Shana tova from JFS Orlando!

With the New Year comes the opportunity to reflect on the past year and assess our impact. Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando has always stood by our community during life's most difficult moments. It has been no different this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although JFS closed our building to the public, we have continued to operate to make sure those who are hungry get food, clients can meet with counselors virtually, and folks who are looking for spiritual guidance can speak with our community rabbi.

It is critical for JFS to adapt to the needs of the community to continue serving. This past year, we launched JFS Orlando CARES, our emergency rental assistance program which distributed more than $884,000 to those severely impacted by the pandemic. Our Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry continued to hand out food to nearly double the number of households it usually serves. When our mental health counselors could no longer meet with clients in-person, we quickly switched to telehealth sessions. Additionally, with most of the world going virtual, we took the opportunity to embrace technology and invested in a new server, laptops for our staff, and a newly designed website for more accessibility and a better user experience.

Each one of our programs has been impacted by the pandemic and our staff has remained resilient and dedicated through it all. We are proud of the relief efforts we have provided to our community when they needed us the most. This could not have been accomplished without the generous tzedakah of our supporters. But we are far from finished helping our community, as the saying goes "the day is short, and the work is plentiful." Please join us as our work continues with our annual High Holy Day's Hope Challenge, September 1st - October 6th where $0.50 of each $1 will be generously matched by The Pearlman Family. Bring hope to those in need at http://www.JFSorlando.org/HHhopechallenge.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of the JFS family, even if it is behind a face mask, in quarantine, or on the other side of a virtual call. On behalf of the JFS Orlando Board of Directors, staff, and clients, may you and your loved ones be inscribed for a healthy, joyous and sweet 5782.

Phil Flynn III, executive director

Marty Sherman, Board president