News & Impact

At this moment we bear the weight of history. Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the members of his Governor’s Council for Holocaust and Genocide Education, which includes top experts, legislators, and leaders of our State. The Council is co-chaired by JFCS’ Executive Director, Dr. Anita Friedman, and is designed to expand education about antisemitism and bigotry to every school and every student in California. Read the full press release below. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 31, 2022 Governor’s Press Office: (916) 445-4571 Governor Newsom Taps Leading Experts and Advocates for Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education SACRAMENTO—In the wake… Read More

My grandparents and parents were always involved in San Francisco’s Jewish community,” says Jeff Hyman, who was elected to the Board of Directors of Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) in July. “Through their example, I was raised to give back and be of service.” An attorney with extensive legal and executive experience at leading Silicon Valley technology companies, Jeff is CEO of LWD Advisors, Inc. A graduate of Santa Clara University’s School of Law, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor, Jeff has contributed thousands of hours of pro bono legal service throughout his career. He has served… Read More

JFCS’ Gary Shupin Independent Living Community is growing! With the addition of Ady’s Place and Gerson’s Place, our vibrant “urban kibbutz” in San Francisco’s Laurel Heights will now include multiple beautiful residences for neurodivergent adults. We are grateful to The Barbara and Gerson Bakar Foundation for their vision and longtime generosity! Founded in 2009, the Shupin Community includes a robust social program, independent living and job skills, and wraparound services so that adults with disabilities can live full, happy lives and age with dignity. Here are some examples of life in the Shupin Community: “Living in the Shupin Community is… Read More

See our Ukraine response resources > Heartfelt Gratitude from a Ukrainian Family The San Jose Mercury News featured the story of a Ukrainian couple, Mariia and Anatolii, that JFCS has been privileged to help—thanks to your generosity. Their daughter, Oksana, shared these words of gratitude for the support our community provided to her parents, who arrived in the Bay Area with serious health issues after a treacherous journey: “When Laura [one of JFCS’ care managers] met with my parents, listened to their story, and learned about their needs, she made every effort to help. She took care of every problem,… Read More

“Make your ear like a funnel and acquire for yourself a perceptive heart … “ —Babylonian Talmud, Exodus This wisdom accompanied graduates of JFCS’ New Leaders Fellowship—a year-long Jewish community leadership program—on a uniquely curated trip to Israel this summer led by JFCS Executive Director Dr. Anita Friedman. While in Israel, Fellows learned about the country’s deep-rooted history, the complexities of its history and politics today, and the beauty of its culture, food, and lifestyle. As emerging leaders, it was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to hear many perspectives and then take these ideas back to the Bay Area, where Fellows can… Read More

On May 12, two Holocaust survivors—Sonia Apfelbaum, 81, and David Diamond, 92—stood on the bimah at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo in front of family and friends. Their dreams of becoming a Bat and Bar Mitzvah had been lifelong in the making, and three years in the making for JFCS and a small army of local Israeli volunteers. “Today is the happiest day in my life,” David said from the bimah. David and Sonia met through JFCS’ Café By the Bay program on the Peninsula, which brings survivors together weekly on Zoom to socialize, connect, and support one… Read More