Posts by Julia Rodda
The Best Day Ever: How Emmie Found Her T1D Big Sister
By Amanda Gilchrist My nine-year-old daughter Emmie is creative, determined, enthusiastic, and resilient. Emmie is a book lover, a lacrosse player, and an artist. She also has type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D is an incurable autoimmune disease that requires lifelong insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and constant management to avoid serious and life-threatening complications. Emmie…
Read MorePaying it Forward One Ticket at a Time
By Gabe Wasserman I was matched with Bruce Patz through Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters (JBBBS) in March of 1994 when I was 11 years old and a year and a half after my father had passed away, leaving a huge void in my life. Bruce and I shared a love of all things sports…
Read MoreFull Circle: From JBBBS Breakfasts to a Perfect Match
Hayley Samen My father served as president of JBBBS for a time, so I was lucky to be connected to the program from a young age. I grew up learning from members of the community and admiring the spirit of tikkun olam JBBBS inspired volunteers giving their time, energy, and hearts to help others. Growing up, I…
Read MoreThe M.A.G.I.C. of Therapy Dogs
By Kelsey Romaniak “I pet a dog for the first time tonight!” This quote from a M.A.G.I.C. (Monthly Activity Group in the Community) participant joyfully replays in my head. At our November M.A.G.I.C. event: Giving Back to help Angell Animal Adoption Center, our Friend 2 Friend matches made toys and blankets for the animals awaiting…
Read MoreWinter Boots in the Spring
By Richard Paisner “Winter boots in the spring, is that a thing?” I asked my then-girlfriend, now wife, Sarah, as we sat at a restaurant. I had just met this 7-year-old boy, Andy, who JBBBS thought I would click with at the JCC in Newton. I was 24 years old and so nervous I asked…
Read MoreMatch Spotlight: Niall and Jake
Niall and Jake have been matched in F2F for over two years. Together, they enjoy bowling, eating out, going to the movies, and miniature golfing. One of the highlights of their outings is rocking out to a playlist that Jake curates for their rides, based on songs that Niall requests in advance. Niall is thrilled…
Read MoreMatch Spotlight: Catherine and Nia
Catherine (Big) and Nia (Little) recently officially graduated from our Children’s program upon Nia’s 22nd birthday. They were first matched in February 2017 when Nia was 14 years old. Since being matched, Nia has graduated high school and gone off to college and Catherine has become a mother. Today, Nia is in her final semester at college and…
Read MoreBIG Brunch Honoree Victor Nussbaum
JBBBS is thrilled to honor four incredible JBBBS volunteers with the Chaverut Award at this year’s Big Brunch on November 17. These four volunteers truly exemplify the word chaverut which is Hebrew for friendship. Victor Nussbaum is one of this year’s honorees and we had the pleasure to recently ask him a few questions about…
Read MoreBIG Brunch Honoree Dennis Topakov
JBBBS is thrilled to honor four incredible JBBBS volunteers with the Chaverut Award at this year’s Big Brunch on November 17. These four volunteers truly exemplify the word chaverut which is Hebrew for friendship. Dennis Topakov is one of this year’s honorees and we had the pleasure to recently ask him a few questions about…
Read MoreBIG Brunch Honoree Laura Vardon
JBBBS is thrilled to honor four incredible JBBBS volunteers with the Chaverut Award at this year’s Big Brunch on November 17. These four volunteers truly exemplify the word chaverut which is Hebrew for friendship. Laura Vardon is one of this year’s honorees and we had the pleasure to recently ask her a few questions about…
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