The organization began at a meeting at the home of Dr. James Horowitz , who had been an active participant in the Underground Railroad and was a volunteer surgeon during…

The group merges with the Hebrew Relief Organization to become Hebrew Relief Associatio n in the interest of better service to the community, intending “not to pauperize, but to foster…

Morris Feder, president of the HRA strongly condemns local money lenders who extorts enormous rates of interest from the poor and asks the legislature to pass a law to prevent…

In Mr. Charles Richter’s superintendent report to the organization 203 families were provided: 318 shirts, 105 vests, 159 coats, 310 pairs of pants, 741 pairs of shoes, 120 pairs of…

According to Superintendent Richter, “We have tried to make some of the applicants independent by giving them horses and wagons or establishing them in little places of business, and I…

Mr. Adolf Mayer is elected President. Superintendent Richter warns “The people of Cleveland should desist from helping the tramp and compel him to work by refusing aid.”

HRA moves to a new location at 294 Woodland Avenue, and establishes a medical dispensary providing free treatment to all applicants.

HRA is designated a charter member agency of the newly formed Federation of Jewish Charities . It receives $10,000 in funding to continue its work. All but $300 is spent….

The following policy was abolished: “The applicants for relief had been obliged to appear at meetings of the board of directors and to personally make their needs known to that…

A.S. Newman, a graduate of Chicago University, is retained as the new superintendent and is the first paid professionally trained social settlement worker.

Supt. Newman reports that because of the industrial depression “many who had never in their lives received charitable assistance could hold out no longer and came to us for relief.”…

Correspondence from the Hebrew Relief Association to a New York City hospital on behalf of one of its clients.

A new location at 2554 E40th Street is dedicated as the Isaac N. Glauber Memorial Home. The larger space is needed to support the “constant and increased immigration” to Cleveland….

The HRA is engaged in dispersing material relief to indigents, most of whom could not be employed. The agency also helps straighten out family difficulties and acclimating immigrants. There are…

With the signing of the Armistice, the aftermath of the Great War brings an increased load to the HRA.

The Hebrew Relief Association name is changed to the Jewish Social Services Bureau reflecting the change from a relief agency to promoting better family life. “The responsibility of the agency…

Affiliation with Western Reserve University School of Applied Social Services for field training of caseworkers is established. Over a two-year period, Jewish students wishing to become social workers receive their…

Jewish Big Brother and Big Sister Associations affiliate with JSSB. Big Sisters are given course instruction by the agency director and are required to complete a period of training in…

In a survey of the agency, the Bureau of Social Research reports that the agency is a recognized casework agency.

The JSSB, a private agency, begins to disburse public funds for unemployment relief as no public agency exists at the time.

Because of availability of public funds, JSSB discontinues cash relief, which is contrary to the agency’s philosophy and practice. “The practice of giving relief in kind has definitely undermined our…

When new public relief agencies take over responsibility for unemployment relief, JSSB returns to its function of family casework. “The Jewish Social Services Bureau believes its work to be in…

Vocational guidance and adjustment service are initiated as departments of JSSB.

JSSB develops the Homemaker Service and is one of five social services nationally to establish this unique service for families needing to plan for the care of small children when…

Setting the future direction of the JSSB, Board Chair Edward Rosenfield states, “The JSSB is not a relief organization. All applications for relief are turned over to the public agency….

Jewish Vocational Service is established as a separate agency and JSSB staff and service become a part of this newly formed agency. The creation of JVS is a direct result…

The Cleveland Coordinating Committee for Immigrants becomes a formal part of the family casework service of the agency and is renamed Refugee Services .

Upon the death of Violet Kittner , Rae Carp Weil is appointed Executive Director.

With the entrance into World War II, draft and defense preparations are bringing new and intensified problems to the agency.

JSSB is renamed Jewish Family Service Association to better indicate the nature of services offered. A fee system is established to make services more accessible to people who would normally…

The Heights Referral Office on the corner of Lee and Cedar Road opens, providing an expansion of services to the community. “The Heights Office of the Jewish Family Service Association…

Mrs. Hedgwig Peiser Levine is elected the first woman chair of the board of directors.

JFSA leadership Mrs. Alex Miller, Committee for Newcomer Services Chair, Mrs. Rae Weil , JFSA Board Chair, and Mrs. Joseph Bloomfield, attend the United Service for New Americans (USNA) conference…

Family Life Education is formally introduced as agency service under the direction of Herbert L. Rock. The program provides experienced family counselors to lead groups in the discussion of everyday…

The Friendly Visitor program is established to help service the aged.

JFSA moves to 2060 So. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights, a central location for the convenience of most of its clientele. The agency shares space with the Jewish Children’s Bureau ….

Caseworker Helen Glassman conducts a study of 100 Jewish families who came to Cleveland from displaced person camps of Europe between 1949 and 1952. Entitled “Adjustment in Freedom” the study…

Adding to its list of pioneering efforts in the field of social work, JFSA develops Parent Guidance Service, a three year demonstration project in child health-parent guidance. The service is…

JFSA is one of five family service agencies nationally participating in a research project to determine the value of the approach in service to older persons.

The Volunteer Aid Program is created to enhance special services to older persons chronically ill and resettlement families.

The Youth Talk Lounge is established as an experimental outreach program for youth.

Burt Rubin is named executive director.

The Rap Center is established.

The Home Delivered Meals program is established.

Psychiatric Aftercare Support Services (PASS) is developed to assist people discharged from psychiatric hospitals.

The Irene and Sidney Zehman Library was established in tribute to Sidney and Irene Zehman for their commitment to Judaism and to learning. The Zehmans were devoted workers for Cleveland Jewish community throughout their lives. The model agency library provides professional staff at JFSA and…

A new group for Divorced Mothers of Adolescents is created with the aim to share concerns with others who are in similar circumstances. As a result, mothers can gain both…

JFSA certified as an outpatient psychiatric facility.

Council House established as the first home for adults with mental illness.

JFSA certified as a Community Mental Health Facility.

Personal Emergency Response Systems offered to clients on a lease basis.

In response to a community study that noted “Jewish children with handicaps are often unable to participate in the usual activities of community life,” JFSA assigns a dedicated resource for…

3 year demonstration project on alcohol/chemical dependency program including development of professional training for staff and aftercare support group for young adults returning from treatment for alcohol/drug addition.

Divorce Mediation Service is established, becoming the first in the state to offer this service.

The first support group for family members of loved ones with Alzheimer’s is established.

JFSA designated a Protective Services Jewish Agency.

In response to the critical need for support of adults with mental retardation, JFSA establishes the Residential Services department offering housing and social services.

Holocaust Survivors Together is created to assist Survivors with processing experiences during the War.

Lomond House becomes the first residential home for Jewish adults with intellectual disabilities. The Center for Independent Living prepares adults with intellectual disabilities for community living.

JFSA becomes the lead agency of the Jewish Community Family Violence Consortium . A community event includes in-service training of professionals, on-going support groups for victims of abuse, and community…

JFSA sets Respite Program for Alzheimer’s caregivers.

Lander House becomes the 2nd residential home for Jewish adults with intellectual disabilities.

New office on Lee Road houses Resettlement Services providing one central location for comprehensive immigration services.

Opening of the Drost Family Center .

Beachwood House is opened.

A community support group is created in response to individuals and families fears for loved ones living in Israel during Iraqi war.

JFSA receives the Award for Excellence from the National Association of Jewish Family and Children Agency Professionals for services to persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

JFSA achieves its $1.1 million capital campaign goal to complete the purchase of the Drost Family Center.

Dr. Arthur Weidman is appointed executive director following the retirement of Burt Rubin.

JFSA and JVS (Jewish Vocational Services) merge.

JFSA’s MRDD Program Services Committee launches The Lifetime Endowment Campaign to raise $1 million to support programming.

JFSA is accredited by COA ( Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children ), an independent national accrediting body.

Kay Chavinson is named executive director.

JFSA receives funding from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc. to provide essential services to elderly Jewish victims of Nazi persecution. The goal of the Holocaust Survivor…

The TAPP (Training and Placement Program) for individuals with disabilities is established to provide job readiness training, job placement assistance and job coaching for people with severe disabilities.

Resettlement Services receives Jewish Professional of the Year Award from the Network of Jewish Communal Professionals.

Project Chai created to care for victims of domestic violence.

JFSA receives the Provider of the Year award from the Ohio Provider Resource Association for its MR/DD programming.

Living with HIV/AIDS is created, an 8 week workshop educating the community about preventing the disease and helping those who live with it

As part of the Holocaust Survivor Support Program, JFSA creates Cafe Europa, a weekly social program exclusively for Holocaust Survivors. Programming includes entertainers, informative seminars on health issues, Zionism and…

The Kesher program is launched to provide social work and psychological services exclusively to the Orthodox community.

JFSA celebrates its 125th year with a series of family events held throughout the year.

The Charlotte Goldberg Computer Education Center opens as part of the Career Center. It provides computer training and literacy to job search candidates, individuals with disabilities, and adults seeking a…

JFSA Administration and MRDD services move to the PDC Building in Beachwood.

Faced with dramatic increases in the number of clients with developmental disabilities and serious mental illness, the PASS, MRDD and Employment Services are combined into one division Ascentia: Pathways to…

Forever Children , a supported living residence for four severely disabled young adults, is established by a consortium of four families, with JFSA providing 24/7 management of the residence. It…

JFSA creates Expect Respect: Healthy Teen Relationships , a live play performed by local student volunteer actors showing real life dating scenarios.

Robert Shakno named president and CEO.

The Teen Gambling Outreach program is established.

Project Chai receives the Celebrating Solutions Award from the Mary Byron Foundation. It is one of only four programs nationally to receive this award.

JFSA acquires the Psychobiology Clinic .

Milton Schachter is named president and CEO following Robert Shakno’s retirement.

The TOV (Tikkun Olam Volunteer) program is established to provide companionship and socialization for aging Holocaust Survivors. Working with Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Kol Israel Foundation, Second Generation Kol Israel,…

JFSA and Hebrew Shelter Home merge.

The Center for Cognition and Recovery, LLC is established to disseminate cognitive enhancement therapy (CETCLEVELAND) on a national level.

JFSA merges with PLAN of Northeast Ohio .

Alyson’s Place Medical Clinic is established, providing clients with direct access to primary medical care.

With the increased sophistication of JFSA programs and services, the agency creates a simple positioning statement to help the community understand what JFSA does: “JFSA helps individuals and families with…

Aging in Place is created in partnership with CWRU and University Hospitals. Under the guidance of board member Dr. David Rosenberg, the program pairs student teams with the elderly living…