JFS News Archive

For 55 years, Doctor Ed and Phyllis Belzer have called Kansas City their home. “We came to Kansas City in 1967 from Omaha to begin my pediatric practice,” said Doctor Ed Belzer. The Belzers began volunteering for Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City (JFSKC) more than ten years ago. They started as JET Express drivers and transferred over to the JFSKC Food Pantry, where they have ... read more

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. To commemorate this special month, JFS is honoring ALL of our dedicated and invaluable volunteers! “Volunteers have become the lifeblood of all JFS programs. We are so fortunate to have so many amazing volunteers without whom, we could not have our personal pantry service or have the JET Express program at all,” said Don Goldman, Jewish Family Services ... read more

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission has named Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City one of 11 beneficiaries of its professional golf tournament’s matching gift program: Play It Forward. Play It Forward supports 501©(3) organizations in the Kansas City community by providing a platform to raise new money and gain awareness through their causes. This initiative allows the nonprofits to receive ... read more

Jana Nye’s interest in volunteering for Jewish Family Services began when she saw a news report on JET Express in 2019. “The news station filmed someone driving a client and I wrote the number down and that is where I found JFS,” said Jana Nye. She drives for JET Express at least two to three times a week. “It is a very humbling experience to drive the elderly who are fighting to stay ... read more

Join us on Sunday, March 20 for this expressive and supportive gathering in preparation for Passover, when we are reminded of the Exodus, being led out of the confines of Egypt and toward a future filled with hope. We will share in traditional and contemporary prayers, songs, and readings. All are welcome and masks are required. Please RSVP to chaplaincy@jfskc.org. Include your name, number in ... read more

Katie Dalbey is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Missouri and Kansas and has been practicing for the last 7 years. She graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Anthropology and from the University of Missouri - Kansas City with a Masters of Social Work. When Katie's not working with clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter (2 years), and son (8 months). ... read more

For Susie Hurst, director of Family Life Education at Jewish Family Services, it feels like yesterday when she joined the organization to work with youth and families. Yet at the end of December, Hurst will formally retire from JFS following a 35-year career in which she has been a positive force for so many in the community. A third-generation Kansas Citian who was raised in Prairie Village, ... read more

We want to give a special shout-out to all of our 2021 Volunteers of the Month. Thank you for your contributions to Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City, the staff and community appreciate all of your hard work! In case you missed them, here are all of our 2021 Volunteer of the Month honorees: April 2021 - John Ball May 2021 - Susanna King June 2021 - Melanie Allmayer August 2021 - ... read more

One of the most beautiful things about the Priya Fund is that without the community’s support we would not be able to do the work that we do. Thanks to the Kansas City Jewish Community’s coming together on this past Giving Tuesday, we are able to continue to help Jewish families. ... read more

Help stock our Food Pantry! The most needed items in December are crackers, canned chicken, paper towels, and vegetable oil. During the Community Food Drive, drop off will be in the front circle drive of the Jewish Community Campus where JFS volunteers and staff will take items directly from cars. After dropping off items, donors are asked to register their donations ... read more