As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we remember that we were founded as a nation of immigrants. Diverse cultures and backgrounds connected on this soil to create the tapestry of who we are. June is when we recognize and celebrate the emancipation of Black Americans (Juneteenth, June 19), the contributions of immigrants and refugees (World Refugee Day, June 20), and the joy and resilience of Pride Month. These annual acknowledgments are a reminder that everyone deserves safety, dignity, belonging, and the support of people who care.

In May, we recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month and celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. With support from the Jewish Federation Bay Area, we are proud to provide our Jewish community with culturally responsive therapy and a bereavement group supporting emotional well‑being, stabilizing crises, and connecting clients with essential resources to strengthen long‑term resilience.

As we move further into 5786, we are reminded that our resilience grows when we show up for one another across generations and experiences. The Hebrew phrase l’dor v’dor (“from generation to generation”) calls us to care for those who came before us. During April, we honor Holocaust Remembrance Day. For the 23rd year, JFCS East Bay partnered with the City of Berkeley to hold a special program. The event included a moving testimony, live music, and a candle-lighting ceremony. If you would like to watch the program, please click here.

March is Women’s History Month and it is also the beginning of springtime — a time of renewal. As I reflect on where we are as a community, I am encouraged by the ongoing success of our clients. I specifically think of the 20 resilient and courageous Afghan women in our Culinary Cohort who completed a seven-week ESL training that incorporated food handling and cooking skills. At the close of the training, the women held a community event where they each introduced themselves and their meal.

February is Black History Month, and at JFCS East Bay, we honor the powerful and transformative contributions of Black Americans throughout history. The resilience shown in the face of injustice continues to guide and inspire our pursuit of a future grounded in equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.

As autumn settles, we are reminded that change is not only seasonal; it is personal and communal. October invited us to reflect on our resilience and healing as we honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Hispanic Heritage month.

Rosh Hashanah offered a moment to reflect and gather strength for the year ahead. As we welcomed 5786, we were reminded that our resilience grows when we show up for one another across generations and experiences.

Rosh Hashanah offered a moment to reflect and gather strength for the year ahead. As we welcomed 5786, we were reminded that our resilience grows when we show up for one another across generations and experiences.

This July, as we honor Disability Awareness Month, we recognize the challenges people with disabilities face in navigating complex systems. Recent policy changes are making these challenges even harder.

This Pride Month, we honor the strength and resilience of LGBTQ+ refugees and the community of care that surrounds them. Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision reminds us that our laws and systems do not always protect the most defenseless among us. New state laws across the country are targeting LGBTQ+ youth, restricting their access to affirming care and safe spaces. For many, especially LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution, these challenges add to the hardships they already face.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and at JFCS East Bay, we are doubling down on our commitment to mental health support, especially for those whose displacement and trauma are often unseen. We know that safety is not just physical; it’s emotional, communal, and generational. Whether through individual counseling, early childhood consultation, or community-based healing, we stand beside those seeking not just survival, but wholeness.

For the last ten years or so, I have hosted a Passover Seder for friends. Every year, we are about 25–30 people—Jews and non-Jews alike. We eat a feast and drink our fair share of the four cups of wine. I like to say that at this Seder, every table is the kids’ table, although as I approach 40, I’m not sure how true that is anymore. This year, as in years past, I was reminded of the great joy in coming together and feeling connected to this tradition, which Jews around the world have participated in for at least two thousand years.

As we welcome the arrival of spring, I am reminded of the season’s promise of renewal and growth—values that are at the heart of our work at JFCS East Bay. This month, we also celebrate the resilience of the women we serve and the women who lead our work.

As we reflect on Black History Month, we honor the strength, resilience, and transformative contributions of Black Americans throughout history. Their courage in the face of injustice continues to inspire us as we work toward a future rooted in equity, dignity, and opportunity for all. This month is not only a time of remembrance but also a call to action—a reminder that justice and safety should never be out of reach for those seeking refuge and a better life.

The start of a new year brings with it the tradition of resolutions—a chance to reflect, reset, and renew our commitment to what matters most. Resolutions are often personal: exercise more, spend less, read more books. But what if this year, we broadened our resolutions to include not just ourselves, but also the communities we’re a part of?