JFS is proud to support Stamford Health and the new Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit. An innovative and first-of-its-kind pediatric behavioral health model in our region, designed to provide compassionate, specialized care for children and adolescents experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Rachel Kornfeld was honored to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating this significant investment in the well-being of children, families, and our community.

The Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit represents an important advancement in behavioral health care, by providing immediate assessment, stabilization, and evidence-based treatment in a therapeutic environment. The unit has the potential to improve outcomes for children and adolescents in crisis, reduce unnecessary inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations and lengths of stay, and help young people safely transition back to their homes, schools, and communities with the appropriate supports in place.

The JFS Bennett Center for Behavioral Health is committed to expanding access to high-quality mental health services. We look forward to supporting children and adolescents as they continue their healing journey beyond the hospital through outpatient therapy, psychiatric care, school-based behavioral health services, and other community-based supports. 

Congratulations to Stamford Health and all of the partners whose vision and collaboration made this extraordinary milestone possible.

JFS of Greenwich was proud to participate in the Foundation of Hope second annual Community Block Party held in Norwalk. The event brought together local families, organizations, and community leaders for a day of resources, activities, and connection, with JFS represented by Case Manager Yveline Dorlean.

Every gift, volunteer hour, and act of support helps strengthen our community. Through the first half of 2026, JFS has provided critical services and resources to those who need them most. The numbers below show how your support makes a difference.

Asylum Policy Update: Fewer Opportunities to Be Heard

On July 28, the Department of Homeland Security announced a major change to the asylum process. Under the new policy, asylum officers may now send certain asylum cases directly to immigration court without first conducting an interview with the applicant.

Previously, the interview was often a critical opportunity for people seeking protection to explain their experiences and present their case. Under the new rule, some applicants may be referred to an immigration judge based solely on the information contained in their written application and supporting documents.

The policy applies immediately, including to some cases that are already pending. It may affect individuals who missed filing deadlines, face legal barriers to asylum, or whose claims are deemed ineligible or denied as a matter of discretion.

For asylum seekers, this change increases the importance of submitting complete, accurate applications and strong supporting evidence from the very beginning of the process. It also underscores the need for skilled legal representation, which can help applicants navigate complex requirements and ensure their stories are fully documented.

As immigration policies continue to evolve, access to trusted legal services remains essential for vulnerable individuals and families seeking safety and stability. JFS will continue to provide that guidance for those facing life-changing decisions and an increasingly complicated immigration system.

Join a supportive group for those navigating separation or divorce. Connect with others facing similar challenges in a safe, respectful space focused on healing and growth. Whether you’re newly separated, recently divorced, or working to move forward, you’ll find understanding and support.

Click here for more information, or to register, please email us.

During National Wellness Month, we encourage everyone to check in with themselves, seek support when needed, and make self-care a priority. Taking care of your own well-being helps you better care for those around you.

For Leslie Brandeis, volunteering with Bikur Cholim is about helping patients feel a little more comfortable during their hospital stay and providing someone to talk to who

genuinely cares about them as individuals.

"It is all about listening and trying to find some cues and letting the patient know that they are important and cared about beyond being a patient."

Leslie sees volunteering as a meaningful way to give back to the community. One of her most memorable experiences was meeting a patient who initially said, "I don't want to talk to you or anyone else." Yet 30 minutes later, they were still talking and sharing. These experiences reinforce the impact of simply being present and willing to listen.

Leslie offers simple encouragement to those interested: "Volunteering provides immeasurable rewards." She hopes the patients she visits gain comfort from their conversations, but says the joy and satisfaction she receives from those visits are equally meaningful.

Interested in becoming a Bikur Cholim volunteer? We will be offering a training program this fall. To learn more or sign up, email Jayme Schneider.

Ready to make an impact? Click here to submit an application for the JFS Junior Board. Questions? Email Melissa Basile-Reolon to learn more.

Shabbat Services: Fridays at 1:00 pm via Zoom

Jewish Health & Healing Service: Please note: The service will pause for July and August and resume on September 14.

For more information or to receive the Zoom link, please email Jayme Schneider.

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THANK YOU FOR GENEROUSLY SUPPORTING JFS OF GREENWICH!

Jewish Family Services of Greenwich

67 Holly Hill Lane | Greenwich, CT 06830

203-622-1881 | info@jfsgreenwich.org | www.jfsgreenwich.org