News & Impact

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2017 SAN FRANCISCO – Taube Philanthropies, one of the Bay Area’s foremost charitable organizations, has granted $250,000 to Jewish Family and Children’s Services in support of its emergency aid to victims of the North Bay wildfires. The financial support is making it possible for JFCS to render short-term humanitarian assistance – including food, clothing and housing – as well as longer-term support to help fire victims recover and rebuild their lives. “The North Bay fires have been devastating to thousands,” said Dr. Anita Friedman, JFCS executive director. “Members of our community will be grappling… Read More

Since 2013, the Parasol Foundation has partnered with JFCS, making substantial investments in our YouthFirst and Seniors At Home programs to help teens realize their potential and low-income elderly to receive the comprehensive services they need to live as safely and independently as possible. The Parasol Foundation was founded by online gaming entrepreneur Ruth Parasol, originally of Mill Valley and the eldest daughter of Richard Parasol z”l, a Holocaust survivor and real estate developer. The Parasol family believes deeply in the value of tikkun olam (repairing the world). “Our time, success and fortune are borrowed,” says Ruth, “You can never… Read More

Like many children who had a parent who survived the Holocaust, Lydia Preisler Shorenstein felt an obligation to find a way to honor her father’s memories and experiences, as well as to educate others about the tragedy of the Holocaust so that history would not continue to repeat itself. For Lydia, the call to action came when she and her late husband, Doug Shorenstein, visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., along with her family, including Lydia’s parents, Simon and Etelka. Simon Preisler was born in Fancsicovo, Czechoslovakia, to an observant Jewish family. A survivor of Auschwitz,… Read More

Frank Stein and his life partner, Paul May, drove cross-country to San Francisco in the 1960s to seek their fortunes, knowing that they could live their lives more openly as a gay couple out west. In the years that followed they created an incredible life together and became successful businessmen and generous supporters. From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, Frank understood firsthand how some families struggle. With a generous grant to JFCS’ Parents Place (now the JFCS Center for Children and Youth), his and Paul’s success helped parents, children, teens, and families get the tools and support… Read More

I wanted my son to have the same chances in life as other kids. JFCS made it possible. When a child isn’t off to a good start his future is at risk—and puts stress on the entire family. Sheryl found herself in serious trouble when her son got dropped from preschool for starting fights and disobeying teachers. “I couldn’t find another preschool for Ben and had to take a lot of unpaid time off work. I was behind on rent and started running out of money for food. The stress was overwhelming but I knew we could both do better,… Read More

This past year Jewish Family and Children’s Services said goodbye to one of our dearest friends, Jerry Rosenstein. A Holocaust survivor who bravely told his story after decades of silence, a businessman with keen financial acumen, a gay man who cared about human rights, and a generous person who fully gave of himself in service to others, he made an impact on JFCS equally immeasurable and enduring. As a Holocaust survivor, Jerry was active in Holocaust education and a solid supporter of the JFCS Holocaust Center. Jerry’s relationship to JFCS dates back to the mid-1980s when he made his first… Read More