Giving & Volunteering · June 04, 2026

On April 20, Jewish Family Service learned that it had earned a three-year accreditation from CARF International. “CARF International accreditation is the gold standard of approval for organizations like ours,” said Liz Vogel, JFS’s CEO. CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides accreditation for health and human services....

Giving & Volunteering · May 28, 2026

Some good can come from even deep loss. In March of this year, Cindy Jarnicki coordinated with her sons and grandsons to deliver Passover meals and items for the seder together, as part of Jewish Family Service’s Passover Delivery Project. The Project’s volunteers deliver meals and seder items to those homebound or unable to afford the special foods needed to celebrate Passover.

Food & Financial Assistance · April 24, 2025

Over 40 volunteers, including Gabrielle and Eddie Rivin (pictured), collected, packed, and delivered Passover food, including meals and items needed for the ritual seder, to those who needed them.

Giving & Volunteering · October 21, 2024

Update: Len Mitzman z"l, passed December 17, 2024, two months after this article was published. May his memory be a blessing. Ken Germain is not yet retired, but he recently realized he wanted to devote more time to the Jewish community. World events also played a role. “When war broke out in Israel after the October 7, 2023 massacre, I felt a strong need to do even more for the Jewish People,” Ken said. “My wife, who had a more traditional Jewish background than I did...."

Giving & Volunteering · November 30, 2023

In some ways, 13-year-old Elon Katz is a typical Cincinnati youth. As an eighth grader at The Seven Hills School, Elon is perfectly capable of enjoying an after-school chill-out session with his video games. He also likes to draw. And, well, that’s about it for the ordinary stuff. Elon, you see, is anything but typical. He likes to code video games for fun. He is a serious student of classical piano, and enjoys the weekly lessons his grandmother kindly offers him.

Giving & Volunteering · January 05, 2023

Sadie was happily making her seventh-birthday party plans with her family when a compassionate little switch flipped in her mind. Yes, birthday invitations had already been sent out a few weeks prior. And, yes, parental expectations were solidifying around fun ideas that were age-appropriate, child-focused, and celebratory. But that didn’t stop Sadie from abruptly turning to her parents and announcing with resolve, “I don't need any birthday presents. I need to do a mitzvah!"