Unless otherwise noted, all events are virtual. Some events require an RSVP or enrollment in our programs, so please confirm your spot in advance. Please check directly with JFS on program dates, as dates may change.
This year’s Tisha B’Av observances will include a virtual discussion at 4 p.m., July 18: From Destruction to Redemption: Personal Stories of Addiction and Recovery hosted by the Rabbinical Association and Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City.
Hear from members of the community who have suffered personally or have a loved one who has suffered from addiction. The program will also include reflection of the path from addiction to recovery as a form of transition from destruction to redemption.
Participants will include: Rabbi David M. Glickman, Congregation Beth Shalom, who will share the story of his brother’s struggles with addiction; Mia Cohen, a recording artist and social media branding specialist currently working for Jewish Family and Career Services in Atlanta; a college student; an adult who has struggled with addiction; and Marla Kauffman, executive director and founder of Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN), whose son is in a long-term recovery from substance use disorder. Kauffman has been active in the Seattle Jewish community since relocating there with her husband, Joe, in November 2019.
Sarah Link Ferguson, development officer at First Call and member of Congregation Koi Ami, will moderate the discussion. Ferguson is also a member of the recovery community and has written about her experience as a Jewish person in recovery for outlets such as Tablet magazine and the Temper. She is passionate about destigmatizing issues such as mental illness and substance use disorder especially within the Jewish community.
“We are excited to hold this important community discussion especially at this time. Talking about addiction has always been somewhat of a taboo subject in the Jewish community, but the number of individuals with substance abuse disorder has dramatically increased due to the pandemic,” said Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Community Chaplain at Jewish Family Services and co-organizer of the event. “We are hoping this will be the beginning of many more discussions and a pathway to help for many individuals.”
Register for the virtual program : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSer_AM1wqqIJlc75r4FTpuiercPI_eRPrjOM9rBJK28LRcDsQ/viewform.
Tisha B’Av (The nineth day of the Hebrew month of Av) is a day of national mourning. The holiday primarily commemorates the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples, but also other tragedies of the Jewish people. The community Tisha B’Av observance will be held at 9:30 p.m. July 17 at Beth Shalom and online.
For more information, visit kcrabbi.org or contact Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association Administrator/Program Director at afprogram@aol.com or 913-327-8226.
Medicare re-enrollment is just around the corner and starting Oct. 15, Jewish Family Services is offering free consultations to help individuals sort through options and save money from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Medicare counseling is by appointment only for all Medicare-eligible current and new JFS clients regardless of income. Appointments are offered via Zoom, in-person, or phone.
Medicare experts Kelly G. Loeb, MSW, and Liz Conaway Muensch, JFS Older Adult Care Managers, provide impartial, unbiased counseling and education. JFS does not provide insurance, brokerage services and has no financial stake in assisting beneficiaries with Medicare choices.
“Our main goal is to help educate and save people money,” said Kelly G. Loeb. Last year, individuals who received JFS Medicare counseling enjoyed an average savings of $2,805 per person for a collective total savings of $790,409.
“Even if a beneficiary’s medications haven’t changed in a year, it’s still a good idea to review coverage – savings can come from switching pharmacies, using a mail order service for or even receiving some medications at no cost through patient assistance programs,” Kelly said.
During the 30- to 60-minute consultations, plan details including prescription and other healthcare savings will be discussed. Individuals must bring a current list of prescription medications and their red, white, and blue Medicare cards.
To schedule an appointment for free Medicare counseling, call (913) 327-8278 or email medicare@jfskc.org. Have questions? View our most commonly asked Medicare Counseling FAQs 2021.