Networks of regional nonprofits and local governments have been coordinating with US border officials for more than five years to help released migrants arrange transportation out of border communities. According to Kate Clark, JFS Senior Director of Immigration, “Our job is to really make sure that they are safe, and they’re healthy, and they’re able to successfully move on to their final point of contact.”

Just as the panel is ‘needed more than ever,’ it’s struggling to function. A growing number of members are calling for an overhaul, and greater oversight from county leaders. A welcome new voice on the commission will be JFS Board Member Rabbi Jason Nevarez of Congregation Beth Israel. He replaces Kate Clark, who is stepping down because of capacity. “JFS continues to believe strongly in the mission of the HRC and remains committed to making our county a better place to live for all,” said Michael Hopkins, its CEO.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego offers in-person congregate dining throughout San Diego for adults aged 60 years. Taking care of our community’s older adults has long been a priority at JFS. Learn more and register at www.jfssd.org/congregate-dining.

Donors and food bank visitors are struggling with lingering high prices. With food and operating costs up, food nonprofits are feeling the biggest squeeze in years. “When we look at last fall compared to this fall, we’re seeing a 27 percent increase in our meal distributions. That’s everything from home-delivered meals to our pantry services for community distributions, and year-over-year community in-kind food donations are down about 23 percent.” Kristine Stensberg, JFS Senior Director of Nutrition & Aging Services.

Since mid-September, Border Patrol has processed more than 60,000 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, who have then been released into San Diego County before the majority depart for other cities in the U.S. Asylum seekers deemed most vulnerable — typically families with young children, pregnant women, and sick and elderly people — are sent directly to shelters operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego and Catholic Charities, SBCS CEO Kathryn Lembo said.

A new complaint filed with the Department of Homeland Security alleges that migrants are routinely separated from their spouses, adult children, and other relatives after leaving federal custody. Al Otro Lado, ACLU, Jewish Family Service of San Diego and UCLA Center for Immigration Law and Policy allege some migrants have been separated for months from their loved ones. They give several examples in the federal complaint

Nearly 1,100 migrant families have been separated while being processed at the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego since September, immigrant advocacy groups, including Jewish Family Service of San Diego, said in a letter sent Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security that seeks an investigation into the matter (Read Letter). The separations stem from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s ongoing practice of releasing high volumes of migrants to street locations around San Diego County without coordinated reception plans. “The trauma families experience during the periods of separation is compounded by CBP’s lack of communication and the near-total opacity of their practices,” states the letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s office of civil rights and civil liberties, which was also signed by the ACLU Foundation of San Diego and Imperial Counties, and Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego hosted its annual Signature Luncheon last month at the Hilton La Jolla at Torrey Pines with nationally renowned Rabbi and author Sharon Brous appearing via a video feed.

Jewish Family Service’s Supporting Our Survivor (SOS) program brings Hanukkah to low-income Holocaust Survivors in San Diego. In doing so, JFS is combating Jewish stereotypes and providing company and connection for aging survivors.

A new study is providing insight into San Diego’s Jewish population. Michael Hopkins, CEO of Jewish Family Service (JFS), said the data will help JFS and other organizations be more targeted in providing services to financially struggling Jews.

A study put forth by five local Jewish organizations, including Jewish Family Service (JFS), shows the community gives back in large numbers, and has concerns about antisemitism around the world.

Today’s immigrants face challenges our families didn’t, from dangerous border crossings to deportation. You can help by supporting Jewish Family Service on San Diego, the largest provider of migrant shelter services in the Southwest. Learn more >>

A study, organized by five local Jewish community organizations, including Jewish Family Service of San Diego, is the first of its kind in 20 years and provides a comprehensive report detailing how their congregations and fellow community members are feeling and what they’re experiencing. Download Article >>

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has empowered people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to overcome challenges, set goals, and build more stable, secure, and connected lives. Hear from JFS CEO, Michael Hopkins, on JFS’s work, the successes and challenges JFS is facing, and how you can make an impact.

Jewish Family Service (JFS) volunteers are a diverse group of San Diegans, united by their passion for serving the community in meaningful ways — delivering meals, keeping older adults company, supporting youth and families, or helping refugees feel more at home. Learn more about how you can change lives at www.jfssd.org/volunteer.

“We are deeply committed to the long-term sustainability of Jewish Family Service because of the critical role it plays in the lives of tens of thousands of people of all faiths and backgrounds across San Diego County,” said Ernest Rady. “Together, we can make sure JFS never has to tell someone in need, ‘We can’t drive you to your doctor’s appointment, or provide you with a hot meal, or offer counseling to get you through this rough patch because the agency doesn’t have the necessary resources.’”

Rabbi Susan Freeman from the Center for Jewish Care tells the importance of showing gratitude and the connection to greater happiness and health in this segment with Lucinda Kay.

On Sunday, November 5, 59 Holocaust survivors participated in a belated rite of passage known as a B’nai Mitzvah. The ceremony, held at the Merage Jewish Community Center in Irvine and was generously funded by the Honig Family Foundation, represented by Ken Honig. The survivors, ranging in age from 78 to 102, reside in San Diego and Orange County, and are participants of Serving Our Survivors, a program of the Center for Jewish Care at Jewish Family Service of San Diego.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) welcomes Little Amal, the internationally celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, who will be arriving in San Diego on Nov. 3-5 as part of her final stop during her epic 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) welcomes Little Amal to the San Diego borderlands Nov. 3-5. A 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old refugee girl named Little Amal, this cross-border interactive art experience is spreading the critical story of hope throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is hosting its annual signature luncheon at 12:00pm, Thursday, November 2 with nationally renowned Rabbi and author, Sharon Brous, for a discussion on human connection. Learn more at www.jfssd.org/luncheon.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is hosting its annual signature luncheon with nationally renowned Rabbi and author, Sharon Brous. During the intimate and thought-provoking conversation led by JFS CEO Michael Hopkins, Rabbi Sharon Brous will explore the topic of human connection and its power to transform the way we think, feel, and live. Learn more at www.jfssd.org/luncheon.

San Diegans can now order a week’s worth of healthy meals with a side of enriching conversation, both crucial for San Diego’s rapidly growing older adult population. Healthy at Home, a new local meal delivery service powered by Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), offers fully prepared frozen meals and wellness checks for adults living in 40 zip codes throughout San Diego County. Learn more at healthyhomesd.com.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego‘s annual signature luncheon returns, this year at the Hilton La Jolla at Torrey Pines, on Thursday, November 2 with nationally renowned Rabbi and author, Sharon Brous, for a discussion on human connection. Learn more at www.jfssd.org/luncheon.

Healthy at Home, a new local meal delivery service powered by Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), offers fully prepared frozen meals and wellness checks for adults living in 40 zip codes throughout San Diego County. Trained Healthy at Home drivers from Jewish Family Service will verify the individual is home and do a general assessment for any health or safety concerns that should be shared with an emergency contact. Learn more at healthyhomesd.com.