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
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
“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
Aug
21
Thu
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.
Aug
25
Mon
We continue our annual tradition of cooking out at Goodman Jewish Community Campus, bringing our community together around good food and good company. Please join us for this fun event! Many JSS staff and volunteers will be in attendance. There is a $10 attendance fee per person, and lunch includes Kosher beef hot dogs and burgers, veggie burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit and dessert.
Register online at this link, OR give us a call at (608) 442-4081! You can also print the attached form out and mail it in with check or cash: https://jssmadison.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Senior-BBQ-2025.pdf
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
18
Thu
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.
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.
Sep
29
Mon
Join us for great food, friends, fun and interesting programs at Harry J. and Belle Goodman 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!
If you would like a meal, contact Jewish Social Services 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 $5 is suggested, but please only pay what is comfortable for you. The cost of the meal is $13.56 for those younger than 60 years old.
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: Roasted chicken w/ lemon-rosemary, (Veg option: seared tofu w/ lemon-rosemary risotto), turmeric rice, tzimmes, fruit salad & dessert
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Social Hour/ Welcome Back
Oct
9
Thu
Please join us for our annual Sukkot celebration with the Jewish Federation of Madison! Each year, we construct a community Sukkah in the parking lot of their main office. This event will feature staff from both organizations, festive snacks and refreshments, and a lulav and etrog available for shaking. Everyone is welcome to join us at this free event. We hope to see you there.