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e-directions newsletter, September 2014
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One of my favorite books is by columnist and author Anna Quindlen. Her book, A Short Guide to a Happy Life, was published several years ago and is actually a manuscript of a commencement speech she gave at an Ivy League graduation. Her message to this group of high achievers, as the title implies, was to seek happiness, not just success. I've literally read this book hundreds of times (it's possible to read it from cover to cover in about 15 minutes) and I've given it on numerous occasions to loved ones.
It's legitimate for me to talk about the ending of this little book (there's no plot that I'm revealing), as its message is so timely as we begin the Jewish New Year. The last pages of the book describe Anna Quindlen's visit to Coney Island where she interviews a man who appears homeless as he sits on a bench gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean. He looks disheveled and as if he has nowhere to go, no clock to punch, no deadlines to meet. His situation appears to the casual observer to be sad and hopeless. When she approaches this man and asks him why he spends his time in the cold, winter-approaching weather, rather than seeking shelter from the climatic conditions, he responds, "Look at the view, young lady, look at the view." Anna reflects on his comment and measures it against her own stressful, distracted life, and admits to herself th at there is so much beauty in everyday life that she unfortunately and unintentionally misses. Looking inward, she realizes that when she slows down and remembers to enjoy the simple pleasures of all that she has, she is never disappointed.
Take stock, take pleasure, cherish the beginning of the New Year in good health and with happiness!
Judy Halper
Chief Executive Officer
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What would you GIVE if you could change the world?
 What would you give if you could help someone who is struggling and isolated? After separating from his wife of 30 years, Brad battled anxiety and depression. And with one less income he faced financial challenges as well. Through JFCS he received help to reduce his mortgage payment. JFCS also worked with him to create social opportunities to alleviate his loneliness and helped him find a place to worship for the High Holidays. Click here to read Brad's full story. Mental Health Support Services is just one of 40 programs at JFCS providing essential services to 16,000 people of all backgrounds and at all stages of life. Your contribution to this year's campaign, Give2014, helps fund these crucial programs that strengthen our community one person at a time. On behalf of those who benefit from your generosity, we thank you!
Give Help. Give Hope. Give2014
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Win Big or Little
You could win a big screen TV, iPad mini, trip to New York or a diamond and blue sapphire necklace. Prizes are valued between $400 and $2,000. Three easy ways to buy your raffle tickets: 1. Call 952-542-4878. 2. Use the Raffle Ticket order form included in the 26th Annual Benefit Invitation, mailed to your home. 3. Purchase at the 26th Annual Benefit. Join us!
Prizes will be awarded Saturday, Nov. 22, at the 26th Annual Benefit*. Along with the raffle, enjoy funnyman Jake Johannsen, cocktails, the Cindi and Harold Goldfine Dessert Reception, $100 Pull, "40 and Under" Pre-Party, and presentation of the JFCS Friends of the Family Award to Andy and Cass Stillman. Don't miss out! Click here to purchase your tickets. *You do not need to be present to win.
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14th Annual Mental Health Education Project Annual Conference
10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19
Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave S, Minneapolis
Adam Levy's son seemed determined to die and the founder of the indie-band Honeydogs was powerless in the face of his son's illness.The Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter, social worker, teacher and mentor will present an in-depth workshop, "Surviving the suicide of an adult child," at the 14th Annual Mental Health Education Project Conference.
Kevin Featherly, journalist and filmmaker, will interview Levy for the session, providing a deep, honest discussion of suicide and its impact on a family. Featherly and Levy worked together previously on a multi-part documentary from Think Piece Publishing. Click the video link below to watch.
This year's conference, "Creating Harmony in our Lives," also features additional workshops covering a wide range of topics from substance abuse to ADHD to emotional well-being and much more. Everyone who registers by Oct. 6 will receive a bag lunch at no charge. Dietary laws will be observed. The conference is free and open to all. Click here to read all the workshop descriptions and to register.  Please join us for this special day of community and learning and acceptance. The Mental Health Education Project (MHEP) presents the Annual Conference on Mental Health. MHEP is a collaborative program of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul (JFS).
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NextGen
6 p.m.- Happy Hour, 7:30 p.m.-Show Sunday, Oct. 26
Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis
 Join NextGen at the Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival showing of Above and Beyond, with special guest Nancy Spielberg and honoring local hero Leon Frankel.
In 1948, St. Paul native and highly decorated WWII naval aviator Leon Frankel joined a group of WWII pilots, mostly from the U.S., to form Israel's first air squadron and protect the newborn Israeli state against almost impossible odds in its War of Independence. As members of "Machal" - volunteers from abroad - this ragtag band of brothers turned the tide of the war, preventing the possible annihilation of Israel at the very moment of its birth. Frankel, who bravely flew 25 missions for Israel before returning to the United States, is prominently featured in this documentary.
Meet at the Riverview Cafe Winebar at 6 p.m. for Happy Hour. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. For movie tickets, email Todd Sandler at [email protected].
 NextGen's Lead Sponsor | Deborah and Gary Kohler Sponsor | Cindy and Perry Witkin |
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Love, Loss, Dementia & Family Relationships,
a free film event
4-7 p.m. Sundays Nov. 9, 16 and 23
Adath Jeshurun Congregation
How do we come to grips with Alzheimer's and dementia in our loved ones?
See three extraordinary, award-winning films about the effects of dementia within families. With poignancy and humor, they explore the tenacity of love and challenges of care, from the perspectives of adult children, siblings, spouses and friends.These free events include a light dinner and discussion. Please RSVP five days before each showing to [email protected] or 952-215-3904.
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IT skills spell success for underemployed client
 Sam* first came to JFCS a year ago. At the time he'd worked at Target for four years but only made $9.20 an hour. He knew he needed to make a change and wanted help finding a career rather than just a "job."
Sam told his JFCS Employment Specialist he might be interested in a position in either Project Management or IT. Because he was over 50 there were funds available through The Platinum Program for Sam to train for certificate programs that would enhance his skills.
Sam registered for an online Project Management Fundamentals class through On-the-Go ED.
At the same time, JFCS began the IT Pathways Program. To participate, applicants must take part in rigorous testing and an interview to be accepted into the 8-week full-time classroom course designed to lead to Comp TIA A+ certification and a full-time six-month apprenticeship. After his training Sam returned to JFCS for additional employment services.
During the two months of training Sam experienced financial hardships and JFCS was able to provide some aid to help him pay some bills while he was without income.
Through the help Sam received from JFCS and his determination to find a satisfying career, Sam has now started a job at Best Buy as an IT Specialist.
*Not his real name
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If you are job hunting, complete the short intake on the JFCS Career Portal. This allows JFCS to determine the best individualized Career Services options to meet your needs.
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Children's Tashlich and Picnic at Lake Harriet
12-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
Meet at Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis
PJ Library will join Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School (HMJDS) for a BYO dairy* picnic lunch, a story and a tashlich** service. Plus, play at the awesome playground. Children 0-8 are welcome, but the program will be geared to kids 3 and up. 
In case of iffy weather, venue may change, so be sure to RSVP to this free event. Join on Facebook or contact Debbie Wolfe at [email protected] or 952-417-2139.
* A dairy lunch has no meat. A cheese sandwich, egg or tuna salad are good options.
** Tashlich is symbolically casting away the sins of the past year.
PJ Library Funders | Louis Herman Memorial Fund, a designated fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and a grant from Harry and Sandy Lerner. "PJ Library" and "PJ Library logo" are registered trademarks of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Multi-tasking - Productive or Pointless?
A post by Jill Kozberg, MA, LP
Are you one of those people who says, "I'm at my best when I'm busy," or "I do better when I have more to do," or "I get more done when I have less time."
If you're a multi-tasker, did you know research shows it actually decreases productivity?
To learn more about the dangers of multi-tasking click here.
Counseling Lead Sponsor | Lynne and Andy Redleaf
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We got your back (pack)
 Remember your first day back to school: newly-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils, pristine crayons arranged in their proper hues, a clean pack of lined paper just waiting for your math equations and back-to-school essay? Having school supplies is crucial to school success. JFCS has clients who cannot afford this important resource, so we reached out to the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Greater Minneapolis Section. Each year NCJW provides a complete package of school supplies on the first school day to low-income Minneapolis Public School families. NCJW donated supplies for JFCS families in need. The Hag Sameach Program provided the backpacks and JFCS staff stuffed the packs so they would be ready for the first day of school. This partnership succeeded in bringing smiles to the faces of young students who are now ready to succeed. The partnership between JFCS and the NCJW will continue in the years to come. |
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Meet JFCS Board Member Andrew Silverstein
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Andrew Silverstein,
Vice President of Finance and Human Resources
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Q. Why do you associate with JFCS? I associate with JFCS because JFCS acts on that which I know to be right: to serve society, to contribute to improving the world, to provide protection to those potentially disadvantaged, to serve immediate needs and to work toward the prevention of hunger, homelessness, disease, ignorance, abuse and oppression among all people.
I associate with JFCS because enabling those in need to become self-sufficient is sacred work whose effectiveness is leveraged by working in coalition with others to create systemic change.
To read the full response, and other profiles click here. |
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Thanks to our Funders
 The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership awarded JFCS $197,340 for the JFCS IT Pathways program, which assists individuals who are unemployed or underemployed find job opportunities in the IT field. |
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Grief and Loss Series Education Series
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1
Tools for Healthy Grieving
JFCS Offices, 13100 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka
Grief can often feel like an emotional roller coaster. There are good moments and difficult moments. This class will provide useful information for managing the ups and downs of the grieving experience, incorporating Jewish wisdom and secular tools and techniques.
For questions or to RSVP, please contact Barbara Rudnick
at [email protected]. |
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Disciplining Children
Dear Ask Barbara,
With all this publicity about the Adrian Peterson situation, I find myself questioning the best way to discipline my children. Sometimes all of my buttons get pushed and it can feel like I am on the brink of "losing it." That's very scary to me. I'm not sure if I'm doing the right things or not. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help, Concerned and confused
Dear Concerned,
This is a wonderful and timely question. You are not alone. I think that probably every parent feels the same way at one time or another. Here are some things to keep in mind:
First, never attempt to discipline children when you are sick, exhausted or under the influence. You need to be clear-headed and in control. Discipline is an ongoing process. There are usually multiple opportunities to teach acceptable behaviors. Secondly...
To read the rest of Barbara's answer, click here.
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Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis
13100 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 400
Minnetonka, MN 55305
  
www.jfcsmpls.org | 952-546-0616
Mission Statement
Inspired by the wisdom and values of our tradition,
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis
supports people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.
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