News & Impact

Dear Friends, When my wife, Dorothy, and I moved into JFCS’ Rhoda Goldman Plaza ten months ago, we marveled that we had become beneficiaries of an organization we have known and admired for so long. Our connection to Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) spans decades, beginning during my long tenure as President of Palo Alto University. Influenced by distinguished leaders like Tad Taube, Marcia Goldman, Rabbi Stephen Pearce, and Gary Shapiro, our university proudly partnered with JFCS on mental health initiatives and professional training. The collaboration between the university and JFCS became even more meaningful when Anita Friedman, one… Read More

JFCS changes lives every day—and we couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers. From providing companionship to isolated seniors to ensuring people in need have access to nutritious meals, volunteers are essential to every aspect of our work.  During Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’re highlighting a few of the many individuals who give their time and talents to strengthen our community. For Bryce Jacks, volunteering with JFCS has become a way of giving back to his community and connecting with others. Bryce Jacks, volunteer and leader of “Science with Bryce” at Shupin Social Club: “I first got involved with… Read More

JFCS changes lives every day—and we couldn’t do it without the help of our volunteers. From providing companionship to isolated seniors to ensuring people in need have access to nutritious meals, volunteers are essential to every aspect of our work.  During Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’re highlighting a few of the many individuals who give their time and talents to strengthen our community. For Alana Green and her family, volunteering with JFCS has become a meaningful way to live their values—together.  Alana Green, volunteer and inaugural chair of the JFCS Marin Donor Circle:  “For over a decade, JFCS has felt like… Read More

Across all the regions JFCS serves, volunteers play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission to care for the community. Their time, energy, and compassion make meaningful work possible, and their impact is felt every day. April is Global Volunteer Appreciation Month—a time to recognize those who dedicate themselves to supporting others and strengthening their communities. In that spirit, we’re highlighting just a few of the many ways JFCS volunteers are making an impact. Read on to see just a few of the many ways JFCS volunteers are showing up to support people in need. Families with young children… Read More

A Q&A with Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet Following October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents in K – 12 schools surged by 135%, creating unprecedented challenges for Jewish families. Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, LCSW, Education Specialist at the JFCS Holocaust Center, brings over 40 years of experience as a clinical social worker to help parents navigate these difficult conversations with their teens. Q: What trends and concerns have you observed in your work with parents since  October 7, 2023? A: Since October 7, parents have been reaching out to us as their teens face intensified antisemitism both in school and online. My workshop “Raising Jewish … Read More

We recently welcomed Holocaust survivors from JFCS’ Cafe by the Bay program to an event called “Our Own Shetl,” designed to immerse them in the world of the once-thriving Jewish communities of Eastern Europe known as shtetls. Through lovingly crafted visuals, live music, and traditional food, we recreated the rich cultural atmosphere of these historic villages. The result was an engaging, interactive experience that brought history to life for those who lived it. A team of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly in a private art studio to construct our very own shtetl. They repurposed large cardboard boxes into building blocks for… Read More