News & Impact

Increasingly we rely on technology, email, voicemail, Facebook, Snapchat, and texting to communicate with others. It is not uncommon for groups of children and teens to gather for a social outing only to be found looking at their phones and not at one another. Our level of engagement and the way we spend time with one another is changing rapidly and with great consequences. One of the main reasons young children held my attention for decades is because of their keen ability to engage us with creative, entertaining, and very humorous, conversation. The way that children weave their colorful stories… Read More

Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties will be putting its love of community into action as it hosts the 15th Annual Emigre Community Gala on Sat., Jan. 23, at San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis Hotel on Union Square. The Emigre Gala is a festive celebration, an important fundraiser, and one of the largest annual events for the Jewish community in Northern California. JFCS Executive Director, Dr. Anita Friedman states, “The Emigre Gala gives our community an opportunity to come together to celebrate our accomplishments, while making sure no one who needs… Read More

When Zoe Schwartz first learned about JFCS she knew she had found the right place to devote her time and energy. Zoe has served as a JFCS Board Member for five years; she is part of JFCS’ Sonoma County Leadership Team, the Palliative Care Taskforce, and the Public Issues Committee. Her passion and enthusiasm for JFCS never waivers and she says, “JFCS is the preeminent human services organization in the Bay Area. I talk about the programs and the people it serves A LOT!” Have you always been involved in the Jewish Community? I’m not affiliated with a synagogue nor… Read More

There’s nothing like nuzzling with a friendly, four-legged creature that has plenty of unconditional love to share. Scientific and empirical evidence indicates that animals offer comfort and joy to isolated seniors battling with depression. While numerous pet therapy programs exist, JFCS’ Canine Corps program is unique because it fosters ongoing and meaningful three-way relationships between clients, volunteers, and their dogs. Barking up the Right Tree For eight years JFCS has been matching trained canine companions and their owners with clients in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma County, and the Peninsula. Like many JFCS initiatives, the program is designed to help the… Read More

Jewish Family and Children’s Services has a new mailing address in San Francisco. We have not moved, but if you are mailing anything to our offices in San Francisco, please be sure to use the P.O. Box address that is required by the Post Office. If you send something to our street address, it will not reach us. Mailing Address: Jewish Family & Children’s Services P.O. Box 159004 San Francisco, CA 94115 – Physical Address: The Miriam Schultz Grunfeld Professional Building 2150 Post Street San Francisco, CA… Read More

A trained scientist and a gifted pediatrician, Dr. Jan Maisel has contributed to the development and creation of children’s programs at JFCS for nearly two decades. Jan’s clinical eye was instrumental in the creation of the Center for Special Needs for children, among others. Jan has also participated and chaired numerous committees. She and her husband established a Named Endowment Fund in honor of their son’s graduation from high school and are a part of JFCS’ Carob Tree Society. Jan believes her work with JFCS gives her an opportunity to give back to others saying, “I deeply believe in tikkun… Read More