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e-directions newsletter, July 2014
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I recently visited an organization that raises money for low-income women with breast cancer. The founder explained she'd seen family members go through cancer treatment and realized the many unmet needs of financially-stressed families facing cancer. The recognition that cancer impacts families, not just individuals, resulted in her establishing an organization that helps provide resources to help alleviate the stress and strain. The organization, Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, can always use more volunteers. I was happy to tell her JFCS helps more than 900 volunteers find meaningful service projects each year. I promised her JFCS would direct volunteers to her program because I knew it would be a perfect fit for many of you. Your first opportunity to work with Hope Chest is listed below! Making connections between volunteers and needs in the community is the very essence of building engagement. Call it paying it forward or tikkun olam -- either way, JFCS is blessed to have so many wonderful volunteers helping to ease suffering and offer support to so many. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact JFCS Community Involvement Manager Debra Savitt at [email protected] or 952-542-4859.
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 has been unable to hold a steady job because of mental health issues, homelessness and a lack of education?  JFCS Career Services provided training, career development services and emotional support to a young man who now works full-time as a cashier and is living in his own apartment - the first home he's had in years. Read his full story here. Career 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.
Give Help. Give Hope. Give2014
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Babies! Bubbies! Everyone!
Join PJ Library� for Super Stretch Sunday!
Sunday, Aug. 10
Classes at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or 12 p.m.
Minnesota Children's Museum,
10 W 7th St, St. Paul
Stretch your mind!
Stretch your body!
Stretch your imagination!
Come for a morning of family fun, then stay and spend the day at the Minnesota Children's Museum, as the Minneapolis and St. Paul PJ Libraries present their 4th annual summer event!
Cost $18/family - up to 6 people OR just $10 per family if you bring a new family who is not enrolled in PJ Library! To enroll a family, click here.
Register! To register for Super Stretch Sunday call PJ Library at Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul at 651-695-3180.
For more information, visit the PJ Library webpage or contact Debbie Wolfe at [email protected] or 952-417-2139.
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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 4th annual Fillies Race for Hope
Sunday, Aug. 10
Canterbury Park, 1100 Canterbury Rd, Shakopee
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 12-3 p.m.; 3- 6 p.m.
JFCS is partnering with Hope Chest for Breast Cancer for a day of live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing in honor of breast cancer awareness. The event includes a silent auction, salute to survivors, horseshoes for hope, VIP pink buffet and more!
Help is especially needed for afternoon and evening shifts. You can work on set-up, clean-up, silent auction, check in, or selling raffle tickets and derby hats. To volunteer or for more information contact Michelle at [email protected] or 952-471-8700 ext. 19. Please mention you're with JFCS!
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Career Q & A
Looking for work? JFCS Career Services counselors help people make deliberate decisions at critical points in their work life. If you have questions about job hunting or employment, email us at [email protected].
Q: I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 10 years and now that my children are settled in school, I would like to pursue a new career path. I am willing to do some school or training, but I want to pick a good field with a lot of job opportunities.
-Sue
A. Great thinking, Sue. It is a smart approach to pick a field where there is opportunity. Information Technology (IT) is a growing field with good job prospects. Currently, JFCS is offering the IT Pathways program. Through a partnership with the Creating IT Futures Foundation, you could enroll in an eight-week training followed by a six-month apprentice program designed for people with no IT experience. Participants will have to pass an entrance exam in order to qualify for the program. If that sounds like a possible fit, contact JFCS. We will provide an abilities assessment to see if you qualify for this training and to help you determine if this career path fits within your expectations. To learn more about the IT Pathways program or other JFCS Career Services programs contact Alison Bey, Employment Specialist, at [email protected] or 952-542-4833. ...................................................................................................................
Have you recently lost your job?
JFCS has funds available for workers who have recently lost their job, through no fault of their own. Dislocated workers can use this assistance to access free services, including training classes, career counseling, employment assessments, job search tools and more. To find out if you qualify, contact Leah Temkin at [email protected] or 952-417-2108.
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Here are 10 signs you've made cortisol - the hormone emitted in the human "fight-or-flight" response - your drug of choice. 1. You're not sleeping well. 2. When you do sleep you don't feel rested. 3. You're gaining weight... To read the other signs and what you can do to live more calmly, click here. If you are struggling with stress, contact the Counseling department at JFCS at 952-546-0616. Counseling Lead Sponsor | Lynne and Andy Redleaf
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Meet JFCS Board Member Marc Rubenstein
 | | Marc Rubenstein, Vice President for Investment |
Q. What is your association with JFCS?
A. I have been on the Board for four years, currently serving as Vice President of Investment. My family and I have also volunteered over the years at various JFCS functions...
Q. What JFCS program is especially meaningful to you?
A. The Hag Sameach Program holds a special place as it was one of the earlier programs my family was involved with; providing gifts to families and individuals during the holiday season. The best part is seeing the joy on their faces when they receive their packages.
Q. What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading "Poilu: The World War I Notebooks of Corporal Louis Barthas, Barrelmaker, 1914-1918," an English-translated compilation of a soldier's diary, notebooks and letters written on his experiences of WWI. But if I had to recommend just one book...
To read the full interview, and other recent profiles click here.
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NextGen Summer Party was sensational
More than 140 young adults came out to meet, mingle and learn more about volunteer and philanthropic opportunities through JFCS at the NextGen Summer Party.
To see photos from the fun event, click here.
Along with vibrant social events for young professionals ages 21-36, NextGen provides hands-on volunteer opportunities and professional development seminars and networking.
To join NextGen contact Todd Sandler at
  NextGen's Lead Sponsor | Deborah and Gary Kohler
Sponsor | Cindy and Perry Witkin
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We hit our stride at Pride!
 During Pride week the Jewish LGBTQ community celebrated, beginning with a happy hour at Mort's in Golden Valley. New and old faces came together for brisket and knishes. A few days later, J-Pride set up their epic, double-wide booth in Loring Park and more than 30,000 visitors saw the brilliance of the Jewish community collaborate together in support of J-Pride! Finally, this year J-Pride had its first-ever float in the parade, a giant bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup. The float was featured in the local news on both Channel 5 and Channel 11. To see more pictures from the event, click here. To get involved with J-Pride contact Shana Cohen at [email protected] or 952-542-4810. Founding Sponsor | Lisa Heilicher |
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Thank you to our generous funders
 The Grotto Foundation has awarded JFCS a $25,000 grant for the Parent-Child Home Program. These monies will help provide parents with the tools they need to be their child's first and most important teacher and ensure their children are ready for school success when they enter kindergarten.
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Caregiver support group for adult children
7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11
Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave S, Minneapolis
Are you caring for ill or aging parents and need some support? JFCS offers a caregiver support group to help with the challenges of loss, grief, and transition. This monthly group is facilitated by Barbara Rudnick, who has more than 30 years experience as a group facilitator, focusing on issues such as the challenge of caregiving, loss, grief, and transition.
Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at Temple Israel. The group is free, but you must pre-register by contacting Barbara at [email protected]. For complete details click here.
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AskBarbara
The Power of Looking..... There is no doubt in my mind that being a parent is one of the most joyful, most rewarding, most challenging and most important "jobs." Here is a poem about parenting that I love. It is a good reminder that no matter how old your children are, you are a role model and that what you say and do teaches valuable life lessons. When You Thought I Wasn't Looking By Mary Rita Schilke Korazan When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you... To read the rest of this poem and AskBarbara's column, 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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