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WEEKLY January 4, 11, 18, 25
Unemployment Support Group Support group sessions focus on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed. The support group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
For January (7, 14, 21, 28) sessions will take place at Temple Beth Sholom, 1809 Whitney Avenue, Hamden (phone: 203-288-7748).The group will meet in the Synagogue Library from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday
January
11, 18 & 25
Special Class on January 28th
NEW Ethical Insights from Rod Serling's Twilight Zone
A series of lively discussions exploring ethical messages within various episodes of the Twilight Zone. Led by Rabbi Hesch Sommer, the discussions are scheduled on Wednesday evenings (January 11, 18 & 25) from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel (22 Orchard Street, Wallingford, CT). For more information contact either Rabbi Bruce Alpert (203-269-5893) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
Please note that on January 28th, this will also be presented during A Taste of Honey at the JCC in Woodbridge. The class will take place during the first hour of this community-wide learning evening. Please register for this single class during a Taste of honey by calling Rich Walter at the CJLL (203-387-2424, ext. 300).
January - April
NEW Finding Comfort and Support: A Jewish Bereavement Group
Coping with the loss of a love one has no set time frame. There are moments when we
are managing as best we can in the new normalcy of life, and then there are moments
when we continue to struggle. Held Mondays beginning January 23 at Congregation B'nai Jacob, 75 Rimmon Road in Woodbridge from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. January 23, 30 and February 6.
Or Mondays, March 19, 26 and April 2 at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (55 East King's Hwy in Chester from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
MONTHLY
January - March
NEW Unemployment Workshops at Mitchell Library
Free unemployment workshops at the Mitchell Library, 37 Harrison Street, New Haven.
Monthly Monday Sessions (January 23; February 13; March 19) from 12 - 1 p.m. are group sessions focusing on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed. This support group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer.
Monthly Thursday sessions (January 26; February 16; March 22) from 12 - 1 p.m. are centered around resume and job search techniques to improve resumes, cover letters and job searching. As time permits, job interviewing and networking techniques will be discussed. Facilitated by Rachel Scolnic Dobin. For more information contact either Rachel Scolnic Dobin (203-389-5599, ext. 109) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
January 24
NEW Unemployment Workshop in Hamden
Free unemployment workshop at Brundage Community Library, 91 Circular Avenue, Hamden at 3:30 p.m. Facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer and Rachel Scolnic Dobin of JFS. This workshop will focus on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed. It will also review resume and job search techniques to improve resumes, cover letters and job searching. As time permits, job interviewing and networking techniques will be discussed. This support Group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Facilitated by Rachel Scolnic Dobin. For more information contact either Rachel Scolnic Dobin (203-389-5599, ext. 109) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
Tuesday, January 31
NEW Three Stages on Life's Journey: Jewish Views and Attitudes on Spousal Relations; Retirement and Bereavement.
A series of three programs which utilize Jewish texts, spiritual insights and psychological principles to explore the stages of life. Held at Temple Beth Tikvah, 196 Durham Road in Madison from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. For more information contact either Allison Barasz (203-245-7028); Jill Lesage (203) 903-1901 or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
Tuesday, January 31: What Adam and Eve Can Teach Use: The Art of Relationships - Do's and Dont's
Monday, March 12: Retirement - The Wilderness or the Promised Land
Monday, April 16: Finding Comfort and Support - A Guide to the Bereavement Journey
MONTHLY January 5, February 2, and March 1, 2012
NEW Jewish Pastoral Care Professionals Group
A monthly meeting of Jewish professionals (rabbis, cantors, educators, social workers, nurses and chaplains) whose work involves the skills of pastoral care and counseling. Through discussion of practical case issues, study of relevant literature and an open and supportive environment to explore the specific nature of pastoral care from a Jewish perspective, the participants gain insights into their own work and a greater appreciation of the various dimensions of Jewish pastoral care offered by their colleagues. The group is open to Jewish professionals who utilize pastoral care and counseling in their work. Monthly meeting are the first Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Jewish Family Service (1440 Whalley Ave, New Haven). The group is co-sponsored by JFS and the Greater New Haven Board of Rabbis. Facilitators: Rabbi Steve Steinberg, Chaplain at Yale New Haven and St. Raphael Hospitals, and Rabbi Hesch Sommer
MONTHLY Tuesdays or Thursdays
January - March
NEW Caregiver's Support Group: For individuals who are coping with the needs of elderly and fragile loved ones. Monthly from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Tower One/Tower East (18 Tower Lane, New Haven) on January 26, February 16 and March 22
Monthly at Temple Beth David 3 Main St. Cheshire, Thursdays, January 12, February 9 and March 15 from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Michelle O'Brien at the Towers (203-722-1816) Rabbi Josh Whinston (203-272-0037) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext 117).
WEEKLY Wednesdays, January, February and March
Unemployment Support Group Support group sessions focus on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed. The support group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
For January and March sessions will take place at Temple Beth Sholom (1809 Whitney Ave., Hamden) noon to 1 p.m.
For February sessions will be held at Congregation Mishkan Israel located at 785 Ridge Rd. in Hamden, (phone: 203-288-3877).The group will meet in the Synagogue Library from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
January 17, 2012 NEW Resume and Job Search Workshop
11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. at the Jewish Federation Shoreline Office. Come re-energize your job search! Bring a brown bag lunch and a current resume and receive feedback from colleagues and others who are looking for employment.
MONTHLY Sunday,
January 22
February 26
April 22
NEW Jewish Ethics for Teenagers: Maimonides’ Eight Chapters: An Exploration of the Soul - Rabbi Hesch Sommer, who last year taught a course in the meaning of PIrke Avot in our modern lives, this year offers a journey into Jewish ethics as a way to pursue the virtues of life and avoid life’s moral pitfalls. Using Maimonides’ Eight Chapters, the class will discuss issues of how our spiritual well being is influenced by the ethical and moral attitudes that underpin our daily outlook on life. The class is discussion based and all class members are encouraged to share their insights into both Maimonides’ writings and how they are relevant to each of us. The monthly class will meet at Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Contact either Michelle Goldstein (203-288-3877) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
January 26, February 2, 9 & 16 NEW JFS Planning 2011 Infant Homestudy Group
Jewish Family Service is planning its upcoming 2011 Infant Adoption Homestudy Group. Interested families should contact JFS to express interest.
As part of a homestudy group, participants must attend all sessions and prior registration is required. Some of the topics this group will address will include:
-How adoption is the same/different from parenting by birth
-What the adoption experience is like for birth parents
-Coping with adoption and the child’s cultural background
-How to help children understand adoption and feel good about their heritage
-How to handle the technical details of different types of adoption
Home study courses are offered by JFS periodically throughout the year for families interested in adopting infants and younger children. This group helps families prepare to be parents and to decide what types of adoption to pursue. If you are interested in learning more about the infant adoption process, please contact Amy Rashba at (203) 389-5599 ext. 113 or arashba@jfsnh.org. Families of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.
February 1, 8 and 15, 2012
NEW The Healing Power of the Psalms: A Spiritual Journey
To Explore the Emotional Depths of Those Sacred Writings Which Come From Deep Within the Human Soul
This year long exploration of Tehillim will examine our longings, our hopes, our joys and our sorrows as expressed in the transcendent message of the psalms. The course, under the auspices of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (JWHC) of Jewish Family Service and co-sponsored by the CJLL of Jewish Federation, is a collaboration with five area synagogues.
Each synagogue and its rabbi will host one of the five books of psalms for three consecutive Wednesday evenings. The first session of each segment will be co-led by the synagogue rabbi and by Hesch Sommer, Director of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (a “center without walls”). The course is open to the entire community. To register for these free classes, please contact either Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117) or Rich Walter at CJLL (203-387-2424, ext.300)
Book lll (Psalms 73-89) at Congregation Mishkan Israel, Hamden (Rabbis Brockman and Sommer)
February 1, 8 AND 15, 2012 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday,
February 12
Fashioning and Affirming Religious Identity for Ourselves and Our Children:
The last in our series of interactive workshops co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Temple Beth Tikvah and Jewish Family Service of New Haven for parents of religious school students from all grades. Each session will include a light breakfast and an opportunity to connect with the other participants and the faculty. There will be a brief time for study of some texts and a facilitated dialogue reflecting the session topic. For more information and registration contact: Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (860-526-8920); Temple Beth Tikvah (203-245-7028) or Jewish Family Service (203-389-5599, ext.117).
February 12, 2012 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
at the Guest House Retreat Center, Route 148 (Killingworth/Chester Line)
Tuition for each participant: $6.00 (for the four-part program)
"Visioning the Journey Ahead"
The Faculty:
Rabbi Hesch Sommer, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling and Community Outreach Services for Jewish Family Service of New Haven
Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Chester
Rabbi Claudio Kogan, Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Tikvah, Madison
Belinda Brennan, Religious School Director, Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek
Marcia Geringer, Religious School Director, Temple Beth Tikvah
March 14, 21 and 28th, 2012 NEW The Healing Power of the Psalms: A Spiritual Journey
To Explore the Emotional Depths of Those Sacred Writings Which Come From Deep Within the Human Soul
This year long exploration of Tehillim will examine our longings, our hopes, our joys and our sorrows as expressed in the transcendent message of the psalms. The course, under the auspices of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (JWHC) of Jewish Family Service and co-sponsored by the CJLL of Jewish Federation, is a collaboration with five area synagogues.
Each synagogue and its rabbi will host one of the five books of psalms for three consecutive Wednesday evenings. The first session of each segment will be co-led by the synagogue rabbi and by Hesch Sommer, Director of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (a “center without walls”). The course is open to the entire community. To register for these free classes, please contact either Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117) or Rich Walter at CJLL (203-387-2424, ext.300)
Book lV (Psalms 90-106) at the Westville Synagogue, New Haven (Rabbis Hyman and Sommer)
March 14, 21 and 28th, 2012 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
May 2, 9 and 16th, 2012 NEW The Healing Power of the Psalms: A Spiritual Journey
To Explore the Emotional Depths of Those Sacred Writings Which Come From Deep Within the Human Soul
This year long exploration of Tehillim will examine our longings, our hopes, our joys and our sorrows as expressed in the transcendent message of the psalms. The course, under the auspices of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (JWHC) of Jewish Family Service and co-sponsored by the CJLL of Jewish Federation, is a collaboration with five area synagogues.
Each synagogue and its rabbi will host one of the five books of psalms for three consecutive Wednesday evenings. The first session of each segment will be co-led by the synagogue rabbi and by Hesch Sommer, Director of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (a “center without walls”). The course is open to the entire community. To register for these free classes, please contact either Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117) or Rich Walter at CJLL (203-387-2424, ext.300)
Book V (Psalms 107 - 150) at Congregation B'nai Jacob, Woodbridge (Rabbis Levenson and Sommer)
May 2, 9 and 16th, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
MONTHLY Looking for Participants
NEW Support Group for Teens Coping When a Parent Has a Chronic Illness: The teenage years present many challenges. Those challenges become even more difficult when a teenage also needs to cope with struggles of a parent who is chronically Ill. This monthly workshop will provide a safe and confidential environment for teenagers to talk with one another in a setting facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer. The monthly sessions will be hosted by Congregation Kol Ami (1484 Highland Ave., Cheshire) and Temple Beth David (3 Main Street, Cheshire). The first session will meet at Congregation Kol Ami on Monday, October 24th (7:00-8:30pm). Please contact Rabbi Andy Hechtman (203-272-1006), Rabbi Josh Whinston (203-272-0037) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext 117).
MONTHLY
NEW Retirement Support Group: Retirement - The Wilderness or The Promised Land A support group to give individuals an opportunity to talk together in a facilitated group setting about issues they face in retirement. Some topics to be explored will be:
"Retired and single"
"Adjusting to a new way of life without getting underfoot with one's spouse”
"I'm financially secure, but insecure about everything else!"
The group will meet on a monthly basis on Tuesdays at Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden (1809 Whitney Ave.) from noon to 2:00 p.m. It will be facilitated by Heni Schwartz, LCSW, the JFS Mental Health Team Leader and Rabbi Hesch Sommer, Director of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center of JFS. For more information, please contact either Heni Schwartz (203-389-5599, ext.111) or Rabbi Hesch Sommer (ext. 117).
ONGOING NEW Divorce Support Group
If you are divorced or newly divorced you could benefit from our new Divorce Support Group! Join others to share and sort our your feelings, thoughts and concerns. Please call Rachel Scolnic Dobin at 203 389-5599 ext. 109 to register or for more information. View Flyer
ONGOING NEW Jewish Families Created Through Adoption Social Group Forming
"Stars of David"
Jewish Family Service of New Haven, Inc. is starting a Jewish Social Group to connect Jewish families created through adoption. So far seven families have expressed interest and we are now looking to expand! The group will be run by the participants and it will have a socialization theme, offering pot luck get-togethers, holiday celebrations and events for the children.
If you would like to participate in this new group, please contact JFS Adoption Coordinator, Amy Rashba, LCSW, at arashba@jfsnh.org or (203) 389-5599, ext. 113.
ONGOING Schedule a FREE information session to learn about adoption options including domestic, intercountry and older child adoptions. A JFS Adoption Specialist will meet with you for a no obligation session. Call to schedule your appointment today! arashba@jfsnh.org or call (203) 389-5599, ext. 113. ONGOING Court Mandated Parent Education - Offered by Jewish Family Service and Catholic Family Service of the Connecticut Association of Family Service Agencies. This is a court mandated program. Two evening classes (total of 6 hours) held over two weeks. $125 fee (cash not accepted). Must attend both classes (non-refundable fee). In some cases, fee may be waived by the court. Please specify this when calling. Classes fill up quickly and are limited to first 15-20 applicants. To obtain an application please call (203) 389-5599 or toll free 1-866-389-5599. Application must be completed, and received with the fee and your seminar dates will be confirmed directly by the organization providing the seminar that month.