As we welcome 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners who make the work of JFS possible. This year holds special meaning for us as we celebrate 75 years of service and commitment to the Dallas community. From hosting transformative programs like our largest ESL class to date, to bringing holiday gifts to over 100 families through our Holiday Market, and the impact we've achieved in the JFS Northpoint Health Center in under one year, these moments are a testament to the dedication of our community and staff.

Please take some time to read over our 2023-2024 Annual Report to learn about the impact your generosity has had on our community. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to continue meeting the needs of those we serve while embracing new opportunities to grow and innovate.

Warm regards,

Cathy Barker,

President & CEO

Join us on May 8th at the Hilton Anatole as JFS Dallas celebrates 75 years of impact at the Diamond Anniversary Gala! This unforgettable evening will feature live music, dancing, an open bar, a silent auction, and delicious food stations. It's a celebration like no other, 75 years in the making.

Tickets will be available for purchase starting February 2nd—get a sneak peek and learn more on our website!

This December, JFS celebrated the graduation of its largest ESL class to date, with 15 local students born in Colombia, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe completing the 12-week course!

The event highlighted the positive impact of the program, with graduates sharing how it improved their language skills and confidence. As the program continues to grow, the next ESL class will be from January 13 to March 26, 2025.

JFS Financial Coach Brenda Butnick and School Psychologist Lacey Mathews brought financial literacy workshops to 8th graders at Torah Day School of Dallas. The 48 students explored saving, spending, career planning, and how financial choices shape their futures, engaging in lively discussions about their dreams and goals.

Before the holidays, JFS transformed its Food Pantry into a festive Holiday Market, creating a winter wonderland filled with toys, cozy gifts, and holiday cheer.

This initiative was inspired by client feedback, and provided the 105 participating families with a dignified, cost-free shopping experience. It was all made possible by generous donations and the efforts of over 120 volunteers. Beyond gifts, it brought warmth, connection, and holiday magic to our Dallas community.

While it may be chilly now, we’re already gearing up for the 2025 Klein Summer Internship! This opportunity allows high school students across DFW to intern at local nonprofits, gaining hands-on experience in fields like marketing, technology, logistics, and more. Past partners include the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, The Dallas Arboretum, and Equest. Applications are open now and close on February 24th. Click the link below to learn more or apply!

As part of our Meeting the Moment Campaign, and for our 75th Anniversary, we’ve been spotlighting our community’s JFS Moments of impact. Whether it’s a testimony of a service you or a loved one received, a memory from volunteering, the inspiration behind your donation, or any moment in between, we want to hear from you.

In honor of JFS’s 75th anniversary, we invite the community to share their JFS Moments. Your story could inspire others to support JFS and encourage those in need to reach out for assistance.

Pal-entines Day - Young Adults

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | 6:30-8:00pm

Grab your pals and join us for a special Pal-entine’s Day activity for teens, hosted by the Student Impact Board. Together, we’ll assemble hygiene kits and feminine hygiene kits for the JFS Food Pantry and enjoy music, ice breakers, and kosher pizza.

We encourage all participants to bring a donation of hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, pads, tampons, wipes, and similar essentials. Let’s make a difference while spreading the Palentine's Day love.

Family Volunteer Day

Sunday, February 23, 2025 | 10am-12pm / 1pm-3pm

Bring your loved ones and spend a meaningful day volunteering together at JFS. This special event is designed for the whole family to enjoy while making a difference in our community.

During the event, you'll have the opportunity to work on various projects such as creating craft kits, drawing Passover cards, decorating flower pots, making blankets, and restocking the Food Pantry. Each project will directly benefit the individuals and families served by JFS. We can’t wait to see you there!

Interviewers - Klein Internship

Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 12:30-4:00pm

We’re looking for volunteers to interview high school candidates for the Klein Internship program. Using the interview questions provided by JFS, you’ll engage with students, take notes on their responses, and learn about their interests and experiences.

After the interviews, you’ll share your notes with JFS staff, helping us determine if each candidate is a good fit for the program and how to match them with one of our partner agencies.

JFS Open House

Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 4:30-7:30pm

The annual JFS Open House is a family-friendly opportunity for our community to tour the space, meet the staff, and learn how to get connected with JFS—whether it’s through volunteer opportunities or accessing our services.

We are looking for volunteers to help manage check-in and guide attendees throughout the building. Click the links below to learn more about each opportunity.

• 4:30-7:30pm - JFS Open House Check-In Volunteer
• 4:30-7:30pm - JFS Open House Directional Volunteer
• 5:30-7:30pm - JFS Open House Check-Out Volunteer

Create Passover Cards

Now - March 21, 2025

JFS has a longstanding tradition of delivering Passover packages to members of our community. These packages include holiday essentials such as grape juice, matzah, macaroons, and gefilte fish, and are delivered to approximately 750 individuals in our community each year.

This Passover, we hope to include beautiful, handmade cards in each delivery. Creating cards is a great project to do with a group, family, or school! Please drop off your completed cards at JFS by March 21st to ensure they are included.

Kosher Chili Cook-off

Sunday, March 30, 2025 | Shifts available between 8am-4pm

If you love JFS Dallas or just can’t get enough of our famous vegetarian chili, join our team at the 30th Annual Kosher Chili Cook-off at Tiferet Israel!

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us hand out samples of our award-winning vegetarian chili. It’s a great opportunity to represent JFS Dallas, connect with the community, and enjoy a fun-filled day celebrating all things chili. Click the links below to learn more about each volunteer shift.

• 8am-10am Chili Cook-Off Volunteer Shift
• 10am-1pm Chili Cook-Off Volunteer Shift
• 1pm-4pm Chili Cook-Off Volunteer Shift

Passover Package - Delivery Drivers Needed

Sunday, April 6, 2025 | Any time between 9-11am

JFS has a longstanding tradition of delivering Passover packages filled with holiday essentials, such as grape juice, matzah, macaroons, and gefilte fish, to members of our community. Each year, we deliver these packages to approximately 750 individuals.



We are currently looking for volunteers who can commit to delivering Passover packages to a list of recipients. Drivers will be assigned a route, which will take approximately one hour to complete.