Program launches November 1
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.