CJE SeniorLife

Medicare Advantage vs. Original + Medigap — What’s Right for You?
This two-part series is designed to provide clear, objective information to help individuals make informed decisions about the Medicare coverage that best meets their needs. Led by our Benefits Services team—certified SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Counselors—each session offers expert guidance in a supportive environment. Whether you are newly eligible for Medicare or already enrolled and looking to better understand your options, this series will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate your coverage choices.

Thursday, June 25, 2026
1–2:30pm
Registration required: https://cje.net/medicare-series-part-one/

Emanuel Congregation
5959 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660

Light snacks provided
Free parking is limited.

June 19, 1865 reminds us that freedom for African Americans was delayed, and justice takes persistence. It’s a call to honor the courage it takes to keep telling the truth and carrying stories forward. At CJE, we’re privileged to serve a community shaped by resilience and lived experience. On Juneteenth, may we continue building a place where people feel seen, heard, and valued every day.

The Holocaust Community Services Survivor Mitzvah & Mingle group returned to Inspire Through Flowers (ITF) to extend our celebration of Holocaust Survivor Day. Working alongside ITF’s incredible core volunteers, we cleaned and prepped stems, then arranged beautiful bouquets. Afterwards, HCS staff delivered these colorful arrangements to approximately 60 Survivors around the Chicago area. Between the gorgeous blooms, live music, and energetic team, it was an unforgettable morning and a meaningful activity that brought joy to both participants and recipients!

This month, our Gather and Give Back group came together for a creative and meaningful project. Participants decorated wooden birdhouses that will be shared across CJE sites, bringing joy to residents and a welcoming habitat for birds visiting our gardens. It was a wonderful afternoon of creativity and connection. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this project so special!

Yesterday, nearly 50 residents from all four buildings joined us for a wonderful outing to the Botanic Gardens! From the blooms to the walking paths, it was a perfect day to connect with nature and each other. We’re so happy for the smiles, laughter, and memories we created together.

Join us in assembling backpacks filled with school supplies for students supported by VOA Illinois. Operation Backpack is an annual drive hosted by VOA Illinois to collect backpacks and school supplies for the youth they serve, including children experiencing homelessness, children of the Veterans served by VOA Illinois, and children in all VOA Illinois youth programs.
Please consider purchasing supplies from our Amazon Wish List, joining us to pack backpacks at the event, or even both! Your support helps ensure that every child starts the year off right. Please note all supplies must be purchased by June 30th.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • 1–2 PM
My Go-To Place Village Center
5140 Galitz Street, Skokie, IL

Registration required. To register and to view our wish list, visit https://cje.net/gather-and-give-back/

We look forward to seeing you there! Free and open to all.

My Go-to Place! The place for camaraderie and conversation for older adults.

Join the CJE Cognitive Services Team for The Care Collective, a bi-monthly social and support hour created especially for care partners of people living with dementia. This welcoming, peer-facilitated gathering provides a relaxed space for conversation, connection, and community. Share your experiences, explore challenges, and exchange encouragement over coffee, tea, and light refreshments. Whether you’re seeking support, different perspectives, or simply a moment to exhale with others who understand—The Care Collective is here for you.

We meet every other month, and the next meeting is:
July 28, 2026 at 10:30 am–Noon
To register, and for the full calendar of meetings, visit https://cje.net/the-care-collective-a-social-hour-for-family-caregivers/

Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL

What if your father left you the keys to one of history’s most defining moments? That’s the question Laurie Pasler confronted after inheriting her dad’s hidden World War II memorabilia from his service at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. An award-winning creative director and producer, Laurie spent a decade piecing together the story through original artifacts, documents, and archival research. This journey led to Courtroom 600, a pioneering curriculum that teaches WWII through the lens of Nuremberg’s irrefutable evidence—and offers a different angle for confronting antisemitism and hate.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 • 1–2pm
Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 North Broadway, Chicago

Open to all. Registration required.

Registration required: https://cje.net/my-go-to-place-at-anshe-emet-synagogue/

CJE's Holocaust Community Services hosted its annual program at North Shore Congregation Israel, bringing together 180 survivors for a meaningful afternoon tea celebrating their bravery, resilience, and lives in honor of Holocaust Survivor Day. Observed each year on June 4, the day recognizes survivors as teachers and heroes whose strength continues to inspire.

Guests enjoyed a joyful performance by the Junior Klezmer Orchestra, filling the room with music, singing, and even dancing. Each survivor received a thoughtful gift, and we are grateful to the Seed the Dream Foundation, Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago, and our dedicated volunteers for helping make the day so special.

Dr. Heather Johnston will share successful strategies for navigating medical systems and health provider relationships, including trips to the E.R. and the hospital discharge process. Dr. Johnston has been on both sides of the bed, as both a patient and a doctor. In college, she was diagnosed with stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and then went on to help others as a pediatrician on faculty at the University of Chicago. Since that time, she’s been back in the patient role, receiving treatment for both heart failure and breast cancer. With all this behind her, she now hosts the Dr. Patient podcast which focuses on the patient/provider relationship.

Friday, June 19, 2026 • 11 am–Noon CT
Free, virtual event.
Registration required: https://cje.net/programsandevents/insights-on-aging/

Speaker:
Heather Johnston, MD