JFCS staff participate in volunteer project for MLK Day of Service

ACT Program Manager Laura Gorke was one of several JFCS staff to participate in "Cards for the Community" on Jan. 18 in honor of the MLK Day of Service. By Dana Shapiro • JFCS Community and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator & Intake Counselor At JFCS, we believe in Martin Luther King Jr.[...]

Democracy: Good for our health and happiness

By Leah Persky, PhD & Certified Family Life Educator  • Family Life Education Manager With the tumultuous events of the past year and the tragic and jarring events that took place at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; many of us are left feeling a bit numb. What is next? How can we pre[...]

From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper: January 2021

From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper 10 months into pandemic, keeping focus on self-care is important It is difficult to believe that most of us have been living a “dialed back” life for 10 months. We have put off vacations and celebrations, avoided crowds and busy stores, and become experts at do-it-yourself haircuts and m[...]

Silver linings in 2020—really? Really!

By Stacey Spencer • Jewish Inclusion Program Manager As 2020 turned the corner and rolled into 2021, I started thinking about some positives that have occurred because and in spite of the pandemic. First, I have learned to not only accept the dark, cold Minnesota winters – I actually no[...]

Talking to kids about the U.S. Capitol attacks

By Leah Persky, PhD & Certified Family Life Educator  • Family Life Education Manager The traumatic events of the last week have left a gaping hole in the foundation of our democracy and in our hearts. They also created yet another challenging and confusing situation for families and chil[...]

Staff Q&A: Annual Giving and Special Projects Manager Peggy Mandel

How long have you worked at JFCS? I have had the pleasure of working at JFCS since early March 2020. My job is terrific and I love what I do. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with a dedicated, kind, helpful and hard-working group of folks. Tell us about the Annual Benefit and how you [...]

Volunteer Spotlight – January 2021: Ron Barry

What’s your current volunteer role at JFCS, and in what ways have you volunteered with JFCS in the past? I just recently completed a two-year stint as Steering Committee Co-Chair of the JFCS “Laugh on Their Behalf” Annual Benefit. Those two years opened my eyes even more to the importance [...]