E-Connect
June 4, 2021
As a rabbi I am always trying to connect Torah to contemporary life. Sometimes that connection is a struggle and other times, like this week, it is immediately apparent. This Shabbat we read Parashat Shelach from the Book of Numbers.

In this portion Moses, upon God’s command, sends a representative of each of the 12 tribes to scout out the land of Canaan. Canaan is the Israelites’ destination on the journey out of Egypt. It is, as it were, the light at the end of the dark tunnel of escaping from slavery. But the scouts do not give a glowing report. They say that the land is flowing with milk and honey and they bring back samples of ripe fruit grown from the land, but they also provide an ominous report. They speak about the danger awaiting the people. They describe the people as giants who made them feel as small as grasshoppers. Two scouts, Caleb and Joshua, give a different, more optimistic report. They say that the Israelites are surely strong enough to enter the land and prevail. The other men retort, saying, “The country that we traversed and scouted is one that devours its settlers.” (Numbers, 13:32). The Israelites respond to this report by crying and wishing they could return to Egypt. 
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
TO JOIN ZOOM PROGRAMS: Watch out for an email, or go to www.jssmadison.org/calendar and choose a program by date. Click on the event title to open up a new window that will have details and a Zoom link for that program. On Monday mornings, we send out an email notice with the link for Yoga From A Chair. If you are not on that email list, but wish to be – please let us know.

Recordings of past Zoom programs are available on JSS’ YouTube channel. There is also a link to the channel on www.jssmadison.org under the Communications menu.
Join JSS on Mondays for Schmoozing at 11am and
Yoga From A Chair at 11:30am
With Betsy Haimson


Meeting ID: 406 575 567
Join by phone: (312) 626-6799, 406 575 567#

For questions about Zoom programs, call Paul Borowsky at (608) 442-4083.
Wisconsin Native Plant Garden at the UW Arboretum 
with Susan Carpenter, Arboretum’s Wisconsin Native Plant Gardener
on Zoom Friday, June 11 from 3 – 4 pm 

The Wisconsin Native Plant Garden, designed by landscape architect Darrel Morrison, is a place where people of all ages participate in land care and learn about native plants, restoration, pollinator conservation, and ecological relationships.   

Join Susan who will share her 18 years of garden observations, chance events, and new questions which have led to rich educational opportunities, research, and community participation in science and stewardship. 


Meeting ID: 818 3444 3011 
Passcode: 664371 
Guided Tour at the Arboretum (In-person)
Friday, June 25 from 10:30 – 11:30 am

For further info, transportation options, and reservations – contact Paul Borowsky, paul@jssmadison.org, 608-442-4083
 
Located on 4 acres surrounding the Visitor Center, the native plant garden includes 15 groups of various garden types and hundreds of native Wisconsin species. The Garden introduces visitors to ecological restoration and diverse communities in the Arboretum and the region. 

In the garden, you are likely to run into Susan Carpenter, the Arboretum’s Wisconsin Native Plant Gardener. She teamed up with garden designer Darrel Morrison to create the gardens, and works with staff colleagues, students, and community volunteers to care for and monitor the gardens.
Volunteer Opportunities

As COVID restrictions continue and vaccines and protocols evolve, we want to thank all our volunteers for staying involved via telephone, internet and expanded holiday gift giving and deliveries. If you are interested in volunteering, opportunities may include no-contact delivery of groceries and other essentials, phone contact, tech support, and other tasks and projects. (Also see opportunities listed below)
New Opportunity: Adult learners need your help with English language and literacy
 
Thanks to the Jewish Federation of Madison through the Cheryl Rosen Weston Fund – Jewish Social Services is partnering with the Literacy Network to offer training and volunteer opportunities this summer and fall working with adult learners in English as a Second Language, GED preparation and/or general literacy skills.

It will involve an initial training session, gaining familiarity with lesson plans and materials prepared by Literacy Network staff, and weekly meetings with an adult learner. The fall session begins in September and runs through mid-December. Until further notice, all meetings will continue to be online.

Research shows that adult learners with basic skills need individualized support. Through a unique model in which interns plan individual lessons delivered one-on-one by volunteer tutors, Literacy Network provides effective and efficient direct support to hundreds of adult learners each year. Staff creates personal education plans through a flexible curriculum and provides opportunities for follow-up and feedback between staff, clients, and volunteers.

Literacy Network tutor David Seligman writes, “Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to tutor several different students from Mexico and Honduras. I was the first Jewish person that they had an opportunity to chat with and explore some of our religious observances. The exchange was not one way. These learners were equally enthused to share their Catholic backgrounds and rituals. There was no question that these exchanges did much to broaden each other's understanding and trust in each other. We were able to gradually expand and grow our mutual respect and appreciation for each other.” 

To get further information about this opportunity, please contact JSS volunteer coordinator, Paul Borowsky, 608-442-4083 or paul@jssmadison.org. Check for further descriptions, specific training dates, applications, and other details on the Literacy Network website: https://www.litnetwork.org/
 
For further information on programs or volunteering contact me anytime: Paul Borowsky, paul@jssmadison.org, 608-442-4083
red_house_logo.jpg
Will You Be a Short-Term Host for a Refugee Homestay?

JSS is looking for volunteers who would be interested in hosting newly arrived individuals and families, temporarily while JSS is procuring permanent housing for them. If you have a space that could provide a temporary home for new immigrants, please reach out to Becca at becca@jssmadison.org.
city_travel_illustration.jpg

ONLY ONE MONTH LEFT --

Transportation Program for Older Adults:
Significantly subsidized private rides

JSS is excited to have received a grant from Bader Philanthropies of Milwaukee to allow JSS to provide additional transportation support to ALL older adults throughout Dane County, specifically focusing on those with fewer resources. When JSS cannot find a volunteer driver, trips to and from medical appointments, grocery stores, and similar necessities will be made available for a maximum of $8.00, round trip, with fee waivers available. 

If you know anyone who may benefit from this program, please let us know. We have it for our community. For transportation assistance, please contact us at (608) 442-4081 or office@jssmadison.org. We will connect you with one of our social workers who will be happy to help you access this service. We thank Bader Philanthropies for their interest in our community.
Community Programs
Allstate Insurance – Cybersecurity for Older Adults

The one-hour virtual session is highly interactive and delivered by one or two presenters from Allstate and includes conversation, interactive elements and video.

One hour online session – several options throughout the month of June. Here is a link to view the upcoming sessions, which older adults can use to register for a session
Stand Up and Move More!
Are sitting much of the day?

Learn how and why to get up and move

Four-weekly group health education sessions done over the phone – Starting June 8
Free for adults over the age of 55
Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging – Registration and further information here

Download or read online our paper Connections newsletter. It has different stories and photos than you see in our electronic newsletter.



To reach our office, call (608) 442-4081*
*Please leave a message, we check the voicemail frequently, even when the building is closed.
sleepy_beagle_glasses.jpg
Recordings of our Zoom presentations and programs are available to view on JSS' YouTube channel.


There is also a link to the channel on www.jssmadison.org under the Communications menu.
car_keys_map.jpg

Do you have a vehicle that you no longer need???

Donate your car to JSS! The proceeds go directly to our programs.


JSS is proud to be a beneficiary agency of: