Jewish Community Programs

The Jewish fall holidays are filled with many themes – solemnity, renewal, joy, family, food and much more. But underneath, there are also themes of loss and grief, of questions, of connection and healing from the loss.  

When Ally Frank began her internship with JCFS Chicago’s Jewish Community Services program last fall, she didn’t know what to expect. The internship would focus on community social work and outreach—areas that differed from both her prior experiences and her long-term career goals, which centered on micro and clinical practice.

The JCFS Chicago internship program may not be widely known, but its benefits are far-reaching—strengthening the agency’s programs while providing students with valuable professional experience.

A few years ago, I received a call from a young adult in addiction recovery in another state. He wanted to create a recovery meeting specifically for Jews but wasn’t sure how to begin. I offered suggestions for finding a meeting space, sent him several formats used in Jewish recovery meetings, and, with their permission, connected him with three people in his state—former Chicagoans who had been active with JCFS Chicago Addiction Services and had experience starting and sustaining meetings—to help provide local support. 

The JCFS Chicago Jewish Chaplaincy program is expanding its services to include two area hospices and Misericordia, while also growing its Russian-speaking Jewish Chaplaincy program. 

Albany Park, pushkes, and praising his husband’s life have all influenced board member Mitch Kaufman to give generously to JCFS Chicago. 

Every year, JCFS Chicago partners with six synagogues in the Lakeview, Edgewater, and Gold Coast neighborhoods to host a Shabbaton. This year’s theme: The Ripples of Divorce through the Lifespan, addressed both the experiences of individuals and families across generations, while equipping clergy with practical tools for support.

There is a particular kind of weight that settles in during prolonged uncertainty. It does not always come from a single loss. Grief does not only follow death. It can also arise from what feels fragile, unresolved, or uncertain.

Ask Andrew if he enjoys the applause he receives after a performance and you’ll get to see his face light up. Andrew, who lives in an integrated community living home supported by JCFS Chicago, has been acting for several years, most recently as Dr. Frankenstein in a production with A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations.

When Jewish Community Services intern Ally Frank helped to update JCFS Chicago’s online Mental Health Shabbat resources, she never imagined it would lead her back to her alma mater. But just a few weeks later, Ally led a Mental Health Shabbat service at the Purdue Hillel in West Lafayette, Indiana.