JFS receives grants to support local Holocaust Survivor community  

Jewish Family Services has received grants totaling $255,000 to support critical services for Rochester’s Holocaust Survivors. 

The grants were awarded by The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester, KAVOD-Ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors and New York State through funding secured by state senators Samra Brouk and Jeremy Cooney as part of the Holocaust Survivors Initiative announced last year by Governor Kathy Hochul. Together, these represent the largest collective gift ever made to support the direct service needs of Holocaust Survivors served by JFS. 

Three total grants were awarded including: 

• A grant of $35,000 from KAVOD SHEF, in partnership with Seed the Dream Foundation, matched by The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester for a total of $70,000, to support survivors’ emergency needs covering dental, vision, medical, home essentials, transportation, emergency homecare, rent, home repair, utilities and food as a secondary resource.
• A three-year grant of $55,000 per year to fund a care management position from The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.
• $20,000, to be administered by New York State Office for the Aging, that will be used to increase access to health care related services for those who suffered in the Holocaust.

Additional funds from New York’s Holocaust Survivors Initiative were also awarded directly to The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester. 

“Today marks a significant moment in the history of JFS and our commitment to serving the Holocaust Survivor community in Rochester,” said Deb Rosen, JFS president and CEO. “The support and partnership of The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester, the KAVOD SHEF Initiative and New York State enables us to provide critical services and support to those who have suffered so much and are now focused on living the best life possible as they age and face new challenges.” 

JFS runs multiple programs to support Rochester’s aging community including care management and consultation, expanded in-home services for the elderly and individual and group therapy that support mental health and wellness. 

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