Dear Friends of Jewish Family Service,
Celebrating the Jewish New Year is a time for us to look inward at the blessings in our lives, while also remembering that for some members of our community, this has been a year of loss, financial uncertainty, and physical and emotional challenges. The Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley has played an integral role in caring for the Jewish community and the community at large for over 50 years.
By making a financial contribution to the Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley’s High Holiday Appeal, you are helping to ensure that clients of JFS have access to essential resources, including:
• Community Food Pantry -The JFS Community Food Pantry provides 240 individuals per month with supplemental food including those who live in the 18104 zip code and Jewish individuals throughout the Lehigh Valley. This past year, JFS staff and volunteers have a new professional development opportunity of Spanish language classes.
• Older Adult Services – The JFS licensed social worker develops navigation plans with individuals for in-home support, access to food and housing, and ways to combat social and spiritual isolation. New this year, an art therapy program and games program were held for older adults engaging programs that promote socialization. JFS has continued the monthly Mazel Meals program where volunteers deliver Jewish themed delights to older adults. JFS volunteers facilitate holiday gatherings at community residences. The JFS outreach worker visits 16 settings where older adults reside and have limited access to the Jewish community.
• Clinical Counseling – JFS has three licensed clinical social workers available to address the mental health needs of children aged 10 through older adulthood. Private insurances are accepted and there is a sliding scale to make services more available to people who need them.
JFS’s vision is that no one in our community should suffer hunger, isolation, abandonment, emotional or physical distress, or lack of community support and caring.
May we go from strength to strength to make this vision a reality.
Audrey Nolte, President
Debbie Zoller, Executive Director