News & Impact

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

Mark Bely says that what he knows about JFCS is that it is a go to organization. When you need help, have questions, or want to give back to the community, you go to JFCS. Mark was nine years old when his family left Russia for a new life in San Francisco. His parents, Boris and Larisa, moved the family to be closer to Boris’ father, who had made the same journey a year before. With hard work and the help of JFCS’ Emigre Services, the three generations of the Bely family soon adjusted to life in America—Boris became… Read More

Isaac Davis-Silverstein admits that growing up in wealthy Marin County was, at times, a struggle—he often felt like he had so much less than others did. During his high school years, he was acutely aware of the extravagance around him. Soon, however, he began to realize that his experience was not a shortcoming, but rather a strength. “Not having everything given to me as a child helped me learn to appreciate the things I do have,” Isaac explains. Isaac felt that he could empathize with people in a way that some of his peers could not, and he began to… Read More

Just last year, Sarah escaped from a decade-long, abusive relationship with the father of her two young children. She was finally making ends meet on her own when she lost her retail job due to the pandemic. Sarah called JFCS in tears, worried that her sons—who had already experienced so much pain and trauma—now would not even have enough to eat. Sarah is one of thousands of people struggling to afford the cost of food and basic essentials who have called JFCS for help since the start of the pandemic. In fact, the need for food in our community is… Read More

In the many months since the pandemic crisis began, JFCS’ focus has been crystal clear: no one should feel all alone in their time of great need. We are devoted to helping—by caring for the old and the ill, providing nutritious food, offering expert mental health services, guiding parents and children, giving loans and grants to those struggling, and more. Loneliness was an epidemic in our society even before COVID-19. And now, because we often must physically distance from one another, the risks posed by social isolation and loneliness are even more profound. On September 10, 2020, Dr. Vivek H. … Read More

With fires raging across California, Jewish Family and Children’s Services is ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our community are safe during this time. We are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to provide financial, practical, and emotional support to those who need it. If you are in need of assistance, please call JFCS’ Bay Area Critical Helpline at 415-449-3700.  We continue to encourage everyone in our community to take precaution and follow any evacuation instructions closely. In the case of an emergency, please call 911. You can help by making a donation to our JFCS Wildfire and … Read More