News & Impact

This fall, outstanding Bay Area students are pursuing their higher education goals with the help of scholarships through JFCS’ Financial Aid Center. These life-changing scholarships are possible because of the generosity of donors who value education. The 2022 recipients of the Vivienne S. Camp Scholarship join more than three decades of scholars who have benefited from the kindness of Vivienne Camp, who left a legacy to aid the next generation. Recipients must demonstrate academic excellence and Jewish community involvement and earn acceptance to a California college. Meet the 2022 Vivienne S. Camp Scholarship Recipients Bila Tzion Bila Tzion was en… 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

Two out of three Americans do not have crucial estate planning documents in place. Without a will or trust that states your wishes, you leave important decisions up to a local court and state laws. Whether you are just starting to think about estate planning or have a plan in place, these tips from JFCS Board member and Endowment Committee Chair Natacha Kolb, an estate planning attorney, and Rebecca Paul, Director of JFCS’ Fiduciary Services and a licensed attorney, will help you stay on top of your planning. Prepare these four priority documents to record your wishes around health care,… Read More

The California Assembly and Senate have released their joint budget agreement, a critical step in the State’s annual budget approval process. It includes two of our Jewish community’s most important priorities—Holocaust and genocide education and caring for vulnerable survivors. Anita Friedman, JFCS’ Executive Director, says, “The voice of California’s Jewish Community has been heard. Now our survivors can continue to age with dignity and every child in our State will learn about antisemitism, about the Holocaust, and about how—and why—to stand up against hate.” These critical funds include: $3 million to renovate and expand the JFCS Holocaust Center. The JFCS… Read More

Over the last year, JFCS’ Koret Fellows empowered Bay Area teens to bring about change while supporting communities in need. Thanks to their efforts, local youth learned about issues affecting seniors, children, families, and our society as a whole and applied what they learned to design and implement a wide variety of impactful service projects. As their fellowships draw to a close, we are celebrating the contributions of these talented emerging leaders, whose creativity, skills, and dedication inspired youth and helped our community. Meet the 2021 – 2022 JFCS Koret Fellows Carla Naylor What does it mean to you to… Read More

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education—an important step forward in the fight against antisemitism and hate. The council will include state legislators, civic leaders and representatives from minority communities. The JFCS Holocaust Center will play a critical leadership role as the state embarks on a historic expansion of educational programs that will confront the recent rise in antisemitism and other acts of hate in California and worldwide. Each year, the Holocaust Center educates over 25,000 students and teachers from over 350 schools about the causes and consequences of discrimination.… Read More