HISTORY

Jewish Family Service originates as the Family Study Committee of the Jewish Federation of Allentown. Soon after, a part-time case worker, Mary Beck, and a group of volunteers set up an office in the Jewish Community Center.

The Jewish Family Service Agency is given a three-year trial period with a budget of about $20,000 for each of the three years and a directive to seek out a professional social service worker to be the full-time director. Bert Goldberg is hired to fill the role.

JFS becomes involved in a great, historical movement: the emigration of Soviet Jews in the 1980s and into the 1990s. Through the Resettlement Program, JFS staff and volunteers help many of these newcomers resettle in the Lehigh Valley.

With a growing need for housing for Jewish older adults, JFS works with Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to open the Beth Tikvah Jewish Community Wing in Bethlehem, designed to attend to the religious and rehabilitative needs of its residents. The wing features a full kosher kitchen.

JFS becomes incorporated as an independent agency, and the name is changed from Jewish Family Service of the Jewish Federation of Allentown to Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley. The agency starts to recruit volunteers to help with the work.

JFS is recognized by the National Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies (now known as Jewish Family and Children’s Services) as one of three small agencies that provided outstanding programming.

Working closely with a group of local parents, JFS aids in the opening of Tikvah House, a group residence for mentally disabled Jewish adults in the Lehigh Valley. JFS staff and volunteers continue to provide support for residents today.

To meet the expanding needs of the community, JFS moves to a new location at 1136 Hamilton Street. The new space allows for maximum client confidentiality, convenient street parking, and is handicapped accessible. 

JFS moves from rented quarters into its own purchased building at 2004 West Allen Street, where it currently resides. The agency’s spacious new home provides ample room for the first kosher food pantry.

The JFS Kosher Food Pantry opens its doors. The pantry is located in the basement and supplies non-perishable kosher food, toiletries, and personal care products to homebound Jewish seniors as well as other individuals who might need the assistance. JFS launches the program with the help of Second Harvest, which furnishes most of the food.

In partnership with two other agencies, JFS pilots Benefits CheckUp. Through this program, staff members screen and help older adults and people with disabilities discover and apply for state, local and federal benefits they may not have known they were eligible for. The program at JFS runs for 10 years.

The last program called “Honored and Remembered,” was held at Beth Tikvah, the Jewish unit in ManorCare Health Services (previously Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center).

The newly enhanced program trains volunteers so they are ready to go when needed for activities such as providing rides, making friendly phone calls, and leading holiday programs.

JFS quickly adjusts its operations to continue caring for its clients through this trying time. Staff members seek out new avenues of income to support clients’ increasing needs.

JFS marked its 50th anniversary by interviewing many of the people who built the agency and contributed to its success. A virtual celebration is held.