In this Issue:

• Synagogue Federation Commission Leadership Development Program Monday, April 27

• Israel Solidarity Day featuring the Walk with Israel

• Passover Family Health History Project

• Teen Volunteer Opportunities

• JUF Right Start

• JUF Shalom Baby

• JUF Shalom Chicago

• Jewish Child & Family Services

Please view the Federation - Synagogue Connections brochure to learn more about Jewish Federation/agency programs and opportunities for congregations.

Participate in Spring Mitzvah Mania's 2009 Collection Drive. Between Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, May 17, JUF TOV Volunteer Network will be collecting new and gently used children’s books and non-perishable food. Click on the logo for dropp-off sites or more information.

The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago has allocated money under J-Help: A Boost in Tough Times, JUF's effort to assist those hit hardest by the current financial crisis, for various needs including: financial assistance, food, employment using JEN (Jewish Employment Network), Jewish day camp scholarships and funds.

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This program will address leadership needs of congregations within the turbulent economic environment. Specially designed for executive directors, presidents and presidents-elect, it will use the current situation as a way to emphasize the importance of congregational leadership as well as provide some practical approaches that will help both the congregation and members. The program will address both common and individual needs through facilitated group discussions.

Please join us onMonday, April 27 at the Bernard Weinger JCC - 300 Revere Drive, Northbrook. Dinner will take place at 5:30 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

The cost is $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

For more information or to register, please email Debra Kudish or call 312-357-4864.

More than 10,000 children in the Sderot area have been threatened by rocket attacks from Gaza for over 8 years. As part of an ongoing effort to provide for these residents on the frontline, JUF and the Chicago community will support a summer of safe activities - well-deserved, greatly-needed breaks from the trauma and the ongoing threat of Kassam rockets.

From amusement parks to nature preserves, water parks to concerts, touring the country to cookouts with friends, these kids will be able to have a bit of rest and relaxation this summer.

Help these kids and bring funds raised to the
Walk with Israel in your neighborhood!

Knowing your family health history is an important aspect of taking care of your health. Passover is the perfect time to learn more about your family members' health history so that you can better understand your risk for certain health problems and what you can do to reduce this risk.

Visit the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders online this Passover to read this year’s flyer and find activities and tools for drawing your own family tree. The Passover Family History Project is a cooperative effort of the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders, the Associate Talmud Torahs of Chicago, and the Jewish Community Center of Chicago.

National Day of Jewish Youth Service, Sunday, April 26th

In honor of J-Serve, the National Day of Jewish Youth Service, there will be three volunteer projects to choose from throughout the day to accommodate your teen’s schedule and interests. Volunteer organizations include the Chicago Chesed Fund, CJE Gidwitz/Friend Center and the Campus Kitchen at Northwestern University.

TOV MTV – Monthly Teen Volunteering

Join teens from around Chicago for hands-on volunteer projects.

Save the Date for Israel Solidarity Day, Sunday, May 3rd. Come serve your local community! Our volunteer project will be stationed in the Northern Suburbs at Highland Park High School, where teens can help young kids with cookie decorating, face painting and volunteer along the walk route. More information will follow, but please save the date! Space is limited!

When: Sunday, May 3, 2009
Where: Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Avenue
Time: To be determined

If you are active in a youth group or work as a youth group advisor, special TOV MTV programs can be coordinated for your group.

Camp TOV 2009

Camp TOV is a week long, fun, interactive service oriented program on wheels. Each day brings a new volunteer project and service-learning experience, focusing on: poverty, hunger, homelessness, environmental concerns, caring for the elderly, leadership skills and more. Seventh through tenth grade teens from throughout the city and suburbs of Chicago will be brought together for what promises to be a memorable summer learning experience! Space is limited and the early-bird registration discount ends April 3rd.

Camp TOV 2009 Dates:
• August 10-14
• August 17-21

For more information, registration, or to receive promotional materials for any of the programs listed above, please contact Teen Volunteer Initiatives at 312-357-4928 or email teens@juf.org.

Encourage congregants or their friends to get their child off to JUF Right Start by enrolling them in a Jewish preschool. If a child is the first in their family to enroll in a Jewish preschool that is affiliated with the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, they may be eligible to receive a gift voucher up to $1,000 toward the child’s tuition. The amount of the gift voucher is determined by the number of days the child attends. For those families not eligible for the gift voucher, there is the Gift of Family Learning, which is a one-year subscription to The PJ Library. Every month the child will receive a Jewish children’s book or CD. For more information, call Roberta Wexler, Coordinator of JUF Right Start, (312) 357-4513 or check out the JUF Right Start website.

Shalom Baby sends complimentary welcome packages to Jewish newborns up to one year old in the greater Chicagoland area. The packages include two Jewish books, information on raising a Jewish child (including a Jewish book and music bibliography), a personalized welcome certificate for the newborn, an $18 coupon valid at any institution listed in the Guide to Jewish Living in Chicago (including your synagogue, which will be reimbursed by JUF) and much more. Synagogues which submit names of newborns to Shalom Baby will be acknowledged in the introductory letter to parents. This is a wonderful way to recognize simchas in your members’ lives. Simply click here or call the Shalom Baby hotline at (312) 357-4826.

Shalom Chicago provides information to newcomers to Chicago’s Jewish community or those considering a move here. The Shalom Chicago package includes the Guide to Jewish Living in Chicago, a refrigerator magnet with important contact information, a copy of the latest edition of JUF News and information on upcoming events. If you know a newcomer or someone considering a move to Chicago, please click here to send a Shalom Chicago package.

Navigating Through Troubled Economic Times
JCFS is offering a series of FREE workshops to help the community manage the stresses and challenges of the financial downturn.

Money Matters: What Makes Cents
Learn about your money personality, your emotional relationship with money, concerns about spending and establishing a budget to include some “fun” even though you have limited funds.
Thursday 3/26 & 4/2/09, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: 5150 Golf Road, Skokie
Contact: Jennifer Hines, LCSW 847-568-85220 or Ronni Weinstein, LCSW 847-568-5217

Managing Debt in an UncertainEconomy
With guest presenter Norm Kurtz, an attorney in private practice with over 30 years experience, specializing in real estate, estate planning and family law. This workshop will include tips on managing debt, exploring options to bankruptcy or foreclosure, gathering resources for further assistance and thinking about barriers to making a realistic plan.
Tuesday 4/14/09, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: 1156 W. Shure Dr, Suite 180, Arlington Heights
Contact: Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW 224-625-2819

Talking to Kids about Tough Times
Tuesday 4/21/09, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: 1156 W. Shure Dr, Suite 180, Arlington Heights
Contact: Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW 224-625-2819

Taking Control of Your Stress
Wednesday 4/22/09, 7:00-8:30 pm
Location: 1156 W. Shure Dr, Suite 180 Arlington Heights
Contact: Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW 224-625-2819
OR
Wednesday 4/29/09, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: 3033 W. Touhy, Chicago
Contact: Robin Davis, MS, 773-761-4550

Staying Motivated in a Tough Job Market
Looking for a job takes an enormous amount of emotional energy. Learn to understand the personal barriers to motivation, manage stress, and find support and encouragement to create an action plan that works for you. A Suburban Resource Network Group, cosponsored with JVS.
Thursdays 5/14 – 6/4/09, 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Location: JVS Career Planning Center, Weinger JCC, 300 Revere Dr., Northbrook
Contact: Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW (JCFS) 224-625-2819 or Roberta Glick, LCPC, NCC (JVS) 847-412-4304

Avoiding Foreclosure: Finding Solutions for Concerned Homeowners
This program is presented in partnership with Interfaith Housing. It will be 1 session held on Thursday evenings in April or May, both in Northbrook and in Chicago. For additional information, contact Sheri Fox, LCSW, at 847-272-2882.

Feeling Good: Improving Your Self-Esteem
Learn ways to feel better about yourself. Topics will include: looking at your strengths and weaknesses, letting go of early messages, creating new ways to promote happiness, and making decisions to meet your needs.
Thursdays 4/23 - 5/21/09, 7:30-9:00 pm
Location: 85 Revere Dr, Ste J, Northbrook
Contact: Tema Rosenblum, LSW 847-272-2882
Fee $75

Building Your Own Friend “Ship”
These groups will focus on developing friend “ships” and providing support for common social difficulties that children often experience. As children come aboard they will learn how to resolve conflicts and cooperate with peers, deal with bullying (both physical and relational), and build and maintain lasting peer relationships. On this voyage group leaders will help each child learn how to manage emotions, build social competence and self-esteem, and foster coping skills. By the end of the trip, children will have everything on board to navigate the calm and rough waters of social relationships! Girls Ages 9-12
Tuesdays 4/28 - 6/9/09, 6:00-7:00 pm
Location: 3145 W Pratt Blvd, Chicago
Contact: Catherine Barnhart, Psy.D: 773-467-3765
Fee $240 for the series

Group Firefly
For boys and girls who have been diagnosed with PDD, high functioning autism, asperger’s syndrome, non-verbal learning disorder, and other related disorders that impact social functioning. Group leaders work closely with each child and family to reach individualized treatment goals. Through this structured group program, children develop skills to build friendships, read social cues, and initiate and maintain peer relationships. These groups offer a concurrent parent support group. These children are often eligible for our Camp Firefly, an overnight summer camp. Boys Ages 9-12 years; Girls Ages 9-12 years
Tuesdays 4/21 - 6/23/09, 6:30-7:30 pm
Location: 255 Revere Dr, Ste. 200, Northbrook
Contact: Melissa James, Psy.D: 847-412-4396
Fee $250 for the series

Teen Connections
This co-ed teen discussion group will focus on identifying topics of interest related to identity development, peer relationships and other common struggles that adolescents face. Group leaders will work to foster a safe environment to help facilitate emotional expression and enhance communication around a variety of issues. Teens will gain a sense of relational and emotional competence. Grades 9 - 12
Thursdays 4/23 - 6/11/09, 6:00-7:00 pm
Location: 3525 W Peterson Ave, Ste 400, Chicago
Contact: Catherine Barnhart, Psy.D. 773-467-3765
Fee $240

Sibshops, For Children Ages 6-12
Sibshops offer brothers and sisters of children with special needs an opportunity to meet other siblings in a relaxed supportive and recreational setting. They are able to discuss their common joys and concerns, learn how to handle common situations and have fun!
Sundays 4/19; 5/17, 2:30 - 5:30 pm
Location: 255 Revere Dr, Ste 200, Northbrook
Contact: Tamara Besser, LCSW 773-467-3751
Fee $25 per session

Parenting a Child with Special Needs: A Parent Support Group
Parents of children with special needs often experience a roller coaster of emotions. Parents can support one another as they discuss the stresses and challenges involved in parenting children with special needs. Topics will include: the parent’s grieving process; strategies for coping with multiple demands, roles, and stresses; and managing family and social relationships.
Wednesdays 4/22 - 6/3/09, 7:00-8:30 pm
Location: 1156 W Shure Drive, Ste 180, Arlington Heights
Leaders: Pamela Kaplan, LCSW: 224-625-2804
Fee $105 for the series

Young Adults in Transition
This is a social support group for young adults with disabilities who are facing challenges in transitioning towards more independence. Whether a transition from school to work or from living with parents to moving out on one’s own, this group is designed to foster social support, conversation, and a safe environment for exploration.
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 5:45 - 7:00 pm
Location: 5150 Golf Rd, Skokie
Contact: Sheri Fox, LCSW 847-272-2882
Fee $7 per session

Senior Drop-In Group
This weekly group invites all seniors to discuss whatever is on their minds. Past topics include politics, current events, health issues and relationships.
Wednesdays (Weekly), 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: 5150 Golf Road, Skokie
Contact: Emily Burchfield, L.P.C., A.M.F.T. 847-568-5105
Fee $7

Jewish Healing Network of Chicago

Bereavement Group for Widows and Widowers
Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Location: 1156 W Shure Dr, Suite 180, Arlington Heights
Contact: Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW 224-625-2819
Fee $7 per session
OR
Mondays 4/6 – 5/18/09, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: 85 Revere Dr., Ste. J, Northbrook
Contact: Tema Rosenblum, LSW, 847-272-2882
Fee $49 for the series

Generation to Generation: Friendly Visitors to the Elderly
A friendly visitor can provide renewed vitality and interest in life for those who are lonely or depressed. We will train, place and support members of the Jewish community to make bi-monthly visits to local nursing home residents. No prior experience needed.
Mondays 4/20 - 4/20, 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: 5150 Golf Rd, Skokie
Contact: Carol E. Berry, BA 847-568-5208