Dear Friends, Great leadership happens when we lead together. At JFS, our leadership team collaborates to make decisions, share ideas, and keep our mission strong. This spirit of partnership shapes our culture and drives us forward. The continued reach and relevance of JFS depend on leaders who know our history, embrace our mission, and listen and learn […]
Featured Blog
Agency News
JFS in 2025
JFS in Your Community 2025 was a year to remember! For JFS, it was a year of connection and growth, of generosity and collaboration. As we look towards 2026, the staff at JFS are so thankful for the support we received this year and grateful that we can continue to serve and support our community members as […]
End 2025 with a Gift of Hope
Sam* had just uncovered something life-changing – his Jewish heritage. Eager to connect with this newly discovered part of himself, Sam reached out to the local Jewish community. He connected with a rabbi, giving him a chance to explore his Jewish identity and find spiritual grounding. At the same time, Sam was struggling to make ends meet. He was […]
Chaplaincy
January Volunteer of the Month – Judith Evnen
When it comes to volunteering, Judith Evnen grew up with excellent examples. “The value of leadership and community involvement is a legacy from my parents and grandparents,” she said. “My siblings each offer examples of this intention. That is inspiring to me.” Helping others in the spiritual realm drew Judith Evnen to become a Spiritual […]
Service of Spiritual Renewal – Passover 2022
Join us on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at Village Shalom’s Social Hall for our pre-Passover Spiritual Service of Renewal.
Meet Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick!
Meet Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick! He is Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City’s Community Chaplain.
Counseling & Mental Health
Staff Insights: Embracing Change
As summer ends and a new school year begins, many families face a mix of emotions. Whether you’re experiencing an empty nest, preparing a child for kindergarten, or supporting an anxious teenager, here are some strategies from Jesse Sieve, JFS Clinical Director, to help your family navigate change with courage and resilience. Accept and Acknowledge […]
JFS in 2023
JFS In Your Community 2023 was a year for the books! For JFS, it was a year of connection and growth, of celebration and gratitude. As we look towards 2024, the staff at JFS are so thankful for the support we received this year and grateful that we can continue to serve and support our […]
JFS is Here For You
As our community responds and mourns the loss of life in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, we are creating additional resources for those at home who seek support and community.
Family Life Education
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Virtual Gallery Tour – Social and Personal Narratives (Learn Laugh Love – December 2021)
Kemper Museum Docent, Lynne Bock, leads “the Social and personal narratives in contemporary art” for the December virtual edition of Learn Laugh & Love.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art Virtual Gallery Tour (Learn Laugh Love – November 2021)
Kemper Museum Docent, Lydumyla Savinkova, will lead a free virtual exhibit called “Exploring our emotions through contemporary art” at our November edition of Learn, Laugh & Love.
Surprising Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition (Learn Laugh Love – October 2021)
Learn about ways to incorporate plant-based meals into your daily diet during Learn, Laugh & Love: “The Surprising Benefits of Plant Based Nutrition,” at 1 p.m. on Oct. 21.
Food, Shelter, and Employment
Spread The Love this February!
Nothing tastes more like home than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Now imagine not having the peanut butter, let alone jelly or bread, on your shelf to make this high protein family favorite. That’s what many who face food insecurity deal with week in and week out. Jewish Family Services is doing its part […]
JFS in 2023
JFS In Your Community 2023 was a year for the books! For JFS, it was a year of connection and growth, of celebration and gratitude. As we look towards 2024, the staff at JFS are so thankful for the support we received this year and grateful that we can continue to serve and support our […]
JFS in 2022
JFS In Your Community This year our commitment to our founding value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, one person, one family at a time, brought us new challenges and opportunities. We’ve adapted to the changing needs of our clients and partners while adjusting to rising inflation, the end of COVID government supports, and increasingly complex needs […]
Older Adult Services
May is Older Adults Awareness Month
May is designated as Older Adults Awareness Month, focusing on the contributions of older adults (60-plus) and reaffirming our commitment to serving them. Over 300,000 living in the metro are 60- plus, and that number is likely to increase as the babyboomers hit retirement age. For Jewish Family Services, sustaining the quality of life throughout […]
JFS in 2023
JFS In Your Community 2023 was a year for the books! For JFS, it was a year of connection and growth, of celebration and gratitude. As we look towards 2024, the staff at JFS are so thankful for the support we received this year and grateful that we can continue to serve and support our […]
JFS in 2022
JFS In Your Community This year our commitment to our founding value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, one person, one family at a time, brought us new challenges and opportunities. We’ve adapted to the changing needs of our clients and partners while adjusting to rising inflation, the end of COVID government supports, and increasingly complex needs […]
Volunteer Spotlight Stories
Sophie Shafter Finds a Volunteer Home at Jewish Family Services
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and Jewish Family Services (JFS) is blessed with wonderful volunteers, including Sophie Safter. While Shafter has lived in many cities in her adult life, she has always focused on connecting with the Jewish community no matter the place. While she moved to the Kansas City area about eight years ago, […]
March Volunteer of the Month – Rebekah Foote
If you’ve dropped by the offices of Jewish Family Services, you might have caught a glimpse of Rebekah Foote. With a smile on her face, Rebekah is hard at work, head buried in files or at the computer helping JFS with database clean-up and record reconciliation. Since 2021, Foote has provided back-end office support to […]
January Volunteer of the Month – Judith Evnen
When it comes to volunteering, Judith Evnen grew up with excellent examples. “The value of leadership and community involvement is a legacy from my parents and grandparents,” she said. “My siblings each offer examples of this intention. That is inspiring to me.” Helping others in the spiritual realm drew Judith Evnen to become a Spiritual […]
