How to participate in Black History Month through education and celebrations
This year’s Black History Month theme is African Americans and the Arts. Historically, the arts have been a way for the social justice movement to reach activists in a unique and powerful way. Through poetry, music, performing arts, or even digital arts, African Americans have used their vast talents to overcome struggles and resist oppression. As we kick off Black History Month, we celebrate African Americans’ achievements made throughout the history of the United States.
Many times, throughout Black History Month, the focus is solely on the oppression that the black community has faced without celebrating Black excellence and the incredible contributions they made to society (which was often not acknowledged or taught at the time). Through education, it is important to learn about the struggles that they overcame, AND learn about everything that we have today because of the sacrifices and ongoing contributions of Black artists, scientists, academics, politicians, doctors, activists, lawyers, teachers, and more.
This month, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will celebrate focus areas of Black artists who used their talents in the arts for social justice. The week breakdown is below:
- Week 1, Feb. 1-4: Literature and Poetry
- Week 2, Feb. 5-11: Performing Arts
- Week 3, Feb. 12-18: Visual Arts
- Week 4, Feb. 19-25: Music
- Week 5, Feb. 26-29: Digital Arts
We will work to promote not only African American artists but will highlight the contributions and work of Kentucky artists who have made a difference in Louisville, our state, our country and the world. We will also promote local events that are taking place to celebrate Black History Month. Together, let’s learn, promote, discuss, and CELEBRATE Black History Month!
The start of every new year finds many of us reflecting on the past and contemplating ways to make the upcoming year more meaningful and fulfilling. Whether it’s going to the gym, a change in eating habits to be healthier, New Year’s resolutions often revolve around personal growth and happiness. Many find a powerful way to achieve these goals is to seek out opportunities to give back to the community by volunteering.
Volunteering can be a transformative experience. It goes beyond self-improvement; it allows individuals to connect with their neighbors and foster a sense of community, belonging, and purpose. JFCS has a wonderful core group of volunteers, some of whom have been connected to the agency for many years. I would like to invite you to join them.
Whether it’s helping inside our food pantry, hosting Shabbat services at a local assisted living facility, or providing companionship and thoughtful conversation to someone who lives alone through our Telephone Reassurance program, there are myriad ways you can join us and make an impact this year.
Beyond individual achievement, volunteering can create meaningful bonding experiences for the entire family. Many studies have shown that getting young people involved in volunteering not only nurtures important life skills like leadership and teamwork but also provides a meaningful way for them to grow personally. Not only do they get satisfaction from making a positive impact in their community.
When setting New Year’s resolutions, I hope you consider volunteering at JFCS. Whether it’s committing a few hours each week or dedicating a single day to service, every hour you spend helping someone else makes a difference, not just for JFCS clients but also for you.
As you contemplate your New Year’s resolutions, I hope you consider the profound impact volunteering at JFCS can have on your life and the lives of others. You not only contribute to positive change in our community, but the positive effects volunteering can have on your life in the coming year could be life-changing.
For more information on volunteering at JFCS, contact Courtney Evans at cevans@jfsclouisville.org or call (502) 452-6341.
When one person is hurting, our community is hurting.
When one person starts healing, our community begins healing.
One of JFCS’s core values is Avodah which translates to service. Service to others has the power to repair our world! The world can begin with your individual self, extend to your family and community, and that is how the world is healed.
Throughout our 115-year history, JFCS has adapted to the changes that take place in our community. Through continued support from individuals like you, we have been able to respond in the most immediate way to serve individuals, families, and community groups in their times of crisis.
Now we’re faced with the current crisis in Israel and Gaza. Triggered by these unfolding events, many in our community experienced a trauma reaction and, as the social service arm of the Jewish Community, we heard the need. JFCS instantly responded to individual, and community needs in a rapid, unique, and powerful way, offering options to process and cope with the emotional toll, to all in the Louisville Community, serving as a representation of the Jewish Community.
Some of the things JFCS has done to help our community cope with the trauma in Israel and Gaza, on top of our ongoing services are:
- Free individual counseling sessions to anyone regardless of faith of cultural background to manage and process the trauma that is triggered from seeing the violence on the news.
- Support groups to process in a community environment and remind everyone that they are not alone.
- Support to local Jewish organizations in their response efforts focusing on mental and emotional wellbeing for staff and community members.
- Guidance to parents of all faiths and cultural backgrounds on how to talk to their children of all ages about the Israeli and Gaza war.
As we enter the season of giving, we want to remind you that supporters like YOU allow us to continue supporting the community as we have while also responding to pressing needs like these.
By making a gift to JFCS this holiday season, you empower us to continue to practice Avodah by being responsive to the immediate needs of our community. A gift also helps us be better prepared for the next time we are called upon to serve. There is much uncertainty ahead and you can be confident in knowing we are here for anyone who needs us. YOU make that possible.
Your gift to JFCS will continue to build resilience, strengthen our community, and ensure that we can continue to be a safe haven for the next 115 years. Thank you for your dedication to our work and deep commitment to this community. We could not do this without you!
If you would like to make a gift to our annual year-end fundraising campaign, click here >
A special message from JFCS C.E.O. Dr. David Finke
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, a period of self-examination and spiritual growth. It is a time when we pause to reflect on the past year and take stock of our actions, behaviors, and choices and look towards the future with renewed passion for life and our place on Earth.
A Time for Reflection
Rosh Hashanah, which translates to “Head of the Year” in Hebrew, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, a period of self-examination and spiritual growth.
We ask ourselves tough questions about our relationships, our contributions to our communities, and our personal growth. What have we done well, and where can we improve? Rosh Hashanah challenges us to confront these questions honestly and make amends where necessary.
For JFCS, this reflection involves examining the work we have done to support vulnerable individuals and families in our community. I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact JFCS has on individuals and families throughout the year, but I would be remiss if I didn’t use this to examine our work and our impact on our community.
Have we fulfilled our mission to provide assistance, counseling, and resources to those in need? Have we made a positive impact on the lives of our clients? These are the questions that drive us to continually improve our services and outreach efforts.
A Time for Renewal
Rosh Hashanah not only prompts us to look back, but also encourages us to look forward. It is a time for renewal and a fresh start.
At JFCS, we are inspired by the idea of renewal, not only for ourselves but for our clients as well. We believe in the power of transformation and the potential for individuals and families to overcome challenges and thrive “with dignity and purpose”. Rosh Hashanah reminds us of the importance of offering hope and support to those facing difficult times, helping them renew their sense of possibility.
A Time for Hope
Hope is a central theme of Rosh Hashanah. It is a time when we express our hope for a sweet and fruitful year ahead in our personal lives and the world around us.
JFCS is built on the foundation of hope. For over 100 years, we have provided hope to those who may be experiencing despair or hardship. Though our programs and services may have changed over time, our simple mission of helping our friends and neighbors navigate life’s challenges and find a path to a brighter future has remained steadfast. Rosh Hashanah is a time for us to recommit to that mission and stay the course started for us back in 1908.
Reflection, renewal, and hope. The Jewish High Holy Days serve as a reminder that growth and change are possible, both individually and as a community. At JFCS, we are committed to embodying these principles in our work and ensuring that our clients have the support and resources they need to embrace life with hope and resilience.
As Jews across the world gather with family and friends to celebrate this special holiday, may it be a time of deep introspection and inspiration for us all, Jews and non-Jews alike, and may that reflection lead to a greater peace and prosperity for everyone.
L’ Shanah Tovah – to a good and sweet year ahead!