News & Impact

We are all heartbroken by the unprovoked and vicious attacks that Hamas—the Iranian-backed terror group controlling Gaza—have made on Israel and its families. Hundreds of Israeli children, families, and elderly have been murdered or kidnapped to be used as human shields. We are horrified by these ongoing attacks. Jewish Family and Children’s Services supports America’s closest ally, Israel, and the right of Israel to defend herself, as any country would. As always, JFCS immediately offers urgent assistance when needed, and we are here for you. Help Israeli Families in Need If you are looking for a way to help, please… Read More

September 14, 2023—Governor Newsom has signed and passed California’s 2023-24 budget, which includes $1.5 million in renewed funding for the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education. The Collaborative is developing a robust series of new, standards-aligned lessons and teacher training initiatives to educate 6 – 12th graders about what happens when bias goes unchecked. The funding included in the State budget will support the continued work of the Collaborative to train over 8,500 teachers and educate over one million California students by 2027. The California Teachers Collaborative is the first of its kind in the nation. Established by… Read More

June 6, 2023, San Francisco—The Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) Holocaust Center has announced the public phase of a $45 million capital campaign to build a new, state-of-the-art Holocaust Center, library, and archive. The JFCS Holocaust Center is widely recognized statewide, nationally, and internationally as a leader in Holocaust and genocide education. The organization is currently guiding a major statewide response to combatting antisemitism, including co-chairing the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education and leading the California Teachers Collaborative, a critical initiative that will reach California’s students, teachers, and community members over the next five years. Antisemitic incidents… Read More

At this moment we bear the weight of history. Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the members of his Governor’s Council for Holocaust and Genocide Education, which includes top experts, legislators, and leaders of our State. The Council is co-chaired by JFCS’ Executive Director, Dr. Anita Friedman, and is designed to expand education about antisemitism and bigotry to every school and every student in California. Read the full press release below. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 31, 2022 Governor’s Press Office: (916) 445-4571 Governor Newsom Taps Leading Experts and Advocates for Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education SACRAMENTO—In the wake… Read More

The California Assembly and Senate have released their joint budget agreement, a critical step in the State’s annual budget approval process. It includes two of our Jewish community’s most important priorities—Holocaust and genocide education and caring for vulnerable survivors. Anita Friedman, JFCS’ Executive Director, says, “The voice of California’s Jewish Community has been heard. Now our survivors can continue to age with dignity and every child in our State will learn about antisemitism, about the Holocaust, and about how—and why—to stand up against hate.” These critical funds include: $3 million to renovate and expand the JFCS Holocaust Center. The JFCS… Read More

Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) Holocaust Center has established the California Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education, with support from a $1.9 Million grant from the Marin County Office of Education and the State of California. The California Collaborative, a first-of-its-kind statewide network, will connect educators, genocide survivors, and community leaders in order to support California teachers to effectively teach Holocaust and genocide education in their classrooms and address the surge of antisemitism and hate in California school communities. Members of the new statewide collaborative network include the University of Southern California’s Shoah Foundation; the Museum of Tolerance; the… Read More