News & Impact

After a lifetime of independence, struggling with day-to-day tasks can feel demoralizing. For Jeanne Halpern, 90, having a little help at home has brought relief and newfound joy. For the past five years, Jeanne has called Rhoda Goldman Plaza—JFCS’ vibrant assisted living community—home. She prizes her independence, so when some tasks started to become challenging for her, the care team introduced her to Seniors At Home’s Personal Assistant Services. Jeanne has found more than help from her Personal Assistant, Q Miller; she’s found a friend. Q helps with calendar and home organization, errands, and appointments—but most importantly, brings laughter and… Read More

At JFCS’ Center for Dementia Care, we believe that healthy aging begins long before memory loss becomes a concern. Our team is dedicated to helping older adults maintain cognitive vitality, supporting those who may be at risk for—or simply worried about—memory changes, so they can stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. As part of this commitment, Seniors At Home recently adopted the Mind Sharpener™ program—an innovative cognitive wellness workshop that offers structured, engaging brain exercises in a supportive group environment. “I define healthy aging as being very well informed about all different topics related to aging and… Read More

My name is Iryna, and I’m from Odesa, Ukraine. I came to the United States in 2022 with my 9-year-old daughter, fleeing the war with nothing but hope—hope to find safety and the strength to rebuild our lives from scratch. The first months were frightening and deeply isolating. I didn’t speak English, and every day felt like a mountain I didn’t know how to climb. That’s when I met Masha Kohn, our case manager at JFCS, and that changed everything. Masha’s empathy and calm reassurance gave me the courage to keep moving forward. My daughter, who was heartbroken over everything… Read More

Laura Filshtein, Volunteer with JFCS’ Friendly Visitors Program: When I first learned about JFCS’ Friendly Visitors program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to give back in a meaningful way. I was matched with Lydia, a resident of the assisted living community at Rhoda Goldman Plaza, and it didn’t take long for our time together to become one of the highlights of my week. Lydia is 104 years old. She stays mostly in her room, so our weekly visits are a chance for her to have some company—and for us to share a few laughs over cards. She loves… Read More

Lisa was caught in a storm of family mental health issues. Her father, David, had suffered from depression his entire life. After receiving an early-stage dementia diagnosis a year ago, he was struggling to cope with the cognitive changes and was lashing out. At the same time, Lisa’s 10-year-old daughter, Abigail, started to display some concerning behaviors—she wasn’t sleeping or eating, and she started isolating herself from her friends. Lisa was overwhelmed by worry as she tried to help her father and daughter. “Honestly, I was feeling totally hopeless,” she recalls. A friend suggested that Lisa reach out to JFCS… 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