On April 29 through May 1, Jewish Child & Family Services hosted more than 400 lay and professional leaders, service providers, philanthropists, academics, direct service volunteers and agency board members from the United States, Canada and Israel at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Chicago for the first annual Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies Conference: "Unifying Our Human Service Voice."

With Chicago's beautiful skyline as the backdrop for our annual VIP Reception, Jewish Child & Family Services (JCFS) recently recognized more than 100 outstanding community partners for sharing their time, energy and resources to support the agency.

Serious illness and loss often force us to confront big questions such as “Why did this illness happen to me?” The illness, loss and spiritual support at JCFS Chicago 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.

by Anna Hanuszewicz, Social Media Specialist

On Sunday, October 22, 2017, Jewish Child & Family Services hosted Mazel Paws, a family-friendly event that raised needed funds for the JCFS Therapeutic Day School. 

by Melissa (Mimi) Goldberg

At JCFS Chicago’s Glick Family Camp, parents, their children with disabilities and siblings enjoy a family-oriented, nature-filled camp experience – together! The camp is offered once each spring at Jewish Community Youth Services Camp Henry Horner/Camp Red Leaf in Ingleside, Illinois. The weekend is filled with a variety of social, creative, recreational and supportive activities. A family camp worker is assigned to each family.

by Dr. Beth Fishman PhD
Manager, Addiction Services

September is National Recovery Month, therefore it seems a good time to ask “what is recovery?”  The addiction services at JCFS Chicago serves Chicago’s Jewish community by raising awareness about addiction issues, educating on addiction, prevention and treatment, referring community members to recovery resources, and supporting Jews in recovery.  So it is equally fitting that addiction services would bring this question to our community.

by Elizabeth Siegel Cohen, LCSW
Coordinator, illness, loss and spiritual support at JCFS Chicago
Bereavement Specialist

I recently read a letter published in the Washington Post by a young widowed father of two named David Creekmore. The letter was written to his deceased wife, Trish, who died three years ago.  Towards the end of this deeply moving letter David wrote “Life’s too short.  I had to lose you to really understand that. You are not forgotten. We move on because we have to, not because we want to.” These words really resonated with me because they speak so powerfully about how the experience of loss can forever change our focus and priorities in life.