Now is the time to support LGBTQ+ children and loved ones

JFCS' Family Life Education and J-Pride programs will host a three-session educational series in December By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE, Manager of Family Life Education, and Isaac Ezra Jennings, J-Pride Coordinator Many parents and families want to support their children, relatives[...]

Taking time with transitions: Bringing mindfulness into the new school year

Mindfulness By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE • Manager of Family Life Education & Addiction and Recovery Services For many parents and caregivers, the past few weeks have been filled with the business of getting ready for another school year to begin. The excitement of school supplies, haircuts, fi[...]

Where to we go from here? Practicing self-care and avoiding burnout

By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE • Family Life Education Manager How is it possible that there have been more than 300 mass shootings in our nation in just six months? A week has not passed without a mass shooting in the U.S. in 2022. The recent events in Highland Park, Ill., and Uvalde, Tex., h[...]

Grappling with Uvalde tragedy: Finding space to mourn, support and heal

By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE, Family Life Education Manager Just 11 days after a violent racist attack in New York, we learn the horrific news of 19 children and two teachers killed by yet another senseless act of violence – this time in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts are broken. . . AGAIN. Proce[...]

How to talk to your children about the war in Ukraine

By Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE, Family Life Education Manager The news out of Ukraine is tragic. The senseless acts of violence perpetrated by a power-hungry dictator are ripping apart the lives of millions of people. The images we see of families and children and elderly people fleeing with the[...]

Parent Coaching grows to include families with adult children

By Leah Persky, PhD & Certified Family Life Educator • Family Life Education Manager It is hard to believe we are almost entering the third year of the pandemic. What a mixture of emotions we experience as we navigate daily life. There is so much hope that the year ahead will offer more no[...]

Welcoming the year ahead: Limiting distraction and welcoming in self-care

By Leah Persky, PhD & Certified Family Life Educator • Family Life Education Manager This past year has been such a roller coaster ride; the distractions and uncertainty about the future remain, but so many good things are around us when we stop and look for them. Many of these happen almo[...]

Cultivating an intentional holiday season

By Leah Persky, PhD & Certified Family Life Educator • Family Life Education Manager Somehow it is that time of year again. The leaves have fallen, holiday lights are up and Thanksgiving and Chanukah are around the corner. Things feel different as we approach the end of this year. The pand[...]