Category Archives: Straight from the Heart

Jewish tradition teaches that every person carries unique gifts – talents and perspectives that the world needs. Yet for many individuals with disabilities, the path to employment is often blocked by barriers in access and understanding. At Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS), our Supported Employment Program exists to dismantle those barriers. Through vocational assessments, [...]

Abuse often hides behind closed doors. A friend, neighbor, colleague, or family member may be living in fear while appearing perfectly fine to the outside world. Domestic violence is more than physical harm. Rather, it’s a pattern of power and control that can include emotional manipulation, financial control, sexual coercion, stalking, intimidation, and digital abuse. [...]

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 [...]

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. [...]

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 [...]

As June arrives and Pride Month lights up communities across the country, we take a moment not only to celebrate history, but to reaffirm something deeply important: Everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and genuinely at home–here at JFCS and beyond. Pride Month traces back to June 1969, when a police raid at the Stonewall [...]

This May brings together three observances that, at first glance, might seem distinct: Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Memorial Day. Yet they share a common thread–they all remind us that the strength of our community lies in how we care for one another, not only in times of crisis but in the [...]

As Passover approaches, the theme of freedom fills our homes and hearts. It’s woven through our prayers, our rituals, and our conversations around the Seder table. But freedom means different things at different moments in our lives. Many Kinds of Freedom At Passover, we commemorate the Exodus from Egypt–the dramatic liberation of the Israelites from [...]

As Passover approaches, the theme of freedom fills our homes and hearts. It’s woven through our prayers, our rituals, and our conversations around the Seder table. But freedom means different things at different moments in our lives. Many Kinds of Freedom At Passover, we commemorate the Exodus from Egypt–the dramatic liberation of the Israelites from [...]

At every stage of life, people face struggles–unexpected crises, challenging transitions, moments that test our strength. And no one should face those moments alone. For more than eight decades, Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) has served as a beacon of hope for South Jersey residents navigating life’s challenges. What began as a commitment to [...]