JCFS Chicago is proud to partner with Keshet to offer First Friends, a welcoming, play-based program for families of infants and toddlers with disabilities or complex medical needs. 

“JCFS and Keshet are eager to find ways to support the greater community, and this seemed like a natural and logical connection between the two organizations,” said Jennie Marble, Director of JCFS Integrated Pediatric Therapies (IPT). 

Keshet launched First Friends last year and recently teamed up with JCFS to enhance the program, which is geared toward parents and their children ages 3-36 months.

“By joining forces, we will be able to strengthen our impact, expand our expertise, and provide even more comprehensive support and programming for our community,” said Bat-El Lieberman, Keshet's Jewish Life Coordinator. 

The core structure of First Friends will remain the same and will continue to include:

• Social worker support
• Music therapy
• Baby massage
• Parent and pediatrician speakers

In addition, IPT Early Intervention experts will provide new specialty offerings:

• Meaningful play
• Speech and language development
• Sensory system development

First Friends will be offered at the Elaine Kersten Children’s Center in Northbrook. This space is thoughtfully designed for parent-and-me programming and is well equipped to support interactive group activities.

With this new structure:

• Each session will be 60 minutes
• Parents will have dedicated time for mingling, connection, and play
• Sessions will run consistently, while specialty topics will rotate in 8-week cycles
• Families may join at any point, creating greater flexibility and accessibility 

Visit Keshet.org for more information, or email Bat-El Lieberman at Keshet.