Education & Support Groups

Ways to find support and grow

JCFS Chicago offers education and support groups through many of its program areas. Upcoming events and groups are listed on our calendar.

We are always listening to the needs of the community and welcome the opportunity to form new groups when possible. If you don’t see a group that feels like the right fit, we still encourage you to reach out to us.

Addiction & Recovery

Groups for individuals in addiction recovery and for their loved ones are offered throughout the year, based on the needs of the Jewish recovery community. We focus on learning practices that enhance recovery in the supportive community of others who are walking a similar journey. Examples include Jewish spiritual practices relevant to recovery principles such as forgiveness and compassion, guided meditations based on Jewish prayer, and the application of rabbinic teachings to 12-Step and other recovery programs. For more information, please contact Beth Fishman or call 847.745.5422.

Adoption & Infertility Support

We offer ongoing support groups for adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, and those navigating fertility challenges.  Groups are virtual and open to the Chicagoland Jewish community. Contact Andrea Jacobs or call 847.745.5425.

Adults with Disabilities and their Families

Community Education
Periodic community education lectures on a variety of topics of interest to people with disabilities, their families and professionals. These include Creative Solutions to Holiday Stress, Healthy Sexuality and Disability, Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, Estate Planning and more. CEUs are available. For a full list of community education lectures, refer to our calendar. To register, or for more information contact Allison Rodenhouse or call 773.765.3160.

Children with Disabilities and their Families

Sibshops
Sibshops offer brothers and sisters of children with a variety of special needs an opportunity to share common joys and concerns, learn to handle common dilemmas and have fun! For information on Sibshops, contact Tammy Besser, LCSW, or 773.765.3159.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Life can be stressful-- sometimes, overwhelmingly so. In these moments, a support group may be helpful to process complex emotions, find support amongst others going through similar challenges, and learn resources to better navigate stressful times. Throughout the year, we offer support and process groups on a variety of topics, such as divorce, family estrangement, navigating antisemitism, and more. Contact Daniel Bahner or call 847.745.5436.

Preschool Socialization Group

The Virginia Frank Child Development Center provides a therapeutic social skills group for children ages 3-5 with an emphasis on emotional regulation and social development. Contact Linnet Mendez, LCPC at 773.765.3119 to register or for more information.

Social Skills Groups for Children

We offer a range of therapy and social skills groups for children ages 5-15 who have difficulty finding their footing with peer groups and struggle to navigate relationships. Groups include practice with communication, discussion of common social struggles, team-building activities, therapeutic intervention, and expressive arts to help children and teens learn the skills necessary for forming and maintaining healthy friendships. Groups explore topics such as feelings identification, conflict resolution, frustration tolerance, effective communication, dealing with bullying, and improving self-esteem. Visit our calendar to search for current groups.

Therapeutic Groups for Children

Toddler Play Group (ages 2-3) focuses on activities and skills that promote social/emotional communication, early problem solving, and following directions. Handwriting Boost (for various ages) uses fun, engaging, themed activities to target fine motor, bilateral coordination, and visual-motor skills. This group also focuses on letter formation, size, alignment, and spacing, and works to improve each child's overall grasp, posture, and core strength. Contact Megan Kowalski or 847.412.4335.

Grief and Loss

We offer a variety of grief support groups to meet the diverse needs of our community, available both in-person and virtually. We provide general grief groups as well as spaces for more specific experiences, such as those grieving the loss of a spouse or partner, individuals in their 20s and 30s and those coping with a loss to suicide. Contact Leah Shefsky or call 847.745.5404.