This December, JFS brought holiday magic to life with the launch of the Holiday Market. The Food Pantry was transformed, with shelves once filled with groceries now brimming with colorful toys, cozy gifts, and treasures for all ages. Snowflakes hung from the ceiling, twinkling lights glowed, and festive decorations filled the space. Over three days, […]
When we first got married, David and I dreamed of starting a family. I am a preschool teacher, I’ve always loved children and couldn’t wait until I could have little ones of my own. But year after year, that dream seemed further out of reach. After countless doctor visits and failed treatments, our doctor sat
In thinking about JFS Dallas, I’m reminded of the deep roots this agency has within our community and within my own family. For more than two decades, the Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas Edna Zale Building—named after my mother—has served as a cornerstone of hope and support for countless individuals and families of all
Most Career and Financial Services clients are over the age of 40, but this week was all about teaching the next generation. Brenda Butnick, JFS Financial Coach, and Lacey Mathews, School Psychologist, visited Torah Day School of Dallas to teach 8th graders about financial literacy. For many of the 48 students who joined the workshops,
Torah Day School 8th Graders Dive Into Financial Literacy Read More »
In 2002, I came across a Dallas Morning News ad for a position in JFS’s Older Adult department, and I had no idea it would lead to a 22-year journey that has shaped my life and the lives of our clients. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of compassion and community. From delivering
Meeting The Moment Spotlight: Deborah Leibensberger Read More »
When my son Jacob was 9, I started seeing a sadness in him that I couldn’t ignore. Our divorce had been hard on him, but when his mom’s visits became inconsistent, it was as though a light went out. Jacob was so withdrawn. When he stopped enjoying spending time with his best friends, my heart
Hannah’s House opened its doors in July 2023, and serves as a safe, supportive home for Jewish women and their children recovering from trauma and abuse. A joint project of JFS Dallas and the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section (NCJW), Hannah’s House helps women rebuild their lives in a stable environment where
Hannah’s House – A Space for Healing and Independence Read More »
A few days after the school year started in the fall of 2005, Hurricane Katrina was about to hit New Orleans. We did our best in preparing to evacuate our beautiful 1920s-built home. My 10 and 13-year-old daughters packed for a three-day evacuation while my husband Mark and I boarded up our windows… We were
NOVEMBER 6, 2024A round of applause for the 9 JFS volunteers who have just completed their CPR certification! This group participated in an optional training course led by Jay Abrams, our Facilities Coordinator. Throughout the course, they learned and practiced essential life-saving skills, including chest compressions, rescue breaths, AED use, and proper hand positioning, all
The Jewish High Holidays—Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah— typically fall between September and October. Each year, congregations, schools, and community centers across Dallas participate in the JFS High Holiday Food Drive, setting up collection boxes for food donations to support the JFS Food Pantry. This year, a total of 5,261 pounds of
