IsraAid Humanitarian Professionals Network Speakers Series
Are you interested in humanitarian relief, international development and disaster response? Join the IsraAID Humanitarian Professionals Network (IHPN)!
IsraAID’s Humanitarian Professionals Network is an international collective concerned with local and global humanitarian aid, and with IsraAID’s recovery work. Members receive briefings and trainings on humanitarian relief, international development and disaster response topics from Israeli experts.
Founded in 2001, IsraAID has done emergency rescue and recovery work in 51 countries, helping disaster-stricken regions with medical care, water and sanitation, education and other forms of humanitarian aid.
- Gain Knowledge: Increase your understanding of the humanitarian aid landscape, disaster preparedness and related topics.
- Be Prepared: Understand how to respond to disasters. Gain access to expert trainings, briefings and workshops from IsraAID experts on the ground.
- Network: Make connections with like-minded professionals committed to making an impact.
- Volunteer: Learn about deployment opportunities with IsraAID.
To learn more about the IHPN Speakers’ Series, please contact Michele Solomon at msolomon@pjcc.org
In partnership with IsraAID, the OFJCC, PJCC and Peninsula congregations.
Upcoming Events at the PJCC:
Search and Rescue: Boots on the Ground at Home and Abroad
Featuring Case Studies in Hurricane Harvey (Texas) and Super Typoon Haiyan (Philippines)
Tuesday, November 19 · 7:00-9:00 pm
Speaker: Dawn Eli Keller
Disaster response is often dynamic and evolving as needs are assessed and resourced. Search and Rescue in the specialized disciplines of ground search teams, flood and swift water teams, and K9 detection teams are the most common responses both at home and abroad. As an individual responding to disaster, it is key to have an accurate and concise understanding of your own skills, both technically and from an emotional/social intelligence perspective. As a leader, it is invaluable to be able to readily assess the skills others bring to the team as well. Learn more about the arena of Search and Rescue and its specialized branches of service. Take away tips to identify and maximize your individual contribution, how to contribute in team environments, and effectively manage the stresses inherent in being a responder. A fast paced, interactive, and engaging session with real world connections in both domestic and international contexts of Search and Rescue.
Learn More & Register
Water is Life: How IsraAID Prevents Waterborne Illness
Israeli Based Water Sustainable Solutions (WASH) Post Disasters
Tuesday, December 17 · 7:00-9:00 pm
Speaker: Lior Singer, P.E
In the minutes, hours, days, and weeks following a global crisis, access to clean water is the difference between life and death. The tens or hundreds of thousands of people lucky enough to survive the initial incident will soon perish without access to potable hydration. Without adequate safe water and hygiene facilities, communities simply cannot recover. What’s more, any acute water provision must be augmented by long-term solutions to address the ongoing needs and chronic sanitation deficiencies. Lior will discuss the history of water purification and the cutting-edge Israeli water technologies that IsraAID uses to save lives in the world’s most challenging environs. Participants will learn the various strategies and techniques that are used to reduce outbreaks of disease, thereby preventing secondary crises. Learn about the IsraAID hands-on, community-driven approach which ensures that water programs have a broad and enduring impact.
Learn More & Register
Medical Capacity Building: A Community-Outreach Sustainable Approach
Implementing Medical and Dental Programs During Complex Humanitarian Crises
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 · 7:00-9:00 pm
Speakers: Dr. Michelle Sandberg and Dr. Lior Tamir
In the aftermath of a humanitarian crisis, the healthcare infrastructure in affected areas is usually stretched beyond capacity, while the needs of the population dramatically increase. Participants will gain a technical understanding of the implementation of healthcare programs for displaced populations in developing countries. The emphasis of the talk will be healthcare for refugees domiciled in camp environments.
Please note: This workshop will provide dental CE credits for dentists and dental hygienists.
Registration Coming Soon
From the “Me Generation” to the “We Generation”: Millenials and Humanitarian Aid
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 · 7:00-9:00 pm
More Information and Registration Coming Soon
Additional Events at Oshman JCC in Palo Alto:
Responding to Disasters: An Insider’s Perspective
Tuesday, September 17 · 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Life-or-Death Decisions: IsraAID Disaster Response in the First 72 Hours
Thursday October 17 · 7:00 – 9:00 pm
The Global Refugee Crisis: Helping the World’s Forgotten
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 · 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Too Hot to Handle? The Global Impact of Climate Change
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 · 7:00 – 9:00 pm
From the “Me Generation” to the “We Generation”: Millennials and Humanitarian Aid
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 · 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Second Harvest Food Bank Food Drive
November 13–December 11
Second Harvest is committed to doing whatever it takes to build a hunger-free community. That means distributing nutritious food to nearly every neighborhood in Silicon Valley, leveraging every available food resource, and collaborating with organizations and people who share our belief that hunger is unacceptable. Nutritious food is the foundation for a healthy, productive life.
Second Harvest accepts all non-perishable food donations, but especially needs these nutritious items:
- Canned foods with pop-top lids, including:
- Tuna, salmon, or chicken
- Fruit in its own juice or water
- Low-sodium vegetables
- Soup, stew or chili
- Peanut butter
- Bottled water
- Olive or canola oil
- Low-sugar whole grain cereals
- Nutritious snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit)
- Spices (cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, salt-free spice blends)
Please no glass containers, candy, or sugar-sweetened drinks (soda, energy drinks, juice).
Coat Drive
November 25–December 18
Please donate
- New and gently used adult and children’s coats
- Scarves
- Gloves
- Hats
Samaritan House Holiday Toy Drive
December 2–December 12
Donate a new, unwrapped toy valued between $20-$50 and bring a smile to a child age 0–17 this holiday season.
“Pop Rocks” Pop-Up
Thursday, November 21 · 9:30–11:00 am · Lobby
Decorate a rock with a word of chesed—lovingkindness—and spread a little love today.
Family Challah Bake
Sunday, December 8 · 2:30-4:30 pm · ECE Kitchen · $10 per family
Join as we bake challah, learn about food insecurity and how to use our advocacy skills to address hunger in our community all in a family friendly discussion as part of our new Challah for Hunger program. This program is for families with children who are 6 years old and up. Each family will receive a challah to take home.
Register
The PJCC partners with several agencies to do good, including
IsraAID,
Mission Hospice,
the Jewish Coalition for Literacy (JCL),
Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS),
Samaritan House, and more.
Upcoming Opportunities
Second Harvest Brown Bag Volunteer Program
On the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:30-11:30 am, volunteers are needed to help distribute food to low-income seniors at Foster City Parks and Rec. For more information, contact 650.378.2780 or msolomon@pjcc.org, or register online.
Register
Foster City Cleanup Crew
Come together with your neighbors and help keep our community beautiful! Each month, the Foster City Cleanup Crew will gather to clean litter out of our streets, waterways, and beaches. Cleanups are typically scheduled for the last Sunday of the month. Locations are selected two weeks in advance (based on input from Parks Department). Organized by residents of Foster City.
Learn More
