Jewish Family Service helps local Jewish families of all ages. Many of these families are single parents coping with financial challenges. Here is one such story, written on behalf of a JFS client:

  A young mother approached JFS for help with an overdue electric bill. Her own parent had recently died, so she did not have any family to help when she got behind in bills.  The JFS case manager used donor funds to pay part of her overdue electric bill. JFS also offered to get gifts to help her children, ages 4 and 6, to get things that they needed and wanted and that the client couldn’t afford to purchase. During Hanukkah time 2024, JFS donors anonymously bought new games, dolls, toys, school supplies, winter coats, and personal care items for her children. She was also given a family gift card to Applebee’s so that they could enjoy a meal out.  

 She wrote the following thank you note: “I did not know what I was going to do and JFS really stepped in to help my family. My children were excited when they saw all the wonderful gifts and clothes that were bought for them. I cannot thank those who helped us enough!”

Now in its 33rd year, Jewish Family Service’s annual Chanukah Gift Program provides holiday gifts to local Jewish children and teens in financially struggling families. JFS asks the community to continue its tradition of helping this year, too. Although Hanukkah may or may not be a time when gifts are exchanged in all families, JFS hopes for support of this important gift drive and contact with those Jewish families in need. Many gifts are used by these children throughout the year. JFS expects to serve about 50 different local Jewish children and teens, ages infant-18 years old, in 2025.

 New this year. JFS will create a shopping room so that families can come select the gift items their children and teens can use. For adult donors, this is an opportunity to do a mitzvah for children who have no choice in their families’ financial situation.  For young donors, this is a way to learn and practice tzedakah, giving to others, as they shop with parents for gifts for other children, knowing that the gifts will make a significant impact.

How to help

• Purchase new, unwrapped gifts: Infant supplies, toddler toys, books,  puzzles, dolls, markers/color pencils/crayons, coloring books, sports gear (footballs, soccer balls, basketballs), small Lego sets, board games, craft supplies/kits, socks (all sizes), winter gloves/scarves/hats, action figure toys, matchbox cars, super-hero toys, hair ribbons/barrettes/headbands, creative items, card games.  

• Provide gift cards from Amazon, Target, Five Below, Visa, Fast Food Restaurants, Movie Theaters, and grocery stores.

• Send JFS a tax-deductible cash/check/credit card donation, and JFS will do the shopping.

All Hanukkah donations must be received by December 1, 2025.  Checks should be made payable to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater and sent to JFS, Attn: Maryann Kettyle, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 400, Virginia Beach, VA  23462. Gifts should be dropped off at JFS’s counseling office: Embrace Counseling, 260 Grayson Road, Suite 200, Virginia Beach.

Jewish Family Service assists local Jewish families in need at all times of the year and will keep any surplus donations for use throughout 2025-2026.  For more information, contact Maryann Kettyle, JFS case manager, at 757-459-4640 or MKettyle@jfshamptonroads.org.

Debbie Mayer is the clinical director for Embrace Counseling.

Here is one such story: 

A grandmother comes to JFS for help with her electric bill, and JFS provides the funds to keep her power bill current. As she shares her concerns, she reveals that her daughter is recently a single parent and that she and her granddaughter are also financially struggling and that she does not have any funds to help them. As she talks with the JFS case manager, it is suggested that she give JFS a wish list to help her eight-year-old granddaughter with things she needs, and she wants. The grandmother did not know what to expect. 

In advance of Hanukkah in 2023, several generous donors brought in bags filled with new clothing, toys, Barbie Dolls, games, craft sets, and even a new winter coat and boots. She wrote the following thank you note: “To All who gave for my granddaughter, this was her best Hanukkah above and beyond her wishes. It’s a Hanukkah dream for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Now in its 32nd year, Jewish Family Service’s annual Chanukah Gift Program is now underway. The program provides holiday gifts to local Jewish children and teens in financially struggling families. JFS asks the community to continue its tradition of helping this year, too, even for those whose don’t exchange gifts for Hanukkah. Many gifts are used by these children throughout the year. JFS expects to serve about 50 different local Jewish children and teens in 2024.

The wish list of what these children and teens need is long. For donors, this is an opportunity to do a mitzvah for children who have no choice in their families’ financial situation.  For young donors, this is a personal way to learn and practice tzedakah, giving to others, as they shop with parents for gifts for other children, knowing that the gifts will make a significant impact.

How to help:

• Purchase new, unwrapped gifts, both fun and practical, for specific children and teens in need.  

Donors may call JFS at 757-459-4640 for children’s wish lists.

• Go shopping and buy some extra items for those in need.

• Send gift cards from Amazon, Target, fast food restaurants, movie theaters, and grocery stores.

• Send JFS a tax-deductible cash/check/credit card donation, and JFS will do the shopping.

Visit the JFS table at the Mitzvah Mall, hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, on Sunday, Nov. 24, 10 am – 12 pm, at the Sandler Family Campus, to drop off the gifts at the Donation Station. 

All Hanukkah donations must be received by December 6.  Checks should be made payable to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater and sent to JFS, Attn: Maryann Kettyle, 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Suite 400, Virginia Beach, VA  23462. Gifts can also be dropped off in-person at JFS’s counseling office: Embrace Counseling, 260 Grayson Road, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, Va.

Jewish Family Service assists local Jewish families in need at all times of the year and will keep any surplus donations for use throughout 2024-2025.  For more information, contact Maryann Kettyle, JFS case manager, at 757-459-4640 or MKettyle@jfshamptonroads.org.