News & Impact

The United States is facing a significant demographic shift as its population gets older, including members of our LGBTQ+ communities. According to the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, Movement Advancement Project (MAP, it is estimated that, by 2030, there will be nearly 7 million LGBTQ+ people in the United States over the age of 50. This growing demographic highlights the urgent need to address the unique challenges faced by members of this community in their later years. While aging can create challenges for all older adults, LGBTQ+ people often encounter distinct obstacles as they get older. A 2022 study from AARP… Read More

As he does each year, state Senator Scott Wiener joined public officials and hundreds of volunteers on Saturday, June 8 for the 2024 Pink Triangle Ceremony, celebrating the annual installation of San Francisco’s singular Pink Triangle. The Pink Triangle was founded 29 years ago by Patrick Carney as a guerilla arts project. Covering an acre on Twin Peaks, viewable for miles around, it has become synonymous with Pride Month in San Francisco. The symbol, once used by the Nazis to identify and shame homosexuals in concentration camps, is now embraced by the LGBTQ community as a symbol of pride.… Read More

by Michelle Nobriga, JD, MBA, Director of JFCS’ Adoption Connection For many aspiring same-sex parents, the path to building a family through open adoption was once littered with discriminatory, out-of-state legal barriers. Couples were often forced to make the heartbreaking decision of which partner would adopt as a single parent first, with the other initially labeled as their “roommate” on paperwork. The emotional turmoil was agonizing but accepted as the only option at the time. However, for some lucky couples in San Francisco, hope emerged when the city briefly issued same-sex marriage licenses in 2004. This move would eventually be… Read More

When Matt Zimbalist and his partner started Re-Up Refills, they set out to make sustainable, zero-waste living more accessible in their Bay Area community. But bringing that dream to fruition takes more than just passion—it requires financial support. That’s where JFCS’ Financial Aid Center stepped in, with a loan that helped Re-Up Refills take its impact to the next level. The seeds of Re-Up Refills were first planted at Urban Adamah, a Jewish farm and educational center in Berkeley, where Matt and his partner, Carly, met and connected over their shared values around environmental stewardship. After years of patronizing… Read More

Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Shupin Social Club participants recently gathered for their annual Passover Seder, continuing a treasured tradition made possible by longtime JFCS supporters Suzanne and Michael Berke. “Our connection to the Shupin Community is very personal,” says Michael. “My niece Lana had special needs. She did not live long enough to enjoy being part of such a warm community. We love supporting services that would have meant so much to her.” Passover is a favorite holiday in Michael’s family. His mother, Elaine Berke, of blessed memory, was an inspiring leader of the community and loved to bring… Read More

On October 29, 2023, local synagogue members and men’s clubs teed off at Crystal Springs Golf Course for the 2023 Peninsula Jewish Community Golf Classic (PCJGC), raising over $23,000 to support JFCS’ Food Bank and nutrition programs on the Peninsula. The Peninsula Jewish Community Golf Classic has been held for the past 13 years. In 2021, the PJCGC Committee saw a chance to leverage the tournament’s success into a fundraising opportunity. Since then, the committee and its collaborators have generously supported Jewish Family and Children’s Services programs.  When asked why the tournament selected JFCS as its beneficiary, committee cofounder David… Read More