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.

Aug
15
Fri
Oakwood Shabbat
Aug 15 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Oakwood Shabbat @ Nakoma/Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village

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. 

Aug
20
Wed
2025 Levy Series – Liza Wiemer
Aug 20 @ 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
2025 Levy Series - Liza Wiemer @ Nakoma Country Club

“What is Happening in Our Schools? Anti-Semitic Assignments and Empowering Students to Speak Up”
A chance meeting at a bookstore in upstate New York propelled author Liza Wiemer to write The Assignment, which explores how two brave teens found the courage to speak up against antisemitism and hatred. Join us for a powerful presentation about the real-life assignment, the behind-the-scenes details, the fascinating World War II research, including the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Center in Oswego, New York, and the impact on students across the globe.

Liza Wiemer’s second novel, The Assignment, was published by Delacorte Press and has received 12 honors, including being named a Sydney Taylor Notable Book. To date, The Assignment has also been translated to Russian, Polish, Italian, and Korean and has been optioned for film. In addition, Liza has had two adult nonfiction books published and several short stories included in the New York Times bestselling Small Miracles series. Since August 2020, she has presented over 650 talks and workshops across the globe. Her debut picture book, Out and About: A Tale of Giving, was published in August 2023. Every month, she writes a children’s book review column for the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. Liza received the honor of being named one of “The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2021” by the Algemeiner. A graduate of UW-Madison, Liza has two married sons and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband, Jim.

10:30-10:50 – Check-in

11:00-12:30 – Program

12:30-1:30 – Lunch

Lunch: Seasonal Fruit Plate, assorted Artisan Rolls and Mini Muffins. Choice of entrée: Mahi-Mahi with Toasted Kale Buerre Blanc or Stuffed Portabella Mushroom, Au Gratin Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables. Dessert: Assorted Cookies and Bars

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

Nov
21
Fri
Oakwood Shabbat
Nov 21 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Oakwood Shabbat @ Nakoma/Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village

Jewish tradition has many spiritual tools for increasing our presence in our daily life and cultivating an attitude of gratefulness. In preparation of the Thanksgiving holiday, Rabbi Renée Bauer will share Jewish practices that help us to find and express gratitude in our daily lives.

Please join us, We will also light candles and enjoy light refreshments. As per usual, we will meet in the Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. No RSVP is needed, and all are welcome.

Jan
2
Fri
Shabbat at Capitol Lakes
Jan 2 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat at Capitol Lakes @ Premier Room at Capitol Lakes

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.

Jan
16
Fri
Shabbat Service at Oakwood
Jan 16 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat Service at Oakwood @ Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village

A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff and volunteers. For this special program honoring Martin Luther King, Jr, Rabbi Renee will discuss Judiam’s relationship to racial justice. We will also light candles and provide light refreshments.

No tickets or registration required – please message Paul Borowsky for any questions. 

Shabbat Service at Oakwood
Jan 16 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat Service at Oakwood @ Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village

A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff and volunteers. Join us as we light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs around the table, every third Friday of the month. 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. 

Feb
6
Fri
Shabbat at Capitol Lakes
Feb 6 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat at Capitol Lakes @ Premier Room at Capitol Lakes

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.

Feb
20
Fri
Shabbat Service at Oakwood
Feb 20 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat Service at Oakwood @ Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village

A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff and volunteers. Join us as we light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs around the table, every third Friday of the month. For this special event, Rabbi Bauer will present on the deeper meanings of Shabbat, sharing what the Torah and Talmud teaches us about Shabbat that can deepen our practice and help us create a better world.

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. 

Shabbat Service at Oakwood
Feb 20 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat Service at Oakwood @ Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village

A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff and volunteers. Join us as we light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs around the table, every third Friday of the month. 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. 

Mar
13
Fri
Shabbat at Capitol Lakes
Mar 13 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Shabbat at Capitol Lakes @ Premier Room at Capitol Lakes

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.