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Lecture featuring Kathy Tumenfeld from Wisconsin Department of Administration.

2025 Blockstein Memorial Lecture

Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Blumenfeld will share how Jewish values in action have inspired her personal and professional journey to become the first Jewish cabinet member under Governor Evers, and how state government has been a vehicle for making a positive impact for Wisconsin communities.

Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld is a proven leader in the financial services industry, business, and government.

She was appointed by Governor Tony Evers to lead the Department of Administration in January 2022, and previously led the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

As secretary, she leads the state’s flagship agency, where she has helped oversee Wisconsin’s multi-billion-dollar pandemic recovery and serves on the boards of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), the Wisconsin Center District, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). She began her career as a Certified Public Accountant and spent 26 years of her financial services career with CUNA Mutual Group. She is passionate about community service, financial literacy, philanthropy, and tennis.

Remembering the social activism and public service record of Liesl M. Blockstein, Temple Beth El and Jewish Social Services annually co-sponsor this lecture honoring the accomplishments of a Wisconsin woman who has made a significant impact on our community and our state.

  • 9:30 am Brunch
  • 10:30 am Speaker
Flyer for Memory Cafe supporting people with memory issues and dementia.

Memory Cafe

Join JSS social workers Maya Garbuz and Kate Shenker for our monthly Memory Cafe! A meeting place for designed for people experiencing memory issues, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Socialize, find support and build community without the stigma associate with dementia. Each month, we have a different presenter come in to lead activities with the group, plus snacks and a short stretching/movement activity. All are welcome at this free event.

Flyer for a Memory Cafe supporting people with dementia and caregivers.

Memory Cafe

Join JSS social workers Maya Garbuz and Kate Shenker for our monthly Memory Cafe! A meeting place for designed for people experiencing memory issues, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Socialize, find support and build community without the stigma associate with dementia. Each month, we have a different presenter come in to lead activities with the group, plus snacks and a short stretching/movement activity. All are welcome at this free event.

Black and white image of a pickup truck in front of a two-story house.

Lechayim

Join us for our weekly Lechayim series! Each event begins with yoga from a chair at 11am, followed by a lunch and a wide variety of programming that is different each week. The schedule for the week usually runs as below:

11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair
11:00 am -12:00 am: Blood pressure screening with Lori Edelstein
11:30 am -12:15 pm: Traditional brisket, (Veg option: pesto risotto w/ tofu), sweet mashed potatoes, challah rolls, roasted herb snap peas and carrots, fruit salad
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Greenbush Neighborhood

If you would like a meal, contact us at (608) 442-4083 or email: paul@jssmadison.org by Wednesday preceding the meal.If you are 60 years or older, a minimum donation of $4.50 is suggested, but please only pay what is comfortable for you. The cost of the meal is $17.20 for those younger than 60 years old.

Masks are optional at our host site, Beth Israel Center. Some individuals will wear masks indoors, especially when in proximity to people they do not live with or know well. As members of a supportive, loving community, we respect that each of us will take precautions we deem necessary and encourage all to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Portraits of famous classical composers Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms.

Lechayim

Join us for our weekly Lechayim series! Each event begins with yoga from a chair at 11am, followed by a lunch and a wide variety of programming that is different each week. The schedule for the week usually runs as below:

11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair
11:30 am -12:15 pm: Lasagna, (Veg option: Mac n Cheese), roasted veggies, garlic bread, fruit salad
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Great Composers – Dan Barker

If you would like a meal, contact us at (608) 442-4083 or email: paul@jssmadison.org by Wednesday preceding the meal.If you are 60 years or older, a minimum donation of $4.50 is suggested, but please only pay what is comfortable for you. The cost of the meal is $17.20 for those younger than 60 years old.

Masks are optional at our host site, Beth Israel Center. Some individuals will wear masks indoors, especially when in proximity to people they do not live with or know well. As members of a supportive, loving community, we respect that each of us will take precautions we deem necessary and encourage all to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Green tree symbolizing Tu Bishvat, Jewish Arbor Day.

Lechayim

Join us for our weekly Lechayim series! Each event begins with yoga from a chair at 11am, followed by a lunch and a wide variety of programming that is different each week. The schedule for the week usually runs as below:

11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair
11:30 am -12:15 pm: Smothered fried chicken, (Veg option: vegan chicken), sweet potatoes, greens, cornbread, fresh fruit
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Tu Bishvat – Rabbi Renee Bauer

If you would like a meal, contact us at (608) 442-4083 or email: paul@jssmadison.org by Wednesday preceding the meal.If you are 60 years or older, a minimum donation of $4.50 is suggested, but please only pay what is comfortable for you. The cost of the meal is $17.20 for those younger than 60 years old.

Masks are optional at our host site, Beth Israel Center. Some individuals will wear masks indoors, especially when in proximity to people they do not live with or know well. As members of a supportive, loving community, we respect that each of us will take precautions we deem necessary and encourage all to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Two birds flying against a clear blue sky.

Lechayim

Join us for our weekly Lechayim series! Each event begins with yoga from a chair at 11am, followed by a lunch and a wide variety of programming that is different each week. Here is the schedule and menu for this week:

11:00 am -11:30 am: Yoga from a chair
11:30 am -12:15 pm: Roasted chicken w/ lemon-rosemary, (Veg option: tofu w/ risotto), rice pilaf, fried corn w/ sauteed onions and peppers, fruit salad
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Birding in WI Update – Chuck Henrikson

If you would like a meal, contact us at (608) 442-4083 or email: paul@jssmadison.org by Wednesday preceding the meal.If you are 60 years or older, a minimum donation of $4.50 is suggested, but please only pay what is comfortable for you. The cost of the meal is $17.20 for those younger than 60 years old.

Masks are optional at our host site, Beth Israel Center. Some individuals will wear masks indoors, especially when in proximity to people they do not live with or know well. As members of a supportive, loving community, we respect that each of us will take precautions we deem necessary and encourage all to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Hanukkah celebration with dreidels, menorah, and festive food on wooden table.

Hanukkah at Capitol Lakes

Come join us for a Hanukkah party at Capitol Lakes! Our Rabbi, Renee Bauer, will lead a service and we will light the menorah, play dreidel, and sing songs. Family and friends welcome. Stay tuned for a special musical guest as well…

Hanukkah celebration with dreidels, menorah, and festive food on wooden table.

Hanukkah at Capitol Lakes

Come join us for a Hanukkah party at Capitol Lakes! Our Rabbi, Renee Bauer, will lead a service and we will light the menorah, play dreidel, and sing songs. Family and friends welcome. Stay tuned for a special musical guest as well…

Three white candles with yellow flames against a blue background with yellow heart shapes.

Capitol Lakes Shabbat

Please join your neighbors, volunteers and Jewish Social Services staff for candle lighting, challah, wine, songs and discussion to usher in Shabbat, along with the opportunity to recite Kaddish. We look forward to spending this special time together with you! We celebrate Shabbat at Capitol Lakes on the first Friday of each month, led by JSS Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from JSS Staff and UW-Hillel student volunteers.

No tickets or registration required – if you have questions on the event, please contact Paul Borowsky at 608-442-4083.