News & Impact

Her Path to the JFCS Presidency Growing up in Ukraine when it was part of the USSR meant that Luba Troyanovsky grew up surrounded by rampant antisemitism. Because her great-grandfather was a rabbi, she grew up observing Jewish holidays and traditions—not so common among Soviet Jews at that time—but always secretly within the family and never publicly. When Luba arrived in San Francisco as part of the vast emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union in the 1970s, she and her family had to build a new life.  Comparing themselves to “blind kittens,” Luba warmly recalls that JFCS staff helped… Read More

JFCS’ Executive Director, Dr. Anita Friedman, was recently presented with the Silver SPUR Lifetime Achievement Award, the most prominent award for lifetime civic achievement in San Francisco. Dr. Friedman was honored for her visionary leadership in health and human services and innovative social enterprises across the Bay Area. In addition to heading JFCS’ services and humanitarian work, Dr. Friedman has served on various local, state, national, and international boards and commissions, and served as a consultant to Israel’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. As a speaker and author, Dr. Friedman’s expertise includes social policy and programming for diverse populations;… Read More

When 8-year-old Tad Taube left Poland in 1939 en route to New York via Ellis Island, the Krakow-born child didn’t know that he and his parents would narrowly escape the Nazi invasion. He also did not know that he would never return to the culturally rich and prosperous Polish Jewish community that he knew in his youth, or that this community would be destroyed during World War II. As the war raged on, Tad and his parents would soon learn that Tad’s beloved grandfather had been murdered by the Nazis, along with many others in their family. More fortunate family… Read More

Written by Beth Berkowitz, Psy.D, Director of Children’s Clinical Services and Child Training Institute at JFCS’ Parents Place. There is no doubt that the most recent tragedy in Pennsylvania has escalated our fears. With this sad reminder of the painful consequences of anti-Semitism, racism, and hatred, it is normal for all of us—including children—to experience anxiety, worry, anger and confusion in its aftermath. Below is some guidance to help prepare you for conversations at home. Talk to Your Children Avoiding the subject will only increase worry and fears. Encourage your children to ask questions, and do your best to… Read More

Dear JFCS community, We are all full of sorrow in the wake of the terrible loss of life and hateful act of anti-Semitism at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. We send prayers for strength and healing to those who are suffering, and we are grateful for the expressions of support echoing across the country and the world at this difficult time. At this time we remember the words of President George Washington, who wrote to one of the first US synagogues—the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island—in 1790:  “May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell… Read More

Last October deadly wildfires ignited across the North Bay. Within hours of the crisis JFCS began providing immediate services to families, emotional support, emergency financial assistance, child care, food, mattresses, and vouchers for clothing and fuel. In the days and months that have followed JFCS has tailored services to meet the changing needs of the community, providing case management, insurance workshops, assistance with living expenses, help locating temporary housing, and counseling to 1,200 individuals. On the one-year anniversary of the deadliest and costliest wildfires in California history the region is still very much in transition, especially for those who were… Read More