Jewish Family Services
Supporting Our Community During This Crisis!
March 2020 
     
    
Dear Friends,
 
Last week, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley staff began working remotely in order to best protect the health of our clients, volunteers, and each other. We know how hard and scary this moment is - and we also know that we have our faith and one another.
   
The four campus agencies are following the guidelines of the CDC and Santa Clara County . The Levy Family campus is currently closed until April 7th. At the end of this period, campus leadership will reassess the situation. As soon as we feel that the health risk has been mitigated, we look forward to reopening the campus.
 
Our number one priority is the safety and welfare of our clients. I know we are all getting good at social distancing - but social distancing cannot mean social isolation.
 
  Our staff is currently contacting as many of our clients as possible - Holocaust survivors, refugees, Chai House residents, counseling /case management clients, isolated seniors - as well as our volunteers. We are doing our best to be present for people in a time when so many feel anxious and lonely. Our good friends on the Chai House Board recently told us, "This added layer of connection by JFS so is meaningful and significant. Thanks for all JFS is doing to support our residents!
 
One of the most urgent needs right now is making sure that our most vulnerable members are protected. And in the end, perspective is often our friend. 
 
Are you interested in delivering meals to isolated seniors?
We are continuing our emergency food services and meal deliveries, and are following healthy practices by delivering meals at the door. Our meal deliverers will wear masks and gloves, and follow current safety protocols.  
 
If you would like to help out, please contact Lori Cinnamon at loric@jfssv.org.  
 
We will continue to stay in touch with you.   Keeping in touch with each other is critically important. Our staff is still hard at work and wants to hear from you. The best way to reach us these days is by email. You can find our staff list here.
 
We must assure that our important work goes on through this crisis - that we can assist the isolated, frail, and vulnerable members of our community.
 
As you may know, we recently postponed our annual Good Morning JFS! fundraising breakfast scheduled for March 18th - where we anticipated raising $187,000. Registered guests received individualized emails from me asking them to continue to support the agency and many people are stepping forward. Alas, people received an incorrect link to donate online.  
 
The correct information to donate online is as follows:
 
Please click the gold Donate button you'll find above, or on every page of our website at https://www.jfssv.org.
 
If you'd prefer that a trusted member of our staff call you directly, please email me - mindyb@jfssv.org and we'll take care of it with you directly.
 
And in the end, perspective is often our friend. As a Holocaust survivor recently told Greg Schneider, Exec. VP at the Claims Conference, "You know, we've seen much worse." When Greg urged her to take care of herself, she replied, "God saved me once and He will do it again, but of course I can help a little too.  I'm not going out this week."
 
Stay safe, my friends - and stay in touch with us and each other.
 
Fondly,  
 
Mindy
Mindy Berkowitz
Executive Director
 
 
  JFS_separation_bar300  
 
 

People in need appreciate your love and caring!
   
  JFS_Donate
 
 
 
 
JFS Quick Links
 


 


 



JFS SV Facebook Page





























Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
14855 Oka Road, Suite 202
Los Gatos, California 95032
(408) 556-0600 phone
(408) 551-0091 fax