Greetings!
With hope and purpose, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) joined together this month with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) and the National Council of Jewish Women-MN (NCJW) to offer a program addressing gun violence. The title of the program was, “Trauma, Security and Faith: Jewish Perspectives” and featured panelists from law enforcement, local Jewish clergy, and a therapist from the JFCS Counseling department.

Join us for the JFCS 109th Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will include:
  • Elections for the JFCS Board of Directors and recognition for directors whose terms are ending
  • Remarks from outgoing Board President, Jennifer Ezrilov, and incoming Board President, Jeff Barin
  • Acknowledgement of the contributions of longtime, dedicated volunteers Eileen Kohn and Steve Krikava
  • Recognition of JFCS staff with milestone anniversaries
  • Lunch will be served

Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis 109th Annual Meeting
Wednesday, June 12
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Adath Jeshurun Congregation

May is Mental Health Awareness Month
By Ruth Paley • Clinical Services Director

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Why do we “celebrate” or acknowledge mental health awareness this way?

Since 1949, almost 70 years, the U.S. has recognized the challenges of mental illness by setting aside the month of May to acknowledge the stigma associated with living with these complicated and often heartbreaking illnesses.


Counseling Founding Sponsor: Lynne and Andrew Redleaf Foundation
From homeless shelter to business owner
JFCS Career Services helps Petra get back on her feet and start her own counseling practice

Before moving to the U.S., Petra had a degree in mental health nursing and an established clinical services career in England, Ireland and Australia. However, now living in Minnesota, she and her family were going through a difficult stretch when they were referred to Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) in 2015.

Celebrate PRIDE 2019 with J-Pride
Join J-Pride for a month of queer, joyful and Jewish celebration!

It’s almost time for Twin Cities Pride this June and J-Pride is hosting numerous events throughout the month to celebrate!
J-Pride is a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis’ (JFCS) that engages Minnesota-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQIA+) Jews and their allies to come together as a community, and support Jewish institutions as they become more inclusive and accessible.



J-Pride Founding Sponsor: Lisa Heilicher z”l
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: A class for caregivers
JFCS will host a six-week class, “Powerful Tools for Caregivers.” The class is designed to provide 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, balance your life, better communicate your feelings, and increase your ability to make tough decisions.

Facilitated by Annette Sandler, MA, JFCS Director of Aging Services, Karin Onarheim, MSW, Betsy Snyder, MA, and Rachel Wolk, MA.

Thursdays Aug. 8 through Sept. 12, from 3-4:30 p.m.
JFCS Community Room (5905 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley)

Registration will open June 3.
The cost is $15 per participant, and includes a copy of ”The Caregiver Helpbook.”
Please note: space is limited! The class is limited to 14 participants.

This program is co-sponsored by JFCS and Fairview Interfaith Health, a division of Fairview Health Services. 


Senior Services Sponsors: Kelen Family Foundation, Elyse Rabinowitz & Jim Porter, The Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt Foundation
The Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program
The Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program (BB/BS), a program of JFCS, is a community-based mentoring program for Jewish-identified youth that is designed to promote positive social-emotional-spiritual development and increase engagement in the Jewish community. Since the program’s inception in 1975, it has matched over 400 Jewish youth with mentors. 

Fun and rewarding leadership roles open in the Hag Sameach program
Do you like to organize? Put together gift baskets? Have a knack for choosing the perfect gifts? Love wrapping gifts? JFCS' Hag Sameach program is looking for volunteers with leadership skills for its winter holiday program in a variety of areas and would love to find the perfect fit for you.

It's a great way to put your skills to use and volunteer for a program that provides gifts and ritual items to over 700 individuals and families with need each year. Volunteers collect, sort, wrap and deliver gifts to these families.


Hag Sameach Lead sponsor: Clara Ruth Kaner Children’s Fund, a designated fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Upcoming events: Please join us
Shalom Baby Circle Time
Sunday, May 26 @ 3:30 - 5 p.m.

NextGen Thursday Thrifting at PRISM
Thursday, May 30 @ 5-7 p.m.

Drag Story Hour and Gallery Reception
Sunday, June 2 @ 2-5 p.m.

JFCS Annual Meeting 2019
Wednesday, June 12 @12-1:30 p.m.

Family Nutrition: Mom’s Night Out with PJ Library
Thursday, June 13 @ 6:30-8 p.m.
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis | www.jfcsmpls.org