Beachwood Buzz – July 2025

This article is the fourth in a series celebrating JFSA’s 150-year legacy. JFSA’s 150-year history is not only one of service – but of movement. From our beginnings assisting Jewish immigrants downtown in the late 19th century, to establishing a presence in Glenville, then Kinsman, and eventually to the eastern suburbs, JFSA has always followed the heartbeat of the Jewish community.

Each move wasn’t just geographic – it was a reflection of our commitment to meeting people where they are. Today, while our headquarters may be in Pepper Pike, our true home has always been the neighborhoods, homes, and gathering places where individuals and families turn to us for care. That’s why we say “our community is our campus”

• 1875: The first meetings took place at the private home of Dr. James Horwitz in Cleveland and subsequently operations were conducted from a home on Case Avenue.

• 1904: A move to Woodland Avenue included the opening of a free medical dispensary in one of the most congested areas in the city.

• 1911: Operations moved to a larger space, a donated home located on East 40th Street and named the Isaac Glauber Memorial Home.

• 1925: Offices moved to 507 Huron Rd. and Sixth Street.

• 1945: The first suburban family social work office opened at Lee and Cedar Roads in response to the community’s gradual move east, away from the city center.

• 1955: JFSA relocated to South Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights for easier client access.

• 1980: JFSA added a satellite office in Woodmere as Jewish families moved farther east.

• 1990: The Drost Family Center in Beachwood opened to accommodate continued expansion of services.

• 2017: JFSA moved its current headquarters to Pepper Pike.

Today, JFSA serves diverse populations across eastern Cuyahoga County, western Geauga and Portage Counties, and Summit County, offering a range of integrated services through Jewish Family Services of Akron, the Cleveland Chesed Center, the Hebrew Shelter Home, and the Kindness Center – home to PLAN, Horvitz YouthAbility, Adult Day Support, and JFSA’s Memory Cafe. Additionally, JFSA operates over 50 residential homes for adults with mental illness and developmental disabilities throughout Northeast Ohio.