By Jenna Vetsch
(AJNews) – Jeni Adler and Rhonda Eidelman are two longstanding leaders within Jewish Family Services (JFSE) Edmonton as well as the broader Edmonton community. For over two decades, these women have served countless groups and individuals to teach, support, and empower them in their unique life circumstances. JFSE is hosting a brunch on Sunday, September 8 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Fantasyland Hotel to recognize their longtime contributions. Executive Director, Danielle Dolgoy, invites the Jewish community and past clients to take part in this celebratory event. “This is an opportunity for people to show their appreciation and for the entire community to collectively honour these two powerful matriarchs.” Contact info@jfse.org if you would like to attend this event.
It has been over two decades since Jeni Adler began working with Jewish Family Services (JFS) Edmonton. Her role within the non-profit organization has evolved over time, but her primary focus has always been supporting newcomers and immigrants in various capacities. Jeni started as a community worker/case manager for JFSE. Jeni helped the Edmonton population in need navigate and ease their way through the various social systems. As she developed relationships and connections, Jeni transitioned into the role of Intercultural and English Class Facilitator. “I have a strong investment in having people build confidence, easing their lives in Canada, and developing their language proficiency.” Her classes are available online and in-person. Recently, JFSE has begun offering free in-person English classes in collaboration with the Edmonton Public Library.
Jeni is not your average woman in leadership. Her path is not about career goals or planning out stepping stones to reach a certain destination. It has always been about people and letting opportunities unfold through relationship building. She describes her style of teaching as informal and entertaining which allows her to create unique lesson plans that encourage students to take risks. Additionally, Jeni believes in the magic of group work. Before she became a facilitator of English groups, Jeni developed and implemented numerous groups for JFSE that were multicultural in focus.
Jeni is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. She moved to Israel twice, and eventually Canada, in her late teens and early adulthood where she developed many relationships. “I value connection over most things”, and this core belief has acted as a guidepost throughout her endeavors. Jeni prioritizes staying in contact with her sister-in-law in Israel. They talk for a few hours every Saturday to share their experiences within Israel and the diaspora. As a two-time immigrant, Jeni has an intimate understanding of the difficulties, feelings of embarrassment, resentment, as well as the newness and excitement that can come with the immigration experience. Combined with her curiosity, she uses compassion and creativity to help create positive changes in the lives of those she serves. Jeni describes her upbringing as culturally Jewish; she grew up with Jewish parents and observed Jewish holidays. Through all her experiences in life though, she says she has never felt more Jewish than she does now. Before October 7th, she was involved in some antisemitism and anti-racism work with other staff members at JFSE. Now it colours her world. Maintaining connection with family and friends in Israel is of utmost importance to her.
Prior to JFSE, Jeni volunteered and worked for other non-profit organizations including the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) as well as Compass Centre for Sexual Wellness, formerly known as the Rape Crisis Centre and Planned Parenthood Edmonton, respectively. As a dyed-in-the-wool feminist, she found herself a part of organizations that were social justice or women’s issues oriented over the years. After spending time in Israel, she came back to Canada looking for a job, and it was her surrogate mother, Jane Karstaedt, who encouraged Jeni to apply for the community worker position at JFSE. When asked what advice Jeni would share with other women in leadership, she recalled a partial quote by influential suffragist leader Christabel Pankhurst, “remember the dignity of your womanhood.” It serves as a grounding slogan to her in times when courage is needed.
Jeni’s time spent playing in the garden, nurturing meaningful friendships, and being a loving mother and grandmother to her daughter and granddaughter replenishes the energy that is needed to be a compassionate, effective leader.
You can get in touch with Jeni at community@jfse.org.
Rhonda Eidelman is another JFSE staff member who has served the Edmonton community for 20+ years. Her current role is a Jewish Community Outreach Worker with a focus in supporting the aging population. However, Rhonda has been leaving her mark for over 40 years as a long-standing, active member within the Jewish community in Edmonton.
In 1981, Rhonda and her husband moved from Toronto to settle in Edmonton. She was a nurse and got a job working for the Federal government, travelling throughout Alberta. Her husband taught at the Talmud Torah School as a grade four Hebrew teacher. They started a family which grew to include five children. Rhonda began working for Jewish Family Services Edmonton in 2003. What began as part-time work as a secretary, turned into the current role she has filled for over two decades now. Her position came about through a collaborative grant with JFSE and the Jewish Senior Centre. “I didn’t see it as a job but as a continuation of my life.” Rhonda was familiar firsthand with challenges that can occur as family members age and/or experience a decline in health. Therefore, she took on the role wholeheartedly to support seniors through this transitional period.
Prior to her time at JFSE, Rhonda dedicated many hours to Talmud Torah School—both at the old and new locations—as a daily volunteer. She also became very involved with other Jewish groups to help with various fundraising events and community gatherings. “Whatever was out there that needed people, I was found.”
Over the many years in Edmonton, Rhonda has volunteered for a long list of organizations and institutions, including but not limited to Chabad, the Jewish Drop-in Centre, Beth Israel, Na’amat, Hadassah, the Jewish Community Centre, and the Edmonton chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women. She shared her appreciation for the various agencies in the city who have been fantastic supports of JFSE as well.
“[Volunteering] has to be in your heart and in your mentality,” says Rhonda. For herself, she has followed in the footsteps of her parents and tries to set the same example for her own kids. “It is about every group working together.”
Rhonda has witnessed the power of in-person connections in action for a long time. Back when she started at JFSE, she found that a lot of seniors were experiencing loneliness and isolation. Whether friends had passed away, children had moved cities, or they lost their driver’s license, their worlds would seemingly grow smaller. In collaborations with various synagogues in the city, Rhonda would gather and coordinate volunteers to hold shabbat dinners for seniors in synagogues around the city. JFSE also partnered with Meals on Wheels to deliver nutritious meals to seniors in nursing homes or living alone. During the pandemic, they would drop off gift bags with an assortment of goodies.
“For everything I did here for other people, it was in my heart that someone was doing the same for my in-laws and parents back into Toronto.”
Rhonda understands that time and money go a long way for not-for-profit organizations. It is a gift that she encourages people to consider giving to maintain a compassionate and thriving community.
If you or a loved one needs support in their aging years, email Rhonda at seniors@jfse.org or call at 780-454-1194 ext 237. She is happy to provide resources, answer any questions, give ideas on long-term care options, provide ways to stay engaged in the community, and more.
Come celebrate Jeni and Rhonda on Sunday, September 8 at the Fantasyland Hotel for their many years of service and acknowledge the positive impact they have had in their communities. Tickets are $36 per person or $350 to purchase a table (8-10 seats). There will also be an option for people to “pay it forward” at the time of purchase where one, if desired, can subsidize a ticket for a community member as well. Please email info@jfse.org to purchase your tickets.
Jenna Vetsch is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
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