Special needs
An estimated 1,000 children in Montreal-area Jewish day schools are experiencing learning difficulties. They have speech and language disorders and they aren't receiving the help they need - public-sector services often have waiting lists of a year or longer - or if they are, it is an enormous financial drain on their parents. Private services are expensive. Thanks to a generous donation from the Mar-Kin Foundation, a special needs fund has been established that enables JFS to provide financial subsidies to families allowing them to access immediate and/or on-going specialized support that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Children in Jewish day schools are receiving much needed assistance in areas such as specialized psycho-social and pedagogical help, occupational therapy and speech therapy and shadows to accompany them during the school day.

The future of the special fund is not yet certain, though. And for each request JFS is able to meet, there is one the agency is unable to consider for lack of funds.

For more information on how to contribute to the special needs fund, please call (514) 342-8171 x 3455
Helping children with special needs (JFS News, fall 2005) - PDF


Bar/Bat mitzvah
This special donor designated fund helps subsidize the cost of a basic Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Assistance can be in the form of new clothes, tefillin, Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons, a modest kiddush- things which otherwise would not be possible.

For more information on how to contribute to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah fund, please call (514) 342-8171 x 3455

JFS Bar-Bat Mitzvah Fund (JFS News, winter 2005) - PDF

Mitzvah
Thanks to the generosity of numerous donors, JFS has established a Mitzvah fund, which contributes towards a family's one-time, life-cycle events or helps with a particular need.

For more information on how to contribute to the Mitzvah fund, please call (514) 342-8171 x 3455

Camping
Most of us who went to summer camp remember the experience with great fondness: We remember the friends we made, the independence and self-confidence we learned- skills that helped to shape the people we became. For those of us who grew up in a stable and healthy families, camp was a bonus in a life that was already happy and full. For those whose families are experiencing a difficult period, however, time at summer camp can, quite literally be a life-changing experience.

The JFS Camping fund provides children with a Jewish camping experience, an experience that they would otherwise not be able to afford..

For more information on how to contribute to the camping fund, contact Brenda Rodier, (514) 342-8171 x 3423