JSSA

09/11/2025

Thank you to the hundreds of families who came out to JSSA's 3rd annual Family Wellness Day at Bohrer Park this past weekend. We were thrilled to see so many of you engaging with the more than 40 businesses and community partners on-site to provide your family with the tools and resources you need to improve your physical, mental, and social well-being.

It was a beautiful day to Rock Your Wellness and have some fun. We can't wait to see you next year.

09/08/2025

We were thrilled to have Rep Jamie Raskin, members of the Montgomery County Council, Maryland State Delegates, the Mayor of Gaithersburg, and members of the Montgomery County Board of Education out to celebrate our successful Family Wellness Day yesterday at Bohrer Park.

Over 400 people from around the region gathered on a beautiful day to connect with the resources and tools they need to support their families' physical, mental, and social well-being. It was a fun-filled day! Thank you to all of the businesses and community partners that joined us yesterday to support our community. We can't wait to see you next year.

09/03/2025

Sunday is going to be a beautiful day to come out to JSSA's Family Wellness Day from 1-4 pm at Bohrer Park - Park and Pond Pavilions in Gaithersburg, MD.

With over 40 vendors on site providing resources and tools to improve your family's well-being, and health screenings including, blood pressure, hearing, vision, glucose screenings and CPR demonstrations.

On September 7, don't miss the petting zoo, inflatables, music, dance performances, food trucks, and more. A fun-filled day for the whole family.

Register today to receive your free gift while supplies last:https://jssa.jotform.com/251104366939157

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08/29/2025

One Week Until JSSA's Family Wellness Day!

Don't miss Family Wellness Day on Sunday, September 7, from 1-4 pm at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, MD.

Join over 40 businesses and community partners for a fun-filled day of games, music, a petting zoo, and critical resources you and your family need to improve your physical, mental, and social well-being.

We will also have blood pressure, vision, hearing, glucose, and HIV screenings on site.

Bring the whole family and come out for JSSA's Family Wellness Day!

Register today and receive a gift while supplies last. www.jssa.org/familyday

Event is rain or shine. See you there.

08/27/2025

Workshops for Former Federal Employees Transitioning to the Private Sector

JSSA has joined The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies' (NJHSA) Project EM, a FREE national initiative that brings together more than 18 organizations across the country to provide comprehensive career support tailored to meet the unique career goals of job seekers.

By participating in Project EM, you can receive personalized career coaching and expert guidance from our dedicated career consultants. You can also access interactive workshops to develop your skills, advance your professional growth, and showcase your best self.

We’re excited to announce a free, interactive, three-part workshop series designed specifically for federal employees preparing to move into private sector careers.

Each session provides actionable tools, expert insights, and personalized guidance to support a successful career shift. Sessions take place weekly in September—participants can join one or all three.

Session 1: Rebrand and Rebuild: Skills, Value, and Financial Reset
September 3, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RqHBH44QSTCLpy-YmjGK7g

Session 2: Translating Experience: Résumé and LinkedIn Profile Reboot
September 10, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AMX4IHcRQWCJ7S-SRQJwnw

Session 3: Next Step Strategies: Smart Networking and Interviewing
September 17, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CHH_oXsqTdSF41ETO9oqgQ

08/25/2025

NEW Resiliency Radio Podcast – Episode #2

JSSA's Resiliency Radio is back with a new episode focusing on teen wellness. In this episode, Rabbi Rachel speaks with the participants and facilitators of JSSA's July teen Mental Health First Aid training. Teen participants and JSSA staff share insights about their own experiences with mental health challenges and how the training helps them support others while growing stronger themselves. Thanks for tuning in and for helping us to reach those in need of support.

Listen to episode #2 here: https://www.jssa.org/resiliency-radio/

08/21/2025

Jewish Wisdom on Aging Series

Rabbi Rachel Hersh, MSW, BCC, in partnership with the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies, is hosting a three-week online Jewish Wisdom on Aging series on the themes:
Session 1: Biblical Ancestors
Session 2: Rabbinic Wisdom
Session 3: Moral Truths

Each class will include traditional Jewish text study and discussion, along with opportunities to explore our contemporary questions on this chapter of our lives.

The series runs on Thursdays, September 4, 11, and 18 from 1:00 to 2:15 pm. For more information and to register for the Jewish Wisdom on Aging series visit:

Three Thursday Mornings September 4, 11, 18 Time: 1-2:15 PM ET Instructor: Rabbi Rachel Hersh Location: Zoom Classroom

08/20/2025

As parents and their children from the Family Discovery Center's LENA program donned their caps and gowns, it was time to celebrate 10 weeks of learning together with a special graduation ceremony. Each parent and guardian received a rose and a special certificate for completing the class. As part of the program, parents also received 10 free children's books to take home and practice the brain-building skills they learned in class.

LENA START helps children, up to three years old, and their parents build critical early language and brain-development skills. By learning strategies to increase interactive talk with their children, parents can explore their strengths as caregivers and spend quality time learning new skills to boost brain development.

Congratulations to all the graduates and the staff of the Family Discovery Center.

08/18/2025

NEW Social Skills Group for Neurodiverse Middle-Schoolers

This new group offers middle-school students the opportunity to practice social skills, learn adaptive strategies for navigating conflict, and form new connections with their peers. For students with ADHD and autism, this supportive and structured environment will help them develop interpersonal skills and process individual challenges.

For more information on this group and other offerings this Fall, visit https://www.jssa.org/services/mental-health/support-groups/

08/14/2025

Join us for JSSA’s Family Wellness Day on Sept 7, 1-4 p.m. at Bohrer Park! Resources to improve your well-being and interactive activities for all! 🎉

Register today for your free gift while supplies last. www.jssa.org/familyday

08/13/2025

NEW SUPPORT GROUP

JSSA’s Building Healthy Teen Relationships group supports rising 9th- and 10th-graders who may be struggling to connect with peers. Through interactive activities, participants will explore the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships, practice giving and receiving constructive feedback, and learn to validate one another’s experiences. The group welcomes students of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status, and no diagnosis is required to join.

For more information about this group and other JSSA support groups for the fall, visit
https://www.jssa.org/services/mental-health/support-groups/

08/12/2025

JSSA is proud to invest in the professional development of our staff. We are honored to celebrate the graduation of the 2024–2025 cohort of Leading the Way, our yearlong management and leadership development program. This initiative supports emerging and current leaders across the agency in strengthening key professional skills and building lasting connections.

Throughout the program, participants focused on:
• Strengthening management and communication skills
• Building self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and assertiveness
• Enhancing motivational strategies
• Fostering collaboration and peer connection

We are thrilled to recognize the nine JSSA staff members who successfully completed the program:
• Shruti Goel – Program and Consumer Support, Mental Health Services
• Laney Park – MindCraft, Mental Health Services
• Julia Song – Career Services
• Kara Pokras – Aging in Place
• Malphina Robinson – Hospice
• Rebecca Ellinwood – Hospice
• Leslie Peleaz – IT
• Cindy Newland – Learning English Together, Family Support Services
• Drew Wynn – Development

Congratulations to each of these outstanding team members for their dedication, growth, and leadership. We look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make at JSSA and beyond!