Jewish Community: Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services

Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs

[See detailed listing] [Jewish Connections Programs Website]

Orthodox Jewish Services

The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services remains as strongly committed to serving the Jewish community as its predecessors did more than 100 years ago.

That tradition began in 1874 with the founding of United Hebrew Charities, an agency that provided material relief to poor Jewish families, and in 1893 with the creation of the Jewish Prisoners Aid Society, which helped Jewish prisoners and their loved ones. Each agency evolved respectively over the years into Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Board of Guardians, which merged in 1978 to create JBFCS.

The Jewish Board has reflected the rich traditions of both agencies, building on their strengths and responding quickly and effectively to our community’s emerging needs. Our services to the Jewish community, known as Jewish Connections, fall into two broad categories: those that are designed specifically to bolster Jewish institutions and Jewish identity, our Jewish Connections programs, and those that provide direct service to Jewish families and individuals. But whichever category the program fits, our goal is always the same: to build a healthy and strong community able to ensure Jewish continuity and advance a heritage full of life and compassion.

The Jewish Board takes great pride in serving all members of New York’s Jewish community. The Jewish institutions we help include community centers and Y’s, day and supplementary schools, synagogues, and youth groups. We are also proud of our special relationship with UJA-Federation, which coordinates and funds human services to Jews throughout New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. Our ties with UJA-Federation date back to 1917, the year in which that organization was founded.