Tevet 5785 / December 2024

As we enter Tevet, a month that teaches us about resilience in the face of challenges, we find special meaning in its convergence with the secular New Year. Both calendar events invite us to reflect on renewal and perseverance – qualities that have shone brightly through JFCS’s work these past weeks.

In fiscal year 2024, our Faye Manger Counseling Department provided 4,599 counseling sessions, supporting community members through their mental health journeys with patience and compassion. As we approach calendar year 2025, we’re reminded that growth often comes through small, positive steps taken together.

The spirit of community radiated throughout our Love Café Europa Chanukah celebration on December 19. Holocaust Survivors gathered with family, staff, and students from Politz Day School of Cherry Hill, filling the Lahn Social Hall at the Katz JCC with music, conversation, and joy. We were especially delighted to celebrate one client’s 103rd birthday! Our heartfelt thanks go to Rabbi Micah Peltz of Temple Beth Sholom for his inspiring words on Jewish resilience, to Marvin and Marsha Raab for sponsoring this beautiful celebration, and to Judy Love for her continued support of Café Europa.

Through the generous gift of Judy Nadell, John Langan, and the Townsend Foundation, our clients at both our main office and our Rhona Fischer Family Assistance building now have access to a wonderful collection of brand-new books to add to their home libraries. From fiction to non-fiction, reference materials to children’s books, these volumes offer more than just reading material – they provide comfort, wisdom, and emotional nourishment for clients of all ages. It’s heartwarming to see our community members discovering new stories and knowledge they can now call their own.

As we light the seventh and eighth Chanukah candles tonight and tomorrow evening, we reflect on JFCS’s own light that has burned brightly for 80 years. If you haven’t yet seen how your support has impacted our community this past year, we invite you to watch our agency video.

With gratitude for all you do to illuminate our community, and wishes for a joyous conclusion of Chanukah and a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year,

Jill & Melanie, Associate Executive Directors

Love Café Europa Program Chanukah celebration. Top Row: Students from Politz Day School of Cherry Hill; Marvin Raab, Marsha Raab, Gail Belfer, JFCS Director of Holocaust Survivor Services & Advocacy. Middle Row: JFCS Holocaust Survivor Services Special Programs Manager Wendy Alter with Judy Love; Politz students with JFCS clients. Bottom Row: Politz students with JFCS clients; Marsha Raab, Rabbi Micah Peltz, Marvin Raab.