JFS News

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...

read more

A Reflection on Gratitude With Rabbi Yonina

Saying “Thank you!” 100 times a day? Yikes- how could you get that done. What would you offer gratitude for? Your best friend? Food you love? The air you breathe? Being alive? The clothes you wear? The earth? Your job?  The practice of expressing gratitude in Judaism...

read more

A Day In The Life of A Housing Navigator

A day in the life of a housing navigator varies. Some days, I am in the office all day filling out check requests, documenting cases, and coordinating bed deliveries. On other days, I am in the community viewing apartments, picking up donations, and dropping off...

read more

Feel Relaxed With A High Holidays Meditation

Some of you already practice mindfulness. I wonder what your practice is. For those of the Jewish faith who are aware, preparation for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins the month before in Elul, which began at sundown on Saturday, August 23. At that time, as...

read more

A Jewish Summer Reflection With Rabbi Yonina

Traditionally summertime is about going out. Like spies exploring foreign territories, we seek new places, maybe even a promised land. One goal in Buffalo might be to capture the sun when we can, to have fun and connect with friends old and new. Yet how do we...

read more

JFS To Offer Psychiatric Services to Buffalo And WNY

We’re excited to welcome Olena Sardo, PMHNP-BC, to the Jewish Family Services of WNY team! In her role as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Olena will work with children and adults and their counselors to develop their treatment plans and prescribe psychiatric...

read more

A Pride Reflection With Rabbi Yonina

I’m sure you’ve heard “life is a journey, not a destination.” One of the highest character traits in Judaism is being humble on our journey. It’s about our place in the world, our path to find that for ourselves, and to see a broader perspective and respecting others....

read more