Finding Your Shalom—Healing, Hope and Abundant Peace

by Elizabeth Siegel Cohen, Illness, Loss and Spiritual Support Coordinator

How do you heal after a loss? You may have heard the adage that time heals all wounds. But does it? I don’t believe time, alone, heals wounds; it is what you choose to do with the time. We offer many ways to address your loss; to find your Shalom (peace).

Nechama: To Comfort the Bereaved Among Us” are classes held in area synagogues for the newly bereaved. Nechama is an opportunity for you to join  with other mourners and learn hands-on tools and information about the grief and mourning process, as well as Jewish resources to support you on your journey.  

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On the Front Lines of Domestic Violence Prevention and Response

On August 10, JCFS Chicago welcomed 16 domestic violence professionals to its Skokie office for the first Association of Jewish Family & Children Agencies (AJFCA) Domestic Violence Professionals Fly-In. The participants came from all across the country, including Los Angeles, Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Detroit. As this passionate group of colleagues energetically shared ideas and described the breadth of programming that is being accomplished, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much has changed.

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Legal Advocacy Presentation to Become National Webinar Series

In January, Sande Shamash, Director of the Legal Advocacy Center (LAC), and LAC Staff Attorney, Marissa LaVette, submitted a paper for a presentation on childhood trauma and its impact on special education. Their presentation, “Recognizing Childhood Trauma: Identification, Implementation and Advocacy for Trauma Informed Approaches in Special Education” was one of the submissions selected to be featured at the 17th Annual 2015 Counsel of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) National Conference in San Diego. COPAA is a national organization that serves to protect the legal and civil rights of and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 6.4 million children with disabilities in the United States.

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Parenting and Girl Drama

Your 4th grade daughter comes home from school upset and crying. At first you don’t know what is happening. Then it becomes clearer; she is upset about something that some other girls said to her at school. Your mind swirls as feelings of helplessness, anger and protectiveness rise within you.

You are now in a parenting moment, desperately wishing for a book to tell you what to do. You certainly don’t have any magic answers for your daughter. You wonder…

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Every Kid Healthy Week

by Dena Goldstein, Grants and Planning Associate

Bite-size fruit snacks, squishy Capri Sun juice packs and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes all fall under the category of delicious, “kid-friendly” foods that kids love. They are also utterly lacking in nutritional value. Typically high in sugar, salt and/or unhealthy fats, these pseudo-snacks and meals lure kids in with toys, animated mascots and easy-to-open packaging. In our fast-paced world, kids, parents and schools are often drawn to processed foods—they are fairly inexpensive; accessible at convenient stores, vending machines and gas stations; and don’t require time to make. Added to the dearth of nutrition in their snacks, children are also leading more sedentary lifestyles. On average, kids spend over seven hours in front of a computer or TV screen every day. Poor food choices coupled with minimal physical activity not only affect their physical health, but also academic success.

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Give Your Child a Boost in Their Language and Thinking Skills This Summer

Summer doesn’t have to be a time for children to fall behind in their speech and language skills. Although school therapy sessions have ended, continued intervention with a speech therapist can maximize a child’s communication growth.

An intense 1-2 hours per week in a pediatric clinic during summer break can enhance their understanding of language, including following directions and improving their ability to express their thoughts.  These skills can help children relate better to friends and share information with their parents, in addition to providing a jump-start for the next school year.  

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Our Partners

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The Ark

The Ark offers free, comprehensive support to Chicagoland Jews facing physical, emotional, or financial challenges, helping over 5,000 people annually with services like healthcare, housing, food, employment, and more.

Associated Talmund Torahs of Chicago

Chicago is the only Jewish community in North America with a central agency dedicated exclusively to community-wide Torah education. For three generations, the ATT has partnered with schools, principals, teachers and parents to support education, funding and advocacy for Jewish day schools.

The Center for Enriched Living

The Center for Enriched Living exists so that people with developmental disabilities can be fully included in the community, achieve personal success, and enjoy a good quality of life.

Center for Independent Futures

CIF was founded in Evanston, Illinois, by Kay Branz and Jane Doyle, two women raising daughters with developmental disabilities. From their first meeting over 20 years ago, Kay and Jane together navigated the challenges of the school system and advocated for programs and experiences that would help prepare their children for the world beyond high school.

CJE SeniorLife

For over 50 years, CJE SeniorLife (CJE) has supported older adults and their families with services that promote dignity, independence, and quality of life—at home or in CJE communities.

ENCOMPASS

Encompass forges innovative partnerships among service providers and the community to make this—and much more—possible for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Guided by a philosophy of person-centered care and the principle that any planning should be done hand in hand with people with disabilities, not for them, Encompass seeks to provide adults with I/DD a full array of financially sustainable, community-based services and support.

EZRA

EZRA works to prevent homelessness, relieve hunger, reduce isolation, and ease other barriers to self-sufficiency. In addition, EZRA offers social activities and holiday celebrations to ensure that Jews who live in poverty remain actively connected to their heritage. EZRA is funded and administered by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. EZRA provides assistance to Jews and non-Jews.

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities

The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities enables human service organizations to improve the lives of adults living with intellectual an developmental disabilities and strengthen their networks of support.

JCC Chicago

The journey begins with J.

Located at the intersection of Jewish and life, JCC Chicago is a life-affirming journey that builds on the richness and power of Jewish values. It begins wherever you are. In the greater Chicago area. And life.

Jewish United Fund

The Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago is the one organization that impacts every aspect of local and global Jewish life, providing human services for Jews and others in need, creating Jewish experiences and strengthening Jewish community connections.

Keshet

Keshet is the premier provider of educational, recreational, vocational and social programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities operating according to traditional Jewish values. 

MISSD

MISSD (The Medication-Induced Suicide Prevention and Education Foundation in Memory of Stewart Dolin) is dedicated to honoring the memory of Stewart and other victims of akathisia by raising awareness and educating the public about the dangers of akathisia.

No Shame on U

No Shame on U is dedicated to eliminating the stigma associated with mental health conditions and raising awareness in the Jewish community and beyond. 

SHALVA

SHALVA provides culturally competent support for the Jewish community around domestic abuse. Survivors over 18 in Illinois who identify as Jewish—or have a Jewish partner—can access free, confidential counseling. If you’re concerned about an intimate relationship, call 773-583-HOPE (4673).

Upward Community
Upward Community

Since 2008, Upward Community has supported the Chicago Jewish community with mental health services, including school-based prevention programs, enrichment activities, and clinical care such as therapy and group counseling for children, teens, and young adults.

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Board & Leadership

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The Impact Noisy Toys Have on Children

Does it ever seem like some toys are just too noisy? The sounds that many infant and children’s toys make are loud enough to reach hazardous levels. As cited in an article for Advance Healthcare Network for Speech & Hearing , 200 toys were recently tested and 98% of them measured at sound levels greater than 85 decibels at arms’ length.  That level of noise has the same impact as being near an airplane when it takes off.  White noise machines also exceed healthy hearing levels; some even exceed safe levels for adults. This type of exposure can put a child at risk for noise induced hearing loss.

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Yoga for a Healthy Night's Sleep

by Sara Zryl, M.A. Pre-Doctoral Psychology Intern

Let her sleep-For when she wakes- She will move mountains-― Napoléon Bonaparte

Feeling overtired? You can improve sleep patterns just by adding some Zen into your life. It is not uncommon, every so often, to feel run down, overtired, less motivated or fatigued. If this occurs on a day to day basis, you may experience difficulty sleeping throughout the night. Sleep health is a relatively new field of study that examines how we sleep and what factors impact sleep. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention  provides sleep guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2013). The amount of sleep recommended changes as we age; however, individual sleep needs vary.

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