Community + Connection

Minnesota Mammalehs is a group for moms, and those expecting (a) child(ren), in the Minnesota Jewish community. Mommies of babies and kids of all ages are welcome. Anyone who identifies as a mom raising or having raised Jewish children and who resides in Minnesota or is moving here in the relatively near future, whether cisgender or transgender, is welcome to join.

Mammaleh Neighborhood groups: Eden Prairie/Minnetonka/SW, Edina, Hopkins Area (Golden Valley, Hopkins, Mtka), Minneapolis, Plymouth/Maple Grove, St. Paul/East Metro suburbs, AND Minnesota Jewish Mothers of Special Needs Kids

Mammalehs Recommend: Links for Families in Quarantine

A Not-Totally-Comprehensive but Fairly-Extensive List of Virtual Educational and Enrichment Opportunities for Families! Brought to you by Minnesota Mammalehs!

Parents of TC Jewish Teens FB Group

This site will be a place for us to share resources, opportunities, and advice. Unlike the similar site for younger children/parents, please DO NOT post anything personal about your own or other teens. This site will be a place to recommend books, programming, classes/tutoring, leadership opportunities, and more. It is a place to ask generic questions about teens but not a place to post personal questions about your own teens.

Afternoon Parent/Guardian Hang-Out with Shir Tikvah

Thursdays, 3 p.m.

For parents and guardians of students of all ages – we will gather in virtual space together for some conversation about our new home realities. What is working that you want to share with other parents? What questions do you have for each other? Join this call and remind yourself that you are not alone in navigating this newness!

Talking About It Guide from Temple Israel

Parent Resources from Minneapolis Children’s Museum

For Kids

Kids & Families Guide from Sabes JCC

Afternoon Student Hang-Out with Shir Tikvah

Mondays, 3 p.m.

For students of all ages – please bring paper and a handful of markers, crayons, or colored pencils for a gratitude project

Bedtime Sh’ma & Story Time with Shir Tikvah

Sundays-Thursdays, 7-7:18 p.m.

Bedtime stories & Sh’ma geared for children, families, and all those seeking a nightly check-in. Join once or each night!

Resources for Quarantined Families from PJ Library

As communities seek to lower the impact of COVID-19, many families are spending a lot of time at home with their kids. One great way to pass time with your little ones is to read PJ Library books! Here are other ideas for ways to stay busy and have fun at home.

Home School Guide from Temple Israel

Resources for Days at Home from Valley Beth Shalom’s ECC

For days off and days at home, we’ve compiled a helpful list of videos, links and activities for you and your preschooler.

Stuck at Home from the Davidson Institute of Science

Scienc-y trivia games, videos, experiments and many other activities to enjoy!

Amazing Educational Resources: Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions

2020 COVID-19 Time Capsule template

For Teens & Young Adults

BBYO On Demand

A Brand New Virtual Experience for Jewish Teens Worldwide

Shabbat @ Home for Students from UofM Hillel

For 20s & 30s

Shabbat Alone, Together with OneTable

Friday night with OneTable is all about feeling good, and we’re looking at ways to keep that magic of Shabbat, while protecting the health and safety of one another. Shabbat happens every week whether there are 15 people at your table or you’re lighting candles alone, so while we cannot support in-person dinners that are open to the community at this time, we’ve lifted the restrictions on the minimum of people needed to host a OneTable dinner. We’re here to nourish you and your roommate(s), or even just you creating the space to make your Friday night a little special.

For Everyone

Health & Wellness, Kids & Family, Cultural Arts, & Supportive Services from St. Paul JCC

Cultural & Arts Guide from Sabes JCC

Health & Wellness Guide from Sabes JCC

jewishLIVE

Enter what we hope will become a 24/7 digital festival of Jewish culture, including conversations, interviews, rituals, music, services, and more.

Limmud eFestival

The first ever eFestival features dozens of presenters teaching on the most interesting and important Jewish ideas today. Connect with Jewish community, cultivate your curiosity and expand your horizons, all while practicing “social distancing” and staying safe!

Resources for Caring for Yourself and Others from Temple Israel

Mental Health

Counseling and Mental Health Services from Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Online & Virtual Resources from NAMI Minnesota

Online support groups, free classes, information & links to mental health resources

RUACH: Emotional and Spiritual Support

We are Jewish emotional and spiritual care providers looking to help you during these challenging times. We are not a private practice, but a 100% volunteer-run initiative made up of therapists, social workers, rabbis, chaplains, and providers-in-training offering support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Care givers span the Jewish spectrum, and provide LGBTQIA+ affirming and assessable care.

Are You OK? from Pollen Midwest

An as-long-as-needed campaign that will publish stories, art, and bring us together virtually, weekly, to showcase how our collective community is processing and healing during this unprecedented time

How to Stop Freaking the %#[email protected] Out: DURING A PANDEMIC! from Ellie Family Services

A 12-minute video with 6 suggestions to help navigate the pandemic and quarantine

Self Care Guide from Temple Israel

Behavioral Health & COVID-19 from MN Department of Health

Try a Mindfulness App: Calm & Headspace offer free trials

Do a Mitzvah

Volunteer

‘Visit’ Seniors with Virtual Visit Friend or Friendly Remote Visitors

Volunteer with PRISM, the food shelf that shares a building with JFCS – contact Kevin Lytle at (763) 432-4210 or KLytle [at] prismmpls.org

Volunteer as an on-call delivery driver with Meals On Wheels

Give Tzedakah

Locally, you can support your synagogue’s Tzedakah projects, The Headwaters Foundation for Justice’s Communities First Fund, Springboard for the Arts’ Emergency Relief Fund for Artists, the Minnesota Freedom Fund, and/or another favorite local fund.

Globally, you can support UNICEF, Global Giving, DirectRelief, and many more.

Form a virtual pop-up giving circle and pool resources with friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors to make a greater group impact! Use Amplifier’s free Facilitator Guide and Participant Workbook.

Donate to a food bank

Minneapolis Jewish Federation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

Minneapolis Jewish Federation Grants For Organizations

Sholom has created wish lists to help residents

Contact Asian-American Organizations

Donate and ask how you can help reduce stigma and stand in solidarity with them.

Asian American Organizing Project

Asian Economic Development Association

China Service Ventures

Coalition of Asian American Leaders

Hmong American Partnership

Hmong Cultural Center