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July 27, 2001/Av 7, 5761, Vol. 53, No.42
CJSN establishes Jewish residence
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
A residence for developmentally disabled Jewish adults will welcome its first residents in late August.
The Shalom House, a program of the Council for Jews with Special Needs, is the Valley's first Jewish residence for adults who have mental or physical disabilities.
Council Properties, LLC, a newly formed subsidiary company of CJSN, owns the house and will handle tax-deductible donations for the home as well as future residences, according to Becca Hornstein, CJSN executive director.
Fund-raising for Shalom House began last fall when CJSN received two substantial donations for the program. A total of $250,000 was raised, said Hornstein.
The funds were used to purchase a house in North Phoenix and for repairs, installations, appliances and basic furnishings, Hornstein said. A remaining sum may be used to buy a vehicle or put into a CJSN endowment fund for future residences.
The house, bought in June, is two miles from Temple Chai in Phoenix and five miles from the site of the future Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale.
Shalom House is working in collaboration with state agencies and residents' parents or guardians to provide a home in which Shabbat and Jewish holidays are observed.
The three men selected as the first residents have met state eligibility requirements for the supported-living arrangement. They are: Jason, 33, who works full time picking up and delivering linens in a local hospital; Kevin, 33, who works on an assembly line at a sheltered workshop; and Hornstein's son Joel, 27, who works full time in a county library. (Hornstein asked that the last names of the other two men not be published, to protect their privacy.)
The Tungland Corporation, selected by CJSN and the residents' parents, will select and provide training for state-funded staff members who will oversee food preparation, grocery shopping, housecleaning and bill paying.
CJSN staff will supervise areas of Jewish concern, such as Shabbat and holiday observances and dietary restrictions.
The house will also serve as a meeting place for Yad B'Yad, the CJSN young adult group for adults with a variety of special needs.
"Every year the council has expanded its activities but I feel like this was a quantum leap," Hornstein said. "We now have a home and not just a residence, but a home for our adult programs."
CJSN's adult b'nai mitzvah students already have held classes in the house. Future programs include holiday celebrations, cooking and adult education classes, Shabbat dinners and social events.
The group is seeking community help in building a sukkah.
Besides monetary donations, the program has received several donated items, including furniture, a barbecue and kitchen supplies, Hornstein said.
CJSN has registered for Judaica at Israel Connection, 5539 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. To donate other items, call Hornstein or Laurie Person, 602-277-4243.
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