Navigating Life’s Transitions.

Together.

Social services from Jewish perspectives that respond to and support individuals and families through life’s transitions.
We are JFS.

Jewish

family

Service

Founded nearly 170 years ago, we are one of the oldest social service agencies in Nashville, but that doesn’t mean we’re stagnant. We are constantly evolving our services and programs to met the ever-changing needs of our community.

We honor individual dignity, confidentiality, and inclusivity and promise to help you navigate life’s challenges—no matter who you are, how old you are, or what season you’re in. Our doors will always open to an affirming and safe space.

Financial donors

Committed volunteers

Community programs

Clients served annually

enriching

Services & Programs

Counseling
  • Individual Counseling

Some situations in life are nearly impossible to manage, but you don’t have to do it alone.

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  • Couples Counseling

When being in a marriage or relationship feels overwhelming, we’ll help provide strength.

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  • Family Counseling

Safely work through problems and heal wounds that often prevent families from moving forward.

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  • Children & Teens Counseling

Learn the skills to handle life’s obstacles through the challenges of childhood.

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Adoption
  • Birth Parents

We offer compassion and strength in making the best decision for you and your child.

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  • Adoptive Parents

We have more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and beyond.

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  • LGBTQ+ Adoptions

As the first agency in Tennessee to facilitate same-sex adoptions, we know that love knows no bounds.

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Food & Financial
  • Emergency Financial Assistance

Our community resources can help you temporarily while you get back on your feet.

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  • Hanukkah Gifts

Since 1993, we have ensured that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity.

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  • Kosher Food Boxes

Kosher food boxes containing items that have been approved by a rabbi and a dietician.

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  • School Supplies

Arming students with enough school supplies to start the new year with confidence.

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Older Adults
  • Golden Lunch Bunch

Bi-monthly lunch program for older adults to enjoy a catered lunch, entertainment, and socialization.

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  • Helping Hands

Providing companionship and friendship for isolated seniors and people with disabilities.

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  • Cyber Seniors

Cyber Seniors matches computer savvy volunteers with older adults needing basic tech assistance.

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  • Jacob’s Ladder

Volunteers help seniors with small household tasks that require the use of a ladder.

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  • Low-Vision Aid

Giving seniors with failing eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence and daily living.

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  • Religious Programming

If you’re unable to travel outside of your home to celebrate the holidays, we’ll bring the holidays to you.

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Family & Community
  • Family Education

Educational programs that address emerging concerns or needs that impact families and the community.

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  • Healthy Skills for Healthy Kids

Teaching our children the aspects of building healthy relationships and recognizing unhealthy relationships.

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  • Jewish Job Network

A confidential committee of business leaders who review resumes and offer job opportunities.

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  • Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing

Award-winning, five year curriculum using Jewish teachings to guide girls through adolescent life.

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  • Chaver Mentorships

One-on-one relationships between an adult and a child being raised in a non-traditional Jewish home.

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  • Support Groups

Support groups lead by JFS social workers that bring together people facing similar life challenges.

Explore →

Counseling Services

Individual
Counseling

Some situations in life are nearly impossible to manage, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Couples
Counseling

When being in a relationship feels overwhelming, we’ll help provide strength.

Family
Counseling

Work through problems and heal wounds that often prevent families from moving forward.

Children & Teens
Counseling

Skilled professionals help young people and their families navigate the challenges of childhood.

Adoption Services

Birth
Parents

We offer compassion and strength in making the best decision for you and your child.

Adoptive
Parents

We have more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and beyond.

LGBTQ+
Adoptions

As the first agency in Tennessee to facilitate same-sex adoptions, we know that love knows no bounds.

Food & Financial Support

Financial
Assistance

Our community resources can help you temporarily while you get back on your feet.

Hanukkah
Gifts

Since 1993, we have ensured that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity.

Kosher Food
Boxes

Kosher food boxes containing items that have been approved by a rabbi and a dietician.

School
Supplies

Arming students with enough school supplies to start the new year with confidence.

Older Adults Programs

Golden
Lunch Bunch

Bi-monthly lunch program for older adults to enjoy a catered lunch, entertainment, and socialization.

Helping
Hands

Providing companionship and friendship for isolated seniors and people with disabilities.

Cyber
Seniors

Cyber Seniors matches computer savvy volunteers with older adults needing basic tech assistance.

Jacob’s
Ladder

Volunteers help seniors with small household tasks that require the use of a ladder.

Low-Vision
Aid

Giving seniors with failing eyesight the tools they need to maintain independence and daily living.

Religious
Programming

If you’re unable to travel outside of your home to celebrate the holidays, we’ll bring the holidays to you.

Family & Community Support

Family
Education

Educational programs that address emerging concerns or needs that impact families and the community.

Healthy Skills For
Healthy Kids

Teaching our children the aspects of building healthy relationships and recognizing unhealthy relationships.

Jewish Job
Network

A confidential committee of business leaders who review resumes and offer job opportunities.

Rosh Hodesh:
It’s A Girl Thing

Award-winning, five year curriculum using Jewish teachings to guide girls through adolescent life.

Chaver
Mentorships

One-on-one relationships between an adult and a child being raised in a non-traditional Jewish home.

Support
Groups

Support groups lead by JFS social workers that bring together people facing similar life challenges.
Community Education

Upcoming Featured Programs & Events

Please join us this year for one of our in-person community education events.

Testimonials

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“JFS Nashville helped make my dream of becoming a parent a reality. From beginning to end, they provided skillful and compassionate guidance through the long and emotional adoption journey. I remain forever grateful and blessed for the work they do in the LGBT community.”

– Adoption Client

“The social workers at Jewish Family Services are caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable. They always made sure we were comfortable and treated our family with the utmost respect.”

– Counseling Client

“Thank you for the supplemental food box this month. This helps immensely and the good, hearty, healthy and large amount of food will lower my bill. Thank you for the kindness and discreteness you have shown me.”

– Kosher Food Box Recipient

“Thanks so much for your caring spirit. I’m forever grateful for your support during this down period in my life. JFS is a great place for families.”

– Financial Assistance Recipient

“We are so thankful and overwhelmed by the love shown to our children through JFS. This is going to be the best holiday ever for them! Thank you is just too small for what’s in our hearts!”

– Hanukkah Gift Recipient

“I hope that JFS understands what an important service they are doing with the Helping Hands Program. The Shabbat services led by volunteers in the assisted living facility where my mother lives allow her to have a Jewish life in which she can participate on her own. It gives her a needed feeling of independence.”

– Helping Hands Participant Family Member

How to Support JFS

Our organization is sustained by the generosity of those who contribute time and resources. If you would like to give back to JFS, there are a number of ways to help.

Our Impact

Counseling Individuals

Adoption Families

Hanukkah Gift Recipients

Seniors Served

News & Community Resources

JFS Central

2023 Annual Recap

2023 Annual Recap

News from the HeartIn this Issue: Israel Response A Word from JFS Board of Directors President Impact of 2023 Programs 2023 Chesed Honorees Volunteer Appreciation Tributes Stress Less Teen Workshop NARCAN Training Life & Legacy Ways to...

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March 2023 Program Updates

March 2023 Program Updates

News from the HeartIn this Issue: JFS Presents: Stress Less Teen Workshop Recap Jacob's Ladder Senior Seder Chesed Dinner 2023 Save the Date Make an Impact with our Giving Campaign

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January 2023 Program Updates

January 2023 Program Updates

News from the HeartIn this Issue: Hanukkah Recap Interactive Balloon Update JFS Presents: Stress Less Teen Workshop Financial Assistance Make an Impact with our Giving Campaign

read more