News and Events

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

Children who have trouble reading don’t do great in school. It’s true no matter what the subject, from social studies to science, language arts to math. ProJeCt of Easton is doing what it can to improve the situation for at-risk kids in the Easton Area School District. Every year, the organization’s seven-week Sizzle! summer camp

Jewish Family Serivce is proud to announce the winners of its 2022 annual scholarships. Toby Lader and Rachel Marcus were awarded this year’s Martin Philip Memorial Scholarship, and Ori Bach and Alex Forgosh, the Gaines Family Foundation Prize in Engineering. The Martin Philip award is $1,000 to put toward post-secondary educational expenses. It is given

Debbie Zoller received the Mark L. Goldstein Award for Jewish community professionals at the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Community Celebration and Annual Meeting on June 9. Since taking over as executive director of Jewish Family Service in late 2012, she has initiated new programs, like Mazel Meals, and expanded existing programs to reach

Rabbi Allen Juda has been President of the Jewish Family Service Board of Directors since 2017, more years than any other President since I arrived at JFS in 2012. To encapsulate the whole story of what Rabbi Juda’s service has meant to JFS, and what his leadership has meant to me personally, is an honor.   A