​As we all know, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is already becoming a public health crisis in many parts of the United States. One important component of slowing the rate of transmission is “social distancing”: avoiding close contact with other people, even before COVID-19 is known to be spreading in our community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick, which includes ALL people over the age of 60. The CDC recommends that older adults stay home as much as possible in the coming weeks to reduce their risk of being exposed to COVID-19.

Out of concern for the health and safety of our senior population, we are cancelling all AFC on-site lunches and programs at least through March 31, 2020. The Brunch & Play outing for March 18 will be postponed to July.
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At the same time, we know that times of isolation and sickness are exactly when our seniors need social and nutritional support the most. Thus, the Adult Friendship Club will offer home meal delivery only to all AFC members, Mondays and Wednesdays from March 16 through March 30.

In addition, please be aware that the CDC is encouraging people over the age of 60 — as well as anyone with a severe chronic medical condition such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes — to "stay at home as much as possible" to reduce their higher risk of contracting COVID-19. We want to ensure that people do not put themselves or others in harm’s way and ask that you follow the CDC Guidelines.

We will continue to keep you informed as information becomes available. ​

In January 2020, the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana had a productive discussion with SCN's Chicago office about our collective community’s preparedness, safety, and security in this age of rising anti-Semitism. Our first step is to convene the entire Jewish community in Northwest Indiana for a Community Engagement Conversation to be led by Michael Masters, CEO of SCN. Masters will provide important context around Jewish community security and preparedness in a time of increased anti-Semitism and attacks against houses of worship. ​

After a successful first gathering in January, the Partnership2Gether Global Virtual Book Club is excited to announce its second book selection: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. ​

Read the book, then join the...
ZOOM: VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB GATHERING
Sunday, May 3
10:00am CDT
Readers will be connected by an open WhatsApp group beginning March 2.

Questions? Contact Erica Yakovetz, Federation's Director of Communications & Programming, at 219-301-0960 or erica@federationonline.org.

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER is a program of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Federations of North America, promoting people-to-people relationships through cultural, social, medical, educational and economic programs. Northwest Indiana's Partnership is between the 16 communities of the Central Area Consortium, Budapest (Hungary), and Israel's Western Galilee. P2G Western Galilee's mission is to promote mutually beneficial endeavors and forge relationships between the people of the US Central Area Consortium, Budapest and the Western Galilee through programs that build Jewish identity and strengthen ties and connections among and between our communities.

Over 130 people from 15 local Jewish, Christian, and Muslim congregations came together for our inspirational, multi-faith evening featuring Chicago’s acclaimed KEEPING FAITH: SISTERS OF STORY (sistersofstory.weebly.com). The event was held at the Jewish Federation in Munster on Thursday evening, February 6, 2020.

Aida Nozick, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana, shared this thought: “Now more than ever, our communities need to come together and focus on what unites us rather than what divides us.”  The Jewish Federation has re-activated its Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC), which will be working to promote racial and religious understanding and build positive relations with our non-Jewish neighbors through education and engagement. Community members of all faiths are invited to sign up for a new JCRC email list for further news and events supporting interfaith relations.

The Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana is pleased to announce an inspirational, multi-faith evening featuring Chicago’s acclaimed KEEPING FAITH: SISTERS OF STORY (sistersofstory.weebly.com). Members of all Northwest Indiana faith communities are encouraged to attend.
 
KEEPING FAITH: SISTERS OF STORY came into being after the 2016 election because three women, witnessing the uptick of hateful and vitriolic language and action in this country, decided to try to bridge the divide. Chicago playwright Rohina Malik, a Muslim woman and storyteller, wanted to create a project to demonstrate peace and commonalities between us all. She approached Susan Stone (a Jewish woman and storyteller) and Kim Schultz (a Christian woman and storyteller) with an idea: what if they all told stories from their faiths with the goal of bringing people together and showing peace, curiosity and similarities amongst the faiths.
 
As part of the performance, each of these women will tell three stories inspired by their personal faith journey. A cultural musical storyteller, Lucia Thomas, will provide musical accompaniment on violin, oud and guitar.
 
Aida Nozick, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana, first saw the group perform at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie in August of 2019. “I knew right away that we needed to bring these amazing women to Northwest Indiana,” said Ms. Nozick. “Now more than ever, our communities need to come together and focus on what unites us rather than what divides us.”
 
The storytelling event will take place at 7:00pm on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana, 585 Progress Ave., Munster. Doors will open at 6:30pm for refreshments. Admission to the event is free, but advance registration is requested. To learn more and RSVP, please call the Jewish Federation at 219-301-0960.

We have recently noticed a sharp increase in scams targeting seniors in our area. Swindlers posing as utility workers, deliverymen, sweepstakes administrators, and IRS employees have attempted to rob unsuspecting seniors of their bank accounts and nest eggs. These criminals have bilked innocent people in our own community out of many thousands of dollars.
 
This happens, in part, because honest, good citizens are trusting and don’t expect to be taken advantage of. Most of us are shocked when this happens to us because we would never treat others this way.
 
The following are some examples of scams that have recently taken place:

1. Victim receives a phone call from a “grandchild” in trouble in a foreign country – ostensibly on a break from college or on a study abroad program. This call is full of static so it is impossible to clearly identify the caller.  The “grandparent” is asked to wire funds to the grand child in trouble. The “grandchild” asks the grandparent to please not inform the parents because the parents will be too worried and upset.
   Tip: If this happens to you, please contact your grandchildren directly. Do not use any numbers given to you by the caller.  Furthermore, immediately contact your children and inquire about the authenticity of call.
2. An official or robot sounding call from an “IRS agent” stating that there is a problem with taxes that can only be solved by sending back taxes to the “IRS”. The caller states that failure to do so is punishable with severe fines or jail time.
   Tip: Never, ever respond to these calls. The IRS does not make threatening calls to individuals over the phone. If you have a problem with the IRS, you will be notified by other means. If you receive a letter, please check it out with an attorney or ask a trusted friend who will help authenticate a letter.
3. Pyramid purchasing schemes. The victim is instructed to purchase several gift cards and mail them to different addresses with the promise of receiving even more gift cards in return.
   Tip: Gift cards should only be given to people you know.
4. Sweepstakes awards: The victim is contacted and told that he or she is the recipient of a prize. The victim is promised a large monetary prize once “taxes” on the prize have been paid.  “Taxes” in the form of checks and gift-cards are sent to the scammer.
   Tip: If you are promised a large prize or cash award, confirm this by validating it. If an award is authentic you will be able to verify it. Ask for the name of the company giving the award, ask for phone numbers, ask for references.
5. Computer hackers: A caller announces that the victim has a computer virus. The caller says that the victim’s computer will crash and all files will be erased unless a cash amount is sent to the caller.
   Tip: There is no way for a caller to know if there is a virus on your computer. Never give out any identifying information or your passwords to anyone who calls you.
6. Auto mechanic scammers: A senior was approached by a “mechanic” at a stoplight. The “mechanic” said he noticed dents and scratches on her vehicle and recognized her from the dealership where he worked. He knew the name of her dealership because she had a plastic cover around her license plate identifying her dealership. The victim assumed that she knew the “mechanic”- or at least had a connection with him through her dealership and thus agreed to let him fix the dents and scratches. She was told that the “mechanic” would do this at a discounted rate but when she asked the “mechanic” the price, he told her not to worry, he would take care of her. She was told to pull off the road into a parking lot where the car was painted and patched. She was then told to pay $4000 for the repairs. When she objected, she was told that she would be followed to her bank where she would be forced to withdraw cash. She withdrew $1500 from her cash station and told the robbers that was all she had. When she began to panic, they drove off quickly, leaving her feeling devastated and violated.
   Tip: Never follow someone off of the road into a parking lot or uninhabited area. If you do not recognize someone, do not engage in any conversation.  If someone asks you for money and says they will follow you to your cash station for a withdrawal, avoid doing this. Go inside the bank instead. If you are afraid, TELL SOMEONE!!  Even a bystander can interrupt a crime. 

 
These are some of the most common types of scams that are perpetrated against unsuspecting seniors, but there are many more out there.  
 
If this happens to you, it does not mean that you are stupid or uninformed. These deceptive people are very good at their job.  In fact, our embarrassment and reluctance to share our experiences is the key to their continued success. 
 
Please remember…

• If something feels uncomfortable or not right, listen to your gut. Do not do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is!
• Never give identifying information over the phone - if you have doubts or questions, get the caller‘s phone number and ask to call them back.  If they will not give a call back number, hang up!
• A bank or the IRS will never ask you for your Social Security number or account numbers over the phone! Don’t give them out to anyone!

 
Whom to contact:

• Law Enforcement – Munster Police Department (219) 836-6600 or your local Police Department
• Family and Friends
• Your Financial Institution – Your personal bank
• The Social Security Administration – (800) 772-1213
• IRS – (800) 829-1040

 
We are hosting a meeting to discuss prevention of these situations. A seminar will be given by a professional from our area. Please join us to learn more so we can prevent criminals from perpetrating these crimes.
 
Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm
Where: Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana, 558 Progress Avenue, Munster
Presenter: Mr. Brian Miller, Director of Public Safety at Purdue Northwest
​Cost: FREE
RSVP to the Federation office at (219) 301-0960 by Monday, January 6.

To kick off the New Year (5780, that is)... the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana is now on Instagram and Twitter! Look for us at @JewishNWIndiana to see what's happening.

Of course, you can still find us on Facebook at FederationOnline. Keep in touch!

Our own Aida Nozick was featured on the radio on Wednesday, September 18! Listeners tuned in to WJOB (AM 1230/104.7 FM) at 1pm to catch the live segment. Aida discussed our history, mission, and how Federation helps the community, as well as how your donations specifically assist in various projects.

WJOB's "Speaking of Charity" radio show highlights different charities throughout the Region, interviewed by hosts Gloria Morris and Jen Okamura, to help build awareness for local non-profits.

The interview recording is available on WJOB's website at the following link: 
​https://www.wjobnetwork.com/?bfplayvid=140960

You can also see it archived on Facebook:

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of 6 cities around Israel! Join the whole community at Federation for our annual...

$5 per person • $20 max per family
RSVP to (219) 301-0960 or online: