E-Connect
February 4, 2021--Shabbat Shalom!
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Jewish Leap Year: Increasing our Joy
So many messages we hear these days cause our shoulders to tense and our souls to feel heavy. The pandemic is still raging, climate change is causing floods and fires, and voting rights are being eroded. These truths call us to action. We must be cautious, make a change, and stand up for democracy. Fortunately, the Jewish calendar brings us a very different message and a different call to action. We are called to increase our joy.
The Jewish month of Adar began this week. The Talmud tells us, "When [the month of] Adar enters, we increase our joy (Babylonian Talmud, Ta'anit 29a)." Because Adar is the month in which we celebrate Purim, the festive holiday commemorating our redemption from a murderous decree, it is considered a month for joy. This year is a leap year on the Jewish calendar. Therefore, we have two months of Adar event though we do not celebrate Purim until the Adar II (this week, we began Adar I).
Thus, this year we have two full months in which we shall increase our joy. It feels odd and perhaps disingenuous to be commanded to feel joy. The instruction to be joyful is not unique to the month of Adar. The Torah tells us to be joyful in other places, specifically concerning celebrating holidays. However, there is a distinction with the month of Adar. The joy of the month is not prescribed; there are no rituals or rites to increase the joy (except on Purim), as there are with the festivals. The joy of the month of Adar is personal.
For a full month, we are called to increase our joy in unique and authentic ways. This is an important spiritual challenge in these turbulent times. We must stop and ask ourselves what will increase our joy. Joy can come from small and unexpected places. In the last month, I found joy on Madison's frozen lakes. We had two weeks when the lakes were frozen but not covered in snow. I was awe-stricken by the unique beauty of the clear frozen water that changed from day to day. I, raised in California, could never have imagined that I would find joy by walking and skating on ice! However, my time on the frozen lake brought me solace, energy, and joy as I witnessed such a magical natural phenomenon.
Perhaps your joy comes from sitting and watching a bird outside your window, taking time to paint, hearing the voices of young children at a playground, or cooking a new recipe. When life is challenging, we can forget that there are always joyful moments to find. Judaism's wisdom reminds us that cultivating the ability to find and feel joy is imperative to lead a fulfilling life. We are lucky to have two full months on the Jewish calendar this year to practice.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Renée Bauer
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REGISTER FOR THE Liesl M. Blockstein Memorial Lecture with Janel Heinrich at Temple Beth El
Creating belonging, empowering community, and achieving a shared vision for improving health: Covid and issues of equity in Dane County.
Sunday, February 13th, 10:00 am- 11:00 am via Zoom
Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison & Dane County, will deliver this year's Liesl M. Blockstein Memorial Lecture.
Remembering the social activism and public service record of Liesl M. Blockstein, Temple Beth El and Jewish Social Services annually co-sponsor this lecture honoring the accomplishments of a Wisconsin woman who has made a significant impact on our community and our state.
Janel Heinrich, MPH, MA is the Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) in Madison, WI-the second-largest local health department in WI. She is a past president of the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards (WALHDAB) and a current board member. For more than 20 years, Janel has built her career on understanding and addressing the social determinants of health in a variety of public health roles and settings. With PHMDC for the past 13 years, she has been working to transform the health department to build capacity to eliminate health and racial inequities by addressing the social conditions and systemic racism and inequities that influence health outcomes.
Before joining PHMDC, Janel worked in academic public health in Chicago and San Diego, has worked in a large FQHC on the US-Mexico border and volunteered as a medical interpreter in Chicago.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Janel has a master’s degree in public health and a master’s in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University and has completed coursework in the pursuit of a PhD in public health from the University of IL at Chicago
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JSS is hiring for 3 NEW POSITIONS!
Social Services Case Manager
See the full job posting here
Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume to Associate Director Chris Shanahan at shany@jssmadison.org. Please include CM-SS in the subject line. Position open until filled.
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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Advocacy Ask!
Save the date: Tuesday, February 8th- HIAS Call-in Day of Action on the Afghan Adjustment Act
Join HIAS leaders throughout the country in calling your representatives and Senators, urging them to take action on the Afghan Adjustment Act!
Why the Afghan Adjustment Act is critical: The Afghan Adjustment Act would grant the Afghans evacuated here permanent legal status. Without it, their ability to stay permanently will be significantly harder.
On February 8th, we will be calling our Senators and Representatives throughout the day to push them to take action on the Afghan Adjustment Act. It is critical that as many members of Congress hear from as many of us as possible, including both champions of this cause and those who have been resistant. More details on this action will be coming shortly, in the meantime please mark it on your calendar, please help spread the word, and let us know if you're in.
Call on Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act that would allow evacuees from Afghanistan to apply for permanent legal status in the United States. Click here for a factsheet.
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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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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
VIA ZOOM
Friday, February 4: 3:00– 4:00 pm
Join Rabbi Renee Bauer on zoom:
Meeting ID: 954 481 7480
Passcode: 744159
One tap mobile
312-626-6799
Oakwood Village West in the Chapel Annex
6205 Mineral Point Road (third Fridays)
Friday, February 18: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
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Harry J. and Belle Goodman Lechayim Lunchtime Plus
Find changes, updates, and new information about JSS programs on our website, www.jssmadison.org.
PLEASE READ BEFORE ATTENDING:
Beth Israel Center is now requiring proof of vaccination to enter the building. Please bring your vaccination card to show at the office. If you do not have proof of vaccination, you can order your meal to-go. Please buzz at the Randall St. parking lot entry door.
Join us for great food, friends, fun, and interesting 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 cost of the meal is $9.07 for those younger than 60 years old.
Many thanks to UW Hillel Adamah Catering for providing our delicious kosher meals!
Monday, February 7 -- REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Monday, February 14
11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair with Estelle Katz
11:30 am -12:30 pm: Smoked BBQ Chicken (Veg Option: BBQ tofu), Vegan Mac n Cheese, apple cider coleslaw
Monday, February 21
11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair with Estelle Katz
11:30 am -12:30 pm: Chicken Schnitzel (Veg Option: Eggplant Schnitzel), yellow rice, sautéed peas and peppers
Monday, February 28
11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair with Estelle Katz
11:00 am -11:30 am: Complimentary Blood pressure check with Lori Edelstein
11:30 am -12:30 pm: Sweet roasted chicken (Veg Option: roasted tofu), calico beans, couscous, glazed sweet potatoes
If you would like further information about programs and transportation, contact Paul Borowsky at (608) 442-4083, paul@jssmadison.org.
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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 and needs regarding any in-person visiting or transportation help. We will work with you and your 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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A tribute gift is a meaningful way to convey sympathy to the bereaved, memorialize a loved one, commemorate a special occasion or honor a person’s life and accomplishments.
Your gift to Jewish Social Services made in honor or memory of this special person ensures a legacy that extends far into the future.
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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 the 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 to 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 Partners -- |
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March 2nd
Camp Shalom Registration: Returning Campers, Siblings, Alumni Kids
March 3rd
Camp Shalom Registration: All Campers
March 7th, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
The Henna Wedding Tradition: An Event for Young Couples (JFM)
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JSS is proud to be a beneficiary agency of: |
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