Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley

Laura Garber, LSW, joins Jewish Family Service as an outpatient counselor to address expanding counseling needs in the Lehigh Valley. Garber received a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Penn State University and earned a Master of Social Science at Bryn Mawr College. What brought you to JFS? While I have lived in the

I am celebrating 18 years of being a Jewish Family Service Executive Director – the first eight at JFS of Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the past 10 as your JFSLV Executive Director. Wendy Rapoport, MSW, LCSW, and Marcia Schechter, MS, RN, are the only current staff members who were at the agency before I

JFS hosted volunteers, staff, and board members at Jay’s Local on April 24, 2023 in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month with food, drinks, and laughs. “Volunteers are the backbone of the agency, giving from their hearts and with smiles on their faces,” said Jennifer Oxfeld, Volunteer Coordinator.

Jean Munn, a Bachelor of Social Work student from Cedar Crest College, spent the 2022-23 academic year as an intern at Jewish Family Service. She entered this position with more than six years of experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Via of the Lehigh Valley. Under the supervision of Rebecca Axelrod-Cooper,

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, a month to recognize the impact volunteers make on our businesses and in our community. More than 80 active volunteers from all over the Lehigh Valley help Jewish Family Service realize our vision that no one in our community should suffer hunger, isolation, abandonment, emotional or physical distress, or lack

Schmooze & Schmear is a monthly discussion group for retired gentlemen. Facilitated by JFS volunteers Sam Bub and Leon Zoller, this interest-based program draws an average of 20 participants from across the Lehigh Valley who meet monthly at Temple Beth El to socialize with their peers, enjoy a bagel with a schmear, and participate in

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), a unified effort among Jewish organizations to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions. This year, Jewish Family Service will host two events celebrating inclusion. PJ Library Learns about Inclusion This Zoom program offered in partnership with

Jewish Family Service operated a “choice model” pantry since 2013. On March 19, 2020, it was forced to halt all food distribution due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. This restriction affected 120 households who relied on the Community Food Pantry to feed their families. Six weeks later JFS was able to resume food distribution, using

Jewish Family Service operated a “choice model” pantry since 2013. On March 19, 2020, it was forced to halt all food distribution due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. This restriction affected 120 households who relied on the Community Food Pantry to feed their families. Six weeks later JFS was able to resume food distribution, using

January 2022 marked the beginning of Jewish Family Service’s year-long celebration to commemorate the agency’s 50th anniversary. On November 6, we look forward to a highly entertaining virtual celebration. New for this year, the 50 Acts of Kindness initiative was created to emphasize the essence of JFS. This initiative not only engaged experienced volunteers, but