JSS offers many programs in alignment with our values of honoring the elderly and strengthening our community. Our popular weekly Lechayim Lunchtime Plus program is a testament “to life,” with an affordable kosher meal, fitness activity and top-notch presentations and entertainment. JSS staff and volunteers take Senior Shabbat gatherings to a number of retirement residences each month, featuring candle lightning, challah, wine, lots of music and singing and a Torah discussion.
Seniors, their families, JSS staff and volunteers gather together at celebrations for Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Hanukkah inviting all to partake of traditional fare, music and ceremony.
Holiday Outreach volunteers spread the spirit of Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays. The Levy Summer Series and an annual late-summer barbeque provide social and intellectual opportunities during the summer months. Programming for Russian Seniors includes a Fall series dedicated to intergenerational learning around Russian cuisine, history, music and much more. We also offer a monthly Memory Cafe, creating a place to socialize and maintain connections for seniors suffering from Dementia.
The best place to stay up to date on all events and programming at JSS! This calendar is always up to date and includes all the information you need to get involved.
Join us for great food, friends, fun and interesting programs at Lechayim Lunchtime Plus. Meeting at Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound Street, located on the corner of Mound Street and Randall Avenue. Many thanks to UW Hillel Adamah Catering for providing our delicious kosher meals!
At Jewish Social Services, one of our biggest goals is to help seniors remain independent and engaged in the community. To that end, Jewish Social Services offers Jewish Holiday Programming to seniors in local assisted living facilities.
Jewish Social Services established the Levy Summer Series in 2013 with the generous support of Jeffrey C. Levy, in order to bring high-quality programming to our community at an affordable cost.
The Levy Summer Series brings world-class scholars, artists, and community leaders to Madison to deliver lectures and performances across a broad range of topics of interest. Meeting in June, July and August, the series is held at Nakoma Country Club, 4145 Country Club Road in Madison and consists of six high-quality programs, followed by an elegant lunch at a reasonable cost. Scholarships are available. We look forward to seeing all of you at this year’s Levy Summer Series!
SCHEDULE FOR EACH PROGRAM:
10:30AM–10:50AM Check-in
11:00AM–12:30PM Program
12:30PM–01:30PM Lunch
Levy Series 2026
Register by phone at 608-442-4081, via mail, or in-person at Jewish Social Services, 6300 Enterprise Lane, #309, Madison, WI 53719. The program costs $30 per person. You can print out the registration form by following this link – Levy Registration Form.
Click on the blue titles to learn more about each program. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Borowsky at 608-442-4083 or email paul@jssmadison.org.
Lecture: “Forbidden: A 3,000-Year History of Jews and the Pig”
Professor Rosenblum will discuss “Forbidden,” his most recent book, which won the 2024 National Jewish Book Award. According to The Wall Street Journal, “’Forbidden’ is an engaging and surprisingly cheerful study of that odd couple of the religious imagination, the Jew and the pig.”
Lunch: Nakoma Golf Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins choice of entrée: Atlantic Salmon stuffed with Shiitake Mushrooms and Spinach, Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce or Vegan Sweet Potato Curry (mild), Barley Pilaf, French Beans, and Baby Carrots. Dessert: Tiramisu
Lecture: “Revolutionary Changes in Jewish Life: How the changing roles of women in Judaism has changed the world”
Rabbi Winnig will discuss how organizations such as synagogue sisterhoods, ordination of women rabbis and cantors has opened the door to revolutionary changes in Jewish practice, theology and influence in the world.
Lunch: Caesar Salad, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins choice of entrée: Pan-Fried Walleye with Panko Breadcrumbs or Sun-Dried Tomato and Asparagus Quiche in Puff Pastry, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Stir Fry Vegetables. Dessert: Door County Cherry Pie a la Mode
Lecture: “Jewish Athletes and Coaches at the University of Wisconsin, 1896-1918: Ways to be Jewish on Campus”
What was it like to be Jewish at UW—Madison at the turn of the last century? Jewish athletes, coaches, and physical-education professors can illustrate the range of possibilities, from keeping one’s background a secret to participating in the Menorah Society. Jonathan’s talk will highlight the lives of several Jewish people on campus, which will be incorporated into his updated book of 2019, Wisconsin, The New Home of the Jew.
Lunch: Cream of Asparagus Soup, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins choice of entrée: Whitefish with Caper Picatta or Stuffed Portabella Mushroom, Bi-Color Baby Carrots, Dauphinoise Potatoes Dessert: Dark Chocolate Ganache Three-Layer Cake
Lecture: “Climate Justice— Stories of Hope and Action”
Using his own experience with faith-based environmental gatherings from the Vatican to synagogue “green groups,” Rabbi Swartz will help us understand the faith and justice dimensions of the climate crisis. Drawing on generations of Jewish teachings, he will illustrate why it is so important that the Jewish community plays a role in solving this crisis. He will also address actions that each of us can take in our own lives, as well as efforts in which we can join together.
Lunch: Quinoa and Spinach Salad, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins choice of entrée: Mahi Mahi with Toasted Kale Beurre Blanc or Angel Hair Pasta with Asparagus, Basil, Garlic Plum Tomato Sauce and Cheese, Roasted Red Potatoes, Vegetable Medley Dessert: Turtle Sundae
Lecture: “Bearing Witness Together: Holocaust Education in Wisconsin in 2026”
Did you know that Wisconsin ranks #1 in Holocaust awareness of all 50 US states? Since the unanimous and bipartisan passage of Wisconsin Act 30 by the Wisconsin Legislature in 2021, the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Center has led Holocaust education efforts across our state, partnering with nearly 400 school districts to offer professional development, resources, speakers, and programs. During this conversation, Samantha will share experiences gained and lessons learned to meet the challenges of growing antisemitism and lack of awareness about Jewish identity outside the Holocaust.
Lunch: Grilled Romaine Hearts Salad, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins, choice of entrée: Pesto Crusted Sea Bass or Mushroom Risotto, Roasted Vegetables with Toasted Orzo Dessert: Chocolate Mousse with Fresh Berries
Lecture: “What is ‘Traditional’ Jewish Music?: Exploring the Intersections of Music and Memory in Jewish Life”
What makes a melody “traditional?” In this interactive and music-filled session, Cantor Niemi explores how Jewish music evolves across generations—and how the songs we carry become powerful vessels of memory, identity, and belonging. Through storytelling, live musical examples, and our own reflections, we will discover how melodies from the synagogue, summer camp, and beyond come to feel timeless. Together, we will consider what we have inherited, as well as how we help shape the traditions of the future.
Lunch: Seasonal Fruit Plate, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins choice of entrée: Baked Salmon with Lemon Beurre Blanc or Vegetable Phyllo with Marinara and Crème Fraiche, Au Gratin Potatoes, Asparagus, and Baby Carrots Dessert: Assorted Cookies and Bars
You can view the full 2026 Levy Series brochure below or click on this link to Download a PDF.
At JSS, we host a Memory Cafe every third Thursday of the month at our main office from 1:00pm-2:30pm, where we come together and share memories, holidays and traditions.
Each Fall, JSS presents a series of Russian programming where a senior, or a group of seniors shows children a skill or teaches a lesson about history. The idea for this series came up from working with the members of the Russian senior community, who communicated their desire to feel relevant and share what they know with the younger generations.
