This fall, you can help stock the shelves of the JFCS Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantry by participating in Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s Community High Holiday Food Drive. Your donations of kosher, non-perishable food items and household essentials help provide nourishment and dignity to neighbors facing food insecurity. Most-needed Kosher items include shelf-stable [...]
Author Archives: Rachael Ovitz
11
Sep
Sep
As Rosh Hashanah begins tonight, we welcome a season of reflection, renewal, and hope. This sacred time reminds us of our capacity to grow, heal, and begin anew. At Jewish Family & Children's Service, we are honored to support individuals and families on their journeys of resilience and transformation. We are deeply grateful to all [...]
08
Sep
Sep
Meet Jen Gerstein, Volunteer Onboarding Specialist! How long have you been working at JFCS? My official start date was June 15, 2026. Tell us about your role. As the Volunteer Onboarding Specialist, I manage all volunteer inquiries and help determine who is appropriate and should be vetted for open positions. I communicate with new volunteers [...]
02
Sep
Sep
On Rosh Hashanah, the piercing blasts of the shofar ring out across our sanctuaries like an alarm clock. The shofar is more than a ritual instrument; it is a spiritual wake-up call, urging us to examine our lives, embrace opportunities for growth, and recognize the possibility of change. As its call approaches and the sweet [...]
26
Aug
Aug
Jewish Family & Children's Service (JFCS) of Southern New Jersey is proud to announce that we have earned national re-accreditation through COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current. This achievement reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate services and support to individuals, families, seniors, and communities throughout Southern New Jersey. Re-accreditation is the [...]
14
Aug
Aug
The month of Elul arrives quietly, inviting us to pause and reflect. The shofar’s call begins this month – not with the urgency of the High Holy Days, but as a gentle invitation to ask ourselves important questions: How will I show up differently in the year ahead? Where will I direct my generosity? How [...]
05
Aug
Aug
As summer winds down and the first day of school approaches, families across South Jersey are in motion: Checking off supply lists, filling out forms, and squeezing in one last beach day. It’s a season filled with anticipation and, for many parents, a hope that this year will be a good one for their child. [...]
05
Aug
Aug
Living with vision loss can be a challenging and often isolating experience. Conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye diseases can affect an individual's ability to drive, read, manage daily tasks, and maintain their independence - often leading to frustration, anxiety, and social isolation. To help South Jersey's older adults (55+) navigate [...]
15
Jul
Jul
This week, we welcome the Jewish month of Av – a time that holds both sorrow and the possibility of renewal. In Hebrew, Av means “father,” and we often add the name Menachem, meaning “comforter.” This tradition reminds us that even in our darkest moments, solace is possible. Av includes some of the most difficult days in Jewish [...]
08
Jul
Jul
Something significant is happening across South Jersey this summer, and it’s affecting far more families than many people realize. As the cost of living continues to rise, households are being pushed to the brink. Groceries cost more. Rent costs more. Utilities cost more. And at the same time, thousands are losing access to critical food [...]