As the shofar’s call draws near and the sweet scent of apples and honey fills our homes, Rosh Hashanah reminds us that the new year is more than a calendar change—it’s an invitation to renew our spirits, deepen our connections, and recommit to building a more compassionate world.
Life has a way of presenting us with unexpected challenges, moments that test our strength and shake our foundation. Yet within each of us lies an extraordinary capacity for resilience not the ability to avoid hardship, but the power to adapt, heal, and emerge stronger. Those who cultivate this inner strength can weather life’s storms with hope intact, while those who face struggles alone often find themselves overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control.
Resilience is at the heart of everything we do at JFCS. It’s woven into every counseling session, food delivery, medical ride, home visit, and hand held. It’s helping a grieving spouse face tomorrow, empowering a young adult with disabilities to live independently, supporting a caregiver navigating illness, or giving a family the resources to regain stability. Whatever the challenge–loss, financial hardship, or life transition our staff and volunteers walk alongside people until they feel steady again, reminding them that even in the hardest moments, they have the strength to keep going.
Annie’s story (name changed to protect confidentiality) captures this transformation beautifully. She first reached out to Project SARAH (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home) in January 2023, fleeing an abusive marriage. With a restraining order in place, she still needed guidance to rebuild her life. Our staff helped her navigate divorce proceedings, manage finances, and access essential resources. She joined our Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantry and SARAH Supports, a weekly online group where hearing other women’s stories helped her feel no shame and less alone.
Today, Annie thrives in a supportive community, attending events and sharing her experiences. With newfound courage, she helped her son leave an abusive relationship, too. Recently, Annie called with joyful news: She’s getting married to a man who treats her with kindness and respect. While she still has moments of nervousness, she carries tools for healthy communication and safety–proof that resilience, when nurtured with care and community support, can truly transform lives.
Renewal Through Community
Annie’s journey reminds us of a fundamental truth that echoes through our High Holy Day prayers: Transformation is always possible, but the path forward need not be walked alone. In just a few weeks, as we gather in synagogues and around holiday tables, Rosh Hashanah calls us to reflection and renewal.
Jewish tradition teaches us that change is never beyond reach– but it flourishes when we support one another through both struggle and celebration.
The High Holy Days also call us to look outward, to remember those in our community who may be struggling in silence. For families facing food insecurity, the cost of a High Holy Day meal can feel impossible, turning what should be a season of joy into one of stress and worry.
Each fall, JFCS partners with our community to ensure that no neighbor is left out of these sacred celebrations. As the only kosher food pantry in South Jersey, our Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantry nourishes Jewish families during the High Holy Days, Passover, Thanksgiving, and year-round.
Joining Together in Sacred Work
This fall, we’re partnering with synagogues and Jewish day schools throughout our community for High Holy Day food drives. These congregations are collecting kosher, non-perishable items from their members and communities–acts of generosity that ensure pantry shelves remain stocked for families who need them most. We’re deeply grateful to our friends at Adath Emanu-El, Chabad, Cong. Beth El, Cong. Beth Tikvah, Cong. Kol Ami, Hadassah, Kellman Brown Academy, Nafshenu, Politz Day School, Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Har Zion, and Torah Links, for their ongoing support.
We also acknowledge all of the individual community members who contribute to these drives, knowing that their donations bring both nourishment and hope to struggling families in our neighborhoods. For those who wish to contribute this year, we will be accepting individual High Holy Day food donations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Rhona Fischer Family Assistance Building (6 East Miami Avenue in Cherry Hill).
Another cherished tradition is our Rosh Hashanah meal and treat delivery. On September 17 and 18, dozens of dedicated JFCS volunteers will fan out across our community, delivering over 200 festive meals and 90 holiday treat bags to older adults and Holocaust Survivors. These heartfelt acts of chesed (loving-kindness) bring comfort, connection, and joy, wrapping our clients in the true spirit of the season and reminding them they are deeply valued and remembered.
Together, through these community partnerships, we can ensure that every family in our community can welcome the New Year with dignity and abundance.
L’Shanah Tovah: May We All Be Inscribed for Good
The JFCS mission is rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam repairing the world. Guided by kindness, fueled by generosity, and strengthened through human connection, each one of us has the power to heal and transform our world. The High Holy Days remind us that our responsibility extends beyond ourselves–we are bound to one another, and together, we can create a community that is more compassionate, resilient, and whole.
This past year has shown how compassion, generosity, and resilience can change lives– but none of it is possible without the trust and partnership of our South Jersey community. As we welcome the New Year, JFCS will continue to be here for you, through challenges and celebrations alike.
From our family to yours, Shanah Tovah Tikateivu–may you be inscribed and sealed for a good, healthy, and meaningful year.
