January 20, 2021
Dear Friend,
Sometimes it is through the simplest acts, in the smallest of moments, that we feel truly connected to one another, grateful to be part of a caring community.
It is the old “stopping by to borrow a cup of sugar” from a neighbor or lending jumper cables to someone whose battery needs a boost.
Whether we are the sugar lender or the lendee, the “jumper” or the “jumpee,” these small moments connect us to each other in ways that really do matter.
This moment — after navigating 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and eagerly awaiting “our turn” for vaccination — is much bigger than the cup of sugar, but the opportunity to be of help in this moment feels just about as simple.
The EDCJCC has launched a partnership with the wonderful students at George Washington University Hillel to help older adults in our communities (DC, Virginia and Maryland) get enrolled for vaccinations. The process of getting registered can feel cumbersome and we are here to help. We’ve got you!
If you or someone in your family or network of friends is 65+ and would like the EDCJCC to match you with a lovely, tech savvy GW student all you have to do is say the word (in fact, all you need to do is click here).
What will happen next?
We will send a quick intro note connecting you to your student volunteer and then you will hop on a call with them to walk through the registration process together.
Why are we doing this?
Well, that’s an easy one to answer: Because we can. Because you have spent your entire life doing things for others — and now is a moment when we can jump in and make this one thing easier for you. Because you matter and your health matters.
Who is this for?
We are designating our GW volunteer corps match to adults 65+ to get enrolled for their Covid-19 vaccination. You do not need to be a JCC member. All DC, VA, and MD residents are invited to sign up. And yes, please feel free to forward this email to friends or members of your family.
This is a pretty boundless invitation.
What if I have already tried to enroll and have not yet gotten a reservation or have other questions about the timing of when the next group of vaccination appointments will become available?
No problem. Our volunteers will be at the ready to help answer your questions and walk you through the process.
Can my volunteer guarantee me a vaccine appointment?
No. As you can imagine, this is a very challenging process and we know from many who have tried that often you can spend hours online only to be informed that there are no additional appointments available at any of the area vaccination sites.
What we can promise you is that a volunteer will stick with you and the process until you do get an appointment. This could take many weeks (or months) — but we hope not. Our volunteers will use your time as effectively as possible. That said, they are amazing people, but not miracle workers, so please understand that they too may hit bumps in the process but will do the best that they can to be of help to you.
This is what community looks like, and we are grateful to be building a community with GW Hillel and with you.
In good health,
Dava Schub
Chief Executive Officer
Edlavitch DCJCC
P.S. Interested in joining our network of volunteers? As of now we are pretty well set with the group we have from GW Hillel, but feel free to RSVP here and if there is a greater need than this group can meet, we will reach out and be in touch with you.
The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.