Making space for ourselves and our own well-being, especially at a time when there are others that need taking care of, is extremely important. While making the time and commitment to self-care can seem arduous, so too is the process of recovering if we ignore our own care or let ourselves run out of steam. Finding a couple of small moments to do something that makes us feel good each day can have cumulative benefits.

The pandemic has left many people feeling isolated and alone. To ensure that our clients feel connected to their community and faith, JCFS Chicago’s Jewish community services swiftly transitioned support groups and their chaplaincy program to be virtual.

Recently, two eighth grade girls who went through JCFS Chicago’s Safety Kid program spoke up against a teacher who was making them feel uncomfortable. The Safety Kid program educates preschool- 5^th grade students about personal safety and empowers them with the language and tools they need to keep themselves safe. 

Soon it will be Thanksgiving, a special time to reflect on the people we are grateful for. Carol Brumer, our chaplaincy coordinator and community educator, shares her appreciation for chaplains and the work that they do.

The weather outside is turning colder, we change the clocks this weekend which means less hours of light each day, an election that threatens to tear our country apart is underway, and we are living through a global pandemic that, despite all of our wishes, is not going away anytime soon.  While we can change little of the world around us, we can build up our resilience, our ability to adapt and cope with our situation. 

The Hebrew keyword for this time of year is T’shuva, referring to the process of coming back to who we are, where we need to be and rediscovering ourselves as Jews and Spiritual Human Beings. Here are Ten ‘R’s of spiritual practice for seeking a spiritual place this special time of year. 

Our lives have been turned upside down during this pandemic in one way or another.  We have missed or adapted to life events such as Jewish holidays, weddings, graduations and funerals. Many of us are still trying to process our experiences. We are reflecting not only personally but as a nation, as a faith group, as a culture and as a Jewish community.

If you give it some thought, could you answer this question: where were you the first time you heard the word ‘suicide’ used? Today, more people are talking publicly about suicide, but sadly, often only in the aftermath of a crisis.

Keeping with the principle of pikuach nefesh (preservation of life and health), JCFS Chicago chaplains continue to provide support by phone or online. We speak with people who live at home, in senior communities or in other residential facilities, often bringing a sense of spirituality and connection to the Jewish community in challenging times.

What is compassion meditation, and how can it be so impactful so quickly? In this form of meditation, one offers simple phrases of good will to oneself and to others. Even short periods of compassion meditation has been found to reduce stress and increase positive emotions.