Facing Challenges. Together.

Food & Financial Support

Essential food and financial assistance offered to the Nashville Jewish community in a confidential, compassionate manner.

Confidential, compassionate, and caring support when life gets tough.

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We all have times in life we could use a little extra support. Thanks to funding from the Jewish Federation, JFS is able to offer various forms of financial support to members of the Jewish community in Nashville and surrounding areas. 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.

JFS Social Workers understand the challenges you’re facing and spend time with all financial assistance clients formulating a sustainable plan of action. There are numerous community resources available to ease your burden, both within Jewish Family Service and elsewhere, and we will work with you to identify the resources you need and coordinate access.

Food & Emergency Financial Services
Emergency Financial Assistance

If you are overwhelmed and struggling to pay your bills, turn to us for help. Our community resources will ease your burden and help you temporarily while you get back on your feet.

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Hanukkah Gift Program

Since 1993, we have been ensuring that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity. This confidential program that allows families facing financial difficulties to receive gifts for children during Hanukkah.

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Kosher Food Boxes

Kosher food boxes are given on a confidential basis, and contain items that have been approved by a rabbi and a dietician. The boxes can feed an individual or couple for one week, or a family of four for five days.

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School Supplies Program

Start the new year with confidence. Armed with enough school supplies to get them through the year, families don’t have to worry about the financial burden that comes with purchasing all that their student needs to thrive.

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Emergency Financial Assistance

Sometimes the puzzle pieces don’t align and you might need a little bit of assistance making ends meet.

The emergency financial assistance program at JFS allows us to help you with emergency needs such as help paying your rent or mortgage, your electric or other utility bills.

We will first deal together with the most critical, immediate problems, but will also work with you to figure out what’s needed to improve things for yourself and your family in the long-term

Hanukkah Gift Program

Ensuring that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity.

The Hanukkah Gift program, which began in 1993, ensures that all children can celebrate the holiday with dignity. At JFS we value the happiness and well-being of our children, and we are honored to be able to assist families in their gift giving. Families choose gifts that they know their children would want or need and our generous volunteers buy gifts for the families.

Hanukkah Gift Program

Kosher Food Boxes

If you don’t have adequate finances to meet your grocery budget, we’ll ensure you’re well fed.
The program includes a combination of healthy, dietician approved perishable and non-perishable foods, provided on a monthly basis. All recipients must complete a financial assistance application to qualify. Confidentiality is maintained and is of the utmost importance.

School Supplies Program

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Give your children the chance to start the school year with confidence.

Armed with a brand new backpack and enough school supplies to get them through the year, families don’t have to worry about the financial burden that comes with purchasing paper, pencils, crayons and all the things every student deserves. JFS hosts a drive to gather donations from the community and supplements the items as necessary. The School Supplies Program has been assisting families since 2011 and will continue to start students out on the right foot when beginning a new school year.

Allow JFS to ease the load by providing school supplies such as pencils, markers, folders, and more to your student.

School Supplies Program

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Confidentiality Promise

The trust between our clients and JFS is the basis for our success.  All transactions and discussions are protected by the highest professional ethical standards of client/counselor confidentiality.

All Services

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.

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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.

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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.

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Who We Are

Passionate providers of comprehensive social services, we are advocates, allies, educators, cheerleaders, and guides who create solutions to problems facing families and individuals of all ages.

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jfs-nashville-about-us-thumbnail-2024Our Staff

We are a team of experienced professionals dedicated to treating each person with compassion, care and dignity.

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jfs-nashville-board-of-directors-thumbnail-2024Board of Directors

A group of people with different backgrounds and perspectives who come together to help Jewish Family Service fulfill its mission and expand its reach.

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Our Impact

We serve the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in many different ways. Here are a few of the human stories where JFS programs have made a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.




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Items That Tell a Story

We’ve compiled a selection of items that we use frequently at JFS – in some cases every day.

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Ways To Help

The number of ways in which you can help support individuals and families navigate life’s transitions are endless.

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Volunteer

Volunteers are a vital part of how we support our clients. Find opportunities to assist those in our community who need a helping hand.

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Make a Donation

Since our founding in 1853, the generous support of our community has made the work of Jewish Family Service possible.

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JFS Central

Press coverage about JFS Nashville's programing and services, learn about the history of the agency from our past newsletters, and enjoy reading original JFS content like our signature advice column, “Dear Esther.” Stay up to date with the impact we're making throughout our community.

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Events & Gatherings

Check out the full calendar of upcoming JFS Nashville events. From community education, support groups, and special engagements alike, find out where you can show up and get connected.

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Information & Referral Resources

Connect with our community partners. Our information and referral directory includes local and national resources that can provide additional support for addiction, mental health, and more.

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Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters is a JFS series that was designed to reduce the stigma of mental health issues by providing education, increasing awareness, and inclusivity. Check out our ongoing resources and past programming.

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Senior Services Directory

Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? The senior directory is the go-to resource for anything seniors might need related to the community.

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Contact Us

How can we help? Send us a message, give us a call, or find us on social media. We usually respond within 1-2 business days.

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