Zachary Fouladian, Staff Writer
Jewish Family Service (JFS), one of the many Jewish clubs on campus, has had a big year. JFS is a branch of the Jewish Federation, a multi-chapter organization spanning the country, whose job is to help low income families.
“Our mission is to help raise money for the organization and volunteer for events,” says club president Candice Hannani.
Hannani says that most of the club’s events are outside school, but one major program conducted within the school is the holiday cards for the homeless. The cards are made for SOVA clients, and most recently the club made cards for Passover. The SOVA food bank is a section of JFS, so club events are often connected to SOVA.
The past year, JFS managed a Passover Seder at temple Beth Am with other schools’ JFS chapters. The Seder was mainly for the elderly and those who would not otherwise have a Seder. The club’s job was to set up the area, distribute the food, and clean up.
“It was a really meaningful experience for the club to help provide a Passover Seder for the less fortunate,” says club Vice President Julia Waldow. “It really made us understand how fortunate we are for what we have.”
JFS also conducts Penny Wars, the club’s most successful event, which ran around the time of Color Wars to see which grade could raise the most money. The total last year was $72, which went to buying a vacuum and clothes for a family the club “adopted” through the JFS Adopt A Family Program.
Some of this year’s events include a visit to the Skirball Center on the 22nd, where the school JFS club will work with SOVA. The club will have a booth at the Center, with a family-oriented arts and crafts area.
April 29, this coming Sunday, the club will participate at the Celebrate Israel event at Rancho Park. JFS is going to celebrate at the park the following Sunday, to “help commemorate Israel’s Independence Day and bring light to Israel’s accomplishments,” says Hannani. The club isn’t sure of its role at Celebrate Israel yet, but they know that it will be big.