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.

May
6
Tue
Fundraiser at Capitol Lakes for Refugees
May 6 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

We are excited to work with residents at Capitol Lakes to create this fundraiser for newly arrived refugees and immigrants. These newly arrived refugees — 52 individuals in 22 families – settled in Madison and Dane County after careful government vetting, with promises of short-term help to rent a home, learn English, and find work.

Federal government funds for this purpose came were authorized for us to use as the only refugee resettlement agency in the area. People served come from a variety of countries and faith backgrounds, presently none Jewish. The federal government recently issued a “stop work order” and stopped funding for assisting refugees across the country, including people who have just been settled here.

Please follow this link to donate, with all funds going directly towards our refugee resettlement programming: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/jewish-social-services/capitol-lakes-fundraiser

Please note, this is friend-raiser and a fund-raiser, meaning we will also learn about ways you can help support refugees outside of donating money.

 

May
12
Mon
Al Anon Family Group
May 12 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Al Anon Family Group @ Beth Israel Center

We are excited to announce this new weekly Al Anon Family Group, geared towards supporting those who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This open group is inclusive and open to anyone, and does not require a reservation or any sort of fee. Please join us at Beth Israel Center, every Monday, from 5 – 6pm.

May
19
Mon
Al Anon Family Group
May 19 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Al Anon Family Group @ Beth Israel Center

We are excited to announce this new weekly Al Anon Family Group, geared towards supporting those who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This open group is inclusive and open to anyone, and does not require a reservation or any sort of fee. Please join us at Beth Israel Center, every Monday, from 5 – 6pm.

May
22
Thu
Memory Cafe
May 22 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Memory Cafe @ JSS Main Office

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.

May
26
Mon
Al Anon Family Group
May 26 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Al Anon Family Group @ Beth Israel Center

We are excited to announce this new weekly Al Anon Family Group, geared towards supporting those who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This open group is inclusive and open to anyone, and does not require a reservation or any sort of fee. Please join us at Beth Israel Center, every Monday, from 5 – 6pm.

Jun
2
Mon
Al Anon Family Group
Jun 2 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Al Anon Family Group @ Beth Israel Center

We are excited to announce this new weekly Al Anon Family Group, geared towards supporting those who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This open group is inclusive and open to anyone, and does not require a reservation or any sort of fee. Please join us at Beth Israel Center, every Monday, from 5 – 6pm.

Jun
4
Wed
2025 Levy Series – Rob Golub
Jun 4 @ 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
2025 Levy Series - Rob Golub @ Nakoma Country Club

Join us for the first event in our 2025 Levy Series, “Sustaining Journalism and Serving Jewish Wisconsin”! What are the major challenges that confront journalists? What can Rob Golub and other journalists do to fight for a better way forward? Rob will explain approaches sometimes referred to as “community journalism” and “community engagement.” He will also share experiences from his journalism career and all about the training programs he leads, which have been a launching pad for some great American journalists. We will learn about the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, its role in the community, and how you can connect with it.

Prior to Rob Golub’s position as editor of the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, he was the chief editor of The Journal Times in Racine, where he supervised both editors and news reporters. Golub has won multiple awards from the Milwaukee Press Club for his work, including a first-place award in 2022 for Best Long Hard Feature Story. For more than 15 years, he has run an internship program that trains the leading journalists of tomorrow. His “graduates” have become employees and interns at Facebook, CNN, Bloomberg, MSNBC, and other news organizations worldwide.

10:30-10:50 – Check-in

11:00-12:30 – Program

12:30-1:30 – Lunch

Lunch: Nakoma Golf Greens and Veggie Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins. Choice of entrée: Broiled Whitefish with Caper Piccata Sauce or Vegan Sweet Potato Curry, Barley Pilaf, French Beans and Baby Carrots. Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Sundae

Register by phone at 608-442-4081, or via mail / in-person at Jewish Social Services, 6300 Enterprise Lane, #309, Madison, WI 53719. You can print out the registration form here: Levy Registration Form

Jun
9
Mon
Al Anon Family Group
Jun 9 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Al Anon Family Group @ Beth Israel Center

We are excited to announce this new weekly Al Anon Family Group, geared towards supporting those who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This open group is inclusive and open to anyone, and does not require a reservation or any sort of fee. Please join us at Beth Israel Center, every Monday, from 5 – 6pm.

Jun
16
Mon
Al Anon Family Group
Jun 16 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Al Anon Family Group @ Beth Israel Center

We are excited to announce this new weekly Al Anon Family Group, geared towards supporting those who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This open group is inclusive and open to anyone, and does not require a reservation or any sort of fee. Please join us at Beth Israel Center, every Monday, from 5 – 6pm.

Jun
18
Wed
2025 Levy Series – Mark L. Louden
Jun 18 @ 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
2025 Levy Series - Mark L. Louden @ Nakoma Country Club

“Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch”

Today, about one-half of the world’s approximately 7,000 languages are in danger of losing their native speakers. However, a small number of languages associated with highly traditional Jewish and Christian groups are resisting the pressure of linguistic assimilation and are thriving. The two most widely spoken of these exceptional languages are, coincidentally, historically related to one another: Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch. In this presentation we will explore the success of Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch, which is connected to the demographic health of their main speaker populations, the Hasidim and the Amish.

Mark L. Louden is the Director of the Max Kade Institute for German American Studies, and an affiliate faculty member in the Mosse/Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his undergraduate and graduate education at Cornell University. Professor Louden taught for 12 years at the University of Texas at Austin before joining the UW-Madison faculty in 2000. His research focuses mainly on heritage Germanic languages spoken in North America, especially Pennsylvania Dutch and Yiddish. He serves as a medical and legal interpreter, cultural mediator, and patient navigator for Amish and traditional Mennonites.

10:30-10:50 – Check-in

11:00-12:30 – Program

12:30-1:30 – Lunch

Menu: Caesar Salad, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins. Choice of entrée: Pesto Crusted Sea Bass or Roasted Vegetable Napoleon, White and Wild Rice Blend, Steamed Asparagus Dessert: Tiramisu

Register by phone at 608-442-4081, or via mail / in-person at Jewish Social Services, 6300 Enterprise Lane, #309, Madison, WI 53719. You can print out the registration form here: Levy Registration Form