Nosh & Knowledge: The Heart of the Middle East

Date: Thursday, September 26 at 12:30 p.m.

Location: Congregation Beth Chaim (329 Village Road East, West Windsor)

Description: Samuel Golinkin will join us this afternoon for a look at how the geopolitics of the Middle East impact Israel – and our world. He will focus on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, sharing history, the present situation and his views of the future of this important area of the world.  A kosher lunch will be provided by Greenwood House and there is a requested donation of $5.00 per person. You may also bring your own kosher-style lunch. 

RSVP: Is required by 9/20 to Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100, ext. 126. This program is sponsored by Congregation Beth Chaim, Greenwood House & JFCS.

JFCS & The Beth El Seniors Present Miracle Meat Through Science

THE KASHRUT OF LAB-GROWN MEAT

Date: Thursday, September 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Location: Beth El Synagogue (50 Maple Stream Rd., East Windsor

Description: Rabbi Matthew S. Nover of Beth El Synagogue will discuss the day when we make meat from nothing!  Would it be kosher?  Or would it even be meat?  Join us as we take a look at new frontiers in food, and see how science, food and Judaism all come together. 

RSVP: is required by 9/13 to Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100, ext. 126. Or call Beth El at 609-443-4454.  This program is sponsored by Beth El Seniors & JFCS.

JFCS to Hold Pop-Up Pantry at Christ Congregation

Description: Jewish Family & Children’s Service will be taking its Community Food Pantry on the road and hosting a Pop-Up Food Pantry at Christ Congregation in Princeton (50 Walnut Lane) on Thursday, August 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Fresh fruits, vegetables, snack foods, and non-perishable items will be available.  A vegetarian dinner prepared by congregants will be served at 6:00 p.m. and there will also be a coloring activity for kids.  Food pantry distribution is first-come, first-served until food runs out.  Open to the community.  No proof of income is necessary, but you must self-attest to need. 

DATE:  Thursday, August 29th from 5:00 – 7:00PM

WHERE: Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton

RSVP: If you plan to attend the dinner, please RSVP to Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100, ext. 126.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County (JFCS) has been operating the Yvette Sarah Clayman Community Food Pantry since 1999.  The Pantry is choice-based and allows clients to shop for their food instead of picking up a prepared bag.  This follows our philosophy of empowering clients to care effectively for themselves and others.  It is open to people of all denominations in Mercer County.

Nosh & Knowledge Summer Reading Series: The Bread Givers

Description: This masterwork of American immigrant literature is set in the 1920s on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and tells the story of Sara Smolinsky, the youngest daughter of an Orthodox rabbi, who rebels against her father’s rigid conception of Jewish womanhood. Sarah’s struggle towards independence and self-fulfillment resonates with a passion all can share. Bread Givers is an essential historical work with enduring relevance. A Kosher lunch will be provided by Greenwood House and there is a requested donation of $5.00 per person.

Book: The Bread Givers by Anzia Yezierska

Date: Thursday August 22nd at 12:30pm

Location: Congregation Beth Chaim

RSVP: To Beth Englezos at Bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100 ext. 126 no later than 8/16

This program is sponsored by Congregation Beth Chaim, Greenwood House & JFCS. All programs are open to the community and we thank Greenwood House for preparing our Kosher lunches for the Summer Reading Series.

JFCS to Hold Pop-Up Food Pantry

DATE:  Wednesday, July 10, 2019

TIME: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton

DESCRIPTION: Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) will be taking its Community Food Pantry on the road and hosting a Pop-Up Food Pantry at Christ Congregation in Princeton where fresh fruits, vegetables, snack foods, and non-perishable items will be available.  Food pantry distribution is first-come, first-served until food runs out.  Open to the community.  No proof of income is necessary, but you must self-attest to need.  Also, a vegetarian dinner will be prepared by congregants and served at 6:00 p.m. 

JFCS has been operating the Yvette Sarah Clayman Community Food Pantry since 1999.  The Pantry is choice-based and allows clients to shop for their food instead of picking up a prepared bag.  This follows our philosophy of empowering clients to care effectively for themselves and others.  It is open to people of all denominations in Mercer County.

RSVP: If you plan to attend the dinner to Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100, ext. 126.

FRIENDS CIRCLE: A Memory Cafe

Description: A social gathering for anyone affected with memory challenges and their care partners. Enjoy coffee, refreshments and entertainment in a warm, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Free and open to the public. Community resources available.

Date: Tuesday July 9th at 1pm to 3pm

Location: Adath Israel Congregation (1958 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville)

Registration: Pre-registration required. Contact Donna Sobel at 609-883-5391 ext. 388.

Brought to you by Greenwood House and JFCS & sponsored by Rothkoff Law Group

Nosh & Knowledge Summer Reading Series: My Russian Grandmother and her American Vaccum Cleaner by Meir Shalev

Description: From the acclaimed Israeli author comes a charming tale of family ties, over-the-top housekeeping, and the sport of storytelling in Nahalal, the village of Meir Shalev’s birth. Hilarious and touching, this is the story of Shalev’s family set against the story of the early years of Israel. Here we meet Shalev’s amazing grandma Tonia, who arrived in Palestine by boat from Russia in 1923 and lived in a constant state of battle with what she viewed as the family’s biggest enemy in their new land: dirt. A kosher lunch will be provided by Greenwood House and there is a requested donation of $5.00 per person. You may also bring your own Kosher-style lunch.

Date: Thursday June 27th at 12:30pm

Location: Congregation Beth Chaim (329 Village Road East, West Windsor)

RSVP: To Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100 ext. 126 by 6/24.

This program is sponsored by Beth Chaim, Greenwood House and JFCS

JFCS & The Beth El Seniors Club Presents Food & a Flick

Description: Join us for a dairy lunch and a movie! We will be watching either “The Book Club” or “When Harry Met Sally” depending on availability. Both flicks are really cute and fun!

Date: Thursday June 20th at 12:30pm

Location: Beth El (50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor)

RSVP: Required to Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100 ext. 126 or call Beth El at 609-443-4454.

JFCS Mobile Food Truck

What is The Mobile Food Truck Project?

The JFCS Mobile Food Truck will bring the resources of our pantry on the road to locations across Mercer County. At each location, we will park our fully-stocked truck and distribute groceries to those in need. The truck will be FREE, CHOICE FOOD PANTRY that aligns with our mission of empowering individuals to make informed choices and care for themselves.


Why are We Taking Our Pantry on the Road?

  • In Mercer County, almost 40,000 individuals face food insecurity, lacking consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life
  • 33% of food insecure individuals in Mercer County fall above the SNAP benefit line, but still lack sufficient resources & access to fresh, healthy food options
  • The number of older residents in NJ facing food insecurity is growing. Due to limitations in physical mobility and financial resources, they often are not able to access nutritious choices available in supermarkets
  • Public transportation options are not convenient for existing pantries outside of the Trenton city-center
  • Low-cost food options available at convenience stores, most accessible to populations in need, often lack fresh fruits & vegetables and varied, nutrient-rich options.

How Can You Help Get the Truck Rolling?

Over the next several months, our goal is to raise the funds to purchase our fully outfitted pantry truck and establish partners throughout the community as future truck sites. Founding sponsorship options are available and include recognition opportunities on the truck, on our website, pinned materials, social media, and more.


Looking for a way to contribute as a founder at a level not listed? Contact Helaine Isaacs at 609-987-8100 Ext. 104.