NEWS & EVENTS | Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley

Empowering Adults with Disabilities and Their Families

February 13, 2026

At Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, the mission is clear: to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels empowered,valued, and connected. For adults with disabilities and their families, JFS offers a specialized cache of support groups designed tonavigate life. What Makes These Groups Unique Each group is intentionally structured to meet participants where they […]

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The Power of Partnership by Chelsea Karp

January 8, 2026

January is here, with shorter days that can feel heavier. At JFS, challenges are bringing about feelings of uncertainty for clients. Yet this past November when SNAP benefits were frozen, our community reminded me that we are not alone. Individual community members, along with every synagogue and community agency, showed up to make a difference.

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Chance Encounter Leads Lisa Kirshner to Her Role at JFS

January 8, 2026

Several years ago, Lisa Kirshner connected with Debbie Zoller, the former executive director of JFS, about a possible position. At the time, the position wasn’t quite right and the timing wasn’t ideal, but they kept in touch. Everything eventually aligned after a chance meeting with Chelsea Karp at Jay’s Local. As Chelsea transitioned into her

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Welcome Back, Carah, Our New Older Adult Case Manager!

December 22, 2025

Jewish Family Service is thrilled to welcome Carah Tenzer to the staff, but welcome back is probably more appropriate. Carah’s journey spans nearly 15 years, with roles as an intern, a board member, a volunteer, and now as part of the older adult services team. Initially, Carah connected with JFS as a social work graduate

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The Value of a Happy Dance

November 25, 2025

By Chelsea Karp, JFS Executive Director I am filled with excitement to begin my role as Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley. For more than eight years, JFS has been my professional home. From my first days as Volunteer Coordinator to my role as Grant Program Manager and my most recent

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Debbie’s JFS Journey

October 27, 2025

New Chapters by Debbie Zoller, JFS Executive Director Since arriving at Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley in December 2012, the world has changed in countless ways. As Ireflect on the unique experience of serving as JFS Executive Director, I find it hard to let go of a role that has allowed me to

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2025 Volunteer Challenge Highlight – Alvin H. Butz, Inc.

August 12, 2025

Alvin H. Butz, Inc. for the second year in a row chose JFS as the recipient of the 2025 Volunteer Challenge project. The project wasa door to close off pantry storage space in a hallway. Due to the space, they selected to install a sliding barn door that would not obstruct the hallway or carts

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The Food Insecurity Crisis in our Neighborhood

August 12, 2025

By Executive Director Debbie Zoller, MSW, LCSW More than 7 million people nationwide including millions of children, people with disabilities, and older adults are at risk of losing at least some of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP reductions, as well as other federal cuts, have resulted in increased demand for food from

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Addressing Uncertainty in our World

July 18, 2025

The haunting image of the two Israeli diplomats senselessly gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum ignites feelings of sadness, grief – for their families, for lives cut short, and for a world where such violence is still possible. How can we bear witness to the tragedies past and present and maintain our spirit? Antisemitism

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Jewish Family Service 2025 Scholarship Winners

June 26, 2025

Congratulations to the 2025 JFS Scholarship Winners Gaines Family Foundation Prize in Engineering – awarded to Max Bub, who will be attending Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University, College of Engineering. Martin Philip Memorial Scholarship – awarded to Mikaela Garber, who will be attending Binghamton University. Martin Philip Memorial Scholarship – awarded to

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