Date	What's Happening At JFS
Beginning May 1	NEW  Divorce Support Group If you are divorced or newly divorced you could benefit from our new Divorce Support Group!  Join others to share and sort our your feelings, thoughts and concerns.  Please call Rachel Scolnic Dobin at 203 389-5599 ext. 109 to register or for more information.
Tuesdays, April 3, May 1, June 5	NEW Informal Game Gathering Join us for our new monthly afternoon for card games and socializing.  11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at JFS 1440 Whalley Avenue.  JFS will supply the space, tables, coffee tea and soda.  Click here for full information.
MONTHLY Thursdays April - June	NEW   MONTHLY Caregivers’ Support Group: For individuals who are coping with the needs of elderly and frail loved ones. Monthly meetings take place at two locations:      Temple Beth David (3 Main Street, Cheshire) Thursdays – April 19th, May 17th and June 21st from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.       Tower One/Tower East (18 Tower Lane, New Haven) Thursdays – April 26th, May 24th and June 28th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.  These groups are facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer and are open to any individual in the Greater New Haven community. For more information contact either Michelle O’Brien at the Towers (203-722-1816 ext.170); Rabbi Josh Whinston (203-272-0037); or Rabbi Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117).
Beginning Monday, April 23	NEW Men’s Divorce Support Group: Coping with Divorce- One of the Most Difficult Times in a Man’s Life A new support group is starting for men to discuss the challenging issues of divorce and to gain insights and resources through dialogue with other men.  Beginning Monday, April 23rd from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (85 Harrison St., New Haven) group sessions are 1 ½ hrs. long and the fee per session is $18. For more information or to register, contact Rabbi Hesch Sommer at 203-389-5599, ext. 117 or hsommer@jfsnh.org.
Wednesdays May 2, 7, 16, 23, 30	NEW Unemployment Support Group Jewish Family Service of New Haven will conduct additional support group sessions focusing on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed.  The support group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. For the month of May  sessions will take place at Temple Beth Sholom, 1809 Whitney Avenue in Hamden.   Temple Beth Sholom - May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Mishkan Israel - June 6, 13, 20, 27 This support group is available to anyone who needs a safe environment to share and discuss concerns such as:  identity issues in the aftermath of job loss; issues of self-worth and the impact on unemployment in one's relationship with family and others; the emotional struggles regarding job searching; fears pertaining to health benefits and other short term and long term concerns. The group will be facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer, D.Min., Coordinator of Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling and Community Outreach Services for Jewish Family Service of New Haven. This group is provided as a support at no charge under the auspices of Jewish Family Service of New Haven in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, Congregation Mishkan Israel and Temple Beth Sholom of Hamden. Please contact Rabbi Sommer at 203-389-5599 ext.117 to let him know of your interest to participate in the support group.
May 2, 9 and 16th, 2012	NEW The Healing Power of the Psalms:  A Spiritual Journey To Explore the Emotional Depths of Those Sacred Writings Which Come From Deep Within the Human Soul This year long exploration of Tehillim will examine our longings, our hopes, our joys and our sorrows as expressed in the transcendent message of the psalms.  The course, under the auspices of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (JWHC) of Jewish Family Service and co-sponsored by the CJLL of Jewish Federation, is a collaboration with five area synagogues. Each synagogue and its rabbi will host one of the five books of psalms for three consecutive Wednesday evenings.  The first session of each segment will be co-led by the synagogue rabbi and by Hesch Sommer, Director of the Jewish Wellness and Healing Center (a “center without walls”).  The course is open to the entire community.  To register for these free classes, please contact either Rabbi Hesch Sommer (203-389-5599, ext. 117) or Rich Walter at CJLL (203-387-2424, ext.300) Book V (Psalms 107 - 150) at Congregation B'nai Jacob, Woodbridge (Rabbis Levenson and Sommer) May 2, 9 and 16th, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
May 3; 10; 17; 24; and 31	NEW Unemployment Support Group (Shoreline) Jewish Family Service of New Haven will conduct additional support group sessions focusing on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed.  The support group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. For the month of May  2012, sessions will take place at the Jewish Federation/Shoreline Office - Lighthouse Square, 705 Boston Post Road, Guilford (in the building behind Planet Fitness)  from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. This support group is available to anyone who needs a safe environment to share and discuss concerns such as:  identity issues in the aftermath of job loss; issues of self-worth and the impact on unemployment in one's relationship with family and others; the emotional struggles regarding job searching; fears pertaining to health benefits and other short term and long term concerns. The group will be facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer, D.Min., Coordinator of Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling and Community Outreach Services for Jewish Family Service of New Haven. This group is provided as a support at no charge under the auspices of Jewish Family Service of New Haven in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven/Shoreline,. Please contact either Jill Lesage (203-903-1901) or Rabbi Sommer at (203-389-5599) ext.117 to let them know of your interest to participate in the support group.
Wednesday, May 23	NEW  Three Stages on Life's Journey:  Jewish Views and Attitudes on Spousal Relations; Retirement and Bereavement.  A series of three programs which utilize Jewish texts, spiritual insights and psychological principles to explore the stages of life.  Wednesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Or Shalom, 205 Old Grassy Hill Road, Orange
Tuesday, June 5	NEW Women's Resume and Job Search Workshop Come re-energize your job search!  Full information here
Wednesdays June 6, 13, 20, 27	NEW Unemployment Support Group Jewish Family Service of New Haven will conduct additional support group sessions focusing on the emotional needs and issues faced by those who are unemployed and underemployed.  The support group is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. For the month of June  2012, sessions will take place at Congregation Mishkan Israel (892 Ridge Road, Hamden)  from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Temple Beth Sholom - May 2, 6, 16, 23, 30 Mishkan Israel - June 6, 13, 20, 27 This support group is available to anyone who needs a safe environment to share and discuss concerns such as:  identity issues in the aftermath of job loss; issues of self-worth and the impact on unemployment in one's relationship with family and others; the emotional struggles regarding job searching; fears pertaining to health benefits and other short term and long term concerns. The group will be facilitated by Rabbi Hesch Sommer, D.Min., Coordinator of Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling and Community Outreach Services for Jewish Family Service of New Haven. This group is provided as a support at no charge under the auspices of Jewish Family Service of New Haven in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, Congregation Mishkan Israel and Temple Beth Sholom of Hamden. Please contact Rabbi Sommer at 203-389-5599 ext.117 to let him know of your interest to participate in the support group.
Thursdays June 7, 14, 21, and 28	NEW  JFS Planning 2012 Infant Homestudy Group Jewish Family Service is planning its upcoming 2012 Infant Adoption Homestudy Group. Interested families should contact JFS to express interest.  The group is held on four consecutive Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. As part of a homestudy group, participants must attend all sessions and prior registration is required.  Some of the topics this group will address will include: -How adoption is the same/different from parenting by birth -What the adoption experience is like for birth parents -Coping with adoption and the child’s cultural background -How to help children understand adoption and feel good about their heritage -How to handle the technical details of different types of adoption Home study courses are offered by JFS periodically throughout the year for families interested in adopting infants and younger children.  This group helps families prepare to be parents and to decide what types of adoption to pursue.  If you are interested in learning more about the infant adoption process, please contact Amy Rashba at (203) 389-5599 ext. 113 or arashba@jfsnh.org for a pre-group appointment.  Families of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.
Wednesday, June 13	NEW  JFS Annual Meeting Join us for the JFS Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 13, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. at the JFS office, 1440 Whalley Avenue, New Haven.   Feel free to bring a brownbag lunch.  Refreshments will be available.  RSVP to cryman@jfsnh.org
Thursday, June 28	NEW  Volunteer and Wellness Fair Join us for a special community-wide volunteer and wellness fair showcasing how to become involved as a volunteer in local agencies and how to register for exciting college classes.  This event will feature various local volunteer opportunities, educational opportunities and free health screenings for seniors.  Gateway Community College, Southern CT State University, New Haven Reads and Jewish Family Service, are just a few of those who will be in attendance.  Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Tower One Tower East, 18 Tower Lane, New Haven, CT Please call Rachel Scolnic Dobin at 203 389-5599 ext. 109 for more information.
Thursday, June 28	NEW  Shabbat Celebration!  Join us for a Pre-Shabbat Celebration! Come help welcome in Shabbat with your friends from JFS Shalom Group of New Haven & the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven for our first ever holiday get together! Thursday, June 28th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the SARAH Enrichment Center, 1 Commercial Street, Branford.  Cost is $7.  All participants must have a chaperone at this celebration event.  The Shalom Group offers Jewish teens and adults with developmental disabilities various educational enrichment and social interaction opportunities through a series of events celebrating the Jewish holidays. We will be serving some traditional Shabbat snacks and learning about what makes  the Jewish Shabbat such a special day.
August 23, 2012	NEW  Jewish Attitudes Regarding Eating Disorders A quarterly gathering exploring the role of food and the impact of eating disorders on individuals and their families.  Complete information
MONTHLY January 5, February 2, and March 1, 2012	NEW  Jewish Pastoral Care Professionals Group A monthly meeting of Jewish professionals (rabbis, cantors, educators, social workers, nurses and chaplains) whose work involves the skills of pastoral care and counseling. Through discussion of practical case issues, study of relevant literature and an open and supportive environment to explore the specific nature of pastoral care from a Jewish perspective, the participants gain insights into their own work and a greater appreciation of the various dimensions of Jewish pastoral care offered by their colleagues. The group is open to Jewish professionals who utilize pastoral care and counseling in their work. Monthly meeting are the first Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  at Jewish Family Service (1440 Whalley Ave, New Haven). The group is co-sponsored by JFS and the Greater New Haven Board of Rabbis. Facilitators: Rabbi Steve Steinberg, Chaplain at Yale New Haven and St. Raphael Hospitals, and Rabbi Hesch Sommer
ONGOING	NEW Women's Therapy Group Forming We are in the process of forming a women's therapy group to offer a supportive environment to women going trhough difficult changes.  If you would like to participate in this new group, please contact Rachel Scolnic Dobin, at  (203) 389-5599, ext. 109.
ONGOING	NEW Jewish Families Created Through Adoption Social Group Forming "Stars of David" Jewish Family Service of New Haven, Inc. is starting a Jewish Social Group to connect Jewish families created through adoption.  So far seven families have expressed interest and we are now looking to expand!  The group will be run by the participants and it will have a socialization theme, offering pot luck get-togethers, holiday celebrations and events for the children. If you would like to participate in this new group, please contact JFS Adoption Coordinator, Amy Rashba, LCSW, at arashba@jfsnh.org or (203) 389-5599, ext. 113.
ONGOING	Schedule a FREE information session to learn about adoption options including domestic, intercountry and older child adoptions.  A JFS Adoption Specialist will meet with you for a no obligation session.  Call to schedule your appointment today!   arashba@jfsnh.org or call (203) 389-5599, ext. 113.
ONGOING	Court Mandated Parent Education - Offered by Jewish Family Service and Catholic Family Service of the Connecticut Association of Family Service Agencies.  This is a court mandated program.   Two evening classes (total of 6 hours) held over two weeks.  $125 fee (cash not accepted).   Must attend both classes (non-refundable fee).  In some cases, fee may be waived by the court.  Please specify this when calling. Classes fill up quickly and are limited to first 15-20 applicants.  To obtain an application please call (203) 389-5599 or toll free 1-866-389-5599.  Application must be completed, and received with the fee and your seminar dates will be confirmed directly by the organization providing the seminar that month.