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Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts

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Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts

We're a local social service agency partnering with people to achieve fulfilling lives. Give online www.jfswm.org/donate.

At the age of eight, Adan fled the violence of the Somali civil war with his family. They lived in the forest for a year, foraging for food and clean water, and survived the next 13 years in Kenyan refugee camps until they were finally approved for resettlement. "Jewish Family Service met my family and I at the airport, found us housing in Springfield, and helped me secure a job….I was not hoping

to be anything special. I just wanted a better life – that was my dream.” A gift of only $30 per month will mean the difference between despair and hope to hundreds of refugees like Adan who are building new lives, right here in Western Massachusetts. Join with JFS and make a stand for community and compassion, today and for years to come.

06/14/2026

We recently asked board member Rhae Kennedy if she might know of any puppies available for a visit. While she didn’t have any herself, she reached out to her friend Barbara Biewer, who generously brought in a litter of pure joy!

When you find yourself facing full calendars and meaningful, but often heavy work, there is no better pick-me-up (literally and figuratively!) than soft furry puppies! Just eight weeks old, but already able to lighten the emotional weight we sometimes hold without even realizing it. We’re so grateful to Rhae and Barbara for providing such an adorable mood-lifter.

06/13/2026

Sharing for our partners at Make It Springfield:

Make it Springfield is offering summer youth activities for kids age 12-17, including bike repair, music production, sewing and fashion, multimedia and t-shirt design, and 3D design and tech.

Here's the link to register on their Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-summer-sessions-make-it-springfield-tickets-1990353203009

They also have Open Studio hours for all ages on Mon, Tue, Fri 2-6 pm, and Sat. 10am-2pm.

06/12/2026

What an amazing opportunity for young soccer fans! A ticket donation initiative through the Governor’s office has made it possible for JFS to bring eighteen local children to a World Cup match.

With forty-six student entries submitted by staff and partner schools and organizations, we held a lottery drawing yesterday to select the lucky fans.

The winners, who are between the ages of 7 and 19 and represent five different countries, will attend the match between Iraq and Norway on June 16 along with their parents and a few staff chaperones.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA), our entire group will travel together by charter coach bus.

We are deeply grateful to those who went above and beyond to make this possible:
Marcony Almeida-Barros, Deputy Chief of Staff for Access and Opportunity (Governor’s Office); Sandra E. Sheehan, Administrator, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA); and Cristina Aguilera Sandoval, Executive Director and State Refugee Coordinator, Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI).
We are honored to play a small role in helping to create happy memories that will last a lifetime.

Read this article for more information about the statewide ticket initiative which will give World Cup tickets to hundreds of young people across Massachusetts: https://tinyurl.com/JFS-World-Cup

(Pictured: CEO James Greene asking Board Chair Gayle Rediker to pick the first lucky winner.)

06/11/2026

Our Refugee Youth Mentoring program recently hosted a career exploration event to help mentees take steps toward their future.

A highlight? One-on-one conversations with professionals across a wide range of fields. Mentees asked questions, heard about real career experience, and got advice tailored to their goals.

We wrapped up with a shared meal from Taste of Lebanon because good conversations deserve good food (and we highly recommend checking out their restaurant yourself: https://tol-ma.com/

We’re currently seeking caring volunteers to mentor youth ages 15–24 as they work toward goals like college, careers, and building confidence. Interested in making a lasting impact? Learn more about becoming a mentor by visiting our website: https://jfswm.org/

06/10/2026

Sharing for our friends at MassHire. Details here: https://masshireholyoke.org/

06/09/2026

Who is ready to kick-off the Summer with a pool party? Happy to share this event for our friends at PJ Library.

06/08/2026

Our CEO, James Greene just returned from a busy 24-hours in Washington DC with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies Annual Fly-In program. Here is his dispatch from the journey home:

“We spent time in conversation with national partners around issues central to the Jewish human service field, and then visited with our elected officials to share our perspective working on the ground. Five hill meetings later, I am back on the train and headed home. And I am particularly excited to reflect on how I can take back some of the learning from the past day to share with my staff team and our larger community leadership.”

06/06/2026

On this day (June 6) in 1939, the civilian ocean liner MS St. Louis left our shores following our government's refusal to let the 937 Jewish asylum seekers enter the United States. The passengers, attempting to flee Germany, were also turned away by Cuba and Canada.

Through the tireless work of Jewish advocates, government officials from Belgium, France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands were convinced to allow entry to some passengers.

Sadly, after three of those four countries were invaded by Germany, many of passengers were sent to concentration camps. Two hundred fifty-four passengers died during the Holocaust.

Today is a day to remember the tragic repercussions of putting politics before people and to recognize the unnerving parallels between 1939 and today.

It also serves as a reminder that Jewish ethical teachings call on us to welcome and care for the stranger, a value reflected in the Jewish community’s long-standing and ongoing role in refugee resettlement.

You can read more about what came to be known as the “Voyage of the Damned” here: https://www.history.com/articles/wwii-jewish-refugee-ship-st-louis-1939

06/05/2026

We’re happy to share a few photos from a Circle of Welcoming get-together on Memorial Day. Thank you to JFS supporters Alice & Larry for opening their home and to everyone who joined us to learn more about the Circle of Welcoming Emergency Response program a collection of monthly donors helping to address urgent needs faced by our clients like the sudden loss of food benefits or legal help with immigration paperwork.

If this speaks to you, you can be part of the circle or, like Alice and Larry, gather your friends and family to start one of your own.

To become a monthly donor or to learn more about our Circle of Welcoming Emergency Response, go to: https://jfswm.org/donate/

Interested in hosting? Reach out to Lori Friedman at [email protected]

A big thank you to the ELM Band for the Grateful Dead–inspired set. Keep an eye out for them; they’re fantastic live.

06/04/2026

Today, June 4, we recognize International Holocaust Survivors Day to honor the strength, resilience, and enduring legacy of those who survived the Holocaust.

Established in 2023 by the World Jewish Congress and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, this day reminds us of the importance of listening to survivors’ stories, learning from their experiences, and ensuring their voices continue to guide future generations.

As we reflect, we also recognize the responsibility we share: to support survivors in our communities and to keep their stories alive.

We remember. We honor. We learn.

Read more in the flyer below with QR code to the HSD website which you can also find at: https://www.holocaustsurvivorday.com/

Address

15 Lenox Street
Springfield, MA
01108

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://www.jfswm.org/donate

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