Our comprehensive social services and programs are designed to enrich the whole person, enhance the whole family, and empower the whole community–no matter your age, race, religion, preference, identity, economic standing, or otherwise.

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Counseling Services

Life can be challenging, relationships can be hard, and you may need the extra support that comes with working with a therapist. Our licensed social workers offer counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as for children and adolescents.

Individuals | Couples | Families | Children & Teens

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Adoption Services

Choosing to adopt a child, or to place a child for adoption, is a life-altering decision. We are a licensed child-placing agency in Tennessee with more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Birth Parents | Adoptive Parents | LGBTQ+ Adoptions

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Food & Financial Support

Whether you need emergency financial assistance, such as help paying a utility bill or rent for the month, or material assistance by ensuring your children have gifts at the holidays, school supplies, or food supplements, Jewish Family Service offers this critical assistance in a confidential, compassionate manner.

Older Adult Programs & Services

We recognize that older adults are true treasures, and we strive to create and maintain a community that values and celebrates them for their wisdom, contributions, and experiences. Our programs and services are an important outlet for our older adults, encouraging them to be social and stimulated.

Family & Community Enrichment

Life can be challenging, and knowledge is power. The Jewish Family Service’s Family and Community Enrichment programs serve to empower, protect, and address the ever-changing needs of the entire Nashville community.

Dear Esther

Dear Esther: Update from Toni Jacobsen, JFS Clinical Director

Home » Projects » Dear Esther » Dear Esther: Update from Toni Jacobsen, JFS Clinical Director

Dear Esther is a monthly advice column published in The Jewish Observer.

August 30, 2021

Hello readers!

It’s Toni Jacobsen, Clinical Director of Jewish Family Service. Esther is on vacation and getting ready for the holidays with her family, so she asked me to fill in for her this month. Since I don’t have a question from a reader, I thought I would make you aware of a series of programming JFS is planning for you.

Due to the increase in anxiety and depression brought on by the pandemic, we thought it was timely and important to put together a program focused on mental health with the goals of education, increasing awareness and reducing the stigma. As we reflected on the events of the past year and looked at the needs, it was clear to us this topic is beyond a one-time program. So, we decided to put together a year’s worth of programming for all ages focused on aspects of mental health. The name of this series is called Mental Health Matters.

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