By Laura Gorke • Associate Director of Client Services

Transportation is more than a ride. Access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation can make the difference between being able to get where you need to go and having to go without. It also plays a role in preventing isolation, maintaining independence, and staying engaged.

>Read more here

Transportation Founding Sponsors: Jacob Garber Endowment Fund of the Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation, Funded under contract with Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA) as part of the Older Americans Act

Friday, Sept. 4, from 10-11:30 a.m.

Highland Park (RSVP for exact location)

Grandparents, bring your grandchild(ren) of any age to enjoy the playground. We will have time to schmooze, connect, and celebrate Shabbat with challah and a treat. Drop in anytime between 10-11:30 a.m., with a brief program at 10:30 a.m. If your grandkids are busy or out of town, grandparents are still invited to come and schmooze without grandchildren!

> RSVP here for exact location information.

About the Jewish Grandparent Community

Family traditions start with grandparents. Find community and step into your role as a Jewish grandparent. Join us at JFCS as we explore joyful and meaningful ways to stay engaged, build strong relationships, and make the most of our time together across generations. Enjoy a mix of social gatherings, Jewish educational opportunities, and fun family events designed to spark ideas, build community, and make memories. Sign up to get involved!

Questions? Contact JFCS Grandparent Connector Stacey Spencer at sspencer@jfcsmn.org

This month’s question: Why is my preschooler suddenly acting like a baby again?

Natalie Quiring-Oleson, MSW, LICSW, Therapist:

One of the most frustrating parts of raising children is the inconsistency in skill-building. The baby sleeps through the night for three nights in a row, and wakes up three times on the fourth night. Your toddler finally seems like they’re getting the hang of potty training, and then they have an accident in the middle of Target. The morning routine goes smoothly for a few weeks, and then your child throws an epic tantrum over the “wrong” pair of pants. These things happen, and while they are completely normal, it can make you feel like something is wrong – either with your parenting or with your child!

>Read more here

The Advice Corner provides responses from a variety of staff, each with unique expertise, background and perspective. Please let us know if you have questions that you would like us to highlight. We want to hear from you! Questions will be posed anonymously. Please email questions to: acowan@jfcsmn.org.

Rabbi Heather Renetzky (pictured here) has volunteered for JFCS since 2016. Heather grew up in Los Angeles and moved to the Twin Cities to attend Macalester College. After college, she served as J-Pride Program Coordinator, an experience that helped inspire her path to becoming a rabbi.

What can you tell us about yourself and your background?

In my role with J-Pride, I got to know many incredible folks involved in the Jewish community across the Twin Cities; I still really cherish those connections and love running into people – whether it’s at shul (synagogue), the local farmer’s market, or even Costco. I attended rabbinical school at Hebrew College in Newton, Mass., and was thrilled to move back here two years ago to serve as a rabbi and the Director of Congregational Engagement at Mount Zion Temple.

 >Learn more about Rabbi Heather Renetzky here

Looking for meaningful ways to get involved and stay up to date on volunteer opportunities? Read the latest edition of the Quarterly Volunteer newsletter and join the mailing list. Have questions or a volunteer experience you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you. Contact Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Manager, at dshapiro@jfcsmn.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6:30-8 p.m.

JFCS Golden Valley

Join Women Connect for a sweet evening of connection and creation. Alex, owner of Westside Wine and Spirits, will instruct the class and walk us through different styles of preparing and presenting cheeses, fall harvest fruits, and greenery to create a charcuterie board perfect for Sukkot or anytime! We will also enjoy plenty of opportunity to nosh and socialize.

>Learn more and register here

Registration for this event is offered on a sliding scale from $0-36.

Women Connect is a JFCS program for women in their 40s, 50s and 60s in the Jewish community. Our purpose is to foster belonging and form connections in a fun, meaningful and engaging way. Subscribe to the monthly Women Connect Newsletter to learn about all of our upcoming events.

Sunday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beth El Synagogue

Registration opens Sept. 8 at jfcsmn.org

Open to all!

The Mental Health Education Conference is a welcoming day of learning, connection, and inspiration where every experience is respected and every voice matters. This conference is generously supported by community donors and partners – while the content is geared toward people facing mental health challenges and those who care about them, it is open to everyone.

Along with the keynote speaker, Norman Ornstien, there will be 14 breakout sessions for additional learning opportunities during the conference day.

Lead Conference Sponsors: Susan and Richard Goldman, Bruce Goodman, Allan Stillerman, in memory of his late parents: Friedel and David Stillerman; late parents of Loni Stillerman: Shirlee and Maurice Pilch and in loving memory of Loni Stillerman

If you would like to donate to the conference, click here

Every day, JFCS staff turn compassion into action, helping families build strong foundations through early learning, connection and support. Discover how we’re living our values. Support what matters.

>Learn more here