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By now, you have no doubt heard the exciting news – Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul are uniting to form one strong social service organization to serve the Jewish and broad communities throughout the region, and in fact, throughout the state. Corresponding to that exciting news is the announcement of our new name to Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota!
After a thorough process conducted by leadership from both JFCS and JFS, the opportunity to unite the two organizations became a goal intended to better serve individuals and families with professional care and boundless compassion – as both organizations have done for over 100 years.
> Read Judy's column here
| | JFCS and JFS unite to serve Minnesota as one strong organization | | |
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) and Jewish Family Service St. Paul (JFS) are excited to announce they will unite as one organization with a new name, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the two social service organizations will begin to operate as one, providing more than 30 programs and services to the Jewish and broad communities across the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.
>Learn more here
| | TICKETS ON SALE NOW: JFCS 37TH ANNUAL BENEFIT | | 8 reasons you don’t want to miss the JFCS 37th Annual Benefit | | |
By Benefit Co-Chairs Heidi Gedis-Grimsby and Sonia Ungerman
We can’t wait to see you at the JFCS 37th Annual Benefit on Saturday, Dec. 6, and trust us, this is one you won’t want to miss! Here are eight reasons to join us for an unforgettable night of celebration, connection, and community:
1. Your ticket makes a difference. Every dollar raised helps JFCS continue the vital programs and services that support thousands in our community all year long.
2. Celebrate Judy Halper! Join us as we honor Judy’s incredible leadership and legacy and wish her well in her retirement after 32 years – 20 as CEO.
>Discover all eight reasons not to miss the 37th Annual Benefit
>Purchase tickets here NOW
| | ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES | | Connection in Recovery: A facilitated support group rooted in Jewish values of healing, dignity and hope, open to all | | |
By Jennifer Fukuda • Addiction & Recovery Services Program Coordinator
For many people, community is a bright light in their recovery process because recovery journeys can often be lonely. Isolation can be a barrier to healing and accomplishing your own recovery goals. Support is important to everyone’s recovery process, whether you are a person who is making small steps in your individual journey; a person with a family member who struggles with addiction; or someone who has been working on recovery for a long time.
Support groups are a place where judgement and stigma disappear. Each participant brings with them their own unique story of resilience and joy. It is a place of safety to reflect, smile, be vulnerable, and grow. Sometimes it takes time to find the right fit, the right people, and a group where you feel like you belong.
>Read more here
Addiction and Recovery Services Lead Sponsor: Susan and Richard Goldman
| | Living Our Values: Our mission, our work, our impact | | |
Living Our Values honors JFCS staff and the core values that guide our work—Compassion, Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation, and Collaboration. Through portraits and personal reflections, staff share what drives them, how our values align with their purpose, and how they make a difference.
Tatyanna’s commitment to innovation and inclusion shines through her work as a Career Services Program Coordinator, where she helps clients identify strengths, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals. Guided by compassion and innovation, she partners with individuals to build confidence and open doors to new opportunities—holding space where every person feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
.>Learn more about Career Services here
> Read how JFCS staff bring our values to life—every day, with professionalism and boundless compassion
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PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEARNING:
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
| | Navigating political disagreements with loved ones: Learn new strategies for holiday gatherings | | |
By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE • Professional and Community Education Program Manager
You may have felt the stress or anxiety that often accompanies heated political discussions; or maybe you have felt your worry increase after watching the news. The rollercoaster of emotions is an experience that many of us have around political events.
If you have experienced these situations or simply want to prepare for the upcoming holiday season, please join us to learn practical strategies for navigating political discussions and disagreements with loved ones.
>Read more here
| | SENIOR SERVICES: DEMENTIA CAREGIVER CONNECT | | Senior Services launches NEW Caregiver Support Program in November | | |
The month of November provides us with an opportunity to show support for the vital contribution made by family caregivers. In honor of these caregivers, JFCS is pleased to announce a new “drop-in” program for caregivers of people living with dementia or experiencing memory loss, Dementia Caregiver Connect. The program will meet twice a month on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at JFCS in Golden Valley. Case Managers will facilitate the group sessions, provide support, and answer resource-related questions. Refreshments will be served.
If you have picked up a prescription, brought over dinner, given a ride to the doctor, taken care of an errand, or made decisions big or small on behalf of a family member or friend, you are a caregiver. Dementia Caregiver Connect participants will have an opportunity to share experiences and receive guidance and education about topics relevant to caregiving. Sometimes the caregiving journey can feel lonely—the intention of this program is to provide a safe place to receive support and connect with other caregivers.
Upcoming drop-in sessions: Nov. 12 and Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
For more information, please contact JFCS Senior Services Case Manager, Jeanne Schuller, MSW, at 952-542-4836 or jschuller@jfcsmpls.org, or learn more here.
Senior Services Lead Sponsor: The Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt Foundation
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THE ADVICE CORNER: MONTHLY Q&A FOR FAMILIES
OF ALL AGES AND STAGES
| | My 3-year-old throws tantrums every time we leave the park. How can I set boundaries without losing my temper? | | |
By Natalie Quiring-Oleson, MSW, LICSW, JFCS Therapist (and proud parent of an emotional 3-year-old):
There’s no way to sugarcoat it – tantrums are tough. They are loud, sometimes violent, and can easily send a parent’s nervous system into fight or flight mode! They can also make a parent question their own skills – does this mean I’m doing something wrong? Am I supposed to prevent this? Luckily, the answer to both these questions is “no.”
> Read more from Natalie Quiring-Oleson 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: lpersky@jfcsmpls.org
| | Save the date for Traveling Havdalah with PJ Library: Celebrate together across the community | | |
Join us for Traveling Havdalah, a musical way to end Shabbat and start the new week! We’ll gather at a different synagogue each time for a family-friendly evening featuring music, crafts, and food. While the program is geared toward families with children ages 8 and under, all ages are welcome to join the fun. Come to one or come to all — everyone is welcome at every location!
>Learn more here and watch for more details to come.
PJ Library Founding Sponsors: Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Lerner Family
Lead Sponsors: Jacob Garber Endowment Fund of the Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation, Susie and Hart Kuller
Sponsors: Lisa & Mark Ratner Family Foundation
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