September 2025

This September, JFCS East Bay’s Adult Services team continued to provide essential support to older adults, Holocaust Survivors, and caregivers. Our Information and Referral Line received 10 to 20 calls each week for programs like the Family Caregiver Program and private pay homecare, a 30% increase from last year, showing the growing community need.

The team also hosted six engaging Jewish Federation of North America programs this month. A highlight was a bus trip to the Bay Model Museum, where 52 clients enjoyed connection, learning, and fun.

In our Jewish Community Safety Net, we saw a 10% increase in new clients and a 30 percent rise in returning clients seeking rental support. This reflects the growing need for rental assistance across the county and longer waitlists for affordable housing, including senior apartments at Villa Vasconcellos.

In Holocaust Survivor Services, 149 Survivors are participating in a new one-time food assistance program from the German government, providing vital support to very low-income community members.

Across all programs, JFCS East Bay's Adult Services and Jewish Community Care remain steadfast in meeting the evolving needs of our community, filling gaps in care and fostering connection, stability, and well-being.

When Sarah (name changed) reached out to JFCS East Bay, she was looking for support services for a loved one: a Jewish adult with developmental disabilities and therapy and grief support for herself.

Our team helped identify the resources and solutions that  best meet Sarah's family needs. This included a support group tailored for Jewish adults with developmental disabilities, therapy options, and other services to fill gaps in care. Together, we worked to ensure she and her loved one had the guidance, tools, and community support they needed to thrive.

Hagar Ben-Eliezer partners with Jewish students at UC Berkeley, through UC Berkeley Hillel and with support from the Jewish Federation of the Bay Area, to provide mental health support, advocacy, and crisis response. She helps students access therapy, navigate campus challenges, and find safe spaces to thrive. One particularly memorable moment was supporting an Israeli student who lost both parents in the October 7th Hamas attack. Through therapy, Jewish ritual, and JFCS East Bay resources, Hagar guided her through grief while helping her continue her studies.

Her work reflects JFCS East Bay’s mission to fill gaps in care and build community. Outside of work, Hagar enjoys traveling, mentoring chaplains, and spending time with her family and her dog, Theodore.

This month, staff gathered to pack festive holiday meals, and volunteers delivered them directly to seniors' homes.

For many, these visits are more than a meal; they are a reminder that they are seen, valued, and part of a caring community. From holiday dishes to personal check-ins, our team and volunteers helped spread the sweetness of the season.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who made this possible. Your time and dedication brought the spirit of the holidays to life and strengthened the bonds of our community.

As we welcome the Jewish New Year, your gift can make a real difference. From September 22 to October 13, join us in matching the $92,000 leadership gift from the Jewish Federation Bay Area.

You can support our Jewish community through the Jewish Community Safety Net or help our broader East Bay community with a gift that has tangible impact:

• $3,600 covers rent for a family
• $1,800 provides counseling
• $360 delivers meals to homebound seniors
• $180 fills prescriptions

Together, we renew hope, care, and connection.

On Wednesday, September 17th, JFCS East Bay hosted a virtual panel discussion on Jewish Economic Vulnerability in the East Bay. Panelists Rachel Sumekh, Project Executive for the Jewish Funders Network’s Poverty Affinity Group, and Anne Aronov, Geriatric Case Manager, shared insights on the challenges facing our community. The discussion was moderated by Robin Mencher, CEO of JFCS East Bay.

On Thursday, September 18th, JFCS East Bay hosted Good Vibes for Good Causes at Manny’s in San Francisco. Staff enjoyed live music, DJs, and dancing while learning more about how JFCS East Bay supports refugees, immigrants, and neighbors in need.

The evening was a wonderful opportunity to connect, celebrate, and see our community in action. If you weren’t able to attend, there is still time to support our work and make an impact for those in need.

Centro Legal de la Raza serves as the Bay Area Regional Network Hub for the California Department of Social Services’ Immigrant Regional Network, supporting immigrant families across Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties. As a Direct Service Subgrantee, JFCS East Bay works alongside Centro Legal to expand access to critical resources and protections for immigrant community members.

Through this partnership, JFCS East Bay provides asylum clinics, “Know Your Rights” workshops, outreach events, legal consultations, and public education for community partners, supporters, and allies. Our staff also participates in Rapid Response, offering monthly support to individuals detained by ICE in San Francisco.

Together, Centro Legal and JFCS East Bay strengthen the regional safety net, ensuring immigrant families are connected to trusted services, advocacy, and community support.