News & Impact

By Robyn Bloom, LMFT, Director of Adult Services and Rabbi Daniel Isaacson, Director of Spiritual Care at JFCS Every year during Passover, we share our homes with family and friends and tell the Jewish people’s story of liberation from slavery in Egypt. But this year, after the trauma of October 7 and the ensuing six months of war, some of us may feel worried about the upcoming holiday. How do we make meaningful Passover seders this year for everyone around our tables? How do we stay connected despite differences of opinion? Here are four principles, grounded in parts of the… Read More

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

Over the weekend, Hamas—the Iranian-backed terror group controlling Gaza—launched an unprovoked and vicious surprise attack on Israel and its families. Hundreds of Israeli children, families, and elderly have been murdered or kidnapped to be used as human shields. We are heartbroken for the families who are experiencing this horrifying violence. And we know that this may be a painful and personally difficult situation for families in our community. JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth is here for you and your family with expert counseling, guidance for parents, and emotional support. If you or your child need support, please contact us… Read More

The mental health effects of the war in Ukraine are acute for children and adults—anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. In response, JFCS partnered with IsraAID, the Office of Ukraine’s First Lady, and Ukraine’s Ministry of Health to launch a national mental health and psychosocial support initiative. Through this collaborative effort—made possible in part by the generous donations to JFCS’ Ukrainian Emergency Relief Initiative—JFCS and IsraAID will provide mental health first aid training to enable Ukrainian staff to better care for people living in frontline cities, like Odesa and Kherson. JFCS has long specialized in trauma training and in… Read More

There is overwhelming evidence that today’s youth are facing a mental health crisis. A recent ACLU survey found that 45% of California students feel depressed, while CDC data shows that mental health-related emergency room visits are up 31% for people aged 12 – 17. It is clear why the American Academy of Pediatrics has declared children’s mental health a national emergency and clear too that action needs to be taken. As a leading provider of mental health services, JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth (CCY) is witnessing this crisis firsthand. The obvious need for action inspired CCY’s experienced advocacy team… Read More

When Amelia, age 12, started expressing anxiety about her social status, her mother, Dana, became concerned. Amelia felt that everyone had more friends, more fun, and better life than hers. All based on what she saw on social media. Dana knew she needed help after her daughter began to present a fake life in her social media posts. Amelia refused to go to a therapist’s office, but was amenable when JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth (CCY) told her teletherapy was an option. The preteen is now making headway with managing her social anxiety. Experts at CCY report that anxiety… Read More