As camp begins to feel more and more like a reality, it is normal for your child to start to feel anxious about leaving home. Even campers who have been away before may still feel nervous. Our Camp Firefly staff has put together some tips that can help your child get ready for the summer.

With close to 15% of U.S. children ages 6–19 experiencing hearing loss, Integrated Pediatric Interventions notes that May Is Better Hearing & Speech Month is the ideal time for parents to learn more about the sometimes-subtle signs of hearing loss, ways it can affect school-aged children, and where to find help.

Parents today are faced with raising their children in a society where school and neighborhood violence is not uncommon. You may be asking yourself, how do I help myself and my children make sense of these tragic events?

Serious illness and loss often force us to confront big questions such as “Why did this illness happen to me?” The Jewish Healing Network and The Lauri S. Bauer Foundation For Sudden Loss’ 6th Annual Conference Help, Healing and Hope Conference featured Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW, presenting “Navigating The Wilderness Of Loss: Reframing The Spiritual Journey of Grief.” Using text, meditation and expressive healing techniques, Rabbi Brener provided insights into these big questions.

After watching her older brother and sister go away to overnight camp, Melanie had been asking to go. We knew it would be a struggle for her to make friends and fit in, so we didn't send her to that camp. A few years later, we discovered Camp Firefly.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Tuned In Tune Back Time, the 11th Annual Larry Dobkin event benefiting Response Center on Sunday, March 18! It was an INCREDIBLE event that exceeded all of our expectations!

Jessica Schaffer, Director of HIAS Chicago, recently attended an immigration action rally led by JCUA and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights at Federal Plaza. The rally was in support of immigration reform, specifically asking legislators to pass permanent solutions for DACA and TPS recipients.

Dear Community Members, my bat mitzvah is in May and as a mitzvah, or service, project I’ve chosen to partner with Jewish Child & Family Services (JCFS) to help supply all kinds of kids in need with backpacks and school supplies.

A teenager balks when his mom asks what time he’ll be home. Another groans when asked about their homework status. Another teen puts on make-up at school, out of their parents’ sight and judgement. And another stays in his room, a lot. These youth are negotiating one of the most common developmental concerns for teenagers: Gaining a sense of independence as they move slowly toward adulthood.

Reflections from a teen camper and camp counselor