By Rabbi Ronit Tsadok, Director of Project Kavod Among the many powerful themes in the Purim story is that of identity. How are we marginalized or privileged based on our identity? When are we celebrated and when are we denigrated? At JFS, we strive to serve all members of our community and honor the range…
Why Our Stories Matter: Standing Up for Refugees and Immigrants This Refugee Shabbat
By Rabbi Ronit Tsadok, Director of Project Kavod This year, participating in HIAS Refugee Shabbat from February 28 to March 1 feels more important than ever. This is a critical moment for us to reaffirm and redouble our support for refugees, asylum seekers, and the forcibly displaced. If you want to participate in Refugee Shabbat,…
From Uncertainty to Hope: Araceli’s Journey
When Araceli* arrived in the U.S. from Honduras with her young children, she brought a cautious hope for a new life, but also a deep fear of an uncertain future. She had no English skills, no financial security, and no community ties. Back in her home country, Araceli had struggled alone. Her husband had left…
When Fear Turns to Focus
By Rabbi Will Berkovitz, Schocken Family CEO I have a broken oar mounted on my wall at JFS. Beneath the oar, a small plaque reads: When Fear Turns to Focus. It was a gift from my family. I shattered it against a massive boulder while rowing through the Grand Canyon several years ago. I had…
Standing Together to Support Refugees and Immigrants
We are in a pivotal moment for refugees and immigrants who have been waiting for their chance to resettle and rebuild their lives in the United States, as well as for those who have newly arrived, including children. In the last week, a flurry of harmful executive actions on immigration have been carried out that…
Mitzvah Meals Brings Food, Warmth, and Connection to Medical Visitors
By Margot Kravette, founder of Mitzvah Meals for Medical Visitors, a program newly housed at Jewish Family Service. Just imagine… You are accompanying a family member to a city 2,000 miles away from home so they can receive life-saving heart surgery and medical care that is unavailable where you live. You are leaving your 7-…
ABOUT
JFS is a 501(c)(3)
©2014
CONTACT US
(206) 461-3240
