Since 1875, JFSA Cleveland has provided progressive solutions to individuals and families to help them face life’s challenges with confidence. We work together with families to find the right solution, whether dealing with issues surrounding mental illness, developmental disabilities, aging, domestic violence, homelessness, financial distress and many others.
JFSA’s impact in Northeast Ohio is inspiring. Whether through JFSA Cleveland, JFS Akron, Hebrew Shelter Home or the Cleveland Chesed Center, individuals and families find solutions to face life’s challenges with confidence.
24,954
kosher meals were delivered to older adults by volunteers.
1,541
nights of temporary emergency shelter provided through the Hebrew Shelter Home.
479
Holocaust Survivors received assistance with reparations, personal care, case management, and help obtaining food, clothing and medical care.
620
individuals with serious mental illness received mental health services.
704
households made over 7,463 visits to the Cleveland Chesed Center’s kosher food pantry.
760
families received Kosher for Passover groceries easing their financial burden at Passover time.
478
individuals and families received help from the Alzheimer’s & Dementia program.
645
medical appointments in podiatry, ophthalmology, dentistry, and geriatrics were provided through Alyson’s Place Medical Clinic.
43
residential sites throughout Northeast Ohio provided housing for adults with developmental disabilities and adults with mental illness.
273
domestic violence survivors were helped with services throughout the community.
355
students received $1, 846,140 in grants, loans and scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year through the College Financial Aid program.
News & Activities
JFSA TODAY: Celebrating the People Who Bring JFSA’s Mission to Life
SEPTEMBER 2026 JFSA celebrated the people behind its mission at its 24th Annual Employee Recognition Dinner on August 13 at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami. Thirty-one employees were recognized for reaching service milestones ranging from 10 to 30 years. The evening also honored three special employees whose dedication exemplifies JFSA’s commitment to compassionate, client-centered care. For Direct […]
JFSA TODAY: More Than a Summer: How Camp Helped Ethan Find His Jewish Home
SEPTEMBER 2026 Seventeen-year-old Ethan S. has spent eight summers growing up at Camp Wise. Along the way, he gained independence, tried new activities and connected more deeply with his Jewish identity. “At my school, there isn’t a very large Jewish population, so I can always count on camp to be my home away from home,” […]
JFSA TODAY: A Lasting Place to Remember Michael Wortzman z”l
SEPTEMBER 2026 Michael Wortzman z”l loved being outdoors. During his time living at the Metzenbaum Center, an intermediate care facility (ICF) in Chesterland, Ohio, Michael could often be found beneath the trees, reading scripture or coloring. Today, a bench dedicated in his memory and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables stand near his favorite spot, offering residents a […]
JFSA TODAY: A Labor of Love: Volunteers Safeguard Survivors’ Legacies
SEPTEMBER 2026 When Terri Steindler volunteered with Jewish Family Service Association’s Holocaust Survivor Legacy Project, she understood that she was being entrusted with far more than history. For Steindler, co-chair of JFSA’s Volunteer Services & Community Engagement Committee, helping preserve those memories carried both meaning and responsibility. “By telling their stories, survivors have given our […]
Holocaust Survivor Legacy Project
Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland with support from the Jewish Federation of Cleveland created the Holocaust Survivor Legacy Project, a series of individual books containing first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors of their childhood, Holocaust experience and their lives after World War II. It is the objective of the Holocaust Legacy Project to highlight the […]
September 24: Beyond Disease: The Six Elements of Wellbeing in Dementia
Brain Health & Wellness Series Living well with dementia is about more than managing symptoms—it’s about honoring the whole person. This presentation explores six essential elements of wellbeing that continue to shape our lives regardless of cognitive changes: identity, connectedness, security, autonomy, meaning, and growth. Through practical examples and person-centered approaches, participants will discover how […]
JFSA Makes My Day… Meaningful!
JFSA seeks caring people to join our family, offering a wide range of career opportunities that provide meaningful work to individuals.
JFSA helps individuals and families with