life, personal growth and meeting life’s challenges.

On June 10^th from 10 am to 1 pm the unit will be at RRJFS with counselors to help job seekers complete online applications to the Employ Florida website and discuss career opportunities.  Basic computer skills needed and a basic resume. Each session is 1 hour long – registration is required. Please call 561-852-3333.

For eighteen years, hundreds of older senior clients have been celebrating the Passover spirit together at the Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service Communal Model Seder. Once again, they looked forward to this year’s event for weeks. Then, late in the morning on Tuesday, March 23, they dressed in their best and waited – many in wheelchairs or with walkers or aides - for the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s busses that took them to B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton for this very special event.