What Purim Can Teach Us -Reflections with Rabbi Yonina

Joy is important in our journey no matter what the situation. That’s the case in the Hebrew month of Adar when we celebrate Purim*. However, it’s not always easy amidst trying times. I wonder about an inner struggle you have, one that makes you consider taking a...

A Day In The Life of A Career Counselor by Lisa August

There is a saying that one can be happy when they believe “I get to do this” instead of “I have to do this,” so I try to greet each day with a sense of excitement. While there are regular patterns within my work, each day also holds unexpected surprises, which has...

What is Tu B’Shvat? -Reflections with Rabbi Yonina

“Tu tu tu b’Shvat!”, we sing in a song for the birthday of the trees. What is Tu b’Shvat? Tu b’Shvat is essentially the Jewish Arbor Day. Its historic roots extend back to ancient Israel when there was a tithe on trees. Like tax season, the 15th of the...

Oleksandra’s Story: JFS Client Opens Gymnastics Studio

What does it mean to find success? For Oleksandra Klimantova, it looks like unlocking the doors of 7 Elephants, the rhythmic gymnastics studio she opened in Buffalo this year. Oleksandra and her family came to Buffalo as war broke out in the Ukraine, at which time...