Health and support resources – many organizations and volunteers now offer virtual assistance | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Health and support resources – many organizations and volunteers now offer virtual assistance 

 

Here is our list of health and support resources, with remote opportunities. If you’re aware of an opportunity we’ve missed, contact Chronicle@MilwaukeeJewish.org. We run this list intermittently, with updates.  

Addiction 

The Friendship House Fellowship is a group of Jewish men and women who support each other in the pursuit of recovery from addiction and other related problems. The only requirements for membership are participation in a related 12step program and a desire to recover. Their goal is to obtain and maintain recovery while integrating the spiritual 12step approach with a greater understanding and appreciation of our Judaism. Meetings were previously held at The Shul on Lake Drive in Milwaukee. Meetings are now virtual, on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aaron at 847-775-9448 or AFriedman36@Gmail.com. 

Antisemitism 
 
For antisemitism support and resources, contact Community-Based Advocate Breanna West of Jewish Family Services at 414-395-5317 or BreannaW@JfsMilw.org 

Brain health and wellness 

Ovation Adult Day Services Director Dawn Adler and social worker Dana Rubin-Winkelman offer brain health and wellness workshops. Free virtual and interactive workshops are available. See the Ovation Communities website, Adult Day Services page at Ovation.org. 

Alcoholism  

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. Most in-person meetings in Wisconsin have been cancelled. Virtual meetings are available. To find other meeting times and locations, call 414-771-9119, the local office of Alcoholics Anonymous or go to AAMilwaukee.com. Also, see Alcoholism – How It Works. 

Alcoholism – How It Works 

An Alcoholics Anonymous group that previously met Monday nights at Chabad-Lubavitch on Lake Drive is now virtual. Alcoholics Anonymous is not allied with any denomination, politics, organization or institution. The Monday Night How It Works group welcomes newcomers and long-term members of AA with open arms. You can obtain the Monday Night How It Works Zoom information at AAMilwaukee.com or by calling AA Milwaukee at 414-771-9119. 

Alcoholism – for family  

Al-Anon offers help and hope for family members of alcoholics. Al-anon.org offers electronic and telephone meetings worldwide. 

Alzheimer’s and dementia 

Social engagement opportunities, support options and other information at Alz.org/Sewi/Helping_You. 

Alzheimer’s and dementia – SPARK! 

SPARK! is a program for people experiencing memory loss and their care partners. Jewish Museum Milwaukee in partnership with Ovation Adult Day Services holds SPARK! events on Zoom at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of each month. Free. Jewish Museum Milwaukee is a program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. For Zoom link, contact Ellie Gettinger at EllieG@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 

Breast cancer  

Breast cancer patients, their families and friends are matched with professionally trained breast cancer survivors and co-survivors. All connections are personalized and based on similar diagnoses, treatment plans and circumstances. Services are free and begin with a phone conversation. ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis supports both patients and survivors and is operating during the pandemic. To receive ABCD support, call 414-977-1780 or visit AbcdBreastCancerSupport.org.    

Domestic violence 

Love Shouldnt Hurt: Relationship Support Group. Information and support for Jewish women who want to gain an understanding on intimate partner violence. Co-facilitated by Nancy Stone, therapist, and Breanna West, community-based advocate of Jewish Family Services. The first meeting is Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-10:30 via Zoom. Contact Kat Blackwell at 414-225-1374 or KBlackwell@JfsMilw.org 

General assistance 

Not sure where to start? Beth Mumper of Jewish Family Services can connect you with social work, mental health, financial and other resources. There is no charge. Call her cell phone at 4147953322, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

Grief  

The Jewish Family Services Virtual Grief Group meets every Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. via Zoom. Someone can grieve the loss of family, friends, pets, relationships, marriages, jobs, health and independence. Having support during grief is critical to a renewed sense of living and letting go the roller coaster of emotions experienced by a life changing event. Participants learn how to accept the reality of their loss and are supported through the process of experiencing and acknowledging the physical, emotional and spiritual pain. These sessions are free and open to the community, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnic origin, or ability. Facilitated by Judy Strauss, LPC, and Liz Oettiker, a masters-level social work intern. For more information and to register for the group, contact Kat Blackwell at Jewish Family Services 414-225-1374, or email KBlackwell@JfsMilw.org.   

Mental health services 

Jewish Family Services offers outpatient mental health services to people facing personal and mental health issues. Contact 414-390-5800. JFS is located at 1300 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee. 

Stress-during-pandemic tips 

Dana Rubin-Winkelman, Ovation Adult Day Services social worker, shares a bimonthly “Touch Points: A Spark of Light with Dana” e-newsletter to continue meaningful connection and support during the pandemic. Designed to ease stress and promote wellbeing, Touch Points covers staying balanced, brain health exercises, tips for caregivers and other topics. To sign up for the free electronic newsletter, email Dana at DRubin-Winkelman@Ovation.org. 

Suicide prevention hotline 

The national suicide prevention hotline is 800-273-8255. Wisconsin suicide prevention hotlines include 414-257-7222 for Milwaukee County; 877-375-4043 for Ozaukee County, and 608-280-2600 for Dane County.