Committed to accelerating social, academic and health equity in our community, JFS frequently pilots new programs to address gaps in services – creative solutions that demonstrate measureable impacts through sophisticated data and performance management systems – staff driven, volunteer powered, community invested initiatives that move the needle across domains.

In addition to the many programs JFS offers to support immigrants and older adults, JFS is also focused on serving individuals and families in the Jewish and LGBT+ communities:

Jewish Community

Current Programs:

• CJP anti-poverty initiative – FAN: Confidential and respectful assistance to CJP eligible individuals and families in Metrowest to help them meet short-term challenges resulting from urgent financial difficulties and plan for long term stability.
• Holiday Assistance: Providing low-income families with the supplies they need to honor Passover and Purim traditions.
• Temple Partnerships – engaging in collaborative programming, advocacy and community member support
• Kesher: Connecting frail, isolated Jewish older adults to the wider Jewish community with weekly Shabbat services.
• Warm Connectors: Reducing social isolation among frail Jewish older adults with both regular visits from volunteers and by facilitating connections and growing relationships with others.
• Mobilizing Tikkun Olam: Bringing resources and capacity to a variety of initiatives that offer opportunities to engage in social justic action that has meaningful impact in our community and beyond.

Partnering Organizations:

• 2Life Communities
• American Jewish Committee-New England
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies
• Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough
• Congregation Beth El, Sudbury
• Congregation Beth Sholom
• Congregation Kehillath Israel
• Congregation Mishkan Tefila
• Congregation Or Atid
• HIAS
• JCCs Greater Boston
• JCDS, Boston’s Jewish Community Day School
• Jewish Big Brother Big Sister
• Jewish Collaborative Services of RI
• Jewish Community Relations Council
• Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Waltham
• Jewish Teen Initiative
• Jewish Vocational Service
• Jewish War Veterans
• MetroWest Jewish Day School
• The Rashi School
• Shapiro Foundation
• Temple Beth Am, Framingham
• Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley
• Temple Beth Shalom, Needham
• Temple Beth Sholom, Framingham
• Temple Beth Torah, Holliston
• Temple Emanuel, Newton
• Temple Israel, Boston
• Temple Israel, Natick
• Temple Shalom, Newton
• Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland
• Temple Sinai, Brookline
• Tufts Hillel at Tufts University
• Yad Chessed

LGBT+ Community

Current Programs:

• Patient Navigator Expansion: This project seeks to recruit, train and develop a network of volunteers who escort LGBT+ older to medical providers so that they feel safe going to a local provider if they are not able to travel to known LGBT+ affirming clinics.
• Jewish Education Collaborative: This initiative, coordinated with Temple Israel of Natick, Temple Beth Am, Temple Shir Tikva, Congregation Beth El, Keshet and OutMetrowest, invites all members of the Metrowest Jewish community to participate in an open, honest and in depth discussion of how we welcome and include people of LGBTQ identities in our Jewish communities.
• Adoption Choices: Our team of experienced social workers specialize in helping LGBTQ+ individuals and families navigate the legal and emotional complexities of adopting an infant in Massachusetts.
• Information and Referral: JFS is a community referral source for LGBT+ individuals and families looking for help and services.

Partnering Organizations:

• Congregation Beth El, Sudbury
• Keshet
• LGBT Aging Project, Fenway Health
• OUTMetrowest
• Temple Beth Am, Framingham
• Temple Israel, Natick
• Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland

Funders:

• Combined Jewish Philanthropies
• CJP Metrowest Jewish Community Fund
• Cummings Foundation
• Memorial Church of Harvard University
• Tufts Health Plan Foundation Momentum Fund