News & Impact

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

Over the last year, JFCS’ Koret Fellows empowered Bay Area teens to bring about change while supporting communities in need. Thanks to their efforts, local youth learned about issues affecting seniors, children, families, and our society as a whole and applied what they learned to design and implement a wide variety of impactful service projects. As their fellowships draw to a close, we are celebrating the contributions of these talented emerging leaders, whose creativity, skills, and dedication inspired youth and helped our community. Meet the 2021 – 2022 JFCS Koret Fellows Carla Naylor What does it mean to you to… Read More

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education—an important step forward in the fight against antisemitism and hate. The council will include state legislators, civic leaders and representatives from minority communities. The JFCS Holocaust Center will play a critical leadership role as the state embarks on a historic expansion of educational programs that will confront the recent rise in antisemitism and other acts of hate in California and worldwide. Each year, the Holocaust Center educates over 25,000 students and teachers from over 350 schools about the causes and consequences of discrimination.… Read More

When Ashley Ashkinos was 12 years old, she longed to attend a Jewish entrepreneurial camp. Unfortunately, the tuition was not in her family’s budget, so Ashley decided to raise funds on her own. She sold lemonade, created a crowdfunding campaign, and quickly raised $2,500 within a few weeks. Realizing that there may be other kids struggling to afford the camp too, Ashley continued her campaign and raised an additional $10,000, which she donated to award scholarships to other kids with financial needs. Today, Ashley’s heart and fortitude are being recognized—this summer, she was selected as one of JFCS’ two 2021… Read More

In an unprecedented public-private partnership, the JFCS Holocaust Center will partner with the State of California to respond to rising acts of antisemitism and hate. By combining private donations with public money, the JFCS Holocaust Center will lead an important initiative to expand Holocaust and genocide education across our state. Over recent months, JFCS has been working closely with key policymakers and community partners to advocate for critical action to combat hate in California. This month, a historic budget deal was signed—thanks to the leadership of the Jewish Legislative Caucus, led by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and State Senator Scott Wiener;… Read More

Last month, an alarming incident in Marin County schools reminded us that antisemitism exists, even in our own backyard. An Instagram account associated with Redwood High School in Larkspur named specific Jewish students in Marin and asked for followers to contribute to a list of names. The account was titled “Redwood students organized (against) semitism.” This incident represents an urgent and growing problem—what has happened in Marin schools is unfortunately not unique. Acts of antisemitism have been reported in schools across the Bay Area, most recently in San Mateo County, and represent a larger, national shift. A study released … Read More