Jewish Community Programming
At Ibis, our commitment to enriching the Jewish community is at the forefront of many of our initiatives. Among our Ibis current events groups are those we facilitate in collaboration with Jewish-led organizations. These include engaging groups with members from a notable Chicagoland synagogue and a vibrant senior independent living community operated by CJE SeniorLife (Jewish values for positive aging).
These current events forums are specially designed for Jewish seniors, offering a dynamic platform to explore a wide spectrum of topics. Discussions span politics, policy, history, and more, fostering a rich, interactive experience that connects participants with their heritage and contemporary Jewish current events.
In tailoring our programs, we prioritize collaboration with either the individual members of independent groups or the leaders of institutionally sponsored groups. This collaborative approach ensures that the content, focus, and pace of each session resonates deeply with our participants, making each Ibis group unique and meaningful.
Ibis Values Align with Jewish Principles
Ibis' focus on connection, learning and community align with important tenets of Jewish values.
Community
The concept of community is central to Jewish life and values. In Judaism, the community acts as a support system, providing emotional and physical assistance to its members. It's where individuals come together to celebrate joys, share in sorrows, and participate in communal worship and activities. The strength of the community lies in its unity and collective commitment to the well-being of each member.
Learning
Learning is a lifelong endeavor in Jewish tradition. The value placed on education is immense, seen as a way to understand ethical and moral principles, and navigate the complexities of life. It's believed that through learning, one can grow spiritually, intellectually, and morally.
Connection
Connection in Judaism can be viewed through various lenses: connection to God, to one's heritage, to the community, and to humanity at large. This value underscores the importance of building relationships that are rooted in mutual respect, understanding, and compassion.
Here is what a sampling of our Ibis participants said recently.
From Three Members of Our Synagogue-Connected Group:
”Just when you think you know it all you meet Sally, whose wealth of knowledge and professional experience made politics personal. Sally has a way of blending the aforementioned with an infectious enthusiasm as a facilitator, making each session exciting. Sally provided us with podcasts and readings , jumping off places for our discussions. Although none of us was a political scientist, each member was made to feel comfortable as they shared information they had gathered and/or expressed an opinion.” — Sandee Holleb
“I truly appreciate all you do to keep me informed and more positive about how things are going. I have been almost depressed about our democracy and spent today listening to podcasts which you suggested and feel much better about our future election.” - JE
“I just want to thank you for your expertise and leadership with our discussions! I always find the hour so stimulating and inspirational---such a vibrant and intelligent group of women. The group is a driver for continued education and involvement in world affairs and I'm happy to be a part of it!” - Judy Smiley
From the Director of Life Enrichment, CJE Tamarisk NorthShore
“Sally has been a wonderful addition to the great repertoire of life enrichment programs we offer for our Independent Senior Living residents. Sally has led discussions in current events and famous historical speeches of political leaders. Sally spends hours prior to each presentation and comes well prepared. She can speak to a diverse audience keeping herself centered and unbiased. In addition, Sally has a friendly and welcoming demeanor.” - Michelle Bernstein
Our weekly Tamarisk group gathering for another excellent current events discussion.
Our synagogue connected group with many hands raised discussing FDR's Pearl Harbor address.
Our synagogue connected group hosted Bonnie Friedman whose father was among the liberators of Dachau. Bonnie used a powerful presentation combining the story of the liberation of the camp with her father's war experience. Using PowerPoint images and her own narration, she wove together a moving presentation of Dachau: A Family Story of Love, Loss and Heroism.