Hello Friend,

March is Women's History Month and it is also the beginning of springtime — a time of renewal.

As I reflect on where we are as a community, I am encouraged by the ongoing success of our clients. I specifically think of the 20 resilient and courageous Afghan women in our Culinary Cohort who completed a seven-week ESL training that incorporated food handling and cooking skills. At the close of the training, the women held a community event where they each introduced themselves and their meal.

I am emboldened by their ability to try new things, gain new skills, and cultivate a new community. Together, this is the kind of work we can make possible.

As we enter into the spring, with federal funding cuts and new executive orders, I am also reminded of all the work to come. JFCS East Bay is committed to those seeking safety and stability. You may be asking: What can I do to help? Please consider taking action in one of these ways:

• Donate. Your generosity helps to sustain direct services for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants.
• Advocate. Urge policymakers to protect and support immigrants and refugees.
• Volunteer. Help deliver essential items such as food and hygiene supplies or offer transportation to someone in need.

As we step into this season of renewal, I am deeply grateful for your partnership. If you'd like to see what your generosity made possible last year, please take a look at our 2025 Impact Report. Your support and advocacy make an incredible difference. Thank you for standing with us in solidarity.

With hope and gratitude,

Robin Mencher

Chief Executive Officer

An East Bay native, Shelley Gordon has lived in the Piedmont/Oakland area all her life. Born with the skill of debate, she was encouraged to pursue a law degree, and that is exactly what she did. Shellry started in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office before turning to civil law.

Over the years, Shelley discovered her niche was in family law, because she enjoyed engaging with people on a personal level and helping them find their way through crises.

She became involved with JFCS East Bay in 2022 as a volunteer with the Immigration Legal Services department and helped Afghan families prepare and submit asylum applications. Shelley also volunteered for the Friendly Visitor program and began regularly spending time with a Holocaust survivor at Rossmoor.

Shelley has been married for 46 years, has two wonderful sons and two dear daughters-in-law, and is also blessed with four grandchildren. She thanks her beloved parents, who lived to be 89 and 94 (her father was a Holocaust survivor) for giving her a solid and loving foundation for a blessed life. 

A native of Richmond, Lamont Hill has worked for number of local social service organizations that support people who are experiencing hardship.

Before joining JFCS East Bay in August of 2024, Lamont worked in housing and shelter navigation, volunteer event planning, and student resources. He graduated from SFSU in 2016 with a major in Family & Consumer Sciences, which provided a foundation for his professional success.

When asked what he enjoys most about working at JFCS East Bay, Lamont said, "I enjoy bridging the gap between available resources and the people who need them." When he's not busy in his current role in the Development department, Lamont enjoys working out, being with his family, catching up on Judge Judy, and cooking.

We are excited and honored to introduce the Micah D. Bycel Scholarship Fund, a new educational opportunity for East Bay students.

The Micah D. Bycel Scholarship Fund supports individuals from the East Bay region who are pursuing higher education or vocational training and who face financial hardship in accessing these opportunities. Grants will be awarded in the range of $500 to $2,000.

Applicants must have applied and been accepted to a 2- or 4-year accredited public college or university program, accredited technical college, or trade school.

Applications will be live in April. Learn more here.



The Lamorinda Care Collective operates a shop in Lafayette that offers free, donated clothing and household items to families and individuals in need. JFCS East Bay staff frequently refer clients to this incredible community resource.

Since launching as a pop-up shop in 2024, LCC has quickly become something much bigger — they've already welcomed more than 700 families through their doors. Their mission and values align with JFCS East Bay as they strive to not only help families to survive, but to ensure they can thrive. In addition to their regular store hours, they also offer appointment-based visits for comfort and accessibility, as well as delivery services to ensure essentials reach those who need them most.

LCC is now at a new location (3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Bld B, Lafayette) and you're invited to drop by their grand re-opening party on Sunday, March 22, from 2pm - 5pm.

To learn more, please click here.

Sultana arrived in the U.S. with her husband and three young children (all under age six), including children with special needs. In Afghanistan, her husband owned a travel agency and Sultana worked in Human Resources. Soon after arrival, she committed to rebuilding her career.

After attending a JFCS East Bay-hosted training, Sultana met with our staff who helped her land a six-month paid internship. It quickly became a full-time position. Today, she has come full circle. She recently returned to our Job & Resource Fair—not as a jobseeker, but as an exhibitor — recruiting and providing information to attendees in Dari. Her story reflects what’s possible when a client’s strengths are matched with the right opportunity and a community partner is willing to invest in talent.

*Not client's real name or photo

Earlier this month, Campolindo High School's Feminism Club held a bake sale to support JFCS East Bay. Aligning with Women's History Month, the club raised more than $350 in women's hygiene products, which they donated to our immigrant, refugee, and low-income clients.

The club's leader, Anya Houston (pictured), is a senior who helped spearhead this generous effort along with seven others. Anya said, "Especially in our current political and cultural climate, it remains a vital priority for our club to reach out to those often disadvantaged and alienated by society. We remain hopeful and motivated to continue our part in the fight for a more just and equitable reality for all."

If you would like to get a jumpstart on launching a collection drive to benefit JFCS East Bay clients, please visit our Volunteer Page or email volunteers@jfcs-eastbay.org.

We're looking for Passover Meal Delivery Volunteers!

Our Passover Meal Program serves over 200 Jewish adults in Alameda and Contra Costa counties who are elderly, homebound, face health concerns, are Holocaust survivors, or are food insecure. This program ensures they all receive a warm Passover meal in time for the holiday. On Tuesday, March 31st, we could use your support to help deliver these meal bags directly to our clients. 

If you would like to volunteer for this opportunity, please sign up here. You will need have already created an account on our volunteer platform to sign up. For more information on this volunteer opportunity, please email volunteers@jfcs-eastbay.org.



Holiday Event Transportation Volunteers

Have you heard about our Jewish Holiday Celebrations for Holocaust survivors? Each year JFCS East Bay holds holiday celebrations for Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Hanukkah for our Holocaust survivors. Our next celebration will be held on Thursday, April 9th, for Passover in Walnut Creek, and we are looking for volunteers to help with rides for around 10 to 15 Holocaust survivors who live across Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

If you're interested in helping with transportation to this event, please sign up for the activity here. You will need have already created an account on our volunteer platform to sign up. For more information on this volunteer opportunity, please email volunteers@jfcs-eastbay.org.

JPAC Capitol Summit 2026

May 11-12

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, Sacramento

• Hear from some of the state’s most powerful lawmakers and activists.
• Learn, practice, and participate in direct lobbying.
• Connect with elected officials, Jewish organizational leaders, and lay leaders from across California.

Hold Congress Accountable for Cuts to SNAP

President Trump and Republicans in Congress enacted a budget and tax law (H.R. 1) that made historically harmful cuts and structural changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

It does this by recklessly shifting federal costs to states, increasing ineffective and burdensome work reporting requirements, eliminating funding for nutrition education, limiting future updates to SNAP benefit amounts, and stripping eligibility from millions. Take action today and add your name to the petition.

Humanity Beyond the Headlines: Immigration & Belonging in America

Thursday, March 19, 5pm

KQED Headquarters, San Francisco

This free event will highlight the lived immigration experiences of California educators and students. Join us for this opportunity to reflect on how the Facing History & Ourselves organization supports students' and educators' belonging— in classrooms, communities, and their lives in the United States.

Go Public Schools: College & Career Exploration

Monday, March 23, 5pm

Oakland (in-person location shared upon RSVP)

Alameda County students and families (K-12) are invited to an interactive workshop designed to help families start college and career conversations early and build confidence navigating what comes next. Contact mheringer@gopublicschools.org with questions.

Gather In: An Art and Craft Community Night

Every Second Wednesday 4pm-7pm

1200 Harrison Street, Oakland


Gather In is an ongoing drop-in art gathering that offers a safe, welcoming space for immigrants, refugees, and allies to come together, share a meal, and create art in community.