Jewish Family Service - Cincinnati

06/04/2026

"I can see my flag." For Holocaust Survivors Day, we asked Lisa (Liselotte) MacVittie, what values she wants to pass on to her 38 great-grandchildren. This 93-year-old Holocaust survivor fled Berlin as a 6-year-old with polio for Shanghai, then New Jersey.

“I joined the service because I felt like I owed this country something,” said Lisa. At 25, she joined up and served 3 years in the military, meeting her husband there. That is a value she passed on. “A lot of the men and women [in our family] are, or at one time or another, have been in the military.”

It’s a part of her. “I can see my flag from right here when you look straight out," she said, speaking from her kitchen. "I say good morning and I say good night [to it]. Talk to myself. But that's all right.”

Holocaust Survivor Day, June 4, asks us to celebrate and support survivors and the lives they are living today. We are celebrating all month.

Lisa MacVittie is a part of our Center for Holocaust Survivors, and enjoys programming, conversation, and wrap-around social services. She also meets regularly with her JFS care manager.

06/01/2026

“We all come in with the usual stuff, and it’s nice to come here for something new and challenging." —Adult Day Services participant

In Adult Day Services this month, our yoga class focused on the Warrior Pose—a symbol of resilience, confidence, and inner strength.

Special thanks to program volunteers and our instructor, Linda Kean.

For more about Adult Day Services see first comment, below.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to our COO, Linda Kean, for her Avodah Award from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. Well deserved, Linda, and MazelTov!

At our 130th Annual Meeting, we had the honor of recognizing some extraordinary people who make Jewish Cincinnati shine.

Anne Goldstein (Junior Avodah Award): Anne has spent nearly 10 years at the Mayerson JCC connecting people to each other and to Jewish life. She walks with teens through Auschwitz on March of the Living. She runs the Oy Vey 5K and the J Classic. She means so much to so many!

Linda Kean (Senior Avodah Award): Linda has given 30 years to Jewish human services, 25 of them at Jewish Family Service. This past year, more people came to JFS than ever before. Linda makes sure the doors stay open.

Jim Heldman (Goldstein Volunteer of the Year): Jim has volunteered across nearly every corner of our community for decades. He also leads a Monday morning walking group where dozens of friends show up just to be together. Jim’s incredible spirit brings people together.

Thank you, Anne, Linda, and Jim. Mazel Tov! 🎉

05/29/2026

"Many parents feel the pressure in public spaces to have their kids “hold it together,” especially when it seems like others are watching. The truth is, almost every parent has moments like this—it just isn’t often talked about. The more you talk openly about your own experiences, the more others will share theirs. And sometimes, that honesty is what helps others feel less alone.

A big part of our role as therapists is helping parents understand that what may look like “noncompliance” is often a child trying to regain a sense of control in a world that feels too fast, too loud, or too uncertain. Our work is then to help children build the language to express what they need—whether that’s control, autonomy, or reassurance.

Big feelings are a normal part of childhood. Our goal is not to eliminate them, but to help children move through them safely while adults remain steady, consistent, and emotionally available. Over time, children learn that big feelings are manageable—and that they don’t have to navigate them alone."

— JFS team member, LISW-S, youth counseling expert

In honor of May, Mental Health Awareness Month

05/27/2026

For Older Americans Month, our counselors want to remind you: "Please don’t go through a challenging health crisis alone. We are here to guide and support you through it. Whether it's you personally or your parents, let us be there for you."

—JFS team member, MSW, LISW, older adult expert

05/26/2026

We celebrated Shavuot together: the Center for Holocaust Survivors, Russian Jewish Cultural Center, and K’vod Connect.

We made our famous cheesecake again—this time with even more creative decorations—and everyone enjoyed treats, gifts, a raffle, and learning about Shavuot traditions.

We welcomed Erica Nyberg, our Vice President of Development and Marketing, who shared insights about how our programs grow through community support, and took the time to answer our questions.

Shavuot reminds us not only of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the harvest, but also of the strength of community and connection.

05/26/2026

Sharing our team's values: Tikkum Olam (repair the world).

"I grew up witnessing my aunt, who had a serious mental illness, suffer immensely and at times be treated terribly by law enforcement and the medical profession. It was that experience that created my desire to be a therapist and to advocate for the mentally ill and to ensure that those in my care are treated with dignity and respect."

—JFS team member, LISW-S, LCSW, counseling expert

We are proud to feature our team's values this May, Mental Health Awareness Month.

05/20/2026

May is Dementia Awareness Month. TLDR: The test group that followed the "FINGER" lifestyle program showed about 25% greater improvement in overall cognition.

Learn about the FINGER study evaluating multiple lifestyle factors on preventing cognitive decline.

05/19/2026

So excited. Our Youth Mental Health team is an agency supporter of the Rainbow Challah Bake this May 28. See you there!

05/19/2026

"Children do not need perfect parents or perfect therapists. They need adults who can stay emotionally present when things are imperfect— and find their way back to each other after a challenge or crisis."

— JFS team member, LISW-S, youth counseling expert

In May, Mental Health Awareness Month, we are inviting our therapists to share their insights with you.