Winter time has its own challenges. At JFS, we often see more individuals in need due to increased heating bills, price increases, and post holidays. This is also a time when due to the lack of sunlight and more darkness, depression can settle in. JFS provides counseling by experienced licensed clinical social workers who work with teens, adults and families on issues of stress, loss, depression, and dealing with issues of transition in their lives. JFS accepts insurance and offers a sliding scale fee structure. Our goal is to empower the individual or family to have a better quality of life.

JFS offers interest-free loans to members of the Jewish community for emergencies, healthcare, small business, education, life-cycle events, children with special needs, resettlement support, women and children in crisis and more. Other financial needs will be assessed at the time of application. 

Loan amounts vary depending on need and purpose. Time to repay generally ranges from one to three years depending on the amount of the loan. 

Hebrew Free Loan Societies are based on the Biblical injunction “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not act towards them as a creditor; exact no interest from them”(Exodus 22:24). Jewish communities throughout history have included these organizations as one of the pillars of communal life. The Lehigh Valley is fortunate to have a strong Jewish community that strives to help those Jews who need our help. Truthfully, we never know when we might need to be the recipient of this help.