The month of Sivan arrives after a meaningful journey – seven weeks of counting the Omer, marking each day from Passover to Shavuot. Day by day, we mark the passage of time, recognizing that profound change unfolds gradually. This practice reminds us that healing and growth happen the same way — one small step at a time. And it raises an essential question: When we’re taking those difficult steps, who can we count on?
At JFCS, we believe the answer is clear: you can count on your community, especially during life’s most painful moments.
The loss of a son or a daughter is one of the most profound experiences a person can endure. It reshapes the very fabric of life. Grief in these circumstances is deeply personal, with no clear path or timeline. It can bring waves of sorrow, anger, guilt, and isolation that feel impossible to navigate alone.
We believe no one should face that journey in isolation.
Through the Sharing and Healing while Mourning Our Children Foundation — established in loving memory of Matthew Bandler Minches, Jamie Brooke Lieberman, and Joel Lawrence Weiner — bereaved parents are offered something essential: a compassionate community. Founded by Eve Bandler, Carole Lieberman, and Susan Weiner, three mothers who transformed their personal grief into communal purpose, this fund, housed with the Jewish Community Foundation, supports the JFCS Parental Bereavement Group. Here, parents find a sacred space where they can share openly and be truly understood. Healing begins not by “moving on,” but by moving forward — together, one step at a time.
Participants find connection in the midst of pain and the quiet strength that comes from being seen and supported. They form bonds that ease isolation, discover tools to cope with overwhelming emotions, and begin, in time, to rediscover meaning and hope. Since 2014, the group has supported more than 65 bereaved parents along their healing journey.
More than 400 community members heard from Eve Bandler and Susan Weiner at our Stepping Out with JFCS event on March 26. With honesty and courage, they shared their personal stories and healing journeys, leaving a profound impact on everyone present. We invite you to read their full remarks here, where they share their experiences with remarkable openness and grace. Though Carole Lieberman was unable to attend, she shared these powerful words: “This group truly saved me. When I felt like I was barely holding on, it gave me support, connection, and hope. Now, I’m inspired to help others who may be struggling in similar ways. My deepest wish is for this group to always be available to anyone who needs it.”
This critical work is only possible through the generosity of those who believe in the power of community to heal. Because of this support, all groups are offered at no cost – ensuring that no parent has to walk this path alone.
As we move through Sivan, may we remember that healing happens one day at a time, and that we can count on one another. In our most difficult moments, connection can be a source of profound healing.
May we continue to build a community where no one grieves alone — and where, together, we find strength, compassion, and hope.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Melanie & Jill
Matthew Bandler Minches, Jamie Brooke LIeberman, and Joel Lawrence Weiner
