JFS Lighting the Path into 2023

JFS is Lighting the Path into 2023

BY TODD GEISE

On November 30, Jewish Family Services held its first fundraiser in several years, allowing attendees to reconnect with each other face-to-face at the historic Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center located on Genesee Street in Buffalo.

The theme for the event, Lighting the Path, underscored JFS’ core purpose to enable clients to achieve their unique aspirations. Throughout 2022, the agency worked diligently on its counseling and care coordination services, allocating

significant time and resources to support Afghan evacuees in the first half of the year and Ukrainian refugees in the second half. For hundreds of these refugees, JFS offered hope and guidance, lighting their path forward.

To celebrate, traditional Afghan and Ukrainian foods were offered in the vaulted first-floor lounge, as well as scrumptious Jewish desserts. A signature cocktail was created for the event, The Zelenskyy (in honor of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Time Magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year), with proceeds donated back to JFS.

During her remarks to more than 100 guests, JFS CEO Dr. Molly S. Carr emphasized the importance of cultivating and nurturing community partnerships such as those formed within the Ukrainian Community that are vital for the successful welcoming and support to those fleeing war in Eastern Europe. She also acknowledged the partnerships with numerous Jewish organizations and announced the arrival of a Jewish-Ukrainian family on Friday, December 2. Although helping numerous families so far, this is the first Jewish family

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officially sponsored by JFS. Dr. Carr also made special mention of the Circle of Care formed by Temple Beth Tzedek and the Holocaust Resource Center that are supporting the eight-person family (see page 4). JFS is grateful for these partnerships that will make a big impact.

JFS was thrilled with the level of sponsorship interest for the event and is grateful to CWA Local 1122, M&T Bank, Buffalo Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo, Amherst Memorial Chapel, LippesMathias, NYS Senator Timothy Kennedy (D-63), and Marketing Tech for their generosity.

If you would like to learn more about how you can participate in 2023, contact our Development Office at development@ jfswny.org

Todd Geise is Director of Marketing with Jewish Family Services of WNY.