Jewish Family Service of San Diego

10/14/2026

Are you a college student in need of healthy groceries? CalFresh Assistance is now easier to access for undergraduate students. Hundreds of thousands of students are eligible but not receiving benefits — and could be missing out on the support they need to eat well and live healthier.

Now, any undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time in a degree program at a California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) meets the initial application requirements, removing barriers that kept financially eligible students from applying. Maximum monthly CalFresh amounts have also increased!

If you would like to check your eligibility or need help with a renewal, JFS can help. Visit www.jfssd.org/CalFresh to learn more or email [email protected].

10/13/2026

📣Calling all Jewish Students! The JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship is now open!

Whether you just graduated high school or are going back to school later in life, you could receive up to $10,000 for college, graduate, or vocational school when you apply for the JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship.

This annual scholarship opportunity encourages students to honor their Jewish heritage, pursue their educational dreams, and better understand their connection to the community. Learn more and apply at www.jfssd.org/scholarship.

10/09/2026

Many of our neighbors like Jonathan have come to rely on On the Go for all their transportation needs.

“I found out about On the Go through 211 and now I use it for everything—medical appointments, grocery shopping, getting a haircut, seeing the symphony, and even attending a family reunion. It’s been such a blessing to have this help. It has given me opportunity, flexibility, and freedom.”- Jonathan

Every day, we help older adults get to important medical appointments, run essential errands, and visit with friends and family with On the Go. You too can help neighbors like Jonathan stay healthy, independent, and connected as a volunteer driver!

Learn more at www.jfssd.org/OTGvolunteer

10/08/2026

During challenging times, coming together as a community is even more important. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s High Holy Days Community Food Drive.

Together, we collected 17,827 pounds of critical food items which will help restock Lieber’s Corner Market and provide vital support for our neighbors facing hunger.

Todah Rabah to our community partners:
Congregation Beth Am - San Diego
Congregation Beth El
Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego
Congregation Dor Hadash of San Diego
Lawrence Family JCC
Ner Tamid Synagogue
Ohr Shalom Synagogue
Temple Adat Shalom of Poway, www.adatshalom.com
Temple Emanu-El of San Diego
Temple Solel, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
Seacrest Village Retirement Communities

10/08/2026

Oh, what fun we had partnering with Coastal Roots Farm for their Sukkot Harvest Shabbat! This popular fall gathering celebrated the bounty of the Farm and the strength of community under an open sky. Many thanks to Coastal Roots for hosting JFS as we helped families celebrate by building edible sukkahs.

10/07/2026

"It is the people who keep hope alive, and hope that keeps a people alive."- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Three years ago, our hearts broke.

We remember those murdered and all whose lives were forever changed on October 7.

We carry sorrow, resilience, and hope together.

We hold on to the possibility of peace and a future where people can live without fear.

May their memories be a blessing.

10/06/2026

At a time when many families are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, access to nutritious food can make a meaningful difference. Our monthly Drive-Thru Food Distribution helps to offset critical expenses by providing fresh and healthy produce, canned goods, and pantry staples.

🍏When: Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 4:00-5:30pm

📍Where: JFS, JOAN & IRWIN JACOBS CAMPUS, Turk Family Center, 8804 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123

💙Who: Welcoming everyone. Open to anyone in need of food assistance. Registration is not required.

Please share this resource with your neighbors—because showing up for each other is what community is all about. Learn more at www.jfssd.org/nutrition

Learn about JFS community food distributions and how they help individuals and families in San Diego County access nutritious food.

10/05/2026

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported. Sometimes relationships can become unsafe when patterns of control, fear, manipulation, or isolation are present. Harm isn’t always physical. It can also be emotional, verbal, financial, spiritual or psychological.

You don’t have to go through this alone.

If you’re looking for confidential support, information, or a safe place to start, Project SARAH is here for you.

(858) 637-3018 • www.jfssd.org/ProjectSarah

For Jewish individuals experiencing domestic violence. Services include counseling, crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource coordination.

10/01/2026

Shared values give us something to talk about. Putting them into action gives us something to do together. A ride. A meal. A challah baked to share.

Thank you, Temple Adat Shalom of Poway, www.adatshalom.com, for inviting JFS CEO, Dana Toppel and Sunni Robertson, Senior Director of Community & Volunteer Engagement, to your Men’s Club Brunch to learn more about JFS and explore the many ways to get involved as a volunteer.

A havurah brings dinner to a Safe Parking lot. A driver helps a neighbor get to a doctor’s appointment. A meal delivered to someone’s door becomes a chance to check in. Thank you, Temple Adat Shalom, for joining us in building a caring community.

09/30/2026

Celebrating community, connection, and pizza! Every year, Team JFS gathers together to decorate the sukkah on our Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus and share ‘pizza in the hut’. This year, team members made colorful paper artwork inspired by the values and guiding principles that shape our work.

Pizza in the Hut is always a fun opportunity to connect with each other, share gratitude, and learn more about the holiday of Sukkot with our favorite Jewish educator, Sue Cohn. Many thanks to Jerry Turk for joining us! Chag Sameach!