Who here has had an easy eight months?
By Dawn Berney
JSS Executive Director
I am guessing that if we were all together and looked around, there wouldn’t be a single hand that was raised. And if you have, please email me at dawn@jssmadison.org because I want to know how you did it!
Life is always complicated, and the last few months, unbelievably complicated. Coronavirus has changed our jobs, our home lives, our ability to see family and friends, and our opportunities to have fun. Our staff are meeting clients outdoors or over the telephone. We can’t have Lechayim on Mondays. Instead, Betsy H. and Estelle join us on Zoom for Yoga from a Chair on Mondays. Passover couldn’t safely happen in person this year and our staff couldn’t go to community seders at Capital Lakes or Oakwood Village. Instead, we are having a reverse Halloween parade near our office at the end of the month (see below for more information). And even I am learning to meditate. Those of you who have known me for a long time will understand that the likelihood of my sitting still for hours at a time is about as realistic as asking a two-year old to ignore the basket of puppies in front of them. Just not happening.
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I encourage you to take a look at this website with meditations developed for this year. They are from the Ten Percent Happier website (www.tenpercent.com). There is the Coronavirus Sanity Guide where, “The meditations, podcasts, blog posts, and talks on this page will help you build resilience and find some calm amidst the chaos” (https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide) and the 2020 Election Sanity Guide, to “help you stay sane and engaged during the 2020 US Elections, without burning out.” (https://www.tenpercent.com/guide). And if you want to do the 7-day Election Sanity Challenge with me starting on Tuesday, October 27th, please let me know. Even meditation is more fun with others.
Note: and if you are a teacher, USPS worker, healthcare, grocery, or food delivery worker and are not currently subscribed to the paid version of the Ten Percent Happier website, they are offering free access at https://www.tenpercent.com/care.
Be well and be safe,
Dawn
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Voting Issues: The Practical and the Political
Long-time poll workers, and voter registration volunteers, Jim Youngerman, Paul Malischke, and Roz Gusinow will share information and discuss some of the practical and political issues of registration and voting in Wisconsin. (Fun facts -- Jim and his wife Nan are both former JSS board presidents and Roz is a long-time JSS volunteer.) Come and show your support for this fabulous program.
Thursday, October 22 at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 870 8899 4383
By phone: (312) 626-6799
For questions, call Paul Borowsky at (608) 886-6777.
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Join us for JSS' Annual Meeting!
Monday, October 26 at 7pm via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 882 5534 4263
Passcode: 1974
By phone: (312) 626-6799
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A Different Kind of School Year: What Can We Do as Parents?
NOTE: Now that MMSD has announced another quarter of virtual schooling, this is even more important.
Wednesday, October 28th at 6:30 pm
We know how difficult it is to be a parent. And COVID-19 is not making things any easier. Life is complicated and adding the education of your children into the mix because of virtual or hybrid classes only makes things worse. Please join Jewish Social Services of Madison and the Jewish Federation of Madison for part II of our Parents’ Panel.
Join Marla Becker, Gan Ha Yeled Director and teacher and Zach Galin, Founder, President and College Admissions Counselor of Galin Education, as they share ways to keep kids engaged in virtual learning, identify ways to support outside the box educating and discuss how kids can thrive in these uncertain times.
Marla and Zach will take questions so please send ahead of time so they can be addressed! Questions can be sent to caren@jssmadison.org.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Jewish Grief Support Group (virtual)
With Rabbi Renée Bauer and Nancy Feingold, MSSW
Tuesdays 4-5 PM: November 17, 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22 and January 5, 12
$54 fee for professional facilitation, readings and book* (No one will be turned away for inability to pay)
The loss of a loved one is both a universal human experience and a deeply personal one. People experience grief on many levels: physical, psychological, and spiritual. This 8-week group will support those on the journey of grieving with tools from the Jewish tradition. No matter how long since you lost your loved one(s), if you would like support from Jewish tradition, please join us.
*Fee includes copy of Mishkan Aveilut: Where Grief Resides, a book of readings, poems, and meditations edited by Rabbi Eric Weiss.
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Join JSS on Mondays for Schmoozing at 11am and
Yoga From A Chair at 11:30am
With Estelle Katz
Meeting ID: 406 575 567
Join by phone: (312) 626-6799, 406 575 567#
For questions, call Paul Borowsky at (608) 886-6777.
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A tribute gift is a meaningful way to convey sympathy to the bereaved, memorialize a loved one, commemorate a special occasion or honor a person’s life and accomplishments.
Your gift to Jewish Social Services made in honor or memory of this special person ensures a legacy that extends far into the future.
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Wish List
*We are looking for a treadmill for a client.
If you are able to donate this item please call Maya Garbuz at (608) 442-4085 or email maya@jssmadison.org.
Thank you!
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Missed reading our messages? Find them on our webpage.
To reach our office please call:
(608) 442-4081 *Please leave a message, we check the voicemail frequently
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Do you have a car you would like to get rid of???
Donate your car to JSS!
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2020 Tzedakah Campaign Kickoff with mentalist/magician Jason Suran
Sunday, October 25 at 7:00 pm
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Jewish Social Services Joins HIAS in Opposing Proposed Anti-Asylum Rule
On September 23, 2020, the Trump administration released another attack on vulnerable people through a proposed rule that would harm asylum seekers and the U.S. asylum system. The anti-asylum proposal would make it extremely difficult for individuals to be granted asylum by forcing asylum seekers to complete asylum applications within two weeks of their first hearing - regardless of language barriers, access to counsel, or understanding of asylum laws. It would also harmfully reject asylum applications if asylum seekers forgot to answer a question or cannot afford to pay a fee.
Here’s how to take action: Click here to submit your opposition to this anti-asylum proposal. Make sure you adapt the sample to your voice and submit it before Friday, October 23rd, 11:59PM.
This rule represents an attempt to weaponize bureaucracy to deny people the right to seek protection within the United States. JSS joins HIAS in opposing this latest attack on asylum rights, and we ask you to add your voice to those who oppose this needless attack by making a public comment. Before these changes can be finalized, the administration must review every single unique comment that they receive. Your comments are very important!
Thank you for taking action.
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Jewish Madison Community COVID-19 Resources
The Jewish Federation of Madison has created an online resource that posts ongoing information from all of our Madison Jewish organizations and synagogues, to provide you with a comprehensive listing for virtual worship services, Shabbat gatherings, holiday celebrations, classes, study and discussion groups, entertainment, activity resources, messages from our rabbis, support, resources available, and more - all in one place.
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JSS is proud to be a beneficiary agency of: |
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