Latest News & Updates

Equipped to Learn Back-to-School Drive is running this June and July Continuing a tradition JFS Silicon Valley has proudly upheld since 2015, the Equipped to Learn (ETL) Back-to-School Drive returns this June.  This community-wide effort brings together staff, volunteers, and partners to support our school-age clients and adult learners by collecting backpacks, school supplies, and gift cards for clothes and shoes. This year’s drive runs from June 24 to July 13, aiming to sup

Susan Frazer, JFS Silicon Valley’s CEO, receiving the Helper Awards from Supervisor Susan Ellenberg and Azita Eshagh, JFS Silicon Valley’s Director of Refugee Services Recognition for our work at JFS Silicon Valley comes in many welcome forms, such as the gratitude of a client, the donations that sustain our efforts, and much more.  The commendation from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the Special Congressional Commendation, and the Trolley Trophy for Helpers 202

The JPAC Summit was held in Sacramento, CA, in early May The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California’s (JPAC) signature annual event, the JPAC Summit, took place on May 5 and 6 at the California State Capitol, bringing together Jewish community leaders, advocates, and lawmakers for two days of education, discussion, and direct advocacy.  The Summit serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness and advance legislation on issues that impact the Jewish community and the

Bay Area among leading initial stops for people fleeing persecution Edith and her three children relax at their home in Morgan Hill on Tuesday. She immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in 2009. DAI SUGANO — BAY AREA NEWS GROUP  The Mercury News  BY JOVI DAI JDAI@BAYAREANEWSGROUP.COM Facing persecution in their native country for their Christian faith, Edith and her familyfound asylum in the United States in 2009. As refugees, they received support throughout the process from Jewi

By Sue Fishkoff | February 10, 2025 Assad looked exhausted as he spoke from his rented home in Concord, where he lives with his wife and three children, ages 9, 6 and 1. The Afghan native has been in the United States just over a month and is trying to get his family settled in, he told J. over Zoom. The two older children just got vaccinated for school, and he’s taking English classes to polish his language skills before applying for a job. Assad, 35, worked with the U.S. m

Despite Trump’s executive order to halt programs, Bay Area agencies scramble to maintain services By Caelyn Pender cpender@bayareanewsgroup.com After waiting for several years, Shamiran, 18, and her family had less than two days to pack up and leave behind their lives in Iraq when they were granted permission to come to the United States as refugees. With only a few personal belongings, the family arrived in Chicago on Jan. 19. Just one day after their arrival, President Dona

David, an 89-year-old Iranian Jewish refugee, landed in Washington, D.C., last month on a plane with 17 fellow Iranians fleeing religious persecution. They were Baha’i, Christians and members of other minority faiths. David was the only Jew. It was Jan. 17, three days before America shut its doors to all refugees. David’s well-timed exodus from Iran, along with that of his entire group on the flight, was handled by HIAS, formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the nation’s

Last week, I shared devastating news: our refugee resettlement program was ordered to  immediately cease all support  for newly arrived refugees.  The federal funding that made this life-saving work possible was revoked without warning. These are not just any refugees.  These are legally approved refugees, vetted and authorized by the U.S. government.  Many of them are  Afghan allies who risked their lives assisting the U.S. military  - translators and support staff who stood