By Angela Cowan • JFCS Counseling Program Manager

Throughout the month of September, you may notice #YouMatterMN and #StartTheConversation popping up on social media platforms. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and these hashtags are a call to action to engage in statewide and nationwide conversations on mental health, mental illness, and suicide.

>Read more here



Counseling Lead Sponsors: Engler Family Foundation, Susan and Richard Goldman, The Kaplan Family, in loving memory of Julie Kaplan

By Leah Persky, Phd & CFLE • Parent Coach and Manager of Professional and Community Education

Over the past decade, politics have become not only more divisive, but also more personal. Today, most Americans feel very deeply about aligning with a political party; for many political ideology is a key part of their personal identity. Most people feel so deeply about political affiliation that it has become hard for many to understand and identify with members of another political party. This atmosphere has led to millions of Americans feeling alienation and even hatred for “the other side;” further, many people feel personally attacked when discussing politics with people who have opposing views.

>Read more here

By Jennifer Fukuda • Addiction and Recovery Services Coordinator

Back to school time is both exciting and overwhelming! It brings opportunities for many conversations with our children. Talking about addiction is a way to show we are open to questions and aware of the challenges youth face today.

>Read more here

Addiction and Recovery Services Lead Sponsor: Susan and Richard Goldman

This year marks the 24th year of the Twin Cities Jewish Community Annual Mental Health Education Conference. As awareness of mental health continues to grow, so does our commitment to achieving balance, belonging, and wellness for all. This year’s conference will focus on creating comprehensive mental health toolkits for every generation. By acknowledging the challenges related to access to services and education, as well as the need for connection and community, we aim to support each other in meaningful ways.

In addition to the keynote address from Kathy Flaminio, the conference will offer two breakout sessions of workshops that you can select from 13 different topics. The conference brochure includes information about Kathy Flaminio, descriptions of each workshop, and more.

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Sunday, Oct. 20 @ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Temple Israel, Minneapolis

Free and open to all

>Find the full brochure and register here

Interested in volunteering? Most slots are designed to allow volunteers to attend sessions.

>Volunteer Sign Up here

Conference Lead Sponsor: 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.

Nancy Gordon, pictured here, has been volunteering for 22 years, including volunteering for the Mental Health Education Conference. Read about her here!

Can you tell us about yourself and your background?

I grew up in Duluth and attended the University of Minnesota on the Minneapolis, Duluth and St. Paul campuses. I have a bachelor of science degree in medical technology and worked as a med tech at Mt. Sinai Hospital for 15 years. While my husband and I were raising our three daughters, I went back to school for a degree in nutrition to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. I worked for 10 years at Methodist Hospital as a clinical dietitian and was part of the Stroke Rehab Team. I then moved to HealthPartners for 15 years as a clinical dietitian, seeing clients one-on-one at the Riverside and the West Health Partners Clinics until I retired.

> Read more here

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

JFCS, 5905 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley

This will be a great opportunity for volunteers to connect with one another and with JFCS staff to share about your volunteer experience and get some support, socialize with others, and get some training to help in your role. If you or someone you know might be interested in volunteering to support seniors, please join as we have many clients who could benefit from volunteer support in different ways.

> Read more and register here

Contact Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Manager, at dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org with any volunteer-related questions. Click here to read the JFCS Quarterly Volunteer Newsletter to find out about our current volunteer opportunities.

Click here to fill out the form to subscribe to the volunteer e-newsletter if you aren’t already receiving it.

By Laura Gorke • Associate Director of Client Services

JFCS’ Jacob Garber Transportation has been providing rides to individuals for over 25 years – but getting a person from Point A to Point B does not tell the whole story. With a team of dedicated, long-standing staff and volunteer drivers, our reliable, high-quality service, plays a significant role in reducing social isolation and building connections within the community. Read more below to learn how Garber is here for you:

What type of rides does Garber provide?

Any types – medical, social, errands, etc. We drive individuals to one-time appointments or gatherings, and/or recurring ones. For example, a client can use our service to go to their annual physical, or to weekly medical treatments like radiation or chemotherapy. Clients can use Garber to go to a friend’s birthday lunch, or a weekly bridge game. Whether it is a ride to the grocery store, participating in a JFCS volunteer event, or anything in between, Garber has you covered.

> Read more here

Garber Tansportation Founding Sponsors: Jacob Garber Endowment Fund of the Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation, Funded under contract with Trellis as part of the Older Americans Act

Mondays, Oct. 14 through Nov. 18, from 10-11:30 a.m.

This class will meet in person

Minnesota JCC Sabes Center

4330 Cedar Lk Rd S, Mpls.

JFCS will host a six-week class, “Powerful Tools for Caregivers.” The class is designed to provide you with a wealth of self-care tools that will help you take care of yourself while taking care of others. You will learn to reduce stress, improve your self-confidence, bring more balance to your life, better communicate your feelings, and increase your ability to make tough decisions. The class is open to people from the Jewish and broader community. There is no charge to participate, but voluntary contributions are appreciated.

> Read more and register here

Senior Services Lead Sponsor: The Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt Foundation

JFCS Memory Café is a gathering for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Café members meet twice per month for activities and socialization in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Guest facilitators from the community, along with JFCS staff, will lead the group in activities including music, art, movement, reminiscence and conversation.

Memory Café will be held Wednesday afternoons from

1:30-3 p.m. twice each month

JFCS, 5905 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley

The program is free to attend and open to people from the Jewish and broader community; registration is required.

>Read more here

Please contact Lindsay Kant at 952.417.2116, lkant@jfcsmpls.org for more information.

Memory Cafe lead sponsor:Gail and Steve Machov

JFCS' Jewish Youth Mentor Program has connected hundreds of kids with caring teens and adults forming long lasting, meaningful relationships for over 40 years!

We are actively seeking Jewish mentors aged 16 years old and up. Volunteers 16+ years old, interested in supporting youth and being a positive role model, are encouraged to apply. Mentor application here

Mentees, 6-12 years old are thoughtfully matched with carefully screened and selected volunteer mentors that support them in reaching their goals. There is no cost associated with this program! Mentee application here

Program highlights include:

• Access to FREE ticketed events (sporting event, museums, zoos, theater, etc.) through a partner agency called Tickets for Kids.
• Individualized orientation for all volunteers
• Continued support and ongoing training from professional program staff
• No previous experience required

>More information here

For questions, contact Dori Gelfman, Jewish Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator, at dgelfman@jfcsmpls.org or 952-542-4835