Family turns holiday giving into tzedakah through JFCS

Family members met on Thanksgiving to assemble the parcels, which they turn over to the S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children's Services to distribute.

JFCS volunteers will deliver nearly 1,200 Chanukah bags to seniors living alone, in board and care homes, assisted living facilities and convalescent homes. Individuals with AIDS, disabled people and those in financial straits will also receive gift packages.

For the last three years, Milt Danoff of Santa Rosa has delivered a parcel to a man who can neither write, speak nor hear.

"We do a lot of pantomime together," Danoff said. "I showed him my Star of David and he showed me his. He likes to share his photo album with memorabilia from his life. It's a joy to visit."

Congregants from San Francisco's Congregation Emanu-El will create and deliver Chanukah bags Sunday and the Peninsula branch of the JFCS and Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills will team up to do the same for nearly 500, including recent emigres.

The JFCS Teens Take Action Program will throw a holiday party tomorrow for residents of Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco.

The Tenderloin Outreach Chanukah party, co-sponsored by JFCS, B'nai B'rith Men and Jewish Women International, will take place next Friday at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco.