Jewish Community Programs

20's and 30's Grief Shabbat Dinner with Base LNCLN

The memories of loved ones who have passed and experiences of grief shape who we are as people and shift our paths in life in innumerable ways.

This is a special Shabbat dinner to hold nourishing space for those of us in our 20's and 30's who have lost a parent, sibling, or partner. While the losses that bring us together are painful, we hope to create a gentle, joyful, and even fun (dark humor anyone?) space to be together with folks who get it. And of course, you can expect delicious food, drink, and Shabbat vibes.

In partnership with Base LNCLN
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The program is generously sponsored by the Lauri S. Bauer Foundation for Sudden Loss.

Professional & Community Training

Understanding Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Referrals & Collaboration

Explore the world of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) with certified psychedelic-assisted therapy provider Jordan Dobrowski, LCSW. Learn what it is and how it differs from other higher levels of care. There are important roles a therapist plays around KAP. Learn how to evaluate clients as appropriate referrals to KAP. Develop the skills needed to collaborate as a primary therapist with your patients' KAP treatment team.

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Cost: $60 includes 3.0 CEU’s for social workers, psychologists, and counselors.
Presenter: Jordan Dombrowski, LCSW (she/they) is a Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Provider with experience providing psychotherapy to youth and adults in both English and Spanish. She received her Master’s in Social Work with certificates in Trauma-Informed Care and Culturally Responsive Mental Healthcare for Immigrant Families from the University of Chicago in 2018. Jordan has worked for several ketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinics as well as two psychedelic-assisted therapy training centers. They run a small group practice and are also an active member of the Illinois Psychedelic Society.

Learning Objectives:
1. Be able to screen clients using inclusion and exclusion criteria for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP).
2. Develop a brief elevator speech for how to introduce KAP to clients and other providers.
3. Practice basic skills for integration therapy and harm reduction.

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Healing from Our Ancestral Wounds

Healing from Our Ancestral Wounds

We all have ancestors, even if we don’t know much about them. Our family lineage has a direct impact on our present day lives in ways of which we are not fully cognizant, according to Rabbi Dr. Tirzah Firestone, who recently led Moving Toward a Healing-Centered Care, a JCFS sponsored training for Chicago area clinicians and other professionals.

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Safer Schools

Students

  • SMART KidsTM is a newly developed program presented in Orthodox Jewish Day Schools to students in pre-school through fourth grade.  
  • Children learn about boundaries, bodily autonomy, and making smart choices when faced with uncomfortable situations. 
  •  Animated videos about Miriam and Ari as they navigate scenarios help kids understand how to handle unique situations. Watch the first video here!
  • Classroom posters, materials for parents, continuing conversation resources for teachers and fun Miriam and Ari give aways and coloring sheets remind children about being a S.M.A.R.T. Kid. 

Teachers & School Staff 

  • The program educates teachers, social workers and other school staff about boundaries, signs and symptoms of abuse, and responding to suspicions and disclosures.  
  • Participants learn through roleplay how to create a culture of safety by normalizing disclosures, empowering children to advocate for themselves and encouraging discussion. 

Parents 

  • The programs provide parents with additional information about keeping children safe.  
  • Interactive discussions give parents opportunities to share and learn from each other. 
  • Resources for parents

 

SMART Kids logo

PACS (Partners Aligned for Child Safety) is an alliance of JCFS Chicago, Associated Talmud Torahs and Upward Community to coordinate and streamline efforts to prevent child abuse in Chicago area Orthodox day schools. 

For more information about Safer Schools programs, contact Bracha Jakofsky, MSW, Abuse Prevention Coordinator and Mental Health Educator. 

To report suspicions or knowledge of child abuse or neglect, call the DCFS Hotline at 1.800.25.ABUSE (1.800.252.2873)  

We_are_here
to help

We're Here

to Help.

For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.

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Safer Synagogues 

Clergy, staff and other leaders increase their understanding of the impacts of abuse, mental health, addiction and recovery in the Jewish community, including the legal obligations to intervene. Congregants learn more about community resources and how to feel more comfortable turning to the rabbi and other synagogue leaders for support and guidance. Our staff can guide a congregation in reviewing and development of individualized programs, policies, protocols and best practices. 

For more information contact Elizabeth Ury, MAJPS, Director of Jewish Community Engagement, 847.745.5421. 

Topics Addressed

  • Keeping children safe  
  • Teen dating violence, with Response for Teens 
  • Adult intimate partner violence, with SHALVA  
  • Abuse and neglect of older adults, with CJE SeniorLife 
  • Substance use, misuse and addiction  
  • Mental health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention 

Safer Synagogues has been facilitated in over 35 Chicago area synagogues since its inception. 

Boundaries, Abuse and Supporting Communities Training  
JCFS offers training for religious school educators, b’nai mitzvah tutors and other synagogue staff and volunteers on establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries, the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, and responding to disclosures or suspicions of abuse and neglect.  

To report suspicions or knowledge of child abuse or neglect, call the DCFS Hotline at 1.800.25.ABUSE (1.800.252.2873)  

We_are_here
to help

We're Here

to Help.

For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.

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Support Groups

The Empty Chair

The Empty Chair is a virtual workshop for those mourning the death of a loved one during Passover. Holidays can make a loved one's absence, no matter how long they've been gone, feel especially present.

Please join us for a meaningful text study, gentle guidance and reflection on navigating loss during the Passover season, and supportive conversation about making space for remembrance, honoring traditions, and finding moments of comfort and connection at the Seder table and beyond.

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Facilitated by:
Rabbi Joseph S. Ozarowski, D. Min., BCC Rabbinic Counselor and Chaplain
Ally Frank, Social Work Intern

Jewish Community Programs

Guided Meditation for Support in Times of Grief

Meditation can help us develop inner peace and other healing responses for hard times, including grief and loss. In this workshop we will learn, discuss, and practice a Jewish meditation based in ancient traditional Jewish prayer practices. After the workshop you will have everything you need to continue practicing the meditation on your own.

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All are welcome; no meditation experience, particular type or level of Jewish observance or Hebrew literacy is required.

Presenter: Beth Fishman, Ph.D. is a licensed Clinical Health Psychologist and the Program Manager of addiction services at JCFS Chicago. For over 30 years Dr. Fishman has created and taught Jewish spiritual practices to support individuals experiencing bereavement, chronic illness, addiction recovery, and mental health challenges.

The program is generously sponsored by the Lauri S. Bauer Foundation for Sudden Loss.

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People with Disabilities & Their Families

PUNS- The Basics

The PUNS list, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services, is the database that the Department of Human Services (DHS) uses to understand how many individuals in Illinois want or need Developmental Disability Waiver services.

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Join guest speaker Ruth Aguilar, Ligas Family Advocate, from The Arc of Illinois for an overview of PUNS. Learn more about qualifications, requirements to enroll, prioritization, the benefits of being on the PUNS list, and steps to help in the process. Q&A will be available. This presentation will be helpful to people with disabilities and their families, as well as professionals.

This event is free and open to the public. Continuing education credits are available for QIDP's. *Session may be recorded.

You will receive a Zoom link to participate via email the day prior to the session.

For help with registration, and for any accommodations, please contact Kathryn Dougherty.

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