Greetings!
We all know the jokes about parents looking forward to the end of winter vacation so they can send their children back to school. This year, that sentiment rang more true than ever before; and unfortunately due to the amount of Omicron virus plaguing our families, neighborhoods and communities, the return for many children has been postponed, or been up and down at best (one day in school, the next day at home). The instability of day-to-day routines for children and their families is clearly taking a toll and most everyone is feeling it.
Minnesota parents near breaking point as COVID-19 exacerbates
child-care crisis; JFCS staff featured in article
JFCS ACT Program Director Laura Gorke and Career Services Director Sheilah Howard were both quoted in Sunday’s Star Tribune article, “Minnesota parents near breaking point as COVID-19 exacerbates child-care crisis.”

Laura speaks about the challenges of high daycare costs for parents and Sheilah speaks about how childcare issues affect JFCS career services clients looking for work. Serving people of all backgrounds, we are thrilled to see JFCS staff highlighted as expert community resources to a wide audience.
Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Kori Savitt
Kori Savitt began volunteering at JFCS by delivering decorated Chanukah bags to Sholom Home. Learn more about our featured Volunteer Spotlight for January.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a mom of three beautiful daughters and two great son-in-laws, a Baubie to three perfect grandkids, and I’ve been married to a wonderful man, Charles, for 40 years. I am a big sports fan and I love my dogs, gardening, reading, crafts and many other things. I have helped people in many different ways.


Pictured here, Kori Savitt with her husband Charles.

Contact Dana Shapiro, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager, at dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org or 952-417-2112 for more information about JFCS volunteer services. Click here to view the most recent volunteer e-newsletter and let Dana know if you want to be added to the list to receive future editions.
Staff Q&A: New Food Security Program Coordinator Felicia Massey
JFCS and PRISM Food Shelf of Golden Valley have an operating partnership to extend the capacities of both social service agencies to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and/or food insecurity. Felicia Massey, who recently started as JFCS’ new Food Security Program Coordinator, spoke about how the program works to alleviate hunger.

Why did the Food Security Coordinator position appeal to you?

I feel everyone should have healthy food available to them – that is a right for all. When the Food Security Coordinator position became available, I jumped at the opportunity. I love the idea of being able to serve clients in need of food, but also creating a community of resources. Food is a way of bringing people together at the table and fulfilling a human need. I come from the South and food has been a big part of my family history. My father was a chef; my mother even at 84 is a great southern cook.
JFCS joins initiative to meet jobseekers where they are at – on their career path and geographically
JFCS Career Services is excited to announce its participation in a new nationwide network designed to provide jobseekers with all the assistance, resources, and tools they need to find work, regardless of where they are geographically.

The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA), of which JFCS is a member agency, has launched Project EM: Empowering and Employing our Community in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
Traveling Havdalah with PJ Library
Traveling Havdalah at Bet Shalom, Saturday, Jan. 29 @ 4:30pm

Join PJ families at Bet Shalom Congregation for an outdoor Havdalah experience as we say goodbye to Shabbat. Dress for the weather as we enjoy a musical service, play winter games, and drink hot cocoa. In case of inclement weather, this event will be moved indoors. Masks are required for everyone ages 2 and up inside.


Traveling Havdalah with Temple Israel
Saturday, Feb. 5 @ 4:30 p.m. at Kenwood Park

Join PJ families and Temple Israel as we say goodbye to Shabbat with this unique Loppet-themed experience. We will have a musical service and family-friendly activities with goody bags for each kid! Please register so we know to expect you and contact you in case of inclement weather.


PJ Library founding sponsors: Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Harry and Sandy Lerner Family Foundation
Lead Sponsors: Richard and Beverly Fink Family Fund, Jacob Garber Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Susie and Hart Kuller
I’ve Retired, Now What?
Monday, Jan. 31 @ 12-1 p.m.
Zoom

Your successful career is almost over. Do you have a vision of what you want your retirement to look like? Join us for a virtual session, led by Roy Ginsburg, to learn about how you can spend your time wisely during retirement.

This event is free of charge.
Holocaust Survivor Families: Knowing the Pain & Learning Life Lessons
Tuesday, Mar. 1 @ 7-9 .m.
Zoom

Presented by Bea Hollander-Goldfein Ph.D., LMFT

Dr. Hollander-Goldfein, a licensed clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist, is the director of the Transcending Trauma Project (TTP). She will discuss findings that emerged from the project that are already making major contributions to the fields of trauma, coping and adaptation and intergenerational transmission.