Jewish Community Programs

In March we met Lauren, a 16 year-old with a behavioral addiction to social media. Because of her time online, she was losing sleep, seeing her grades slip and having less time and more conflict with her family. What does abstinence look like in a situation like this?

The dedicated chaplains at JCFS Chicago are committed to uplifting community members. “We listen,” Rabbi Joseph S. Ozarowski said. “It’s all about relationships.” In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, these success stories illustrate those relationships and the journey of mental health.

The long-awaited vaccine is accessible to more and more people, yet many feel ambivalent. The sense of apprehension and even dread at the thought of life returning to “normal” is called “re-entry anxiety."  

Addiction wears many masks. It can look like physical, psychological and spiritual dependence on substances or the use of devices. 

As we reach the one-year anniversary of the initial pandemic lockdown, we pause to reflect and look to the future. 

Making space for ourselves and our own well-being, especially at a time when there are others that need taking care of, is extremely important. While making the time and commitment to self-care can seem arduous, so too is the process of recovering if we ignore our own care or let ourselves run out of steam. Finding a couple of small moments to do something that makes us feel good each day can have cumulative benefits.

The pandemic has left many people feeling isolated and alone. To ensure that our clients feel connected to their community and faith, JCFS Chicago’s Jewish community services swiftly transitioned support groups and their chaplaincy program to be virtual.

Soon it will be Thanksgiving, a special time to reflect on the people we are grateful for. Carol Brumer, former chaplaincy coordinator and community educator, shares her appreciation for chaplains and the work that they do.

We are living in unprecedented and uncertain times. While we can change little of the world around us, we can build up our resilience, our ability to adapt and cope with our situation. 

The Hebrew keyword for this time of year is T’shuva, referring to the process of coming back to who we are, where we need to be and rediscovering ourselves as Jews and Spiritual Human Beings. Here are Ten ‘R’s of spiritual practice for seeking a spiritual place this special time of year.