At a time of extraordinary economic pressure and rising antisemitism, eJewish Philanthropy spotlighted the essential role that Jewish human service agencies play in supporting our most vulnerable—and the critical need for the philanthropic sector to step up and preserve this lifeline.

In a powerful new piece, The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is lifted up as a cornerstone of the Jewish social safety net, uniting 180 member agencies across the United States and Canada that provide food assistance, housing support, mental health resources, job training, and more.

“The Network is 180 organizations strong. These agencies focus on the needs of our most vulnerable, connecting them with food assistance, housing support and job training… However, cuts in federal funding and related cuts at the state and local levels are severely impacting these agencies’ ability to keep this safety net strong.”

As highlighted in the article, The Network’s 2024 Portrait of the Network study, conducted by Rosov Consulting, showed that a significant majority of clients served by smaller Jewish human service agencies are Jewish—up to 64%, with larger agencies still serving approximately 43% Jewish clients.

Yet many of these agencies face shrinking budgets as public funding dwindles. Without immediate philanthropic intervention, critical services—from childcare and mental health care to food and housing support—could be lost.

The piece urges Jewish philanthropists, communal leaders, and activists to take meaningful action:

• Support your local Jewish family service agency or connect directly with The Network.

• Advocate at local, state, and federal levels to preserve and expand funding for social services.

• Engage your synagogue community during the High Holidays using the TEN: Together Ending Need guide, produced by the Jewish Funders Network and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

As the article emphasizes, the Jewish community has always responded to need with compassion and strength. But today’s moment demands urgent recommitment—not just for the well-being of our neighbors, but as a powerful response to division, fear, and rising hate.

“Providing social services to the general population is a clear way to fight the current rise in antisemitism and build stronger and safer communities… Showing up for others is a form of protection as well as principle.”