solving problems. uplifting lives.

A community leader empowering people to achieve fulfilling lives.

Help our New American Program resettle refugees in Western Massachusetts!

Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts provides exceptional social services, grounded in Jewish values, to support individuals and families from diverse religious, cultural and economic backgrounds.

Our programs strengthen our community by strengthening the individual–from resettling refugee families, to supporting New Americans to become self-sufficient, counseling young adults through life’s transitions, equipping older adults to age well, protecting elders from abuse, leading caregiver support groups, and helping individuals enhance their Jewish connections.

Jewish Life

Enriching the quality of life for individuals in the Jewish community of Western Massachusetts.

Older Adults

Serving the unique needs of older adults, their families, and/or caregivers. 

Behavioral Health

Supporting individual and family resilience.

New Americans

Helping refugees resettle and thrive in our community.  

Citizenship & Immigration

Assisting immigrants and refugees to become US Citizens. 

Volunteer

Engaging community members, offering internships, and placement for AmeriCorps staff, to help our newest neighbors succeed.

Latest Updates

JFS Recognizes One Year Anniversary

In the past year, JFS has welcomed over 400 Ukrainian individuals fleeing war, and have heard numerous stories of families having to decide to leave home and seek safety while the war rages on. Families are eager for the war to end, and to be able to return safely.

JFS has provided over $350,000 in housing and food assistance to Ukrainian families. We have helped families enroll in programs to meet their basic needs, we have provided families with a Chromebook so they can stay in touch with their families, contact JFS easily, use online banking and contact their kids teachers easily. Our New American Program Director reflects, “Even a year on, new families arrive weekly. Families have made enormous progress adjusting to their new home, but miss their professions, miss working, and are desperate for their friends and relatives to stay safe back in Ukraine. JFS staff stand with Ukraine during this devastating anniversary, and are remembering all of the loss of the past year as well as all of the wonderful individuals we’ve been lucky to meet and assist.”

The past year and our work with Ukrainians have brought many joyful moments for our staff and clients: first days of school in the US, instruments distributed to Ukrainian musicians, and generous community members going above and beyond. Just last week, the UMass Fine Arts Center provided complementary tickets for a Ukrainian refugee family served by JFS to see the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine. NEPM was able to share this story. Read more here. We received a large donation of musical instruments from Stammel Stringed Instruments in Amherst to be distributed to Ukrainian families. The instruments will be distributed by a local conductor at a special gathering (in the planning stage now).

Two wonderful volunteers have been teaching ESL in Westfield and Chicopee to Ukrainian adult learners since last summer. The students have progressed significantly – they are eager to communicate in English. These volunteers lead class independently, they arrange logistics, provide snacks, support students to apply for other education opportunities. As one of the teachers, Susan Quandt, said to the students during a recent interview and article in the Reminder, “Remember back in the summertime, you knew almost no English […] Now look at you. You can make jokes, laugh, make plans.” Susan and fellow teacher, Marilyn Sandidge, have made an incredible difference. JFS extends deep thanks to them, to our frontline staff, and our community who has done so much – donated funds, supplies, volunteered, and advocated.

Haitian Valentine's Day Party Celebrates Love!

A very special Valentine’s Day Party was held on February 14th in West Springfield for over 150 Haitians. Many of the attendees arrived here as Humanitarian Parolees, and subsequently found their way to JFS for help. After hearing that some of our Haitian clients wanted to do something special for their loved ones on this holiday, our JFS Haitian Case Manager, Marie-Ange Laroche, stepped in to bring this Valentine’s Day celebration to life.

Many Haitians experience abuse and sexual violence on their journey to the U.S., and this gathering was a way for loved ones to show their spouses and families that they are loved. The meeting room for the party was donated, local Haitians opened their home kitchens for food preparation, CHD provided chocolates, gifts and flowers, and Marie-Ange provided desserts, decorations, party set-up, clean-up, and much more!

Upcoming Events

Building Resilience from Within: A 6-week self-care series for caregivers and anyone experiencing stress in their lives!

Join us Thursdays, beginning March 16th, 11am to 11:45am on Zoom. Learn simple techniques to balance the nervous system and deepen a healthy connection to your body. The program is free and open to the public. No experience is required. Drop-ins welcome. Click here to learn more. Registration is required.

Jewish Family Jam with Felicia Sloin!

Join us for our new 2023 Winter & Spring sessions. Now at a new time, TUESDAYS 10:45-11:30am in the library at the Lander Grinspoon Academy in Northampton! Explore Jewish holidays, language, culture and values through music, movement and drumming. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Classes begin January 24th! Registration is required. Cost: $25 registration fee per Session. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Rosalind Torrey at r.torrey@jfswm.org.

Spread the Word—We Have Openings in Our Caregiver Support Groups

Are you caring for a parent, spouse or loved one? Join one of our Caregiver Support Groups to reduce caregiver isolation, receive support, explore relevant topics, discover resources, share coping strategies and learn from other caregivers. Currently all support groups are being held remotely. Groups are free of charge. Pre-registration is required. Click here for more information, or contact Cathy Chandler at c.chandler@jfswm.org.

How You Can Help

Help Welcome New Refugees

Everyday brings new Ukrainians and Haitians to JFS, in addition to our ongoing resettlement work welcoming refugees from other countries including Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala and Syria. While we aim to keep our storeroom supplies stocked, with the urgent influx of need, we are continually working to replenish our inventory.

  • Help us replenish our supplies by purchasing items from our WISHLIST. Please designate delivery to JFS, 15 Lenox Street, Springfield, MA 01108, and add a gift receipt so that we can thank you! If you have any questions, contact Dana Lanoue at d.lanoue@jfswm.org, or call (413) 737-2601.
  • Sign up to Volunteer! As we expand our programming, more support from the community is needed to help newly arriving refugee families! Click here to find a volunteer opportunity to fit your interests and schedule.
  • We are seeking pro bono legal assistance to help our new clients become asylees.

Volunteer

Volunteer support is crucial to our work and the long-term success and wellness of our community.

About Us

We provide exceptional social services, grounded in Jewish values, to support individuals and families from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.

Donate

Your donation can change someone’s life and strengthen our community.