Turning a Bar Mitzvah into an Opportunity to Give Back 

When preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, Ozzie knew he wanted the celebration to reflect more than an important milestone. He wanted it to be an opportunity to give back.

His connection to JF&CS began in Grade 7, when he attended the Jerome D. Diamond Adolescent Centre (JDD), a specialized day treatment school program offered in partnership with the Toronto District School Board for youth who face mental health barriers in attending a mainstream school.

“The JDD is an incredible place that helped me work on my social and coping skills while still providing me with a great education,” he shared.

In preparation for his Bar Mitzvah, Ozzie learned about Tzedakah (charity) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), values that became central to his overall experience. When he and his family began planning the decorations for the celebration, they saw an opportunity to do something a little different. Rather than spend money on décor that would only be used for a few hours, they decided to create gift baskets for charities and organizations whose work was meaningful to Ozzie. The baskets served as centrepieces during the celebration and were then donated afterward.

The experience also gave him an opportunity to share a message with other young people in the community about an organization that had made a difference in his own life.

“JF&CS can help you with your problems,” he said. “They have incredible resources. Just check out their website and you’ll see all the ways they help the community.”

Through a meaningful act of Tzedakah, Ozzie’s Bar Mitzvah celebration became an opportunity to support others and put the values he had been learning into action. If you also want to make a positive impact on the community, just like Ozzie, please click here to learn more.

Annual General Meeting Highlights: The Power of Showing Up 

On September 24^th, JF&CS hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM), bringing together board members, leadership, staff, donors, volunteers, community partners and supporters to reflect on the past year. This year’s theme, The Power of Showing Up, highlighted the importance of being present for our clients, our community and one another.

Throughout the evening, speakers shared what showing up means to them and the difference it can make in the lives of the individuals, children and families served by JF&CS. From supporting people through moments of crisis to strengthening connections across our community, the evening reflected the many ways JF&CS continues to show up, adapt and respond to the needs of our community.

We were honoured to receive live greetings from Solomon Owoo, CEO of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, and Adam Minsky, President and CEO of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. JF&CS’s CEO, Talyah Breslin, and Board President, Michael Minden, reflected on the many ways JF&CS continues to show up for our clients and community, while keynote speaker Heather McDonald, President and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto, shared how United Way is responding to the evolving needs of communities across the region.

Eden Filonov, JF&CS's Manager of Jewish Life and Culture, reflected on the creation of her role and how it grew out of listening to the needs and experiences of both our community and our staff. Her work helps strengthen the “J” in JF&CS and deepen the Jewish identity that is central to who we are. She spoke about the importance of “creating safe spaces to ask questions, and listening and learning from one another, to deepen understanding.” Eden also reflected on the power of coming together: “When we come together to celebrate our traditions, our identity and our joy, we strengthen our sense of connection, belonging and community. It means being there for our Jewish community and for everyone who turns to JF&CS for help.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s AGM, our speakers, event organizers, and all who continue to show up for JF&CS and our community in so many meaningful ways.

Kavod Community Fund Supports Families Through End-of-Life Care

Members of our community came together to mark the launch of the Kavod Community Fund, a new initiative created to support individuals and families receiving care through the JF&CS Jewish Hospice Program. 


The Fund grew from a need identified by our social workers, who see firsthand the financial pressures that can arise while navigating end-of-life care. Spearheaded by Ira Levy, a committee was formed to develop and establish the Kavod Community Fund. Through the generosity of donors, the Fund will provide caregivers with opportunities for respite and help cover costs of a dignified burial. By easing some of these financial pressures, the fund allows those facing end-of-life care and loss to focus on what matters most: caring for one another and spending meaningful time together.  


Hosted in Ira’s home, the launch event provided a platform for social workers, volunteers and individuals who have received support through the Jewish Hospice Program to reflect on what this care can mean for families. Their words underscored the importance of ensuring that no family has to navigate this chapter alone, and that each person can be surrounded by dignity, compassion and care. 

JF&CS has also partnered with Compass HomeCare to provide Personal Support Worker services at a discounted rate, helping donor dollars go further and extending the Fund’s reach. 


By easing some of the practical and financial pressures families face, the Kavod Community Fund gives them greater space to focus on what matters most: being present with their loved ones and caring for one another. 


A special thank you to the Freeman Family Legacy Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto and all Fund supporters for their generosity.
 

To learn more about the Kavod Community Fund, please click here.

Bringing More to JF&CS Kosher Foods Pantries

JF&CS continues to enhance our Kosher Food Pantries to provide nutritious essentials while reflecting the traditions and needs of our community.

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, 100 clients received holiday packages filled with a delicious round challah, honey cake, apples, honey, a honey dipper and grape juice to help them welcome the New Year with delicious kosher foods and sweetness at home. 

Through our food pantries, we have also begun providing challah for Shabbat, which has been warmly received by clients.  

To support families as children headed back-to-school, we expanded our selection of healthy, nut-free and kosher snacks and juices for children. A generous donation from MadeGood Foods Canada helped us offer even more options. 

These additions go beyond meeting everyday food needs. Whether it’s challah for Shabbat, traditional foods for the holidays or snacks for a child’s lunch, they help bring moments of comfort, connection and belonging into clients’ homes.

Our Kosher Food Pantries are made possible through the generosity of donors, and we could not provide this support without you. By sponsoring our Kosher Food Pantries for a month, you can help keep the shelves stocked with nutritious essentials and foods that help clients stay connected to Jewish traditions throughout the year.

Click here to learn more or to sponsor a month of the Food Pantry.

Creating Space for Staff Learning, Remembrance and Reflection

September and October provided important opportunities for JF&CS staff to come together for learning, reflection and remembrance.

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, staff were provided with resources to deepen their understanding of the history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system, the purpose and meaning of land acknowledgements, and opportunities for continued learning. Staff were invited to participate in guided walks around our campuses, creating an opportunity to connect with the land and learn about the significance of local plants and wildlife. On September 30, we came together for a learning session to discuss resources, provide historical and present-day context, and consider how we can continue our learning beyond the day itself.

In recognition of the third anniversary of October 7, we created space for remembrance and reflection on a date that continues to hold profound significance for the Jewish community. On October 5, JF&CS partnered with Baycrest to bring our two Jewish organizations together under the theme of Remembrance and Resilience. Staff, residents and community members had an opportunity to honour the lives forever changed by the October 7 massacre and reflect on its continuing impact.

On October 7, our JF&CS staff gathered again to pause, remember, reflect, and mourn together. Recognizing the profound meaning, emotion, and loss this day carries, the gathering offered an opportunity to support one another and reflect on the many ways resilience has taken shape over the past three years: Through connection, responding to changing community needs, supporting one another through difficult moments, and continuing to lead with compassion and care.

Together, these opportunities reflect our commitment to creating meaningful space for learning, remembrance and connection, while recognizing that each person may experience and engage with these moments differently.

Honouring the Legacy of Edna Levitt

We were saddened to learn that Edna Levitt passed away on September 27, 2026. 

Edna had a meaningful connection to Jewish Family and Child Service as both a Big Sister and a facilitator with JF&CS’s Family Life Education program. Her commitment to supporting others was reflected in the establishment of the Edna Levitt Scholarship Fund, inspired by her own journey and created to help women pursue post-secondary education and build new opportunities for themselves and their families.

Through her generosity, Edna’s impact will continue to be felt for years to come. May her memory be a blessing.

Become a Big Brother / Big Sister

As we remember Edna Levitt and her contributions, we are also reminded of the difference one caring person can make in the life of a young person. JF&CS is currently seeking Big Brothers and Big Sisters to provide friendship, companionship and positive mentorship to Jewish children and youth.

Volunteers must be post-secondary age or older and are asked to commit for at least one year, with one to two visits per month. Big Brothers and Big Sisters spend time with their match through constructive activities in the community while serving as a trusted and positive role model.

For those looking for a meaningful way to give their time and make a lasting difference in a young person’s life, we encourage you to learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister. For more information about the program, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Pines, at 416-638-7800 ext. 6266 or apines@jfandcs.com.