A weekly e-newsletter from JFS of Middlesex County

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.

The Best Songs Are Timeless

On August 30th, JFS' Holocaust Survivor Services hosted its monthly Café Europa for nearly 80 guests. For many survivors, Café Europa provides an opportunity to enjoy the company of other survivors, connect with JFS volunteers, and listen to lively entertainment while receiving a hearty kosher meal.

Often, music connects us to a memory or emotion and touch on hardship with a lighter, healing melody. For survivors of trauma, music can be healing and a way to focus on life's joyful memories. We thank all our guests, volunteers and our singer, Reggie, for making this month's Café Europa a place to share and create joyful memories.

To support Café Europa and essential services for JFS' nearly 200 Holocaust Survivors, call 732-777-1940 or donate online. Thank you for your support!

School Supplies for a Fresh Start

There is no doubt that each academic year starts with a period of transition from easy-breezy summer days to structured routines and schedules. But for many students, the new school year brings the additional stress of limited resources to buy essential supplies. This year, we are especially grateful to everyone who donated school supplies to make our annual backpack giveaway a success!

So far, JFS' Women’s Center and Kosher Food Pantries supplied 150 backpacks to children grades K to 12. Each backpack was filled with essentials to help children start the new year with less stress so they could focus on learning, meeting new friends and enjoying the opportunities of the 2022-2023 academic year. We wish all students going back to school a healthy, safe and enjoyable school year!

There is still time to donate school supplies!

Shop tax-free on eligible items and make a much-needed donation of school supplies to JFS' Back to School event. View Wish List.

Our Back to School event benefits children, grades K to 12, who are registered in a JFS program or service. If you want to support this initiative, contact us to arrange a delivery, office@jfsmiddlesex.org, or donate online for "Back to School."

We thank you for your support!

In Grateful Appreciation...

We would like to thank the members of Hadassah-Raritan Valley, who came together to lead a toiletries drive for our Kosher Food Pantries.

Throughout this summer, the ladies of Hadassah delivered personal hygiene products to our pantries for those experiencing financial distress. Such items as full-sized toothpastes, soap, shampoos & conditioners, toilet paper, tissue boxes and feminine products helped us provide comfort to our clients in need.

If you or your group would like to organize a food or toiletries drive to benefit our Kosher Food Pantries, please email office@jfsmiddlesex.org or call 732-777-1940. You may also donate online.

September Is Hunger Action Month

Hunger is a crisis faced by many families and requires a strong community response. Donating food items or making a monetary donation ensures that food reaches families in greatest need. This September, help JFS Kosher Food Pantries collect non-perishable, unexpired kosher food items for our families. Arrange a drop-off at our Monroe or North Brunswick locations by calling 732-777-1940.

Our Community partner Replenish, in collaboration with Feeding Middlesex County, will be hosting monthly activities to support food initiatives across Middlesex county. view Calendar.

Dine & Donate: Make it a date night or takeout night on September 8th from 12:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Fiddleheads Restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ, where a percentage of your purchase will go to fighting hunger. Use the document attached to "dine & donate."

Dine & Donate