News & Impact

As a successful entrepreneur and legendary business leader, Barney Mizel knows an effective enterprise when he sees one. Barney and his wife, Ann Mizel, have been providing significant support to JFCS and the community it serves through their family foundation. The Marin County resident has built three national insurance brokerage firms over the course of his long career and served on JFCS’ Program and Planning Committee. This year Barney joined the JFCS’ Endowment Committee, and is planning for the future by leaving a bequest to JFCS. He says, “I truly admire JFCS for the valuable work it does and I… Read More

Check this page frequently for upcoming events and services. Jewish Family and Children’s Services in Sonoma County continues to provide on-going support for those who have been affected by the North Bay fires and are in need of recovery assistance. Our expert case managers and clinicians are working directly with individuals in need of trauma support and counseling, short-term loans, housing support, gift cards, food, transportation, and skilled technical assistance and advocacy. HOW TO GET HELP Contact JFCS for help at 707-303-1500 or email [email protected]. JFCS’ Santa Rosa office is open at 1360 N. Dutton Avenue, Suite C, Monday… Read More

Jewish Family and Children’s Services and our community in the Bay Area are helping the victims of the devastating hurricane and flooding along the East Coast. Please donate to help thousands of people who have been affected by this season’s hurricanes. The impact is catastrophic and recovery will take a very long time. Those battered by these hurricanes face immense flooding and damage to their communities and desperately need our help now and in the months to come. Click here to donate now!… Read More

Nancy Livingston z’l and Fred Levin sat for this interview in 2018. May her memory be for a blessing. The dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Fred Levin and Nancy Livingston, honor a family legacy to support the Jewish community. Well-loved patrons of the Bay Area’s arts scene and married nearly four decades, they are the type of couple who regularly complete each other’s sentences. Fred and Nancy have been steadfast and passionate supporters of JFCS for over fifteen years, having served on JFCS’ Special Events Committee and worked on the Annual Campaign. Nancy says, “The scope of JFCS’ work is truly amazing.”… Read More

Eric Schmier z’l spent his life caring for others in a quiet and unassuming way. In his childhood Eric connected to the spirit of philanthropy through Judaism. Raised in a Detroit suburb, his parents started the first reform temple outside the city in their basement. It was the center of Jewish life for many in their community, including Eric, who developed his mother’s dedication to serving others. As his brother Ken recalled fondly, Eric was a very special human being who sought out deeply personal ways serving others. Ken would know. Save for the years while Eric was in college… Read More

Our lives can feel upside down or even unlivable if someone seeks to harm us through bullying or deliberate behaviors to maintain a pattern of power and control—the definition of domestic violence. That’s why every day JFCS’ programs work to prevent cycles of abuse so that children, teens, adults, and seniors have the support they need to make healthy choices, leave abuse behind, and live their best lives. For Domestic Violence Survivors, Leaving Is Just the Beginning JFCS’ Dream Program changes the cycle of abuse by providing critically needed support to women and their children so they can rebuild their… Read More