Giving Tuesday was a big success!

On November 28, JF&CS participated in Giving Tuesday, the annual day of fundraising following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and it was our most successful yet raising $40,000! Over the last three years, our Giving Tuesday campaign has experienced incredible growth, reaching a total of $73,500 and this success is thanks to you.

This year, the first $20,000 raised was matched at 50 cents per dollar by JF&CS’s 150th Leadership Fund. Proceeds from Giving Tuesday will be split evenly amongst the three featured programs, The Pearl Project, The Jewish Hospice Program and Poverty Reduction.

Thanks to every dollar donated, every post shared and the power of word of mouth, you helped us exceed our goal!

DRIVE FOR DREIDELS: TOYS NEEDED

Thank you to our very generous donors who have already dropped off some amazing toys!

With 13% of Toronto's Jewish population living on or below the poverty line, thousands of parents in Toronto simply do not have the income to purchase gifts for their children at Chanukah. Please join JF&CS as we strive to make the holiday special for every Jewish child.  

If you would like to drop off toys and/or gift cards, please visit www.jfandcs.com/d4d to see the drop off locations and times or contact us 416.638.7800 x 6999 for more details. Monetary donations can also be made online here.   

Thank you in advance on behalf of the thousands of children and youth who will benefit from your generosity this year!

CHANUKAH PARTY FOR FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS

On December 3, over 110 guests comprising of foster families, adoptive families, outside resources and JF&CS staff celebrated at our Chanukah Party! Guests were able to renew friendships and schmooze over a delicious dinner and yummy sufganiot. There were arts and crafts activities for the children including making and decorating their very own treasure boxes to store their favorite things. Other fun activities included dancing with DJ’s from Sole Power and a photo booth. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: LGBTQ+ Services

Recently, JF&CS held a focus group of LGBTQ+ community members, family and professionals with the goal of learning about the needs of the Jewish LGBTQ+ community. We will use the information gathered to develop groups and programs that will help meet the needs of LGBTQ+ Jewish people.

This will likely result in workshops and groups aimed at LGBTQ+ Jewish people and their families to offer support, direction and information within a Jewish context. This will also include training within JF&CS and reaching out to community partners to offer LGBTQ+ sensitive training within their organizations. If you would like to get involved, please contact us at 905.303.5838 x 3222.