News & Impact

Adolescence is a time when children and parents begin to spend less time together. It is a time when teens begin to develop their independence, understand their place in the world, and begin to work out their own values and beliefs. It can be especially challenging to connect with teens who may seem like they don’t want anything to do with you. And with busy schedules it can be all too easy to share the same space with another family member without really connecting. Your child still needs a strong relationship with you to feel safe and secure as they… Read More

From the first day of life humans are social beings. Upon a separation from a caregiver a baby rightfully senses danger and their nervous system pumps hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline through the body to activate the flight or fight response. Separation anxiety at this age of development is not just common, but expected. While the purpose and function of anxiety is to trigger our nervous system to respond, adapt, and survive a dangerous situation, our response systems can misfire. We can cause a “false alarm” to our nervous system when we misperceive an experience or situation as dangerous when it… Read More

Ronald Kahn has been an incredible JFCS supporter and advocate for almost a quarter-century. As the founding volunteer chair of JFCS’ Investment Subcommittee, Ron has been instrumental in creating a system of thoughtful oversight to ensure that JFCS’ endowment fund is professionally monitored and wisely invested. Ron is currently Managing Director and Global Head of Scientific Equity Research at BlackRock, the world’s largest investment manager. As one of this country’s experts on quantitative investing, Ron has authored groundbreaking books and articles on the subject. He also teaches financial engineering at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Ron is an exemplary… Read More

Services for individuals with disabilities are not always easy to find and while some organizations are reducing their services, JFCS offers one of the most comprehensive programs for individuals with disabilities and their families in Northern California. The determined young woman, Nona Miloslavsky, is living out her dreams while getting the support she needs to thrive. She was recently honored at JFCS’ Fammy Awards Gala. Nona Miloslavsky is a spirited and determined young woman who has benefited from JFCS’ People with Disabilities Program. When Nona was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at age six, her parents knew that… Read More

Maysie, 6, and Kendra, 14, are sisters living on the Peninsula. Last year was a very hard year for Kendra. Right when she started high school, a friend in her circle committed suicide and Kendra suddenly wasn’t doing well socially or academically. Alarmed, her parents, Elisa and Daniel, contacted JFCS’ Parents Place for help. Elisa wasn’t new to Parents Place; she had visited many times when Maysie, who has Down Syndrome, was a toddler. “Dan and I thought we had been through the worst after Maysie was born and I went through post partum depression, but it was horrible seeing… Read More

Luba Troyanovsky is a proud San Franciscan and an active, highly respected community leader. She has served JFCS for more than 17 years and is currently a Vice President of the JFCS Board of Directors. Luba has been instrumental in developing the local Russian-speaking Jewish community and has contributed greatly to creation of the amazing Annual Emigre Community Gala that raises major funds for people in need in the Bay Area and in Israel. She says, “I always tell people that your community is only as strong as your weakest link. By helping the weakest and neediest in our community,… Read More