News & Impact

Dear Friends, When my wife, Dorothy, and I moved into JFCS’ Rhoda Goldman Plaza ten months ago, we marveled that we had become beneficiaries of an organization we have known and admired for so long. Our connection to Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) spans decades, beginning during my long tenure as President of Palo Alto University. Influenced by distinguished leaders like Tad Taube, Marcia Goldman, Rabbi Stephen Pearce, and Gary Shapiro, our university proudly partnered with JFCS on mental health initiatives and professional training. The collaboration between the university and JFCS became even more meaningful when Anita Friedman, one… Read More

My name is Iryna, and I’m from Odesa, Ukraine. I came to the United States in 2022 with my 9-year-old daughter, fleeing the war with nothing but hope—hope to find safety and the strength to rebuild our lives from scratch. The first months were frightening and deeply isolating. I didn’t speak English, and every day felt like a mountain I didn’t know how to climb. That’s when I met Masha Kohn, our case manager at JFCS, and that changed everything. Masha’s empathy and calm reassurance gave me the courage to keep moving forward. My daughter, who was heartbroken over everything… Read More

JFCS has stood as a sanctuary for those fleeing violence, persecution, and disaster, from the pogroms of the 19th century to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Our commitment to the Jewish value of “welcoming the stranger” runs deep in our history—and continues with unwavering purpose even now. A History Rooted in Compassion In the late 1800s, waves of Eastern European Jews fled persecution and poverty, seeking safety in the United States. Many found their way to San Francisco. The Eureka Benevolent Society (the first iteration of JFCS) offered food, housing, medical care, and guidance for thousands of newly arrived families—setting… Read More

Laura Filshtein, Volunteer with JFCS’ Friendly Visitors Program: When I first learned about JFCS’ Friendly Visitors program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. I was matched with Lydia, a resident of the assisted living community at Rhoda Goldman Plaza, and it didn’t take long for our time together to become one of the highlights of my week. Lydia is 104 years old. She stays mostly in her room, so our weekly visits are a chance for her to have some company—and for us to share a few laughs over cards. She loves… Read More

Dear Friends, Where does a troubled Jewish teen who is being raised in a single-parent family on welfare and food stamps turn to find help and support in the Bay Area? What beyond spiritual support can a Rabbi who very much wants to help offer a family in crisis? More than 50 years ago our small family found our answer at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Our Rabbi referred us to JFCS when my mother came to him in tears. Through divorce, abandonment, my mother’s severe depression, and her frequent unemployment, the wolf was always at our door. JFCS was… Read More

We are heartbroken by the attack on the Jewish community in Boulder this past Sunday and by the deadly shootings in Washington, DC that claimed two lives. These violent acts are part of an alarming rise in antisemitism, and a painful reminder of what happens when hate goes unchecked. Caring for each other and taking action together in this moment is vital. JFCS is here for you. Here are some ways that you can take care and take action right now: Prioritize Mental Health JFCS offers culturally competent counseling for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression,… Read More