Author: Cally Gunn
Morph Fit volunteer
Would you like to find the fun in movement? New research shows that 31% of people say they would be more active if they found an activity they enjoy!
JCS are looking for a volunteer to help out on Monday mornings from 10am until 12pm at Morph Fit’s Gentle Movement classes.
Location: The Walton Community Care Centre, May Terrace, Giffnock.
Duties: Setting up 8-10 chairs in the Hub (depending on class numbers). Setting up the provided tea, coffee, milk, sugar, biscuits etc before class starts at 10.30am. After class, serving teas and coffees if required and tidying the space of dishes and chairs.
The appointed volunteer can enjoy the Morph Fit class along with the rest of the group free of charge.
For more information on this role and to apply please email comms@jcarescot.org.uk or give us a call on 0141 620 1800
Annual Review community messages
Be part of our story! £75 suggested donation.
Jewish Care Scotland are preparing our Annual Review to share updates on our work in the community in 2023, with a special feature on our 165th Anniversary celebrating 165 years caring in the community. Our Annual Review also highlights the positive impact that our funders and services have made over the year.
Our Annual Review is an important publication as it provides an opportunity for us to celebrate our achievements, highlight our fantastic services and the impact they have on the people we support as well as giving us a platform to acknowledge the support we receive from volunteers, funders and companies like yours. Our 165th Anniversary has highlighted the importance of recording our history and ensuring memories are created for future generations. Your support will help us to fund this project and will ensure your support is remembered as a significant part of our history.
Our Annual Review is available to download online as well as being distributed to our Board of Trustees, donors, stakeholders, potential funders and of course the people we support and their families.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity of Jewish Care Scotland and for your part in our story.
JCS celebrates 165 years of caring for the community
Last Thursday Jewish Care Scotland celebrated their 165th anniversary with an intimate gathering at the Walton Community Care Centre. Guests included members of the Board, Honorary Presidents and Vice-Presidents, and funders who were invited to decades of service dedicated to the community while reflecting on 165 years
Guests were invited to enjoy a premiere viewing of a short film summarising the services the charity offers in 2024 and the positive impact on the community. Treated to popcorn and canapés, attendees enjoyed the short film before gathering in the day centre to look back through the years, tracing how far we’ve come.
Jewish Care Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Linda Kemp said of the milestone anniversary: “Jewish Care Scotland provide a great vehicle for people to connect and be part of their community. When we ask people what they want from JCS, they tell us it’s that opportunity to connect, meet new people and feel part of the community. That’s very important to them.”
Linda was joined by Board Chairman Dr Richard Groden, President of Glasgow Jewish Rep Council Timothy Lovat and the Provost of East Renfrewshire, Mary Montague to connect and mark the momentous occasion.
Fundraising Volunteer
Jewish Care Scotland is looking for members of the community to support fundraising activity and events throughout the year. Volunteers will play a key role in shaping, promoting and delivering fundraising events that will engage the community, existing donors as well as attracting new audiences.
Volunteers will be supported by the Communications Officer and Deputy Chief Executive to research, plan and deliver a variety of fundraising opportunities throughout the year to raise unrestricted income to enable the delivery of our vital services.
There will be regular meetings, dependent on activity. Support, training and supervision will be provided and volunteers will be empowered to act as ambassadors for the charity to raise awareness of fundraising opportunities as well as the services on offer.
For more information or for an informal discussion, please contact Cally by emailing comms@jcarescot.org.uk or call 0141 620 1800.
Volunteer gardener vacancy
Volunteer Gardener
Do you love getting out in the garden? JCS are looking for green-thumbed volunteer to support an elderly member of the community with their garden this summer. Ideal for those wanting to enjoy the sunshine while lending a hand.
Location: Newton Mearns
Duties: Watering plants, tending to troughs and planters, tidying and deadheading plants, picking up plants to put in troughs and other light gardening work.
Located in Newton Mearns, the gardening role would involve picking up plants to plant into the troughs, deadheading and watering regularly throughout the summertime.
These planters bring their owner joy but sadly he is now not fit enough to look after them alone. We would love to hear from all of the Horticulturists out there, or just anyone who loves plants!
Application to the PVG scheme may be required.
For more information on this role and to apply please email Jean at jeang@jcarescot.org.uk or give us a call on 0141 620 1800
Glasgow’s beloved Henry Wuga dies age 100
On Sunday the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust sadly announced that Henry Wuga had died, just a month after celebrating his 100th birthday.
Henry Wuga has lived an extraordinary life. At just 15 years old Mr. Henry Wuga was evacuated from Nazi Germany, escaping to Glasgow where he became instrumental in educating people about the horrors of the Holocaust. He spent the majority of his life working to preserve records of the Holocaust; enabling people to learn about his remarkable life while guiding the community that had taken him in as a child refugee.
He later married and raised a family with Ingrid Wolffe, a fellow German-Jewish refugee. The couple continued to play an active role in engaging with schools, delivering speeches and classes on the Holocaust.
“When Henry and his wife attended Jewish Care Scotland clubs from time to time it was a great privilege to have them here.” Jewish Care Scotland’s Honorary President, Maureen Solomons reflects on Henry and Ingrid’s relationship with JCS.
At one point, Wuga worked as a ski instructor for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association where he taught veterans who had lost limbs to ski, for which he was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1999.
JCS’s Head of Community and Wellbeing, Lynsey Allan recalls: “In later years Henry supported his wife, Ingrid. Ingrid was a great character at the club and I remember she particularly enjoyed sitting in the sunshine, as well as an occasional afternoon snooze! I was always touched by the sight of Henry waiting to collect her from the bus at the end of the day. They were clearly a great partnership and a loving couple.”
As renowned figure in the Glasgow-Jewish community Henry was a dedicated Holocaust educator whose light shined on many. His story lives on in everyone who was lucky enough to hear it.
Ladies Discussion Panel
JCS celebrate International Women’s Day with a ladies’ discussion panel
13 March 2024
To celebrate International Women’s Day JCS hosted their first Ladies’ Discussion Panel on Wednesday 13 March – together Lennie Wilson, joined by panellists Rebbetzin Rubin, Deborah Haas and Madeleine Black.
After JCS’s drop-in style café, Welcome Wednesday the all-ladies discussion garnered an engaged group to hear the panellists discuss topics relating to the achievements of women and girls in the community.
(L-R) Deborah Haas, Madeleine Black, Rebbetzin Rubin.
When asked what changes she’d like to see in society Madeleine Black stated: “Equality. Whether that’s through education or breaking the glass ceiling. Equal pay and career opportunities, being treated the same regardless of your age, gender or race. That’s what I’d like to see.”
The next panel, titled, ‘Where are we going as a community and congregation?’, will be held on Wednesday 10 April, discussion panellists to be confirmed. All are welcome and invited to come and be part of the conversation.
JCS and Calderwood Primary attend Generations Working Together Roadshow
5 March 2024
Yesterday, JCS and pupils from Calderwood Primary School attended Generations Working Togethers’ intergenerational learning roadshow in Govanhill.
The Intergenerational project, which sees Calderwood Lodge Primary School pupils spend time with attendees of Jewish Care Scotland’s Wellbeing Hub throughout the school term, was a resounding success in 2023. The children and older people work together to have meaningful interactions and learning experiences. The project has gained positive feedback from everyone involved. After receiving a Highly Commended Award at the Generations Working Together Awards in 2023, JCS was invited to the roadshow to showcase the successful project.
JCS’s Registered Manager, Vicki McPhee: “What a fantastic opportunity to share the story of our Intergenerational journey with Calderwood Lodge Primary School whilst networking and learning from others. It was a pleasure to have been invited to speak at this event! Bringing younger and older generations together to learn from one another, share stories and building connections is a such meaningful project for Jewish Care Scotland, benefiting the wellbeing of everybody involved.”
The collaboration comes after a longstanding partnership with Calderwood Lodge Primary School working on smaller projects, the two local Jewish establishments came together to work on Intergenerational Projects with the aim of connecting people through shared culture and experiences.
For more information, please contact Cally by emailing Comms@jcarescot.org.uk
Pesach Financial Grants Available 2024
JCS want everyone to have the opportunity to observe and celebrate important times in the Jewish year. Once again, we are delighted to be able to offer our annual Pesach grants for anyone struggling to meet additional costs associated with this time.
This is a one-off grant, aimed at households with a limited income, of £80 for individuals increasing to £120 for households with children. Applications close Thursday 28 March at 5pm.
Upon application, you will be put in touch with one of our Community and Wellbeing Team. Any support offered will be dependent on individual circumstances and applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation. All applications are treated in strictest confidence and with discretion. Successful applicants will receive their grant by Thursday 18 April.
If you would like more information, or to apply for a Pesach Grant, please contact us on 0141 620 1800 or email hello@jcarescot.org.uk.