Jewish Community Services

The Center for Jewish Care offers critical relief services and free resources for individuals and families in the Jewish community who need assistance. We know asking for help can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Our Jewish Community Resource Navigators will work with you to understand your needs, identify how we can best provide assistance, and partner with you on a plan to support your journey to greater stability.

We can help with:

Financial Assistance: Providing direct emergency financial assistance to meet your most pressing needs, including food, hygiene items, medical/health, and rental assistance.
No-Interest Loans: The Center for Jewish Care partners with Hebrew Free Loan SD to connect you with interest-free loans that foster financial stability and opportunity.
Employment Coaching: Soft skills coaching to assist job seekers, including resume review, interview preparation, job search strategies, and more.
Coping & Mental Health: Coaching to help you manage anxiety and stress as we support you in navigating to long-term mental health care resources.
Identifying & Coordinating Resources and Referrals: From food and transportation resources, to government benefits, domestic violence support, parenting support, and more, we educate, guide, and connect you with resources at JFS and in the broader community.

Services are available in English and Hebrew.

Are you impacted by COVID-19?

Many in our community are experiencing emotional and financial distress as a direct result of the pandemic—many who have never been in this position before. Our Jewish Community Services can help get you back on a path moving forward. From Response through Recovery*, we’re here for you.

Eligibility

The Center for Jewish Care assists members of the Jewish community who are residents of San Diego and are adults age 18 and older. A Jewish community member is defined as one of the following:

An individual who self-identifies as Jewish
A member of a household where at least one individual identifies as Jewish
An employee of a local Jewish organization (synagogue, school, agency/nonprofit, etc)

With Generous Support from the San Diego Jewish Community COVID-19 Emergency Fund

Take the Next Step

Connect with our Jewish Community Resource Navigators directly at (858) 637‑3018 or contact us online.

“I feel like I have a partner that will run alongside of me and make sure that I am ok. Since we have been working together, my hope has risen considerably. You noticed my condition and you took the initiative to come in with true and needed help. I feel like I have finally found a partner who can take my hand and run with me towards the finish line. I was always willing, but nobody was there to help. Now with this help, I am empowered to go forward.

Thank you. I believe that as I am running, if I were to fall, you would say, ‘Here, let me help you to get up.’ And, I would.”

-Helene, Client of Center for Jewish Care

The Center for Jewish Care also offers additional community services that engage children, students, and seniors:

Supporting Our Survivors (SOS)

For Holocaust Survivors living in San Diego and Orange County

We understand the complex challenges of aging, which often are magnified for Holocaust Survivors dealing with trauma and loss. By providing comprehensive support services to help Holocaust Survivors maintain their health, independence, and connection to the community throughout San Diego and Orange County, we help Survivors age with dignity.

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Jewish Big Pals

For children in 2nd grade through high school

Jewish Big Pals is a unique mentoring program for Jewish children, 2nd grade through high school, who are being raised in a variety of family situations—often by single parents, grandparents, or legal guardians. Big and Little Pals aim to get together twice a month to do what Little Pals find fun and interesting—whether that’s arts and crafts or throwing a football at the beach. Part role model, part friend, Big Pals are there to support kids on life’s most important journey—growing up. Through the interview process, our staff work to ensure that every match is a good fit for the participants.

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JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship

For students in high school, college, grad school, or vocational school

The Rubenstein Scholarship provides annual grants to students from San Diego’s Jewish community who plan to attend college or vocational school. The program awards scholarships of up to $5,000, based on financial need, academic performance, and community involvement. The Scholarship seeks to encourage young people to treasure their Jewish heritage, reflect on their Jewish values, and better understand their connection to the community.

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