News & Impact

Natacha Kolb, who lives in Marin with her husband Marc and their two young children, continues a distinguished family history of dedication to JFCS’ work in the community. Natacha’s mother-in-law Susan Kolb is a dear friend of the organization, a highly respected community leader, and a notable former JFCS Board President. Marc’s grandmother Hannah Kolb was also deeply involved as a JFCS supporter and a leader of the Jewish community. Natacha, who grew up in Brussels and Paris, was introduced to the agency by her mother-in-law almost two decades ago, when she moved to the US. Having just completed law… Read More

An update from JFCS’ Seniors At Home Each year, JFCS’ Seniors At Home helps over 16,000 older adults in the Bay Area live safely, healthily, and independently in their own homes. During COVID-19, our professional caregivers continue to ensure the safety of the seniors in our community and are limiting senior exposure to the virus through personalized care and support. We are following the most up-to-date guidance from the CDC, as well as state and local authorities, and are staying informed on best practices. Read on to learn about the precautions that Seniors At Home is taking to keep… Read More

When COVID-19 hit the Bay Area, Israeli-American Jessica Hare knew she wanted to do something to help keep older adults safe. She immediately started looking for ways to volunteer and reached out to her friends at the Israeli American Council for ideas. They pointed her to JFCS, and after her first conversation with the volunteer coordinator, she knew JFCS was the right fit. Born in Washington, D.C., Jessica grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel. The decision to move back to the US came when her husband received an opportunity to temporarily relocate to the Bay Area for work. With two… Read More

Jacqueline and Stephen Swire strongly believe in tzedakah and pursue their commitment through leading by example—on behalf of our community and for their children, Aislinn and Sam, as well. As our community faces the ongoing pandemic crisis, their leadership is needed now more than ever. Jacqueline and Stephen were introduced to JFCS years ago after the birth of Aislinn, when Jacqueline joined a support group at JFCS’ Parents Place. The relationship with the agency grew over the years, from volunteering with their children in Marin to serving on the JFCS Board of Directors, with Stephen completing a six-year term… Read More

JFCS’ Jewish Chaplaincy Services featured on Unorthodox podcast  At the age of 25, Vy Nguyen was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer. Vy had been raised Buddhist, but when a Buddhist hospital chaplain told her that her cancer was caused by “bad karma”, she decided to meet with chaplains of other faiths. One of them was Chaplain Bruce Feldstein, MD, BCC, founder and director of JFCS’ Jewish Chaplaincy Services serving Stanford Medicine, and Adjunct Clinical Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. While it is the doctor’s job to cure a patient’s disease, Chaplain Feldstein… Read More

As families continue to endure the effects of disruption and uncertainty, JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth has launched a new website to guide them through. The largest initiative JFCS has ever undertaken in our 170-year history, the Center for Children and Youth is transforming the way children’s mental health needs are addressed with the latest international research, evidence-based treatments, parent education, and advocacy for public policy that help families thrive. The website features video advice from clinicians, expert resources from JFCS’ Parents Place, and resources for schools, clinicians, and policymakers. It also includes dedicated support for families as they… Read More