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News & Events

Defiant Requiem

Selfhelp, UJA-Federation of New York and the Defiant Requiem Foundation

Proudly Present:

DEFIANT REQUIEM: Verdi at Terezín

Monday, April 29, 2013, 7:30-9:30 PM
Avery Fisher Hall; Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Please join us for the New York City debut of Defiant Requiem, an exhilarating evening commemorating the courageous resistance of Jewish prisoners in Theresienstadt (Terezín) – who defied their Nazi captors by producing a profusion of music and inspired artistic expression that has resounded for generations since. Honorary Chairs are Madeleine Albright, Stuart E. Eizenstat and Elie Wiesel.

Come celebrate their unquenchable spirit and resolve at this critically important benefit concert to raise funds for UJA-Federation of New York’s Community Initiative for Holocaust Survivors. Selfhelp will be the primary beneficiary of this funding – receiving half of all concert proceeds to provide vitally needed services to the Holocaust survivors in our care. All concert expenses have been underwritten so that your entire contribution will benefit the survivor population.

Although it seems almost unfathomable, the sad truth is that 51% of the Holocaust survivors in New York live in poor or near poor conditions. This is unacceptable for those who have suffered such atrocities. And though the population of survivors is diminishing, the number of survivors in need keeps growing as they age. Of the 5300 survivors served by Selfhelp in 2012 alone, 2109 were new to us – having approached us for help for the very first time. The needs of this last generation of Holocaust survivors are critical and must not be ignored.

This year Selfhelp is dedicating our efforts to the success of the Defiant Requiem, in lieu of our Annual Gala. Your sponsorship of this event will be a moving and wonderful personal experience, and also an important contribution to this vital cause.

Round the world audiences of Defiant Requiem have been moved to tears and stunned by the energy of the artists’ heartfelt performances. We hope you can join us for this unique experience in April.

Please note that all checks should be made out to UJA-Federation of New York-CIHS, as UJA is coordinating all of the fundraising efforts. Click here to register via UJA’s website. http://www.ujafedny.org/event/view/defiant-requiem-benefit-concert/

For additional information, please call or email Lois Deutsch at Selfhelp; 212 971-7621 or ldeutsch@selfhelp.net

To preview what’s in store for you on April 29, you can view this 12-minute trailer about Defiant Requiem http://vimeo.com/34021527

 

 

2012 Selfhelp Gala - A Very Special Evening!

 

Click here to view photos from the event and see virtual journal.

Click here to see Selfhelp's "Leading The Way" video.

Click here to see the special welcome from Milton Greidinger.

 

 

 SinglePoint Appoints Joan Russo as CEO. Click here for the complete news announcement

             

A VISIT FROM MAYOR BLOOMBERG

Dear Friends,
Tuesday, April 3, 2012, was a very special day for Selfhelp, for our Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Innovative Senior Center in Queens, and for all our Selfhelp seniors.  Mayor Bloomberg visited our Center and held a press conference to announce that the City’s first eight Innovative Senior Centers are now open for the City’s senior population...Read More

 

Leo M. Asen, seated, and Milton Greidinger appear before the NYC Council’s Aging Committee.

Selfhelp Testimony to the NYC Council’s Aging Committee Hearing

Leo M. Asen, Selfhelp’s Vice President of Senior Communities, testified before the New York City’s Aging Committee on October 28, 2011.  The hearing, on the oversight of seniors and technology, provided Selfhelp the opportunity to share...  Read More

 

Stuart Kaplan, CEO of Selfhelp (right), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Willie Rapfogel, CEO of Met Council, discuss H.R. 2786 during a congressional briefing on October 26.

Advancing our Historic Mission:  Selfhelp Hosts Congressional Briefing on Caring for Survivors   Read More

“Selfhelp’s Maspeth Senior Center offers seniors a place to heal”  Read the article from the Queens Chronicle
 

New Telehealth Monitoring thanks to Enterprise Community Partners

Message from the CEO
 
Dear Friends,
 
We are delighted to announce that Enterprise Community Partners has awarded Selfhelp a $50,000 grant to install telehealth kiosks at our Martin Lande House (Flushing) and Scheuer House of Bayside residences. The grant will enable Selfhelp to demonstrate how telehealth kiosks can be used in congregate settings to improve health literacy and wellness among the residents.
 
Program participants will be able to self-monitor their vital information such as blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and weight and then securely transmit their bio-metrics electronically for review.  These kiosks will be an especially important addition for those suffering from chronic conditions such as respiratory problems, hypertension, arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure.
 
Partnering with Selfhelp in this new venture is Jewish Home Lifecare, who will monitor the information.  When an alert is triggered the individual, as well as our community nurse and social worker, will be notified.  The telehealth nurse will also call the resident to discuss the alert and offer a health education consult.  When needed, a Summary Sheet and Trend Report can be printed to enhance a visit to the doctor.
 
Community Nurse Brenda Gaines (right) assists
Ceil Lifton in learning how to use one of the new
telehealth kiosks.
 
In a telehealth pilot program Selfhelp conducted a few years ago in cooperation with New York State Department of Health, we quickly saw the health benefits that such a program could offer.  Thanks to the telehealth monitoring system, and superior coordinated teamwork, we routinely averted medical crises and visits to Emergency Rooms.
 
"We are delighted to partner with Jewish Home Lifecare on this initiative.  Their experience and success in health literacy, wellness promotion and reduced hospitalization are in line with our key goals of developing innovative, supportive senior housing initiatives,"  said Leo Asen, Vice President, Senior Communities.  "We sincerely thank Enterprise for their confidence in us and their investment to develop yet another model to support seniors to live safely, comfortably, independently and with dignity in their homes."

Sincerely,
Stuart C. Kaplan
CEO
Selfhelp Community Services

 
 

On August 12, 2011, Selfhelp Community Services led 41 organizations in filing an amicus or "friend of the court" brief supporting the New York City Medicaid Program, run by the Human Resources Administration ("HRA") which the U.S. Department of Justice has charged with filing "false claims" for its approval of 24-hour personal care services.  For more information see http://wnylc.com/health/news/12/
CRAIN'S Health Newsletter August 17th
 

New York Daily News columnist Denis Hamill asks the public to consider what will happen to The Greatest Generation if non-profit organizations that focus on the plight of the elderly poor, such as Selfhelp Community Services, continue to suffer from governmental cutbacks and reduced grants from foundations.

August 11, 2011  Hamill: Our Greatest shame

           

In an interview on WFAN Radio, citing examples, Valerie expands further on the legal issues facing low-income seniors.

Valerie Bogart , Director of E Frank Legal Resources Program on WFAN  - August 6, 2011
Click Here for Podcast

Selfhelp advocates for those in need, keeps abreast of the changes in Medicare and Medicaid, monitors changes in HIV/AIDS care and speaks out often on a variety of issues that affect frail, elderly and/or disabled New Yorkers. Click on the links below for recent news or view our archive filled with items from previous years.

Update on Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center

Symposium on Caring for Survivors Set
JTA, The Global News Service for the Jewish People, 3/28/11

Selfhelp celebrates the $43 million renovation of K-I and K-II, two senior affordable housing developments in Flushing Read press release.

Selfhelp breaks ground on K-VII, a new green apartment building for affordable independent living.  Read press release

K-VII Groundbreaking in the news:

Selfhelp Newsletter Spring 2011

Survivor (Ruth) in Flatbush and talks about Selfhelp's sponsorship of the coffee house gatherings.
http://video.sinovision.net/?id=1707
[ translation ]

Staten Island Resident David Goldfarb To Be Honored  
Staten Island Advance, 2/24/11

Threatened closing of 100+ senior centers, and interviews
NY1, February 23, 2011

Threatened closing of more than 100 senior centers and footage from the press briefing at Selfhelp senior center, interview with Ms. Meng and more
Sino Nightly News, February 22, 2011 

Selfhelp Senior Center
WPIX, 2/22/2011

Interview of Leo M. Asen, Vice President Senior Communities
Queens Campaigner, February 22, 2011 

French Minister Visit 
Demotix, 2/22/2011 

Survivor (Ruth) in Flatbush and talks about Selfhelp's sponsorship of the coffee house gathering

Selfhelp Lauds Congressional Support for Holocaust Survivors
Selfhelp Community Services applauds the unanimous passage of a Congressional resolution Wednesday to support programs that meet the distinct needs of aging Holocaust survivors.
Learn More

Selfhelp Community Services leads 75 organizations in demanding withdrawal of federal lawsuit attacking NYC Medicaid personal care program
On January 14, 2011, Selfhelp led 75 local, state, and national organizations in demanding that the United States Attorney withdraw a lawsuit against New York City that would result in denying...
Learn More

SinglePoint Appoints Joan Russo as CEO.  Click here for the complete news announcement

U.S. Attorney Sues New York City for Medicaid Fraud
PHI, 01/27/11

	

As New York City Defends Medicaid Approvals, Fear of Suit’s Fallout Grows


The New York Times, 01/11/11