About Us

History, Mission & Organizational Info

Since 1985, JAF has been a pivotal source of financial help for the Western PA Jewish community. Access to economic stability and financial well-being inspires our work. Through no repay grants, we are a way to live the Jewish tradition of helping neighbors. We take action, directly and confidentially, helping the Jewish community confront economic insecurity one person, one family, one household at a time.

JAF was founded by a group of community members who recognized economic insecurity and wanted to help neighbors pay their emergency and pressing expenses. JAF is an independent, 501c-3 non-profit organization serving the Western PA Jewish Community.

Increasing Economic Security - 2025 Impact and Outcomes

We are a warm embrace from a caring Community. We respond quickly, usually meeting with applicants within a week of initial contact. We are caring, compassionate, nimble, responsive, streamlined and collaborative. JAF respects and honors the privacy of our Jewish community members, and we help them pay their bills with dignity. Grant recipients have shared that we “are a comforting presence in what can feel like an overwhelming world.”

"When I was truly in a time of need, sinking further in debt, having exhausted my credit and everything else, JAF gave me a lifeline"

  • 100% of respondents on a client survey shared that a JAF grant had an impact on their financial situation.
  • Provided $313,221.47 in emergency financial aid—no repayment required—to the Western PA Jewish community.
  • Supported 354 individuals across 48 zip codes, representing diverse Jewish households.
  • Served households of 1 to 13 people, including singles, couples, families with children, and multigenerational homes.
  • Beneficiaries ranged in ages from 22 to 101, spanning young adults to seniors.
  • Delivered warm and in-person support typically within 1 week of inquiry.
  • Offered financial assistance plus referrals to resources like emergency food and free financial counseling.
  • Impact extended beyond direct recipients, strengthening the broader community.
  • Financial help along with referrals and access to useful tools and additional community resources including emergency food and free financial coaching.

    JAF’s Direct & Life Changing Impact

"JAF is a story that so needs to be told. You have added quality and dignity to a senior's life and for that, we are all indeed appreciative. She feels special and doted upon. and this experience has indeed ignited her spirits. What a difference your kindness has made."

Sharyn Rubin
Director of Resident & Community Services
Jewish Association on Aging

"The Jewish Assistance Fund is an invaluable resource in our community. They transform impossible circumstances to help people rise above unimaginable challenges. I have been honored to work closely with JAF during my tenure as Executive Director at the Aleph Institute, and I look forward to continuous connection and collaboration."

Rabbi Vogel
Executive Director
Aleph Institute

"This is just a note to thank the Jewish Assistance fund for getting me my hearing aide. I will always remember your mitzvahs and I appreciate it so much."

Fondly, Edna

"I can't thank you enough for your help as I begin to get back on my feet due to your generosity!"

Financial Assistance Recipient

"We have had many situations in which clients have received eviction notices and utility stop notices. When they received a check from JAF they thanked us, and many in tears said they did not know what would have happened to them without our help."

JAF Grantor

"Words are difficult to find, but please accept our gratitude for your attentiveness, sensitivity and incredible generosity. With your help we are able to begin the dental work that is most desperately needed. Financial Assistance Recipient"

Financial Assistance Recipient

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your most generous grant. Although I am able to work part-time, my hours are limited due to my chronic illness. Therefore, your grant to me is most needed and most appreciated. "

Financial Assistance Recipient

"I just wanted to send a note thanking everyone at JAF for your kindness and understanding of my needs. The grant I received was used for medical bills and payoffs on past due debts. Thank you so much. I am so grateful that you are providing help for Jews in need."

Financial Assistance Recipient
About Us Community Partners

Offering Financial Help in Collaboration with Community Partners

JAF is the Western PA Jewish Community’s emergency financial assistance fund. We receive referrals from schools, synagogues, organizations, medical providers, and individuals throughout the region. We directly provide a financial safety net so people can pay their bills.

JAF's Community Partners include:

  • JAF Volunteers - Grantors and Board of Directors
  • JFunds, a Network of Jewish Financial Support Services - Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh, Jewish Assistance Fund, JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, Jewish Fertility Foundation, Jewish Fertility Foundation of Pittsburgh, Jewish Scholarship Service of Greater Pittsburgh, Israel Scholarship Program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh,
  • JFCS
  • Thriftique/National Council of Jewish Women

Funding Partners

With support from FOUNDATIONS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS, JAF offers financial assistance in amounts that truly make an impact on pressing expenses. JAF engages the community during our Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah/End of Year Appeals. We thank our Foundation Partners for their generous support in 2024 and 2025, including:

JAF is uniquely positioned to request, receive and disburse community dollars and help people experiencing economic insecurity. We provide a caring, responsive, timely and efficient way for people to fulfill mitzvot and Jewish teachings. We honor the privacy of our neighbors as we increase economic security by offering direct and impactful financial help on behalf of the community.

We thank our FOUNDATION PARTNERS for their generous support in 2024 and 2025, including:

  • The Philip Chosky Foundation
  • Giant Eagle Foundation
  • Simon Hafner Charitable Foundation
  • The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
  • Jewish Healthcare Foundation
  • Ladies Hospital Aid Society (LHAS)
  • Charles M. Morris Charitable Trust
  • Opportunity Fund
  • Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation
  • The Sylvia and Martin Snow Family Fund
  • *We honor the privacy of those who wish to remain Anonymous

Financial Help

available to the Western PA Jewish Community for pressing expenses, with No Repayment

Direct Impact on Economic Insecurity

Over 350 people of all ages living throughout 48 Western PA Zip Codes

Since 1985

Ensuring availability of confidential and accessible financial support

Leadership and Staff

Officers

  • Gean K. Goldfarb, President
  • Lauren Americus, Vice President
  • Casey Drucker, Vice President
  • Alan Gordon, Vice President
  • Ellen Primis, Vice President
  • Melissa Brause Rackoff, Vice President
  • Sally Rock, Vice President
  • Lynn J. Snyderman, Vice President
  • Harvey A. Wolsh, Treasurer
  • Jeffrey Maizlech, Assistant Treasurer
  • Katie Rutherford, Secretary

Board of Directors

  • Elizabeth Cohen
  • Joshua Farber
  • Gary Friedman
  • Judith L. A. Friedman
  • Sally Goldhaber
  • Judy F. Grumet
  • Steve Hecht
  • Noah Jordan
  • Judi Kanal
  • Miles A. Kirshner
  • Lesley Nadler
  • Charles Porter
  • Stacey Reibach
  • Sharon Zarembo Roth
  • Sharon Saul
  • Natalie Schmerin
  • Warren Sufrin
  • Susan F. Wechsler

Life Trustee

  • Meyer "Skip" Grinberg
  • David M. Maretsky

Honorary Presidents

  • Elliott Finkel*
  • Dr. Laibe Kessler*
  • Herman Lipsitz*
  • Dr. Helen V. Nobel*
  • *of blessed memory

Honorary Vice President

  • Sol Ruben*
  • *of blessed memory

Executive Director

  • Cindy Goodman-Leib