E-Connect
December 17, 2021--Shabbat Shalom
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Case Management Success Story
In 2021, JSS' Case Management Program helped 73 families obtain stable housing through our Covid Emergency Fund, generously donated by Tim and Kathy Mazur. Our social workers have helped clients facing barriers such as disability, physical and mental illness, and job loss. While some clients who come to JSS need long-term case management, others use JSS to reclaim self-sufficiency after experiencing hardship. Below is an example of a recent client who worked with social worker Maya Garbuz, MSW (pictured to the left), to gain independence and stability.
For the last six months, social worker Maya Garbuz has worked with a single mom who has two kids with disabilities. When this client came to JSS, she had recently left an abusive relationship. She needed a place to live, available government benefits, and child support. Maya helped her find an attorney, who is helping her secure child support. JSS also helped her apply for county funding to cover a few months’ rent and paid a security deposit for a new apartment. With the help of a few other agencies, such as DAIS and Sojourner, JSS helped this client become completely independent. She now lives with her two children and needs minimal case management.
We thank everyone who has donated time and money to our Social Services Case Management Program. We look forward to helping even more of our neighbors in 2022!
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JSS is hiring for 5 NEW POSITIONS!
Social Services Case Manager
See the full job posting here
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to the Associate Director Chris Shanahan at shany@jssmadison.org. Please include CM-SS in the subject line. Position open until filled.
Managing Attorney of Immigration Legal Services, Jewish Social Services of Madison
See the full job posting here
Please submit a cover letter and resume to the Associate Director Chris Shanahan at shany@jssmadison.org. Please include ILS Managing Attorney in the subject line. Apply today!
Resettlement Case Aide
See the full job posting here
Interested individuals should send a cover letter and resume to Jewish Social Services at HR@jssmadison.org. Please include “Resettlement Case Aide” in the subject line.
Resettlement Case Manager, ICM
See the full job posting here
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to hr@jssmadison.org. Include RR-ICM Case Manager in the subject line. This position will be posted until it is filled but priority will be given to applicants who submit early, so don’t wait. Apply today!
Job Developer Case Manager
See the full job posting here
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to hr@jssmadison.org. Include RR-Job Case Manager in the subject line. This position will be posted until it is filled but priority will be given to applicants who submit early, so don’t wait. Apply today!
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at office@jssmadison.org or you may call us at (608) 442-4081.
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Your financial gifts and time make it possible for us to do the work we do. You allow us to:
- Provide support and visits to older adults
- Resettle refugees from Afghanistan and other countries
- Pay rent for those hardest hit by Covid
- Offer Jewish programming to some of the most vulnerable in our community
- Give stability and independence to those without
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Download or read online our paper Connections newsletter. It has different stories and photos than you see in our electronic newsletter.
To reach our office, call (608) 442-4081*
*Please leave a message. We check the voicemail frequently, even when the building is closed.
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Donations Item Wish List
Our Social Services Case Management Team is looking for the following items for current clients:
Female:
Warm pants, size XL
Male:
Winter boots size 12
Male sweaters, size 3XL
Male warm pants, size 3XL
Long warm socks, size 12
Hats, mittens for both male and female
Please contact Maya Garbuz at maya@jssmadison.org or (608) 442-4085 if you have any of these items. Thank you!
Thank you!
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Protect Wildlife for Tu Bishvat
Write Your Members of Congress
Tu Bishvat, the Jewish Earth Day, is a time to appreciate and commit to caring for creation. Wildlife is becoming extinct at an alarming rate. Use this sample letter from Jewish Earth Alliance to call on Congress to pass bi-partisan legislation to insure dedicated funding for state wildlife action plans. This year, Tu Bishvat begins the evening of January 16th.
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Have a car you no longer use? Consider donating it to JSS! The proceeds go directly to our programs.
Donating a car to JSS could mean hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars in support of our programs. Our vehicle donation program provides free pick-up and supports you through the entire donation process.
To learn more or to get started, call CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) at 877-537-5277 or simply submit a secure online donation form. The CARS Vehicle Donation Support team is available seven days a week.
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We are running low on funds for this NECESSARY program.
Watch for our next E-Connect to hear more about some of the people that YOUR gifts have helped.
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TO JOIN ZOOM PROGRAMS: Watch out for an email, or go to www.jssmadison.org/calendar and choose a program by date. Click on the event title to open up a new window that will have details and a Zoom link for that program.
Recordings of past Zoom programs are available on JSS’ YouTube channel. There is also a link to the channel on www.jssmadison.org under the Communications menu.
If you would like further information about programs and transportation, contact Paul Borowsky at (608) 442-4083, paul@jssmadison.org.
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Join us for Shabbat – All are welcome!
Capitol Lakes in the Grand Hall
333 West Main St (first Fridays)
Friday, January 7: 3 – 4 pm
Due to COVID precautions, this month's Capitol Lakes Shabbat with Rabbi Andrea Steinberger will be broadcast on Youtube: https://vimeo.com/663058809
Oakwood Village West in the Chapel Annex
6205 Mineral Point Road (third Fridays)
Friday, January 21: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
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Indoor Walk:
Bolz Conservatory at
Olbrich Gardens
Monday, January 10
11:00am
Our friend and JSS volunteer, Karen, also volunteers at Olbrich Gardens. I agree with Karen that the Conservatory is “a lovely green, warm, humid environment - such a treasure especially on these cold winter days.” Karen has arranged for someone to greet us and give us some information about the Conservatory to send us off on a walk through.
The cost is $6 per adult person. Funds have been made available, so please feel free to come as our guest or make contribution in an amount within your budget. Full payment can be made directly to Olbrich when we get there. If using our funds, contact Paul Borowsky (phone and email below).
Stay Home If Sick
Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19.
Face Coverings
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Yoga From a Chair and Schmooze
All are welcome to join us to schmooze and check in with each other, followed by yoga from a chair session with Betsy Haimson
Wednesday, January 26
Schmooze: 10:40 – 11:00am
Yoga with Betsy Haimson from 11:00 – 11:30 am
As long as it is safe, we will continue with Lechayim lunches and in-person yoga starting Monday, January 24th.
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IT IS BACK!!!
Harry J. and Belle Goodman Lechayim Lunchtime Plus
Find changes, updates, and new information about JSS programs on our website, www.jssmadison.org.
Join us for great food, friends, fun, and exciting programs at Lechayim Lunchtime Plus.
Meeting at Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound Street, located on the corner of Mound Street and Randall Avenue.
If you would like a meal, contact Jewish Social Services at (608) 442-4083 or email paul@jssmadison.org by Wednesday preceding the meal. If you are 60 years or older, a minimum donation of $4.00 is suggested, but please only pay what is comfortable for you. The meal cost is $9.07 for those younger than 60 years old.
Many thanks to UW Hillel Adamah Catering for providing our delicious kosher meals!
Monday, January 24
11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair with Estelle Katz
11:30 am -12:30 pm: Lunch menu will be announced via email and posted on our website
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As more of us are vaccinated and COVID restrictions ease and protocols evolve, we want to thank our volunteers that could do so for staying active, often via telephone, internet, and expanded holiday gift-giving and deliveries.
Now that there are expanded ways to interact safely, requests for volunteers as friendly visitors, shopping partners, and other tasks are coming in quickly. We will be having volunteers help with Shabbats and hopefully more in-person events beginning this summer. Also, we are receiving more families for refugee resettlement. JSS has a van that can be used for larger families. If you are comfortable picking up and driving the van or have a larger vehicle yourself, we are always looking to have a good size pool of drivers. Some of you are already engaged in some of these roles – thank you again.
For those of you who would like to get more specifics about these and other emerging volunteer opportunities or know someone who may be a good fit for our programs – please contact me via email or phone number below.
As we move forward, we understand that volunteers and those we help will have varying degrees of comfort level and needs regarding any in-person visiting or transportation help. We will work with you and clients to respect that and keep us all safe. I Look forward to hearing from you.
For questions about volunteering, please Contact Paul Borowsky at 608-442-4083 or paul@jssmadison.org.
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Volunteers needed to help newcomers ride the bus
JSS is seeking volunteers to help newcomers learn to ride the bus. Newcomers are very much dependent on public transportation when they first arrive, to go to appointments, and get to work. If you’re willing to ride the bus and know how to use the maps function on your smartphone, you will be able to help us teach our new neighbors how to navigate their new homes.
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New semester starting--Adult learners need your help with English language and literacy
Thanks to Jewish Federation of Madison through the Cheryl Rosen Weston Fund – Jewish Social Services is partnering with the Literacy Network to offer training and volunteer opportunities this fall working with adult learners in English as a Second Language, GED preparation and/or general literacy skills.
It will involve an initial training session, gaining familiarity with lesson plans and materials prepared by Literacy Network staff, and weekly meetings with an adult learner. The fall session begins in September and runs through mid-December. Until further notice, all meetings will continue to be online.
Thanks for those of you who responded already – we still are recruiting. To get further info about this opportunity, please contact JSS volunteer coordinator, Paul Borowsky, 608-442-4083 or paul@jssmadison.org. Check for further descriptions, specific training dates, applications, and other details on the Literacy Network website: https://www.litnetwork.org/
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Recordings of our Zoom presentations and programs are available to view on JSS' YouTube channel.
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From Our Community Partner -- |
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36th Annual Madison-Dane County King Holiday Observance
Monday, January 17 at 6:00 pm.
This year's observance will be virtual and feature Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and award-winning author, educator, and producer. as the keynote speaker, presentation of the MLK Humanitarian Award by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and County Executive Joe Parisi, and the MLK Community Choir. Instructions to view the virtual ceremony will be posted here in early January.
Click here for a listing of other MLK Day events hosted by the King Coalition and other community groups.
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JSS is proud to be a beneficiary agency of: |
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