Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts

02/26/2026

Tonight: There is still time to register by scanning the QR code, going to our website: https://jfswm.org/ or clicking the link below: https://form.jotform.com/260465313268154

Beyond the Headlines: Showing Up for Our Neighbors

Please join us for this Zoom info session on

Thursday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m.

It is understandable to feel confused and overwhelmed in response to the constant influx of disturbing news about immigration enforcement tactics around the country and the contradictory information about the current state of refugee resettlement.

In this virtual information session, our staff will offer you the latest facts and reliable resources and leave you with a clear list of things that you can do to help.

We will take a closer look at:

A year of drastic federal policy changes
The impact on local families and our work
How JFS is meeting the challenge
How you can show up for our neighbors

This event is free and open to all. Registration is required.

To register: scan the QR code,
or go to our website: https://jfswm.org/
or clicking the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/260465313268154

A Zoom link and password will be sent via email to registrants before the information session. Please note: this event will not be recorded.

02/24/2026

Tuning out until “things go back to normal” is an understandable response following a chaotic year of radical change which included new policies targeting refugees and other lawful immigrants. In his essay, Rabbi James Greene, our CEO, offers us this much-needed reminder:

“At other moments of inflection in our nation’s history, good people of faith have been guided by these core values of welcoming, of shared humanity, and of Divine love. We must harness these values once again and call ourselves into action at this moment to push back against the darkness.”

Thank you to A Faith That Does Justice for sharing this essay which you can read by scanning the QR code or clicking this link: https://tinyurl.com/mswb3tyf

02/23/2026

02/20/2026

The next six-week series of Building Resilience from Within begins on March 18th.
Click here to sign up for this free online program.: https://form.jotform.com/260205911444146

02/17/2026

Beyond the Headlines: Showing Up for Our Neighbors

Please join us for this Zoom info session on

Thursday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m.

It is understandable to feel confused and overwhelmed in response to the constant influx of disturbing news about immigration enforcement tactics around the country and the contradictory information about the current state of refugee resettlement.

In this virtual information session, our staff will offer you the latest facts and reliable resources and leave you with a clear list of things that you can do to help.

We will take a closer look at:

A year of drastic federal policy changes
The impact on local families and our work
How JFS is meeting the challenge
How you can show up for our neighbors

This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Scan the QR code to sign up or click here: https://form.jotform.com/260465313268154

A Zoom link and password will be sent via email to registrants the day before the information session. Please note: this event will not be recorded.

02/06/2026

“This is part of our Jewish identity and ethos, to serve our full community with Jewish values and welcoming the stranger. So this is all connected.”- Reuben Rotman, president and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies.

Please read the full article for a closer look at the real situation behind the headlines: https://www.jta.org/2026/01/30/united-states/jewish-seniors-rally-behind-their-caregivers-as-350000-haitians-are-set-to-lose-legal-status

In Massachusetts, foreign-born workers make up 40% of health aides and in Florida, the state featured in this article, that increases to up to 48% of health aides and 64 % of home health aides.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes temporarily paused the termination, scheduled for Tuesday, of Temporary Protected Status* for Haitians by the Trump Administration to allow for legal challenges against the order to be heard. This allows these vital health care workers to continue to live and work in the United States, but without guarantees for how long.

*Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian relief program which allows some individuals and families from countries experiencing extremely dangerous living conditions to remain and work in the United States until it is safe for them to return.

02/04/2026

We are seeing a sharp rise in food insecurity among all our clients; hit especially hard are those still awaiting their green cards as a new Federal policy makes them ineligible for SNAP benefits.

Although the need for food assistance is far greater than our available resources and capacity could ever meet, with the help of partners like the United Way of Pioneer Valley and Rachel's Table we have been able to provide some staples to those facing the most critical shortages.

The United Way’s SNAP Rapid Relief grant helped us purchase a variety of culturally appropriate foods for families with empty cupboards and a generous crew of volunteers from Rachel’s Table helped us to organize and distribute to households with no other options for support. We are so grateful to these organizations for helping us help others.

02/03/2026

We are grateful to West Springfield Public Schools for inviting our New American staff to come speak to teachers and staff to explain the refugee experience from timeline of the resettlement process to challenges faced as families adjust to American culture (and often a new language). Our staff shared challenges faced by newly-arriving students, described our youth programs, and offered proven strategies for helping youth feel safe and welcome as they adapt to their new lives in Western Massachusetts.

02/02/2026

We currently have a few openings in our Virtual Caregiver Support Groups. These small, supportive groups meet weekly to offer a safe space for those caring for loved ones with dementia to connect, share experiences, explore meaningful topics, and discover helpful resources.

There is no cost to join. Participation requires an initial intake session and is limited to ten members per group.

For more information, please contact Cathy Chandler at cathy.chandler@jfswm.org.