Moving Forward Together

News

Mar 8 2024

San Diego Jewish World

San Diego had the privilege of hosting 130 courageous teens from Sha’ar HaNegev along with 20 staff members, providing them all with much-needed respite and a home away from home. From the moment they arrived, our community’s open arms created an atmosphere of joy, love, and connection. Jewish Family Service and countless others have been pillars of this support, showcasing the best of what we can achieve together.

Mar 6 2024

Village News

The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation (SDSCF) awarded 14 local senior centers and nonprofit organizations, one being Jewish Family Service (JFS), to strengthen senior center programming and enhance executive leadership and ensure that a sophisticated network of local senior centers exists to help combat senior isolation. One of the exciting programs that the Foundation is helping to fund is the Jewish Family Services “Fix It” Program, which provides no-cost minor home modifications to seniors 60 and over. Learn more at www.jfssd.org/fixit.

Mar 6 2024

KPBS

Jewish Family Service distributed the last payments in February for a two-year guaranteed income pilot program, “San Diego for Every Child.” The results reflect the findings of an experiment unfolding in dozens of similar programs across the country that ask the question: What happens if you give low-income people monthly cash, no strings attached?
Most recipients spend no-strings cash on food and groceries, basic retail items like backpacks, shoes and haircuts, housing and utilities, and transportation. Participants report not just their happiness and quality of life improving, but their relationships, too. Khea Pollard, San Diego for Every Child director, said programs like this are scalable—taxpayers are already spending the money. Most of the families in the pilot program were already working full- or part-time, and, as a result of the program, sought new opportunities. Now on track to becoming debt-free, they have money, and hope, to invest in their futures.

Feb 28 2024

Public Radio Exchange, NPR

Reporter Gustavo Solis sat down with Michael Hopkins, JFS CEO, and Kate Clark, Senior Director of Immigration, to discuss how to mend our broken immigration system. In the past five years, JFS has welcomed and assisted more than 200,000 vulnerable asylum seekers, becoming the national model for facilitating legal pathways.

Feb 24 2024

Times of San Diego

One day after a county-run welcome center closed down far earlier than anticipated due to lack of funds, border agencies dropped hundreds of people seeking asylum on the streets of San Diego without resources, further straining the resources of volunteer-run groups currently on-site to try to help them.

Feb 4 2024

Arizona Republic

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.”

Jan 28 2024

The San Diego Union-Tribune

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.

Jan 8 2024

San Diego Jewish World

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.

Jan 5 2024

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.

Jan 1 2024

The San Diego Union-Tribune

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.

Dec 19 2023

ABC 10

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

Dec 15 2023

Los Angeles Times

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.

Dec 11 2023

The San Diego Union-Tribune

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.

Dec 9 2023

NBC 7 San Diego

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.

Dec 1 2023

San Diego Downtown News/Uptown News

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.

Nov 30 2023

NBC 7 San Diego

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.

Nov 28 2023

Times of San Diego

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 >>

Nov 28 2023

San Diego Union-Tribune

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 >>

Nov 28 2023

The San Diego Union-Tribune

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.

Nov 27 2023

SD Today

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.

Nov 26 2023

San Diego Jewish World

“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.’”

Nov 22 2023

iHeart Radio

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.

Nov 7 2023

The Orange County Register

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.

Oct 29 2023

San Diego News

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.

Oct 29 2023

The San Diego Union-Tribune

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.

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