OUR PROJECTS
Concerned Kids:
How do you explain the unexplainable to children? How do we talk to them about death and illness, about dying about the needs of the dying, about HIV, about drug abuse and about suffering in a language they can understand. In two simple words, the answer is "Concerned Kids".

Through the magic of interactive puppetry, Concerned Kids has reached approximately 300,000 students in the school system since it began in 1999 to educate young people about social concerns.
Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario has funded Concerned Kids in creating a specific program about Bereavement (Pediatric Hospice) to help school children better understand death, dying, grief and loss.

This 45-minute puppet show, directed by Joyce Attis, is geared to the 10-12 year old and explores the feelings of Kenny, his hospice nurse, Abbie, his friend, Brenda, his brother Keith and his dog, Virgil. Issues of death and dying are played out in four separate skits.

The first, entitled, 'Little League Blues", allows Kenny to vent his anger at not being able to play in the baseball game; in the second scene, called, "Myths about Death", Brenda learns not to fear visiting Kenny and realizes how much her visits mean to him; in the third skit, brother, Keith, tries talking openly about how Kenny's illness has overtaken his family life and how left out he feels; and in the last skit, "Saying Goodbye", the kids discuss grief, loss and goodbyes, openly and honestly.

Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario is proud to help Concerned Kids make a difference in the community in understanding and dispelling myths about grief, death and dying.

The Rose Garden:
In June, 1995, Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario held a tree-planting "Celebration of Life" Ceremony at Earl Bales Park (north-east quadrant) with a number of member families attending. This project was initiated by Debbie and Larry Salsberg. In the ceremony a plaque was placed and individual trees were planted by parents, honouring the memory of their children.

In June 1999, it was decided to extend the area to include a Rose Garden which was planted across the walkway from the original site. Two benches were added to the site and it has become a quiet place to meditate, reflect and remember. Below is a picture of the committee members in attendance:

Left to right: first row: Sheila Browne, Avihu Bar-El;  second row: Kay Rodness*, Debby Salsberg, Debby Goldman, Shirley Midanik, Ruth Charney*;  third row: Paul Goldstein, David Ogus, Larry Salsberg*, Hilary and Bernie Prusznowski (Please note * of blessed memory)

The Hospital for Sick Children Quiet Room

In 1999, Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario made a commitment to the re-design and re-decorating of the hospital's Quiet Room.

In a follow-up letter, The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation Program Liaison expressed her gratitude:
"I feel grateful to have met such kind and gracious people. I just wish the circumstances that brought us together were very different. I am in awe of your ability to think of others while having experienced the loss of a child of your own…. You have donated more than dollars in redecorating the Quiet Room. You have given comfort and respite to families who unfortunately will need the sanctity of a last visit with their child. Your visits to the hospital and sophisticated contribution to all aspects of the renovation is very appreciated. Let is be some comfort to know that in your loss you have become a source of inspiration and strength."

The Quiet Room was officially dedicated on May 11, 2000.

In a follow-up thank you letter from The Hospital for Sick Children, Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario was recognized as being "part of a very meaningful initiative… The Quiet Room at The Hospital for Sick Children represents the deepest tragedy for a family. Over the years, families have said goodbye to their cherished children in our Quiet Room. The staff at The Hospital for Sick Children has comforted mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends during this most difficult time. Our Quiet Room always served its purpose but you have transformed the 'quiet' to serenity and the 'room' into a place of sanctity".

Hospital for Sick Children Palliative Care Room

In keeping with its mission, Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario committed to the establishment of the Palliative Care Room at the Hospital for Sick Children.

"The Palliative Care Room at The Hospital for Sick Children is the last place any parent wants to be. It is a place of good-byes. Yet with the support of donors such as yourself and Bereaved Jewish Families of Ontario, the Palliative Care Room is now a place of comfort, a place where families, care givers and children can share precious time together. The room will meet the child's palliative care needs in a private, controlled setting, with an atmosphere that allows for the physical, psychological and spiritual support needed, as determined by the child and family."

The Palliative Care Room was completed in April, 2003.