News & Impact

“She only wanted to get out of the house.”  That simple declarative has become a mantra to JFCS donor and volunteer Nancy Epstein—and it clearly and succinctly explains why she has committed her time, energy, and resources to JFCS’ Palliative Care Program. Some years back Nancy regularly shuttled between the Bay Area and Los Angeles to care for her mother, Elaine Epstein, an advanced Alzheimer’s patient.  As Nancy was leaving her mother’s house one day to run an errand, her mother begged to go along for the ride. “I told her, ‘No, no, there’s no need for you to come.  … Read More

Lonny Darwin z’l – October 29, 1912 – January 11, 2013 Just as Lonny Darwin shaped the Bay Area Jewish community, many people, places, and passions shaped Lonny.  Our entire community has benefited from her work—whether it be youth who can learn about the Holocaust or the elderly who can enjoy a cultural performance. Lonny was a community leader, a true philanthropist, and a dear friend.  Living for more than 100 years gave her ample opportunity to learn important life lessons from people, passions, travels, and experiences.  Lonny was who she was because of these multiple influences, and none more… Read More

“David and I direct tax-free distributions from our IRAs to the Gita and Henry Baigelman Holocaust Education Fund we established at JFCS.  By doing so we perpetually honor the memory of my parents, Holocaust survivors, while teaching today’s students about the necessity of standing up against discrimination and intolerance.”—Riva Berelson… Read More

“Through my JFCS Charitable Gift Annuity I help to ensure that future generations can continue to receive crucial services.  Through the distributions from my IRA to the annual Friends Campaigns I am not only reducing the taxes I owe but have the satisfaction of knowing that I am helping to support individuals and families who turn to the agency for assistance now.”  – Carol Kornfeld… Read More

May his memory be for a blessing. A former administrator with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services, at which he oversaw western states’ implementation of the National School Lunch Program and other programs to help families and children, Jim took an early interest in JFCS’ Food Programs to help clients at risk of hunger.  This led to his creation of a JFCS named endowment fund, the Let Them Eat Bread Fund.  “My main charitable activities have involved feeding people,” he said. Over time, though, Jim’s philanthropic interests and involvement with JFCS have broadened.  He redid his… Read More

“JFCS is very close to my heart,” says former board member Harry Cohn.  “When my family came to San Francisco from Germany during World War II, the Eureka, as JFCS was known then, was very helpful to us.” The agency arranged for Harry’s family to rent an old Victorian on Divisadero Street for $18 a month and made sure there was a bottle of milk on the doorstep every morning.  His father worked in Butchertown, and his mother did catering. Harry worked at the neighborhood drugstore and delivered newspapers to make ends meet. “I remember coming to 1600 Scott Street… Read More