JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service

10/19/2026

🎁 What a day at the JCRS Hanukkah Wrap-a-thon!

A huge thank-you to the 89 volunteers who joined JCRS on Sunday for the Oscar J. Tolmas Hanukkah Gift Program Wrap-a-thon. Together, you helped wrap 874 Hanukkah gifts for families across the Mid-South!

We are grateful for the energy, enthusiasm, and generosity everyone brought to the day. We appreciate the for supporting this program and the for hosting us at the Metairie JCC.

It was wonderful to see so many people come together to do a mitzvah and help make Hanukkah brighter for families across our region. ❤️

10/16/2026

Excited to hear Marlene Trestman and Roberta Brandes Gratz discuss the history of the New Orleans JCC that begins with Jewish Children’s Home and JCRS - Jewish Children's Service on November 11th.

Join authors and historians Marlene Trestman and Roberta Brandes Gratz for a conversation exploring the history and significance of our St. Charles Avenue home. As we celebrate 60 years in this building, we’ll look back at its origins as the Jewish Orphans’ Home and its enduring role in Jewish life in New Orleans. Books by both authors will be available for purchase through Octavia Books, followed by a book signing.

Learn more at www.nojcc.org/culturalevents.

10/06/2026

🎁 So many presents to wrap!

JCRS has been busy getting ready for Hanukkah, and we've got a lot of work ahead of us!

Join us Sunday, October 18, for the Oscar J. Tolmas Hanukkah Gift Program Wrap-a-thon. We’ll wrap hundreds of gifts, cheer on the Saints, enjoy tailgate treats, and have a whole lot of fun while doing a mitzvah for our community.

🏈 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Metairie JCC Gymnasium

Family-friendly, with community service hours available for students!

Learn more: https://jcrs.org/events/hanukkah-wrap-a-thon/

10/05/2026

What a wonderful event celebrating the HANUKKAH COMMEMORATIVE FOREVER STAMP!! 🕎

Thanks Touro Synagogue

#🕎

09/29/2026

What happens behind the scenes when a family seeks support for a child with special needs?

Last week, JCRS’s Special Needs Case Committee met to consider the individual needs of four children and their families. Led by our social workers, Bonnie Lustig and Melanie Musser, the committee brings together dedicated volunteers and professionals to review each case and determine the appropriate level of JCRS assistance.

That support can include therapies, evaluations, and other resources related to physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral needs.

After considering the recommendations of our clinical professionals, the committee committed nearly $32,000 to meet the needs of these four children.

This is one of the many ways JCRS turns community support into need-based resources for Jewish children and families across our seven-state region.

09/17/2026

🎁 Hanukkah Gift Program Applications Due Friday, September 18!

If you have not yet applied for the Oscar J. Tolmas Hanukkah Gift Program, there is still time.

JCRS provides Hanukkah gift packages to Jewish children in our region whose families are facing financial hardship. Each package includes at least eight personalized items based on your child’s age and interests, with packages delivered before the first night of Hanukkah.

Applications are due Friday, September 18.

Learn more and apply at jcrs.org/services/hanukkah-program/

09/09/2026

🍎🍯 Shanah Tovah from all of us at JCRS!
As we welcome 5787, we're reflecting with gratitude on what our community made possible this year. Together, we helped make life a little sweeter for over 2,100 Jewish children and their families across our region.

Because of you, JCRS was able to say "yes" to even more families:

🎓 $550,000+ in college aid helped students pursue their dreams.

🏕️ 580 Jewish summer camp scholarships helped children create memories, build friendships, and strengthen their Jewish identity.

💙 Dozens of children with special needs received support and services to help them thrive.

Thank you for helping JCRS continue to say "yes."

May the new year bring you and your loved ones health, happiness, and many moments of joy.

L'Shanah Tovah! 🍎🍯

01/12/2026

Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS) condemns in the strongest terms the anti-Semitic act of arson targeting Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi. An attack on a synagogue is an attack on the safety, dignity, and sense of belonging that all children and families deserve.

As a regional Jewish children’s social service agency serving the South, JCRS stands in solidarity with the Jackson Jewish community and with all those impacted by hate and violence. We are grateful that no lives were lost, and we join our partners across faiths and communities in rejecting anti-Semitism and affirming our shared responsibility to protect and care for one another.

11/20/2025

Tickets are on sale now for our 3rd annual Latkes with a Twist event on Thursday, December 4th in Houston at Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX featuring Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen and Ziggy Gruber. It will another deli-cious spread of all your holiday favorites, along live music, and a limited open bar with specialty cocktails.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AT THE LINK BELOW https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E104372&id=64

All proceeds from the event support the need-based scholarship programs of JCRS in Houston for Jewish summer camp, college aid, and subsidies for children with special needs.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS: Ben & Micki Bronston, David & Wynnie Hoodis, The Caress Families, Fran & Julian Koch, Texas Mattress Makers, Eisemann Plastic Surgery Center, Congregation Beth Israel - Houston, TX Congregation Beth Yeshurun Congregation Brith Shalom, Camp Young Judaea-Texas, URJ Greene Family Camp, Houston Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Herald-Voice.

10/22/2025

Houston…we have a project!! Let’s make the season shine for all this Hanukkah.

As the Festival of Lights approaches, we invite you to join us in making this season truly special for every member of our community, especially those in need.

The Houston Chanukah Project provides several ways to keep the light shining brightly for local families and seniors, including adopting a child for eight nights of gifts, donating gift cards for families, attending our festive wrap party, and more.

For more information, visit houstonjewish.org/chanukahproject.

This effort is in partnership with Alexander Jewish Family Service and JCRS - Jewish Children's Regional Service.