News & Impact

For eight special nights beginning this year on December 24, we light the candles and celebrate anew the happy and ancient Festival of Lights—Hanukkah. Approximately 2,000 years ago in 165 BCE, and led by a small group of principled Jews named the Maccabees, the brutal rule of the Syrian Greeks was overthrown and the Jews were once again free to continue their traditions, religion, and community. They were finally free to be themselves—to practice Judaism as they wished, and to be openly proud of who they were and what they stood for. Judaism properly understood is both an ethical system… Read More

Do the good thing. “Many of us in the Bay Area are doing well, and I wanted an opportunity to give back to those who aren’t. I saw how JFCS helps so many different groups of people and, through volunteering with JFCS, I get to help improve their lives.” — David, JFCS volunteer In the Jewish tradition, isolation is one of the most painful forms of suffering. Part of JFCS’ core mission is to ensure that no one is lonely or left alone. Won’t you join us in doing that one good thing? David wanted to do the good thing,… Read More

What do you think of when you read the term “palliative care”? If you’re like many people, you might not be familiar with it. But if you’re coping with a serious illness or disability, it’s something you and your loved ones will want to know about. Palliative care can improve your quality of life, keep you comfortably in your home—and research says it may even help you live longer.   “Palliative care is about relieving suffering at any stage of an illness, whether you’re managing a serious chronic condition, like lung or heart disease, or dealing with a life-limiting disability,”… Read More

Apples dipped in honey, round loaves of challah, honey cake: just some of the special foods we eat on Rosh Hashanah that signify our hope for a “sweet new year.” But for many JFCS clients, the holiday isn’t often very sweet. Together—with your help—we can make sure everyone in our community feels the joy of the High Holiday season! Here’s how you can help: Assemble and Delivery Rosh Hashanah Food Packages We are currently looking for volunteers to assemble and deliver Rosh Hashanah foods for seniors, immigrant families, people with disabilities, and other families in need.” This special food delivery… Read More

At 83, Mrs. Bernstein has been doing fairly well living alone in her San Francisco apartment. As a Holocaust survivor and legally blind she is a homebound client of JFCS and receives case management and Kosher Meals on Wheels each day. Recently, she needed help installing grab bars to improve her bathroom’s safety. JFCS’ newest volunteer project, Mensches On the Go, will bring more clients access to a variety of skilled volunteers to complete short-term projects throughout the Bay Area who need a little extra help. Merle Kovtun has been a true mensch volunteering with JFCS for almost 20 years,… Read More

Bay Area teens will be ironing their shirts and putting on their dress pants in preparation for JFCS’ Summer Internship Program. This prized six-week paid internship offers a unique opportunity for students to gain work experience and professional skills that will last a lifetime. JFCS’ YouthFirst offers innovative programs for our future leaders and received a huge number of applications this spring from high school students who want to be part of the internship program. With the support of generous individuals and foundations, 100 teens were accepted as interns—nearly doubling the program’s size. The 2016 summer interns come from… Read More