Greetings!
It’s hard to believe that a new school year has been in session for already two months. In fact, the unofficial fall break, better known as MEA (Minnesota Education Association) weekend has come and gone, and before we know it, we’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving and enjoying the time off that accompanies it. Let’s face it—as much as school children look forward to these school breaks, so do parents!

Meet this year's comedian: Jon Fisch to perform at the
JFCS 31st Annual Benefit
Some stand-up comedians know they want to be on stage telling jokes from a very young age, but for Jon Fisch, the idea of doing stand-up as a career didn’t occur to him until after he graduated college.

He grew up in Boston and remembers racing home many nights as a high school student to watch whichever stand-up comic happened to be on TV that night. While he always enjoyed getting a laugh at school, he wasn’t necessarily the class clown. He was a psychology major in college and after graduating, worked in hospitals as a counselor.


Tickets on sale now for the 31st Annual Laugh on Their Behalf Benefit
Saturday, Dec. 7, at Minneapolis Marriott City Center
Join us for an evening of fun, food, and comedy to support the critical work of JFCS

PJ Library expanding Shalom Baby programming with 2 new
Parent Connectors
PJ Library Minneapolis is excited to announce that it has added to our popular Shalom Baby programming this year with the addition of two new PJ Parent Connectors, who are leading bi-weekly gatherings for families with children ages 0-2 this fall.

The two positions are funded by a PJ Library Implementing Partner Engagement Grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to expand and deepen engagement opportunities for families raising Jewish children.


PJ Library Sponsor: Harold Grinspoon Foundation
Founding Sponsor: Harry and Sandy Lerner
Lead Sponsor: Jacob Garber Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation
Lead Sponsor: Susie and Hart Kuller 
From Hollywood to JFCS, October is National Disabilities
Employment Month
By Stacey Spencer • Inclusion Program Manager

The United States Congress declared National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 1988 to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.


Inclusion Founding Sponsor: Faye and Mayer Krupp Family Charitable Foundation 
Founding Sponsor: Lynne & Andrew Redleaf Foundation
Lead Sponsor: Toodie & Frank Trestman Special Needs and Collaborative Education Endowment Fund, a designated fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation.  
Did someone say impeachment? What to do in the face of increased partisanship and political instability
By Leah Persky • Family Life Education Manager

It is becoming increasingly hard to tune out the political news of the day, which over the past few weeks, has reached an intensity that is hard to ignore. Between the presidential visit and accompanying protests in Minneapolis earlier this month and ongoing impeachment news, many of us feel overwhelmed and a bit anxious about what will come next. It is no surprise that impeachment debates are highly partisan and finding common ground – or even just agreeing upon what is constitutional – is a challenge. Many are left wanting to connect with others and find some stability in our tumultuous times.

For Janet, JFCS Senior Services provides assistance –
and a remedy for isolation
By Karin Onarheim • Senior Services Intake & Care Coordinator

Recently, Janet had been going through a difficult time. She was feeling down and disconnected, and was also in need of more support at home. She was referred to JFCS Senior Services and when our staff connected with her, she shared about how her family visits occasionally, but had their own families and busy schedules. Though they got together for the holidays and an occasional lunch, Janet was mostly home alone. Things she used to do on her own had become more difficult.


Aging Services Sponsors: Kelen Family Foundation, Elyse Rabinowitz & Jim Porter, The Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt Foundation
Guided by our core Jewish beliefs, JFCS encourages community members to contact representatives about cuts to refugee admissions
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS) has a proud 109-year history of supporting refugees. On the evening of Feb. 10, 1910, a group of committed community members met to plan how to help the hundreds of refugees anticipated to arrive in Minneapolis in the coming weeks. The refugees were fleeing persecution and anti-Semitism in Europe. In their new homes in the United States, they would need to learn English, find employment, settle family members, care for loved ones with illness and acclimate to new customs and situations. This was the beginning of JFCS, and we proudly continue this important tradition today by serving the needs of immigrants, refugees and community members who have lived in the Twin Cities for generations.

A heartfelt thanks to all who made the 2019
Mental Health Education Conference possible
The 19th annual Mental Health Education Conference on Oct. 20 was a collaborative effort focused on raising awareness of mental health issues, reducing stigma and offering education on topics affecting all ages. The day featured an uplifting, jazz-filled keynote address by Sam Miltich, a renowned jazz musician who lives with a mental health diagnosis.

The conference, free and open to all, was made possible through the dedication and generosity of donors, committee members, staff and over 400 attendees.

If you, or someone you know has mental health questions or concerns, JFCS

The Mental Health Education Conference is presented by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis
and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul 
More events in our community: Please join us
Shalom Baby Circle Time
Sunday, Oct. 27 @ 3:30-5 p.m.
JFCS
5905 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley

PJ Our Way Kids Council Kickoff
Sunday, Nov. 3 @ 4:30-6 p.m.
JFCS
5905 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley

Better Angels Debate
Tuesday, Nov. 12 @ 6-8:30 p.m.
Location will be shared upon RSVP

PJ Library Traveling Havdalah
Saturday, Nov. 23 @ 5:45-7 p.m.
Adath Jeshurun Congregation
10500 Hillside Ln W, Minnetonka

31st Annual JFCS Laugh on
Their Behalf Benefit 
Saturday, Dec. 7 @ 5:45-10 p.m.
With Comedian Jon Fisch
Minneapolis Marriott City Center
30 S 7th St, Mpls
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis | www.jfcsmpls.org