Jewish Family Service has modified all of its programming to safely serve our community. For the holidays, events have gone virtual. Instead of visiting assisted living facilities in-person, JFS is now providing videos including many hardworking volunteers to spread joy.

Every holiday, volunteer Eva Derby visits older adult residences and shares her experience about her holiday celebrations in Israel. For Hanukkah, she shared her experience virtually. Alongside Derby, Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom, Rabbi Seth of Congregation Keneseth Israel and Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El all contributed to the program with music, prayer and storytelling. Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley's new community shaliach, Gavriel Siman-Tov, also shared videos of Hanukkah celebrations in Israel. Finally, the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley Choir finished out the program with their rendition of “Hatikvah." Due to COVID restrictions, we’re still not able to sing in groups indoors. So, each of the children were individually recorded singing, and technology made it seem like they were singing in a group.

The next holiday program JFS will be putting together will be for Purim.