Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh.
All of Israel is responsible
for one another.
Actions and resources here.
Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh.
All of Israel is responsible for one another.
Actions and resources here.
Who is Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services?
Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services (KJFS) is proud to serve as the Jewish community’s social services agency, open to all in need throughout Southern Maine.
Current programs include their Diaper Bank, the Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive, their Essentials Pantry, and the HIAS Refugee Resettlement program. The Diaper Bank gives out over 350,000 diapers each year, providing a crucial resource to families in need. The Essentials Pantry offers toiletries and other necessities to their HIAS clients as well as those receiving diapers through their diaper bank.
As a proud affiliate network partner of HIAS, their refugee clients have demonstrated that they fled their homelands and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on their identity (such as their ethnicity, religion, community, social, or political group membership). Most of their clients wait in refugee camps for many years before they are able to come to the United States. In 2022, they resettled 102 individuals from seven countries, and in 2023, they plan to assist over 100 more.
KJFS programs bring to life the values of
gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness) in the service of
tikkun olam (repairing the world). Their programs are designed to provide support with dignity, compassion, and respect. When they work with refugee clients, they “welcome the stranger, as [we] were once strangers in Egypt."
How can you get involved?
Volunteer!
Engaging the Jewish community in volunteer activities makes KJFS's work possible. They rely on dedicated volunteers to carry out their mission and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve. Whether you are an individual or a group seeking a service project, they have a wide range of opportunities for you to get involved and make a positive impact:
- HIAS Refugee Resettlement: Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting refugees as they navigate their new lives in Maine. Options include:
- Grocery Shopping: Help guide their clients through the grocery shopping experience on a weekly basis. Volunteers will receive training and a handbook to prepare them for this work.
- Cultural Orientation: Meet with clients on a weekly basis and teach a curriculum designed to help them acclimate to life in Maine.
- Diaper Bank/Essentials Pantry: Assist with packaging, sorting, and labeling diapers and other essential items. Volunteers can also help with inventory management and delivering diapers to local families. By volunteering with their Diaper Bank, you can help ensure that local families have access to the basic necessities they need to thrive.
Donate!
KJFS welcomes donations from the community. They rely on donated furniture and household items to support their refugee families. You can find a complete donation needs list by visiting their website.
They are also always tremendously grateful for monetary donations to help support their work.
