Park City’s Jewish Family Service, 150 years, $150K matching grant

150 yrs of JFS celebrated in Park City. Photo: Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — On Sunday, Jewish Family Service (JFS) held a luncheon at the Park City home of Casey and Jason Lebwohl not only to honor past president Joy Erickson but to recognize the current campaign of celebrating the organization’s 150-year anniversary and its $150,000 donation matching grant. 

Click here to be included in the grant, as any amount donated before September 30 will be matched.

Patrice Arent, former member of the Utah Senate and House and recently retired Co-President of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, said, “Honoring outgoing JFS President Joy Erickson is a perfect way to punctuate the amazing matching grant and the 150 years of dedicated service. My grandparents first got me and my family involved in JFS and that involvement has been, and continues to be, one of the most worthwhile connections of my personal and professional life.”

Since 1872, JFS has provided non-denominational assistance for all Utahns, in moments of need. Among the myriad services is their mental health counseling which is offered through one of the most proportionate sliding fee scales around.

JFS has also been a large presence for incoming refugees in Utah, who have relied on its help with daily obstacles so their families can thrive in their new communities.

Senior care services are another element of assistance for the community by JFS.

On behalf of clients in need, JFS can efficiently and effectively pay directly to third-party businesses for things like:

• new custom shoes for diabetics
• new snow tires to get to work
• same-day plumbing repairs for burst pipes
• rent

The giving by JFS is a full spectrum between welcoming newcomers with support, supporting longtime residents, and providing essentials for those to survive and thrive. In Park City, the Christian Center maintains food pantry offerings to the larger community, a process that JFS not only appreciates but collaborates with. In Salt Lake City, the JFS Alex and Sally Lebwohl Food Pantry provides the same services.

President of Park City’s Temple Har Shalom, and Board Member of JFS, Casey Lebwohl, said, “150 years of a strong service model makes JFS proud to be so ingrained, on so many levels of giving throughout Utah’s past, present, and future, and makes JFS thankful that people give back to our organization in the generous ways that they do. For example, our own two children find endless purpose in the volunteer opportunities which abound at JFS.”