From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper: September 2025
As summer draws ever closer to fall, it is almost impossible to overlook the natural wonders of this time of year, which we hold fleetingly close. We quietly acknowledge, and maybe even mourn, the many months and weather changes ahead until we will once again indulge in being outdoors without coats, bask in long days of sunlight, and enjoy fresh produce from our gardens or someone else’s.
While we feel that familiar sense of winding down, simultaneously the excitement begins to build with expectations of new beginnings, new school years, fresh starts, and the fall High Holidays. Yet predictably, the seasonal change from summer to fall seems more profound than any other seasonal transition.
Transition and change are the buzzwords found in many parts of our lives – perhaps now more than ever. Just as you try to wrap your head around what some change will be, or how it will affect you or your family, you get distracted by yet another change. Keeping informed and staying aware of things that change are additional challenges to managing day-to-day. Increasingly, feelings of being overwhelmed are contributing to mental health challenges.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, in collaboration with Jewish Family Service of St. Paul, provides an annual opportunity to explore timely and current mental health issues at its fall conference. The Mental Health Education Conference, being held this year on Oct. 19, is intended for practitioners, individuals with mental health needs, family members, and anyone with interest in reducing the stigma of mental illness. This year’s conference is the 25th annual event. Check your mailboxes for more information coming your way soon!
Whatever your end of summer ritual may be – whether you intend to savor the delights of the Minnesota State Fair; bestow love and care on your gardens with hopes of more produce or beauty; or taking that long overdue break to simply soak up what remains; if you are in need of emotional support or resources, JFCS is a place to turn. With each season, we are Here for all. Always.