Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts

11/20/2025

We were delighted by the number of you who responded to our online RSVP form to let us know you are joining us for our Annual Meeting tonight. We look forward to sharing some highlights from our work this past year over some delicious food.

11/17/2025

Looking for a rewarding job working with kids? We're hiring. For details, go to: https://jfswm.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/

11/13/2025

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and supervising three staff in the finance office, this role is pivotal in supporting the mission of JFSWM through sound financial planning, budgeting, and financial reporting.

The Controller plays a key role in the management of resources, financial analysis, and reporting to internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and donors.

The ideal candidate will have a deep commitment to social justice and be passionate about supporting immigrant and refugee communities.

We are also looking for:

-Community Educator

-English Language & Job Skills Instructor

For job descriptions and information on how to apply, go to:

https://jfswm.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/

11/10/2025

We have two job openings in our New American program to support clients as they build the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive in Western Massachusetts. Scan the QR code or click this link for more info and to apply: https://jfswm.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/

11/09/2025

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE
Ways to help those impacted by the government shutdown

The SNAP program, which is a lifeline for many families, is currently on hold and operating on a reduced capacity. Many clients at JFS and members of the Jewish community have not received their November SNAP benefit which enables them to provide healthy, nutritious food for their household and extend their budget to cover other critical costs. This is having a significant impact on many of the families we serve. Scan the QR code to find out how you can help or keeping reading.

JFS is currently seeking the following support, which will be immediately deployed to our clients and members of Jewish community partners:

1) Donating funds (https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/jewish-family-service-of-western-massachusetts/emergency-food-assistance-drive)
These donations will be used to purchase items for the JFS food pantry and be dropped off at families’ homes. A direct donation enables us to purchase perishable food items and culturally relevant foods that are not often found at food pantries.

2)Purchasing items directly through our Amazon Wishlist (https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1BBRGQWH29N1).
These non-perishable items will be provided to families in need and used to maintain critical inventory at the JFS temporary food pantry. JFS has started to start an on-site pantry temporarily as local food resources are stretched thin.

3) Volunteering to help us with drop-offs, donation coordination, or accompanying clients to their local food pantries. (https://forms.office.com/r/fMknfrC9AK).

Thank you for your support and commitment to nourishing our local community.

For more information, contact:

N.Perales@jfswm.org

(413) 737-2601

11/07/2025

Hillel teaches that we should not separate ourselves from the community. And our community is showing up in big ways! Thank you to our incredible partners at Rachel's Table, who organized a dozen volunteers this morning to help sort and pack food bags for dozens of community members who are being deeply impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits. Temple Beth El also loaned us a chest freezer for kosher and halal meat to distribute. Together, we provided hundreds of pounds of food to families for this weekend, and are truly living out our shared values of human dignity and healing.

This Shabbat, we are especially grateful for all our community partners who helped pull this together, and thankful for the collective power of our joint response.

11/04/2025

10/31/2025

Hungry families can’t wait! Jewish Family Service, Rachel's Table and our partners in the lower Pioneer Valley Jewish community are combining forces to feed those impacted by the government shutdown. Please add a little extra to your shopping cart to donate. See image for drop off locations and other details. Click the link to download the flyer: https://tinyurl.com/32u7mvhu

10/29/2025

We highly recommend the documentary podcast When We All Get to Heaven, which tells the story of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco one of the first churches for the LGBTQ+ community and the profound challenges it faced during the AIDS epidemic, when the congregation lost 500 members.

The material is incredible and speaks to how communities of faith live out deep religious and cultural values, even during the most challenging times. It really hit home!

Click the link to learn more and to listen: https://www.heavenpodcast.org/

10/27/2025

Members of our Community Support Program recently held a meet and greet to warmly welcome staff who transferred to CSP from other projects. This gave everyone the opportunity to learn more about the program and each other in a friendly, relaxed manner. We are so proud of the way our staff meets challenges (like staff restructuring due to the executive order which indefinitely paused refugee resettlement) with kindness.

10/26/2025

Jewish high school students ready to take action! Based on feedback from our Jewish Family Service Corps, we have created a separate program called Kavanah for students in grades 9-12.

Teens plan and lead service projects, learn about advocacy, meet local and state leaders, and participate in a trip to the Massachusetts State House.

There will be four sessions between autumn and spring; exact program dates will be chosen with family input to ensure accessibility.

For more information and/or to register:

• you can go to the upcoming events section of our website: https://jfswm.org/
or
• scan the QR code.

Questions? Call 413-737-2601 or contact Simon Crawford-Muscat: s.crawford-muscat@jfswm.org

Of course, teens are still welcome to participate in Jewish Family Service Corps with the rest of the family. More information about that program can also be found on our homepage.