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Events + Announcements The Holy in the Mundane: Winter Warmth Drive
How do we translate the Rosh Hashanah resolutions, the Yom Kippur introspection, the joy and vulnerability of Sukkot, and the revelations of Simchat Torah into meaningful daily decisions? This month invites us to make choices that reflect our values and aspirations and to consider where we are directing our time, resources, and attention. Through the Winter Warmth Drive, we can offer our neighbors daily moments of holiness in the mundane, of feeling connected and cared for in their new home.
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Volunteer Together, We Feed Our Neighbors
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who donated to our food drive and volunteered at the JFS Food Sort this weekend. The need at the Polack Food Bank has reached an all-time high, so the support from our community is more crucial than ever.
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Events + Announcements Raising Teens with Community, Connection, and Jewish Wisdom
Raising Up Teens classes are designed to bring together parents and caregivers to explore the journey of raising adolescents from a Jewish perspective. Whether your teenager is currently facing challenges or you want to strengthen your relationship and prepare for the complexities of adolescence, Raising Up Teens offers a valuable opportunity to learn, reflect, and build community.
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Advocacy JFS Clients Lose Access to Health Care
Today, 11,000 Washingtonians are losing their health insurance because of H.R. 1 (aka the Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) that was passed in July 2025. These immigrants are in the country legally, and many depend on Medicaid for life-saving care. Read two stories from JFS clients whose lives depend on Medicaid and yet they are losing coverage.
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Impact Stories JFS Food Drive & Sort Builds Community and Improves Food Access
Food is a basic human need. But with skyrocketing inflation and the continued erosion of our country’s social safety net, many people in our community struggle to afford enough food for themselves and their families. JFS has been providing free food for close to 100 years, and this year, our Polack Food Bank is feeding more people than ever before.
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Values Sha’arei Tikvah: Making the Holidays Inclusive for People with Disabilities
Our Director of Supportive Living Services reflects on a Rosh Hashanah Sha’arei Tikvah event -- an inclusive and welcoming celebration that meets a critical need for our clients with mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
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Values Back to School: How to Support Teens Through Healthy Relationships
As young people prepare for the new school year, they often face a flood of emotions, including curiosity about navigating dating relationships. We can help young people understand and communicate their feelings and build healthy relationships that empower them as individuals and community members.
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Values Tackling the Transition Back to School
Our Parent Navigation Coach gives great advice for parents and kids navigating the transition back to school. Learn how to help children feel prepared, supported, and confident that, when something is hard, the adults in their lives will help them figure it out.
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Events + Announcements Planning for Purple Shabbat: Raising Awareness of Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and people often wear a purple ribbon or purple clothes to raise awareness about DV and honor survivors. Another way to do this is to organize a Purple Shabbat. Find out more about how you can get involved.
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Impact Stories Welcoming the Stranger: Supporting Trafficking Survivors & Other Vulnerable Youth
Did you know that JFS has a program to support survivors of trafficking and other vulnerable youth? This work is part of our Refugee & Immigrant Services program. For 134 years, JFS has stood as a beacon of hope for refugees and immigrants seeking to establish new homes in safety and dignity, and we remain committed to this work with the support of our community.
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Values Summer and Screen Time: Finding Balance Instead of Perfection
Summer has a way of changing family routines. School is out, schedules are more relaxed, and children often have more free time than they know what to do with. It's no surprise that many parents start wondering: "How much screen time is too much?"
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CEO 250 Years Later: Profound Promises and Unfinished Work
As our nation recently commemorated Independence Day and the enduring significance of the Declaration of Independence 250 years after its signing, JFS CEO Rebekah Shrestha reflects on both the profound promise of this country and the unfinished work to make that promise real for everyone.
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Values 4 Ways to Support Your Child(ren) at the End of the School Year
The end of the school year brings significant changes for children. Saying goodbye to favorite teachers and classmates, and hello to new routines and expectations and, lead to a loss of predictability in children’s daily lives. Even children who are excited about summer can feel stressed by these transitions. The good news is that most children settle into their summer routines within a few weeks. With patience, consistency, and connection, parents can help make this transition smoother for everyone involved.
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Events + Announcements A National Day of Community Action: TogetherTuesday
On TogetherTuesday (June 23, 2026), people across America will come together to care for, connect with, and engage their communities. JFS has numerous special volunteer opportunities for TogetherTuesday including farm gleaning, Refugee & Immigrant Services storage cleanup, and buying food for our clients.
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Values Sharing Hope for Greater Love and Compassion
Rabbi Ronit reflects on Shavuot, and hopes for a world of greater love and kindness, where all people are safe to practice their faith or religion and are treated with dignity and respect. She sends prayers to the Muslim community in San Diego and throughout our country.
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Events + Announcements Thank You for Making the 2026 Community of Caring Luncheon a Success!
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Community of Caring Luncheon and made it a success! Thanks to our community's generosity, we raised more than $2 million to ensure Jewish individuals and families, refugees and immigrants, and our broader community here in the Puget Sound have access to critical support services they need to thrive. You make our life-transforming work possible!
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Values When Your World Is Turned Upside Down: Reflections for Purim & Refugee Shabbat
As we reflect on the story of Esther for Purim, we must also remember our imperative to protect the fundamental right to safety and dignity of others, especially the immigrant. They are most often the members of society who are least protected, and at this moment, they are the people in our country whose lives are being most significantly upended and destabilized.
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In the News In the News: Eyed with suspicion, WA Afghans find pain and promise in American life
Cordelia Revells, JFS Director of Immigrant and Refugee Services, spoke with The Seattle Times about our experience helping Afghan refugees and immigrants. The article shares one family's story and information about what Afghans are facing in this country.
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CEO We Have Seen This Before and We Cannot Look Away Now
Jewish communities carry in our collective memory the knowledge of what happens when fear is normalized, when governments decide some people are disposable, when communities stay silent because they believe they are safe or are too fearful to speak up. JFS has a responsibility to our clients, our staff, and our broader community to support, protect, and advocate for the safety of immigrants and refugees and Jewish individuals and families.
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Events + Announcements Meet Becky Goldman, Parent Navigation Coach
We’re excited to welcome Becky Goldman to the new role of Parent Navigation Coach. JFS created this position to better support our community’s mental health and provide education and resources.
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CEO Sharing Our Light During Chanukah
We stand together with our Jewish clients, staff, and partners; Jewish communities around the world; and all communities affected by violence. Our community has always come together in times of need to support each other. We will not allow violence to extinguish our light.
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In the News In the News: Washington’s Refugee Communities Brace
Refugee service providers and immigration attorneys in western Washington said they are seeing a rapid surge in fear and confusion after President Trump issued sweeping statements signaling major shifts in U.S. immigration policy including the possibility of revisiting cases of people already living in the country legally.
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In the News Statement on the Heartbreaking News From Washington, D.C.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., and our hearts go out to their families, loved ones, and colleagues. Any act of violence is devastating, and this incident has shaken all of us.
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In the News SNAP Uncertainty Piles on Stress at Seattle-Area Food Banks
It has been a frenzied week for those who rely on federal benefits to feed themselves and their families — and for the food banks and pantries that provide groceries and meals to thousands of Washingtonians each month. Food banks reported a range of impacts during the first week SNAP benefits were not renewed since the program was formally established over 60 years ago.
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CEO Rebekah’s Reflections on Her First Month at JFS
Today, we face unprecedented challenges, and we are building on an incredibly strong foundation thanks to the generosity of you, our supporters. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to make JFS the essential community resource that it is.
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In the News Seattle Food Banks Face a Wave of Need on First Day of SNAP Lapse
Caught in uncertainty about the future of the benefits, and fearing thousands could go without food, local officials have spent the past week scrambling to fill whatever gaps will be left by the federal government.
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Community Updates No One Should Go Hungry
Most of the nearly 5,000 clients JFS serves rely on SNAP food assistance and may not be able to feed their families next week because of the government shut down. JFS is here to ensure that none of our clients go hungry.
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CEO A Note of Thanks and Excitement from Our New CEO, Rebekah Shrestha
The community welcome has already been extraordinary. I’ve had the joy of meeting many of you and joining our programs to see JFS’s impact firsthand. Each conversation reinforces what makes this organization so special: the deep relationships that form the foundation of our work. Building those relationships, with you and across our community, is what I’m most excited about in the months ahead.
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Volunteer From Crisis to Community: How the Food Sort Makes a Difference
We’re grateful to everyone who donated and volunteered, and we extend a special thank you to the ACME Food Sales Team for providing a fantastic location for the event and critical storage space for the Polack Food Bank throughout the year.
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Values The Shofar: Cries and Action
At the end of Yom Kippur on Thursday night we will again hear the shofar, but we will not be listening to the cries as we did on Rosh Hashanah. After a day of introspection and reflection, this final shofar blast represents instead a call to action, our imperative to proclaim freedom throughout the land.
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Advocacy Creating a Shelter of Peace for Domestic Violence Survivors
This October, Sukkot once again coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As many in the Jewish community celebrate by spending time in the sukkah, a temporary dwelling shelter, we’re reminded that there are many in our community who are unsafe in their homes because of domestic violence.
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Community Updates Hunger Can’t Wait: Devastating Cuts to Food Assistance Programs
National Food Bank Day is a time to raise awareness of food insecurity and highlight the vital role of food banks in helping those in need. At JFS, we’re seeing skyrocketing demand for food assistance at the same time that food donations and funding are plummeting.
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Community Updates Everyone Leaves a Legacy: What’s Yours?
What if we made sure that those who come after us know what we stood for? What was important to us? What do we hope will be important to them? What if we built our legacy out loud?
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Community Updates Celebrating the Bravery, Resilience, and Strength of Holocaust Survivors
On June 11, we invited Holocaust survivors, their families, and friends to join Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle for our fourth annual Holocaust Survivor Day celebration.
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CEO Announcing Our New CEO: Rebekah Shrestha
We are thrilled to announce we have hired a new CEO. Rebekah Shrestha will be joining JFS, beginning on October 1st.
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Community Updates The Cost of the Cuts: Protecting Our Community in Challenging Times
As a result of recent budget cuts, roughly 17 million people throughout the country will lose health coverage by 2034
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Community Updates Celebrating Many Heritages During Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. We’d like to take this opportunity to honor and acknowledge how our Jewish heritage intersects with other heritages and identities.
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Client Stories One Accident Can Change Everything: Jeramick’s Story
A person's struggle is both complex and nuanced. In many cases, struggles like these are invisible to people who have never had to face such trauma. I write this letter because I’m not invisible and I am not without value.
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Community Updates A JFS Update: A Call to Action
Jewish Family Service (JFS) has been a lifeline for our community since 1892, providing critical support to Jewish individuals and families, refugees and immigrants, and the broader community as well. Today, that lifeline is at risk.
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Advocacy The Legacy of Esther: Honoring Our Identity
At any given time in history, there are people who are being targeted because of their identity. While the story of Purim tells of the persecution of the Jews of Persia, it reminds us to act with courage for those who are being targeted right now.
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Client Stories From Uncertainty to Hope: Araceli’s Journey
When Araceli* arrived in the U.S. from Honduras with her young children, she brought a cautious hope for a new life, but also a deep fear of an uncertain future. She had no English skills, no financial security, and no community ties.
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Community Updates Why Our Stories Matter: Standing Up for Refugees and Immigrants This Refugee Shabbat
How we tell our own stories—and how we listen to the stories of others—matters. Those in greatest need and greatest danger right now must have their stories heard.
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CEO When Fear Turns to Focus
in times of crisis, fear can either paralyze us or sharpen our focus. As a community, we are facing an extremely turbulent environment, and we must meet this moment with clarity, courage, and resolve.
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Community Updates Standing Together to Support Refugees and Immigrants
We are in a pivotal moment for refugees and immigrants who have been waiting for their chance to resettle and rebuild their lives in the United States, as well as for those who have newly arrived, including children.
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Community Updates Mitzvah Meals Brings Food, Warmth, and Connection to Medical Visitors
Over the last 25 years, more than 200 volunteers have brought meals to dozens of Jewish families from cities throughout the U.S. and several from Israel.
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CEO An Important JFS Leadership Update
JFS has thrived for 132 years, and this leadership transition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Together, we will build on Will’s remarkable legacy to continue serving our mission with passion and purpose. We will keep you informed as this process unfolds, and we welcome your thoughts and encouragement as we take these important next steps.
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Values The Quiet Glow: Lessons from the Chanukah Candles
In this time of increasing distraction, we so quickly move from one activity to the next. Once the Chanukah candles are lit, we likely go on to whatever is next. What’s more, the Chanukah candles are explicitly not to be used for any function or purpose, which means that my teacher was simply sitting, observing, and appreciating the flames.
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Community Updates From Strangers to Neighbors: Building Dignity Through the JFS Winter Warmth Drive
As we pull out our waterproof winter coats and cozy socks, how can our understanding of the soul of the stranger motivate us to action? How can we ensure that those in need also have the right gear for the cold and rainy weather ahead?
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Community Updates JFS is Here
The work ahead of us will certainly be more challenging but we will not be deterred. We may not complete the task in our time, but we will not stop working for a better future. As long as we are willing to say, “We are here,” there is hope and purpose. As we move into these uncertain times, JFS is resolved to stand with those at greatest risk in our community.
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Community Updates Thank You for Supporting the JFS Community-Wide Food Drive & Food Sort!
The spirit of tzedakah (giving) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) was on full display as we sorted, boxed, and organized 900 bags (and counting) of food and toiletries!
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Events + Announcements Meet Rabbi Ronit: The New Voice of Project Kavod at JFS
Jewish Family Service is excited to welcome Rabbi Ronit Tsadok as the new Director of Project Kavod, a JFS initiative that ties the vital work we do to the core Jewish values that inspire and guide our mission. With over 12 years of experience as a rabbi at IKAR in Los Angeles, Rabbi Ronit brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to creating inclusive Jewish communities rooted in love, tradition, and justice. In a recent interview, she shared her journey—from growing up in a traditional Jewish home to becoming a passionate advocate for inclusivity and social change. Welcome Rabbi Ronit!
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CEO Seeking a Common Fire
As we approach the start of a new school year, with colleges and universities welcoming both new and returning students, there is an undercurrent of uncertainty. Will there be more protests? More division? More seemingly intractable issues which we all—whether on campuses or not—are having difficulty discussing with civility and compassion?
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Events + Announcements Meet Rebecca Mather, Project DVORA Outreach and Prevention Coordinator
We are thrilled to have Rebecca Mather continue her outstanding work at JFS as the new Outreach and Prevention Coordinator with Project DVORA! We spoke with Rebecca about what she looks forward to in her new role, introducing the innovative healthy relationship workshops for teens, and what she likes to do in her free time. Join us in welcoming Rebecca in her new role!
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Client Stories Caring for our Caregivers
November is National Family Caregiver Month, bringing recognition to family caregivers who spend countless hours and enormous energy taking care of their loved ones, usually at the expense of their own health and well-being.
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Values A Legacy of Loving Kindness: Introducing the Tina B. Novick Jewish Holidays Basket Endowment Fund
Tina Novick’s memory is associated with many words: belonging, warmth, generosity and peace among them. But two other important qualities come to mind when we remember the full and remarkable life that Tina led: tzedakah (righteousness) and hesed (loving kindness). All of us at JFS, along with Tina’s family and friends, are pleased to announce the Tina B. Novick Jewish Holidays Basket Endowment Fund, a permanent way to honor Tina’s life and a lasting legacy that will multiply upon itself to serve the community for years to come.
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Client Stories Facing Domestic Violence in Her Own Words
This Project DVORA client tells her own story of facing domestic violence. She wrote this piece while participating in a Speaking and Writing for Change group at JFS. She also attended a Project DVORA Family Group with her children. Project DVORA works with clients to develop individualized plans to support them in the healing process. If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, call Project DVORA (206) 861-3159.