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solving problems. uplifting lives.

A community leader empowering people to achieve fulfilling lives.

Help our New American Program resettle refugees in Western Massachusetts!

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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.

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Older Adults

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

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Behavioral Health

Supporting individual and family resilience.

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New Americans

Helping refugees resettle and thrive in our community.  

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Citizenship & Immigration

Assisting immigrants and refugees to become US Citizens. 

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Volunteer

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

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Latest Updates

Updates from our New American Program & How You Can Help!

We have been incredibly busy this month welcoming 63 refugees! Ten are Spanish speaking from Guatemala, five are Pashto speaking from Afghanistan, six are Arabic speaking from Syria, and 42 are Swahili or Kinyarwanda speaking from the Democratic Republic of Congo. These individuals and families come to us as part of our refugee resettlement program through HIAS. Prior to September, we received 89 refugees this FY22 (ending September 30th) through HIAS.
These numbers do not include the over 200 Afghans who arrived to JFS as SIV’s and evacuees, over 170 Ukrainians, and 50 Cuban and Haitian entrants. Every week brings new Ukrainian walk-in clients to our office needing assistance, as well as Haitians for whom we have established a waiting list for help to receive assistance with case management, referrals, housing, and filing of applications for qualifying services.
This month we furnished ten new apartments! We have cleared out space in our storeroom for more arrivals coming soon, and are currently in need of dressers, couches, kitchen items, and kitchen tables and chairs. If you have any of these items to donate, please fill our Donate Goods form on our website, and we will contact you as soon as possible to facilitate your donation.
Help us replenish our supplies by purchasing items from our WISHLIST to support newly arriving Ukrainians and other refugees. Click here for the link to our Amazon WISHLIST, and designate delivery to JFS, 15 Lenox Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Please fill out a gift receipt with your order so that we can thank you!
Sign up to VOLUNTEER! As JFS is expanding its programming, more support from the community is needed to help newly arriving refugee families in Springfield and the Berkshires. You can apply on our website, or contact Massara Almafrachi, Community Engagement Coordinator, at m.almafrachi@jfswm.org for any further questions.
We are still looking for additional musical instruments for Ukrainian families. If you have a violin, cello, flute, accordion, bayan, or other musical instruments that you can donate, please contact Dana Lanoue at d.lanoue@jfswm.org.

    ESL Group Adds Experiential Learning

    Afghan women in the Berkshires added experiential learning to their ESL curriculum this summer. In partnership with Berkshire Community College and instructor Becky Meier, they visited a series of cultural and natural attractions around Berkshire County and beyond. Outings included hiking at Canoe Meadows, shopping for clothing and Indian Food in Albany, a picnic lunch and swimming at Onota Lake, a historical tour of The Norman Rockwell Museum, visiting Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, making candles at the Yankee Candle Factory, and a day at the top of Mount Greylock! These excursions gave the women a chance to connect with each other and their new surroundings. Children often accompanied their mothers, and everyone had a great time!

    Read Past Newsletters

    Upcoming Events

    Jewish Family Jam is Back!

    Come sing, move, and jam with us. Jewish Family Jam is an enriching, joy filled, Jewish music and learning class for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, held weekly 10:30-11:15am Wednesdays at Lander Grinspoon Academy, Northampton MA. Open to all – no experience necessary. Registration is required: Click here to register.
    COST: $25 registration fee for Fall 2022 program. Online payment accepted.
    Questions? Email Rosalind Torrey at r.torrey@jfswm.org or call 413-737-260

    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.

    Afghan Cultural Orientation Trainings For Providers on YouTube

    Are you a Community Provider working with Afghan patients or clients? Visit our JFS Youtube Channel to access recordings from our Afghan Cultural Orientation Series, including sessions for Mental & Behavioral Health, General Physical Health, Maternal & Early Childhood Health, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Social Services & Emergency Response, and Community Engagement providers. Presentations are each an hour long, followed by a Q&A to learn best practices to use with our new Afghan neighbors.

    How You Can Help

    Help Welcome New Refugees

    • 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.
    • We are looking for additional musical instruments for Ukrainian families. If you have a violin, cello, flute, accordion, bayan, or other musical instruments that you can donate, please contact Dana Lanoue at d.lanoue@jfswm.org.
    • 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. 
    • Welcome refugees as a Faith-Based Group or Team. Host Organization Support Teams (HOSTs) organize to welcome and support newly arrived refugees. To learn more, click here.
    • We are seeking pro bono legal assistance to help our new clients become asylees.

    See how a family like yours is welcoming refugees.

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