News & Impact

By Robyn Bloom, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at JFCS As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I have recently been asked for advice from folks who are worried about spending time with family members with different perspectives on current events, politics and—most recently—the war in Israel. With all the conflict in the world, peace in the home, Shalom Bayit, should be the goal—which can make it tempting to shy away from difficult topics. But there are ways to communicate that can bring us closer together and deepen our understanding of one another. When done carefully, with a willingness to listen… Read More

The Press Democrat By Meg McConahey FAUX FLAMES MAY BE A GOOD IDEA FOR THE FIRE-TRAUMATIZED THIS YEAR It’s the season of soft light, when candles are flickering and hearth fires roaring. But in the aftermath of October’s firestorms, which destroyed thousands of homes in Sonoma County and shrouded the air with heavy smoke for days, many people may find themselves looking warily at those flames that used to symbolize cozy comfort and peace. “Fire has been one of those things that keeps us warm and has always had positive memories,” said Diana Klein, director of the Sonoma County Regional… Read More

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

This Sunday evening we begin the ten day period known as “The Ten Days of Repentance,” which span the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A lot of meaning gets lost when translating the word “repentance,” however. The word in Hebrew is “teshuva,” which literally means “returning.” Thus this period of time is set aside in the Jewish year for “returning”—returning to our authentic selves, to our relationships with family, community, and God, and to the values and ideals that we strive to uphold.  They provide us an opportunity to stop, look inward, and consider that which is most… 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

J Weekly By Dan Pines When Bay Area public school students return to class in August, their education on the Holocaust will take a new and decidedly musical turn. The S.F.-based JFCS Holocaust Center has launched “The Children of Willesden Lane Bay Area Big Read,” a course for middle- and high school students. Read more at the J Weekly >… Read More