Facing Challenges. Together.
Food & Financial SupportEssential food and financial assistance offered to the Nashville Jewish community in a confidential, compassionate manner.
Confidential, compassionate, and caring support when life gets tough.
We all have times in life we could use a little extra support. Thanks to funding from the Jewish Federation, JFS is able to offer various forms of financial support to members of the Jewish community in Nashville and surrounding areas. Whether you need emergency financial assistance, such as help paying a utility bill or rent for the month, or material assistance by ensuring your children have gifts at the holidays, school supplies, or food supplements, Jewish Family Service offers this critical assistance in a confidential, compassionate manner.
JFS Social Workers understand the challenges you’re facing and spend time with all financial assistance clients formulating a sustainable plan of action. There are numerous community resources available to ease your burden, both within Jewish Family Service and elsewhere, and we will work with you to identify the resources you need and coordinate access.
Food & Emergency Financial Services
Emergency Financial Assistance
If you are overwhelmed and struggling to pay your bills, turn to us for help. Our community resources will ease your burden and help you temporarily while you get back on your feet.
Hanukkah Gift Program
Since 1993, we have been ensuring that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity. This confidential program that allows families facing financial difficulties to receive gifts for children during Hanukkah.
Kosher Food Boxes
Kosher food boxes are given on a confidential basis, and contain items that have been approved by a rabbi and a dietician. The boxes can feed an individual or couple for one week, or a family of four for five days.
School Supplies Program
Start the new year with confidence. Armed with enough school supplies to get them through the year, families don’t have to worry about the financial burden that comes with purchasing all that their student needs to thrive.
The emergency financial assistance program at JFS allows us to help you with emergency needs such as help paying your rent or mortgage, your electric or other utility bills.
We will first deal together with the most critical, immediate problems, but will also work with you to figure out what’s needed to improve things for yourself and your family in the long-term
Hanukkah Gift Program
Ensuring that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity.
The Hanukkah Gift program, which began in 1993, ensures that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity. At JFS we value the happiness and well-being of our children, and we are honored to be able to assist families in their gift giving. Families choose gifts that they know their children would want or need and our generous volunteers buy gifts for the families.
School Supplies Program
Armed with a brand new backpack and enough school supplies to get them through the year, families don’t have to worry about the financial burden that comes with purchasing paper, pencils, crayons and all the things every student deserves. JFS hosts a drive to gather donations from the community and supplements the items as necessary. The School Supplies Program has been assisting families since 2011 and will continue to start students out on the right foot when beginning a new school year.
Allow JFS to ease the load by providing school supplies such as pencils, markers, folders, and more to your student.
Confidentiality Promise
The trust between our clients and JFS is the basis for our success. All transactions and discussions are protected by the highest professional ethical standards of client/counselor confidentiality.
Our comprehensive social services and programs are designed to enrich the whole person, enhance the whole family, and empower the whole community–no matter your age, race, religion, preference, identity, economic standing, or otherwise.
Life can be challenging, relationships can be hard, and you may need the extra support that comes with working with a therapist. Our licensed social workers offer counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as for children and adolescents.
Choosing to adopt a child, or to place a child for adoption, is a life-altering decision. We are a licensed child-placing agency in Tennessee with more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Whether you need emergency financial assistance, such as help paying a utility bill or rent for the month, or material assistance by ensuring your children have gifts at the holidays, school supplies, or food supplements, Jewish Family Service offers this critical assistance in a confidential, compassionate manner.
Older Adult Programs & Services
We recognize that older adults are true treasures, and we strive to create and maintain a community that values and celebrates them for their wisdom, contributions, and experiences. Our programs and services are an important outlet for our older adults, encouraging them to be social and stimulated.
Life can be challenging, and knowledge is power. The Jewish Family Service’s Family and Community Enrichment programs serve to empower, protect, and address the ever-changing needs of the entire Nashville community.
Passionate providers of comprehensive social services, we are advocates, allies, educators, cheerleaders, and guides who create solutions to problems facing families and individuals of all ages.
We are a team of experienced professionals dedicated to treating each person with compassion, care and dignity.
A group of people with different backgrounds and perspectives who come together to help Jewish Family Service fulfill its mission and expand its reach.
We serve the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in many different ways. Here are a few of the human stories where JFS programs have made a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.
We’ve compiled a selection of items that we use frequently at JFS – in some cases every day.
The number of ways in which you can help support individuals and families navigate life’s transitions are endless.
Volunteers are a vital part of how we support our clients. Find opportunities to assist those in our community who need a helping hand.
Since our founding in 1853, the generous support of our community has made the work of Jewish Family Service possible.
Press coverage about JFS Nashville’s programing and services, learn about the history of the agency from our past newsletters, and enjoy reading original JFS content like our signature advice column, “Dear Esther.” Stay up to date with the impact we’re making throughout our community.
Check out the full calendar of upcoming JFS Nashville events. From community education, support groups, and special engagements alike, find out where you can show up and get connected.
Information & Referral Resources
Connect with our community partners. Our information and referral directory includes local and national resources that can provide additional support for addiction, mental health, and more.
Mental Health Matters is a JFS series that was designed to reduce the stigma of mental health issues by providing education, increasing awareness, and inclusivity. Check out our ongoing resources and past programming.
Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? The senior directory is the go-to resource for anything seniors might need related to the community.
How can we help? Send us a message, give us a call, or find us on social media. We usually respond within 1-2 business days.