New Program: Meal Partners

The Meal Partners Program brings Holocaust Survivors together with community volunteers who engage with them through the sharing of meals.

JFFS will match individual volunteers, volunteer “care circles” and family groups with the most isolated and needy of our survivors. Through the sharing of meals, our hope is to build relationships, broaden social support systems, reduce isolation and loneliness, and increase the survivors’ quality of life. Learn more or add your name to the volunteer interest list here.

Our newest Jewish residential home, scheduled to open in 2017, will be designed to accommodate the needs of adults with developmental disabilities. Programming includes wellness activities, nutrition education, exercise with volunteer trainers, organic gardening, cooking, and participation in seasonal events. Learn more or donate items from our wishlist.

Serenity Shabbat Celebrates Dual Blessings of Recovery & Shabbat

We are proud to report that the first Serenity Shabbat of 2017 was a great success! A community-wide initiative to joyfully celebrate the dual blessings of addiction recovery & Shabbat, the March 17 services were held at Congregation B'nai Tzedek in Fountain Valley. 

Jewish Federation & Family Services (JFFS) is leading the charge in Orange County by establishing the Jewish Substance Abuse Task Force (JSATF) and working with Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) to bring awareness, education, and programming with regard to addiction to our community. The next two Serenity Shabbats will be held at different congregations across OC. For more information, see this.

NextGen Cares, in collaboration with Operation Gratitude and JCC Cares, endeavors to make a positive impact on the lives of active duty U.S. troops stationed overseas—and we need your help! Donate: We’re collecting items for consolidation into care packages. Volunteer: On Sunday, June 11 help assemble care packages, write letters to the troops and more. More information

A full day of festivities for the entire community!
9:15 a.m. Israel Engagement Seminar • 1:00 p.m. Carnival fun • 4:30 p.m. David Broza Concert
In partnership with the Merage JCC. Learn more and register

April 30, 10:30 a.m. - NextGen’s Mommy’s Morning Out presented by Shalom Family
April 30, 1:00 p.m. - NextGen's BBQ presented by JewGlue
May 1, 7:00 p.m. - Laguna Woods Region: Salute to Volunteers
May 7, 9:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Celebrate Israel
May 13, 7:00 p.m. - NextGen OC: 3D - Donors. Drinks. Dinner.
May 18-19 - Tee It Up with Solomon Society
May 21, 10:00 a.m. - Women Forward: Building Balanced Relationships
June 11, 9:00 a.m. - Volunteer at Tikkun 4 Troops 

View all upcoming JFFS events

• Help turn Horwitz Family House into a Home - Donate homeware to our second Jewish residential home for adults with special needs – Horwitz Family House – opening this spring.
• Support People with Special Needs
• Volunteer for Silver Streak Transportation
• Leave Your Legacy
• Matching Gifts
• AmazonSmile Donations
• Donate A Vehicle
• JFFS Family Services Volunteer Opportunities

Community Updates:

• The Merage JCC, in partnership with Jewish Federation & Family Services has opened its new Israel & Jewish Engagement Desk. Connect to Jewish resources and explore options of travel to Israel for all ages, as well as opportunities for Jewish experiences for youth at summer camps and during the year. You can also visit our new Desk on the second floor of the JCC offices, Monday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-2pm or check out the website. Open to the community.

Programs, Grants & Loans:

• Cohen Grant for College Students - Applications now available. Deadline: May 22, 2017
• Milton & Doris Chasin Micro-Enterprise Loan - Interest-Free Small Business Loans 
• Passport to Jewish Life® - Applications for 2017 now available. Next Deadline: May 22, 2017

Support Groups & Counseling:

• Bereavement Support Groups
• Support Group for Family Caregivers
• Women Forward Career Coaching

The mission of Jewish Federation & Family Services is to bring together the people, the partners, and the resources to care for people in need, to build a vibrant community, and to sustain and enhance Jewish life. We do this through an array of services, grants, programs, and opportunities for engagement for people of all faiths, ethnicities and ages in Orange County, in Israel, and around the world. Together with our Community Partners, congregations, Jewish organizations, and friends like you, we help to ensure: lifesaving social services; care and connection for seniors; educational opportunities for youth; leadership on OC college campuses; a strong relationship with Israel; and so much more.