In this Issue:

• JUF Right Start

• Record Support for Jewish Day Schools, Just When It's Needed Most

• The Shofar - Information for Families with Young Children

• Camp TOV 2009

• SHALVA's 6th Annual Luncheon Featuring Illinois State Representive Julie Hamos and Michael Bischof

• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) Programs

• Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS) Programs

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

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.

Learn More »

Presenting Green Mitzvah Mania!

In an effort to branch out into new areas of volunteerism and to uphold the Jewish values of environmentalism and tikkun olam, the JUF TOV Volunteer Network proudly presents “Green Mitzvah Mania,” a calendar of eco-friendly one-time volunteer opportunities. This summer, TOV will be offering one environmentally-themed volunteer project each month in June, July, and August. Individuals, families and groups can sign up for projects to help TOV literally “repair our world.”

For more information visit the TOV website or call the TOV Hotline at (312) 357-4762.

JUF Right Start continues to accept JUF Right Start Gift Voucher Applications for children who are enrolling in a Jewish preschool for the first time. All children need to be at least 2 years old and attending a minimum of three days a week. Gift Voucher amounts range from $500 to $1,000, depending on the number of days the child attends. Get your child off to the “Right Start” by checking out JUF Right Start or call Roberta Wexler at 312-357-4513.

JUF’s Jewish Day School Guaranty Trust Fund just announced it will distribute $1,669,531 this year to 16 participating schools – more than $400 per student. That’s more than a 20-fold increase since 2006, when the Federation launched its groundbreaking initiative to boost local day-school funding. Since the effort began, more than $4.2 million in extra funding has gone to the schools – over and above the $3 million-plus the Federation allocates to them each year, and the ongoing support services and loan commitments it provides.

Read the full article »

The Jewish Federation has an e-newsletter called The Shofar, which is geared towards families with young children. The Shofar is sent every other month and last month it went out to 1,300 families. The newsletter is a success because of the submissions we receive from congregations. Please keep them coming! You can submit information on any event or program for young children.

Please submit your events using the following format:

1. Title of Event
2. Pertinent event details - date, time, location and RSVP instructions
3. 2-3 sentence description
4. URL Link to your website for more information
5. Photo or graphic (strongly encouraged)

You may also send us the names and email addresses of your program/pre-school participants. We will add them to our distribution list so that they receive the Shofar directly. If not, please forward the newsletter to them.

If you have any questions or if you would like to author an article for the newsletter, please call Deborah Cooper at 312-357-4844 or email DeborahCooper@juf.org.

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!

Camp TOV 2009 Dates:

• August 10-14
• August 17-21

Space is limited; over half of the registrations are in! Registration will close on June 26th, or when all spots have been filled. For more information, to receive promotional materials or to register, contact Brett Klugman at 312-357-4928 or email teens@juf.org.

SHALVA will hold its 6^th Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, June 23 at the Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago. Guest Speakers will be Illinois State Representive Julie Hamos and Michael Bischof. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., program starts at 12 p.m. The cost of attending the event is $60.00.

SHALVA is a domestic violence agency that serves the Jewish community throughout the Chicagoland area. Along with providing individual and group therapy, SHALVA provides outreach education to the community.

For more information please call Debbie Korman at 773-583-4673 or e-mail DKorman@SHALVAonline.org.

Click here for more information »

Workshops/Seminars for Job Seekers:

June 5 - “The Art ofNetworking: Techniques for Success” presented at the Indian Trails Public Library (355 S. Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling), 10:30 a.m. – Noon. The workshop offers information, tools and techniques to help you better understand the process, improve your networking ability and increase the likelihood of success. Free. Call (847) 459-4100.

June 8 and 22 - “Monday Morning Workshops” held at the JVS Skokie office (5150 Golf Road, Skokie), 9:30 a.m. On the 8, Job Search 2.0 will give you an overview of cutting-edge job search strategies to be competitive. On the 22, Resume Review and Development will give you an overview of resume construction techniques. Fee - $5 (free for JVS clients). Call (847) 568-5150.

June 8 - “Effective Job Searching” presented for the Russian community at the Indian Trails Public Library (355 S. Schoenbeck Rd., Wheeling). Learn steps to compete and achieve more success in your job search, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Free. Call (847) 459-4100.

June 9 - “Finding Spiritual Strength During Economic Challenges” co-sponsored by JVS and JCFS. Find comfort and inspiration in Judaism’s tools for coping. Held at 5150 Golf Road, Skokie, 7:00 p.m. Free. Call (847) 568-5155 or (847) 568-5264.

June 15 - “Act Like a Giraffe, Not a Turtle” presented by Career Connections for Professionals. The roundtable features Julie Roth, President, Blue Mark Partners, Ltd. who will focus on building and communicating with your network to maintain visibility when waging a job search. Held at 30 South Wells, Chicago, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Free, Networking. Call (312) 673-3437 or e-mail JVS.

Ask a Career Expert provides job seekers with a free private consultation with a JVS Career Counselor. This service is available at various public libraries in June and appointments may be made by calling the libraries:

• June 1 & 15: Elmhurst Public Library (125 South Prospect, Elmhurst), 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Call (630) 279-8696.
• June 2: Deerfield Public Library (920 Waukegan Road, Deerfield), 9:30 a.m. – Noon. Call (847) 945-3311.
• June 3: Wilmette Public Library (1242 Wilmette Ave), 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Call (847) 256-6912.
• June 4: Skokie Public Library (5215 Oakton, Skokie), 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Call (847) 673-7774.
• June 8: Evanston Public Library (1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston), 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Call (847) 866-0300.
• June 9: Glenview Public Library (1980 Glenview Road, Glenview), 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Call (847) 729-7500.
• June 10: Harold Washington Library (400 South State Street, Chicago), 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. First come, first served.
• June 16: Northbrook Public Library (1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook), 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Call (847) 272-6224.

Support/Strategy Groups for Job Seekers:
June 15 - “Career Support Group” meets at the Skokie Public Library (5215 Oakton, Skokie), 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. Free. Attendees network and share job search strategies and motivational tips with other job seekers. For more information call (847) 324-3176.

Business Workshops are free andpresented by the Illinois SBDC/Duman Microenterprise Center:

• June 3 - “A Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop” Designed to help new and existing small business owners understand and meet their federal tax obligations. Located at 216 West Jackson, Suite 700, Chicago, 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Call (312) 673-3429.
• June 8 - “Understanding Your Small Business Financial Report Card” Use this report card which reveals the strengths and weaknesses of your company and provides an opportunity for solid improvement. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Skokie Public Library (5215 Oakton, Skokie); Individual counseling: 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (sign-up is required). Sponsored by Citi. Call (312) 673-3429.
• June 8 - “Fifteen Powerful Profit Boosters” Learn 15 easy ways to boost your business’ bottom line. No nonsense tips improve profitability and grow a business. Morton Grove Public Library (6140 Lincoln, Morton Grove), 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Call (847) 929- 5101.
• June 10 - “A Step-by-Step Business Plan Workshop” Planning is the key to success in the business world. Move your ideas from thoughts to paper in an organized, clear and convincing manner. Blackstone Library (4904 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago), 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Sponsored by CHASE. Call (312) 673-3429.

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. Free. A Suburban Resource Network Group co-sponsored by JCFS and JVS. Thursdays, July 30 – August 20, 2009 (4-week group) at 5150 Golf Road, Skokie. Registration required. Call Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW ( JCFS) or Roberta Glick, LCPC, NCC (JVS), 847-412-4304

The Chuppah Project: Workshop for Engaged and newly Married Jewish Couples - Join other Jewish couples for a day of learning to gain skills preparing you for the rest of your lives. Discussion will include expectations of your marriage, differing family backgrounds, communication, conflict resolution, and building a Jewish home together. Sunday, May 31, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 5150 Golf Road, Skokie. Fee: $150/per couple, includes lunch. Contact Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW (JCFS) for information and registration

Comfort through Creativity - Gain comfort when coping with illness, loss, an addiction, caregiving, stress, the creative process offers inner calm and peace. Begin to create a journal cover, a memory board, box or remembrance of your choice. No artistic talent necessary. Create from your soul. Pre-registration required. Monday, June 15, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at 5151 Golf Road, Skokie. Fee of $20, includes most materials. Contact Carol E. Berry, BA, 847-568-5208 for registration.

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, June 14 and July 19, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. at 225 Revere Drive, Suite 200, Northbrook. Fee: $25/session. Contact Tamara Besser, LCSW, (JCFS), 773-467-3751

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, June 10 – July 22, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at 1156 W. Shure Drive, Suite 181, Arlington Heights (Adjacent to Buffalo Grove). Fee: $105 for the series. Contact Pamela Kaplan, LCSW (JCFS), 224-625-2804

Bereavement Group for Widows and Widowers - For those whose husband or wife have died during the past year and a half. New group will be forming at JCFS, Northwest Suburban Office, 1156 Shure Drive, Suite 181, Arlington Heights. Contact Rosalie Greenberger, LCSW, 224-625-2819.