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.
Feb
16
Sun
Join us for a discussion and film screening presented by JSS, Open Doors for Refugees, Dr. Fran Kaplan, and Catholic Multicultural Center. We will watch Dr. Kaplan’s film, “Can We Make A Home Here?’, featuring stories and information on several different refugee families living in Milwaukee. Then, Dr. Kaplan, Kai Mishlove, Zabi Sahibzada, and Jason Mack, Director of ODFR, will present a panel discussion. This event is free and open to the public – please join us!
Feb
17
Mon
Tables Across Borders is a powerful community-driven dining series founded by Kai Gardner-Mishlove, Gregory Leon, Caitlin Cullen, & Christie Melby-Gibbons. This initiative highlights the culinary traditions of Milwaukee’s refugee and immigrant chefs, celebrating the diverse cultures and cuisines that enrich Milwaukee. JSS is proud to sponsor this series of events!
Each event gives guest chefs a platform to share their stories through food, offering a menu that reflects the chefs’ heritage & personal journeys. This time we welcome Syrian cuisine from Chef Tahani.
TAB fosters connections, cultural exchange, and an appreciation for the vibrant diversity within our community and is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of food to bring people together.
Mar
14
Fri
Join us for this exciting collaboration with Temple Beth El!
6 – 7pm: Rabbi Prosnit, Kai Yael Gardner Mishlove, executive director of Jewish Social Services, and Rabbi Renee Bauer, director of spiritual care at Jewish Social Services, will be in conversation about the challenges and opportunities of running a social service agency like Jewish Social Services in 2025.
7:30 – 9pm: Rabbi Renee Bauer, Jewish Social Services’ Director of Spiritual Care and Outreach, will offer the sermon on “Finding joy while facing challenges in 2025 America.”
Mar
20
Thu
Join us for the annual JSS Purim celebration! We will dress up in costumes and celebrate the holiday with hamantaschen and other festive treats, usually involving a special musical guest. Please join us. No registration required.
Apr
18
Fri
Join JSS Rabbi Renee Bauer, Volunteer Coordinator Paul Borowsky, and Spiritual Care Assistant Kristin Geil for a passover learning event at Oakwood Village! We are excited to feature special guest Cantor David Wallach, who will be teaching us about the story behind passover. We will light candles, say Kiddish, and have passover snacks as well. All are welcome, and no registration required. Please note the Nakoma Room is located in the Heritage Oaks building.
Jul
18
Fri
Jul 18 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Who Knew? The High Holiday Season Begins in the Summer!
Light Refreshments Provided
Join Rabbi Renée Bauer from Jewish Social Services to explore how the Jewish calendar prepares us in the height of summer for the Days of Awe. Come away with meaningful tools to help you greet Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with intention and presence.
All are welcome.
Aug
15
Fri
A Friday erev Shabbat service, with special guest speaker Paul Grossberg. You may know Paul as the pianist who accompanies our Shabbat songs, but he’s also a retired psychologist, and Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics at UW-Madison! He will discuss the connections between Shabbat, Jewish values, and health. We will also light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs as per usual.
The service takes place in the Westmoreland Room behind the front desk of the main entrance. No tickets or registration required – please message Paul Borowsky for any questions.
Sep
14
Sun
JSS presents a market featuring handmade products from around the world! Support our clients and the international community here in Dane County. Featuring Handmade
Afghan clothing, crafts, traditional vegetarian cuisine, henna, jewelry, artwork, and hair braiding. We will hots the market at our main office in the large event space on the first floor. Everyone is welcome at this community event! Most vendors prefer cash for all purchases.
Sep
22
Mon
Join us to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at Capitol Lakes Retirement Home. This annual event will feature special musical guests Ben Sidran and Francie Phelps, as well JSS Rabbi Renee Bauer. Rabbie Bauer will give a welcome message and blow the shofar.
Sep
26
Fri
Come join us for a special Rosh Hashanah celebration at Oakwood Village with Rabbi Renee Bauer and additional JSS staff and volunteers. Family and friends welcome! Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required for this service. We will meet in the Nakoma/Westmoreland Room.
We are also excited to feature Madison area violinist and educator Tina Westphal Thompson for this event. She holds a music degree from UW Madison and plays classical violin and bluegrass fiddle. Her current music projects include fiddler for Annie and the Oakies and violinist for the Yahara String Quartet. She teaches violin from her home on Madison’s east side.