JFS is a non-profit social services agency serving all members of the community from all backgrounds. Your generous support enables us to provide crucial programs for those in need.

YOU Make a Difference

JFS is Grateful for YOU-- donors, supporters, collaborators, community partners, volunteers, and staff-- you make up our JFS Community dedicated to improving the lives of families in need. As we take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for, consider what we've accomplished together:

• Delivered tens of thousands of kosher meals to homebound seniors.
• Brought critical services to 200 Holocaust survivors so they could age gracefully in place at home.
• Supplied hundreds of families with thousands of bags of kosher food from our food pantries.
• Spent hours with dozens of seniors enjoying Lunch with Friends, keeping everyone fed, engaged and connected for their mental, physical and spiritual health.
• Coached and supported numerous women as they worked toward new careers and self-sufficiency.
• Helped hundreds of immigrants realize their American dream to become U.S. citizens.
• Counseled many in need of support as a result of current and new COVID19 stress and anxiety.
• Volunteered thousands of hours to help countless families in need in our community.

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for you and all that you have done to help so many in need. From all of us at JFS, we wish you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Our Community in Action This Thanksgiving

This year, food pantries everywhere have seen a dramatic rise in requests from families struggling to make ends meet, including our JFS Kosher Food Pantries. We are grateful to all of our volunteers, donors, and community partners who continue to support our efforts to ensure local families have enough to eat. We send special thanks to PRAB's Harmony Family Success Center, the New Brunswick Fire Department, our JFS volunteers who packed food bags, and our donors who continue to demonstrate the power of a community in action by helping us feed families in need.

On November 18th, JFS' On the Road--our new mobile food pantry service--delivered groceries to 24 families in the New Brunswick area for a Thanksgiving Food Distribution hosted by PRAB's Harmony Family Success Center (HFSC). HFSC supplied turkeys and chickens, the New Brunswick Fire Department provided meat, and JFS gave bags of food to prepare all the sides for Thanksgiving dinner.

Remember, Giving Tuesday (November 29th) kicks off the charitable season when many people focus on holiday and end-of-year giving. Please put JFS Kosher Food Pantries at the top of your list this year. Donate online or email media@jfsmiddlesex.org to learn about upcoming outreach events. 

Sisters in action: Volunteers Susan and Diane packed food bags for the event.

Community partners: Evelyn, Community Partnerships & Volunteer Coordinator, organized turkeys for distribution.

Community in action: Eric and Phillip, two New Brunswick Fire Department members brought meat for families.

Thank You for Your Participation

Keeping Wellness in Mind:

Reflections on Gratitude

The holiday of Thanksgiving is upon us. While the historical context of Thanksgiving means many different things to different people, the concept of giving thanks for the good people and good things in our lives can transcend it.

Enjoying this holiday often comes by bringing awareness to the small moments and interactions that bring meaning and connection to our lives. Stay present throughout Thanksgiving weekend by enjoying shared traditions or starting new ones with friends or family, going out for a walk, or cultivating a practice of gratitude where you call to mind goodness in your life.

Each person and family can make the day reflect their values and what they are thankful for in their life. Remember that you will often be together with family and friends that you don’t see that often which can cause some conflict. In keeping with current thought, try to remember to be kind, avoid politics, enjoy the company, and for at least that day, see the good in what’s around you. 

Keeping Wellness in Mind is a monthly spotlight to promote wellness. Each month, JFS Counseling Services highlights practices promoting mental and emotional wellbeing. JFS Counseling Services provides professional behavioral health therapy to assist individuals, couples, and families in addressing life’s challenges. To learn more, visit call 732-777-1940 or visit www.jfsmiddlesex.org/counseling. 

JFS is grateful for the support of our sponsors and community partners.

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