August 2025
By Susan Belgrade, LCSWSenior Director of Multipurpose and Senior Centers As a social worker—and as someone who cared for both my mother and my mother-in-law for many years—I know firsthand how overwhelming caregiving can be. Between doctors’ visits, medications, finances, and safety concerns at home, caregiving often feels like a second full-time job. Even with…
Dr. Heller’s professional journey in psychiatry and psychoanalysis has been deeply informed by her own family history. Both of her parents were Holocaust survivors, and Heller grew up attuned to the ways trauma ripples outward, shaping the lives of children and grandchildren. A phenomenon called “post memory,” is the inherited sense of having experienced events…
Published by Westside Current by Rachael Gaudiosi LOS ANGELES —Jane Jefferies, born and raised on the Westside, became unhoused for the first time this February. Now in her 60s and relying on Social Security, Jefferies says her benefits only cover the costs of living in her vehicle. Unable to find work willing to hire a…
At a time when older adults face growing cuts to services, financial insecurity, and isolation, Jewish Family Service LA (JFSLA) stands as a vital pillar of support. Across five senior multipurpose centers throughout LA, JFSLA delivers wraparound services that uplift individuals and harness the power of community. From daily nutritious meals at one of our…
July 2025
By Steve LopezPhotography by Genaro MolinaPublished by the Los Angeles Times President Trump has the answer to homelessness. Forcibly clear the streets. On Thursday, he signed an executive order to address “endemic vagrancy” and end “crime and disorder on our streets.” He called for the use of “civil commitments” to get those who suffer from mental illness or…
By Eli Veitzer, CEO of Jewish Family Service LA When the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released the results of its latest homeless count earlier this month, there was a lot to celebrate. Overall, homelessness declined by 3.4% across the City of L.A. and 4% across L.A. County. For seniors, however, the numbers tell a…
By Makenna SievertsonPublished by LAist Congress has cut federal funding for public media – a $3.5 million dollar loss for LAist. We are counting on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism. The number of unhoused people living in and around Los Angeles is trending downward, local…
The number of unhoused older adults is rising fast—up more than 17% since last year. JFSLA CEO, Eli Veitzer spoke to the urgent need for support in a recent KPCC feature, saying for older adults, homelessness is a matter of “life or death.”
“It’s not just a meal—it’s a lifeline.” As senior homelessness rises, JFSLA continues to provide vital support to older adults across L.A. This Spectrum story shows why our work matters more than ever.
The chaos in the world can feel endless. From hatred and antisemitism to budget cuts and policy rollbacks, our friends and neighbors are at risk of falling through the cracks At Jewish Family Service LA, we see it every day — not as headlines, but as lived reality. Families skipping meals to make rent. Seniors…
We’re not currently accepting applications. If you’d like to be added to the interest list for our 2026–2027 cohort or to receive updates about Young Leader events, please reach out to us at CIN@jfsla.org.
"*" indicates required fields
