Jewish Life

Jewish Life programs foster the resiliency and wellbeing of our Jewish community across the life span.

Grounded in our Jewish values of human dignity, compassion, healing and integrity, our Jewish Life programs provide social services, outreach, education, and meaningful volunteer, and service opportunities for the Jewish community of Western Massachusetts. Click here to download a printable version of our Jewish Life flyer.

Jewish Life programs include:

Case Management Services for the Jewish Community: Our agency now provides individualized, compassionate support to members of the Jewish community who need help navigating community, social, and mental health resources, connecting with culturally responsive programs, and receiving personalized advocacy and coordinated care. Our Case Manager Tammy Morton works collaboratively with individuals, families, and community providers to ensure access to the right services at the right time. To make a referral or learn more, click here.

Jewish Family Service Corps:  Jewish Family Service Corps is a Jewish service and education program for families with students in Elementary and Middle School. Rooted in the core values of Judaism, the whole family participates together to strengthen family ties while serving the constituents of JFS including refugee families and individuals, older adults in guardianship, and families in need.

Jewish Family Service Corps is made possible in part by a grant from The Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Kavanah Teen Group: For Jewish high school students ready to take action! Teens plan and lead service projects, learn about advocacy, meet local and state leaders, and take a trip to the Massachusetts State House. 

Kavanah is made possible in part by a grant from The Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Resiliency Programming: Community programs to support the resiliency of individuals and our Jewish community. This includes responding to the urgent and emergent needs of the Jewish community in collaboration with our community partners, such as peer and professional support groups, in-service (staff) trainings, and mental health support.

Community Social Services: We provide referrals to area resources, Behavioral Health services, case management for Older Adults and healthy aging in place, and staff a social services position at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.

Community Education, Advocacy, and Volunteer Experiences:  Bringing religious school students, families, synagogues and community members together for education and direct service experiences in refugee resettlement–welcoming the stranger, building community. We provide ongoing service opportunities and in services for lay leaders, students and members of the Jewish community. 

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program: An opportunity for learning and engagement in a direct service project for students in the b’nai mitzvah year.

Refugee Shabbat Partnership and Outreach: Each year, JFS partners with HIAS, area synagogues, and other community collaborators to engage the Jewish community in welcoming the stranger through on-site speakers, advocacy opportunities, and educational experiences.

Yad Chessed Partnership:  As a recipient of a Jewish Poverty Challenge grant from the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies (NJHSA), JFS works with other Jewish organizations to raise awareness and build a sustainable response to the critical issue of Jewish poverty in Western MA. JFS partners with Yad Chessed to bring additional resources to those in our Western Massachusetts Jewish community experiencing financial distress; services include: emergency financial aid, monthly food cards, and ongoing support. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact Yad Chessed at (781) 487-2693 or intake@yadchessed.org.

For more information contact Rosalind Torrey at r.torrey@jfswm.org  or call 413-737-2601.