Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford

01/23/2026

294 birthday cards. 294 lives we are honored to serve. 💙

This week, JFS CEO Katie Hanley is taking time to sign birthday cards for the Holocaust survivors we support at JFS. Each card is a small reminder that every life, every story, and every year matters.

This year, we’re especially honored to celebrate milestone birthdays: 19 clients turning 90, 2 clients turning 100, and one remarkable survivor who just turned 102. 🎉

It’s a privilege to celebrate these extraordinary lives.

01/22/2026

Nancy has worked in social service agencies for nearly 4 decades, and has spent the last twenty-three years as a psychotherapist with Jewish Family Services. She has provided counseling for a great variety of individuals and couples who have come to her for help with emotional, relationship, and family issues. Her style is conversational, collaborative, and direct. Nancy works with all age adults, and she has special training in a clinical model called Internal Family Systems (IFS). Nancy also has a niche at JFS providing co-parenting counseling for divorcing/divorced parents.

We are grateful for Nancy and our incredible team of clinicians. If you or a loved one are in need of therapeutic support, call JFS today at (860) 236-1927 to schedule an intake.

01/20/2026

A special thank you to Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Justice Team for their volunteer visit to JFS! This community-minded group packed an incredible 45 POUNDS of spices, bringing bold flavor, warmth, and comfort to clients of the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry. 🌶️✨

Interested in volunteering at JFS? We offer meaningful opportunities for groups and families of all ages - and would love to have you join our team!

01/08/2026

✨ Volunteer Spotlight: Gianna & Lori ✨

Meet Gianna and Lori, who began volunteering with JFS in March 2025 through Options Employment & Educational Services in Hartford. In addition to Gianna completing her high school credits and first college courses at Options, Gianna provides support in the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry.

Lori, Gianna’s mentor and vocational counselor, has worked with Options students for 20 years helping develop their personal and vocational skills.

💬 Favorite volunteer tasks? Gianna: Packaging spices — “It’s incredibly calming.” Lori: Grinding coffee — “The smell is amazing and a great way to start the day.”
💬 Outside of volunteering…Gianna works at a local restaurant, is learning hairstyling, and just started college this fall with an art class to explore her interests. She hopes to attend hairdressing school one day.
💬 From our staff… “Gianna and Lori are amazing,” shares Sam. “They’re reliable, consistent, and always willing to step out of their comfort zone. The growth in Gianna since day one has been incredible.”

🌟 Thank you to Gianna, Lori, and Options Employment & Educational Services for the meaningful impact you make at JFS every day. 🌟

01/07/2026

Join JFS and TWI for this free webinar featuring Hunter Clarke-Fields, bestselling author of Raising Good Humans and host of the Mindful Parenting podcast. She brings a compassionate, practical approach to parenting—one that replaces reactive cycles with calm, connection-based discipline.

You'll learn how to:
❤️ Respond to behavior without reacting with anger
🧡 Replace punishment with teaching moments that stick
💛 Build connection and cooperation, even during meltdowns
💚 Become the calm, confident leader your child needs

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/effective-discipline-gentle-methods-powerful-results-tickets-1677279210269?discount=JFSGH

12/29/2025

Each month, the Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry at JFS collects basic, nourishing Pantry Picks to help our clients feed their families.

Our January Pantry Pick is shelf-stable milk and cereal.

You can drop purchases off in person at JFS during business hours, order from our Amazon Wish List for delivery to JFS, or donate money online (specify Food Pantry).

Learn more here: https://jfshartford.org/anja-rosenberg-kosher-food-pantry/

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas!

JFS will be closed Thursday, December 25. The Anja Rosenberg Kosher Food Pantry will be closed for regular visits from Wednesday, December 24 - Friday, January 2 as our office will be remote.

There will be pre-packed bags available for our pantry clients in the entryway on:
Wednesday, December 24
Monday, December 29
Tuesday, December 30
Wednesday, December 31

12/23/2025

🧦 A perfect pair in action! 🧦

The Lillian Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation and JFS came together to keep little feet warm this holiday season. Through their annual drive, the Lillian Fund generously supported local children by focusing on something simple but essential—children’s socks, bringing comfort and warmth when it mattered most.

We are deeply grateful to the Lillian Fund for their partnership and generosity. Because of you, children in our community are stepping into winter with warm feet and full hearts.

Embracing possibility—from head to toe. 💙

12/22/2025

STOP telling yourself stories that aren't true! 🛑✋

JFS' CEO, Katie Hanley, used to be convinced she had a "black thumb." She told everyone, "I just can't keep plants alive."

"Then, 11 years ago, I decided to change the narrative. I took a tiny seedling from my sister’s baby shower and decided, "I’m not telling myself that story anymore."

11 years later (Happy Birthday to my nephew! 🥳), this plant is thriving in my office. It blooms every Thanksgiving and brings me so much joy.

This Hanukkah, I want you to focus on Liberation. Liberate yourself from the labels you’ve given yourself. You are capable of so much more than you think."

✨ Bonus: Get yourself a plant! They are scientifically proven to: 🌿 Reduce stress 🌿 Reduce symptoms of depression 🌿 Improve your overall quality of life

What story are you ready to let go of today? 👇

12/21/2025

The holidays can be hard 🤍
Some people struggle quietly—especially this time of year. Knowing the signs can make a real difference.

👀 Signs to watch for: withdrawing, big mood changes, irritability, feeling hopeless, changes in sleep or appetite
👂 What helps: listen without judging, validate their feelings, don’t rush to “fix” it
🧭 Next steps: encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, counselor, or mental health professional—and offer to help them find support

You don’t need all the answers. Being present, listening, and helping someone connect to support can mean everything. 💛

12/19/2025

12/18/2025

This Hanukkah, JFS Clinician Kim Whittingham, LPC encourages clients to prioritize their physical wellbeing to maintain balance. Brief movement, nourishing your body, and limiting screentime are a few quick ways to maintain physical and mental peace during a time that may feel hard or overwhelming to many.