Jewish Life Enrichment Programs
2009 Winter/Spring Schedule
- Rosh Hodesh: It’s A Girl Thing!
- Opening Doors: An Interfaith Outreach Program
- Caring for Our Loved Ones: It's Not So Easy
- Jewish Women's Song Circle
- Jewish Family Jam
- Caregivers Support Group
- Bereavement Support Group
- Jewish Safety Net
- Springfield Caregivers Support Group Forming
Mission Statement: Responsive social services and dynamic programming to enhance the lives of today’s Jewish families and individuals.
Our Values : We assist all individuals and families with life’s expected and unexpected challenges and transitions with acts of loving kindness, based on the Jewish principle of Gemilut Chasadim.
Registration: Pre-registration is required. To register by
e-mail, contact JewishLife@jfswm.org; to register by telephone, please call (413) 737-2601.
Rosh Hodesh: It’s A Girl Thing!
Rosh Hodesh: It’s A Girl Thing! is a nationally acclaimed Jewish program for adolescent girls which meets monthly to strengthen self-esteem and Jewish identity through discussion, arts and crafts, drama and more. The girls integrate core Jewish values as they focus on the things they care about most such as body image, friendship, relationships, competition, stress and family.
Leader: Lisa Nascembeni
Cost: $72 registration fee after the first session
Date & Location:
- Sundays, Dates To Be Announced
First session: September 26, 2010, 3:00-5:00 p.m. - Grinspoon Jewish Community Campus
1160 Dickinson Street
Springfield, MA
For more information please contact Amy Siege, LCSW, at
(413) 737-2601 or a.siege@jfswm.org.
Major funding for this program is provided by the NEFESH Fund of the Jewish Endowment Foundation.
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Registration: Pre-registration is required. To register by
e-mail, contact JewishLife@jfswm.org; to register by telephone, please call (413) 737-2601.
Opening Doors:
An Interfaith Outreach Program
This bi-weekly, 17 session course is for parents of other faith traditions who are raising Jewish children in an interfaith home. The course focuses on exploring the basics of Judaism, Jewish parenting, holiday celebrations, and resources available in the local Jewish community. No prior knowledge is needed; both fathers and mothers of other faith traditions are invited to participate in this welcoming and engaging program. The course also includes family activities, couples’ sessions, and optional field trips.
Leader: Shoshana Zonderman, MSW, MJEd
Cost: $25 Registration Fee
Date & Location:
- Information Meeting
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:30-8:30 p.m.Come and meet the leader of the Opening Doors
course and find out more about the program. - Opening Doors Class Begins
Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Grinspoon Jewish Community Campus
1160 Dickinson Street
Springfield, MA
Major funding for this program from the Laurence J. and Anne Rubenstein Foundation.
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Registration: Pre-registration is required. To register by
e-mail, contact JewishLife@jfswm.org; to register by telephone, please call (413) 737-2601.
Caring for Our Loved Ones: It’s Not So Easy
This innovative program explores the personal experiences described by author and caregiver, Gail Sheehy in her book, Passages in Caregiving. Our panelists, Rabbi Mark Shapiro of Sinai Temple, Rabbi Amy Katz of Temple Beth El and Kathy Bowen, JFS’ Older Adult Program Director will discuss strategies and resources for caregivers and their families. This program is free. This is the first of an ongoing series of community programs supporting caregivers.
Cost: Free
Date & Location:
- Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at 7:30 p.m
- Grinspoon Jewish Community Campus
1160 Dickinson Street
Springfield, MA
This will be the first of an ongoing series of community programs supporting caregivers. For more information, please contact Joanna Aviles at (413) 737-2601 or JewishLife@jfswm.org.
A tri-Synagogue and Jewish Family Service BOLD Visions program responding to the changing needs of the Jewish community .
Registration: Pre-registration is required. To register by
e-mail, contact JewishLife@jfswm.org; to register by telephone, please call (413) 737-2601.
Jewish Women’s Song Circle
Song circles offer a place to experience joy, healing, self-expression, community and inspiration. Join us each month as we explore our Jewish connections through song, chant, and meditation. Singing experience and knowledge of Hebrew are not necessary.
Leader: Felicia Sloin
Cost: Free
Date & Location:
- Sundays: To Be Announced
- Cradle, 3rd Floor of Thorne's Marketplace,
Main Street, Northampton, MA
Felicia Sloin is a cantorial soloist, singer/songwriter and Jewish educator who utilizes music, rhythm, rap and ritual to inspire Jews of all ages to explore their culture, community and common experience. To learn more about Felicia, visit her website at www.feliciasloin.com.
Major funding for these programs from the Family & Teen Initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Registration: Pre-registration is required. To register by
e-mail, contact JewishLife@jfswm.org; to register by telephone, please call (413) 737-2601.
Jewish Family Jam
We've made a video! Click HERE to see it!
Jewish Jam is for infants, toddlers and their caregivers. Appropriate for ages 0-3. Together we will sing, drum and dance our way through the Jewish cycles and explore musical play and rituals that your family can enjoy together.
Leader: Felicia Sloin
Cost: $25 registration fee
Date & Location:
- Wednesdays, September 22, 2010 -
June 2011, at 10:30-11:45 a.m. - Lander Grinspoon Academy
257 Prospect Street
Northampton, MA
Felicia Sloin is a cantorial soloist, singer/songwriter and Jewish educator who utilizes music, rhythm, rap and ritual to inspire Jews of all ages to explore their culture, community and common experience. To learn more about Felicia, visit her website at www.feliciasloin.com.
Major funding for these programs from the Family & Teen Initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Caregivers Support Group
Are you caring for an aging parent, a spouse or other relative? Are you feeling squeezed between the needs of your family and your loved one? This group is for you. Share the challenges and joys of caring for a loved one. You do not need to face this alone. Pre-registration is required.
Group Leader: Vivien Weiss
Cost: Donations are accepted.
Date & Location:
- Tuesdays, 10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
JFS Office, 16 Armory Street, Northampton
Vivien Weiss, MA, LMHC, is a faculty member at Smith College, School of Social Work. She specializes in cancer and bereavement in her private practice and is a group facilitator with Cancer Connections in Florence, MA.
THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HIGHLAND VALLEY ELDER SERVICES.
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Bereavement Support Group
This ongoing group offers compassionate support in coping with the loss of a loved one.
Group Leader: Deborah Stier
Cost: Free and the public is invited.
Date & Location:
- Second and fourth Monday of each month, 10:30 a.m.
Grinspoon Jewish Community Campus
1160 Dickinson Street
Springfield, MA
Deborah Stier, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with interest and expertise in addressing relational difficulties. Deborah is a staff member of JFS’ counseling program.
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Jewish Safety Net
Domestic violence prevention and intervention
The Jewish Safety Net offers educational workshops, trainings and support to the Jewish community on the issues of Jewish intimate partner violence, dating violence and healthy relationships. We also provide confidential support, advocacy and counseling for Jewish victims of domestic violence. Call (413) 737-2601 for information,
support or to arrange training for your school or business.
THE JEWISH SAFETY NET IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY GRANTS FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE NEFESH FUND OF THE JEWISH ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION.
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Coming soon!
Springfield Caregivers
Support Group Forming
Share the challenges and joys of caring for a loved one. You do not need to face this alone. Please call JFS if you are the caregiver for a loved one and are interested in attending meetings in the Springfield/Longmeadow area.
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