AS ROSH HASHANAH approaches, Jewish social service agencies are ramping up their efforts to address food insecurity in the Jewish community and beyond.

This year, Newton-based Yad Chessed will send about 330 households – more than 600 individuals – almost $24,000 in gift cards to kosher and nonkosher markets to help with the added expenses of the season.

“The High Holidays can be an especially difficult time for people struggling financially,” noted the agency’s CEO, Nancy Kriegel. “At a time when our community comes together around festive meals, synagogue, family and tradition, the inability to afford even the basics can deepen feelings of isolation and stress.”

Kriegel emphasized how economic pressures like the persistently high cost of food, housing and other basic necessities continue to strain household budgets. Families who were already living with little financial cushion are finding it increasingly difficult to absorb even modest unexpected expenses. “Yad Chessed is seeing firsthand how quickly financial instability can affect a household and how important timely, flexible support can be,” she said.

Rosh Hashanah food card recipients are just a subset of the individuals and families Yad Chessed supports throughout the year, Kriegel noted.

“As the only social service agency in Massachusetts focused exclusively on supporting economically vulnerable members of the Jewish community, Yad Chessed is there during the High Holidays and every day of the year, providing financial assistance, compassionate guidance, access to resources and, perhaps most importantly, the reassurance that no one in our community should have to face financial hardship alone,” she said.

In Waltham, JF&CS Family Table – Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s food pantry – is delivering hundreds of special High Holiday bags to clients. The bags are filled with specialty items to help families celebrate the holiday, including apples, honey, oil, potato pancake mix, gefilte fish and holiday recipes.

“The High Holidays are a time of connection, when people gather with family and community; but when everyone else seems to be coming together, loneliness, fear and hardship can feel even more acute,” said agency CEO Gail Schulman. “That’s why we strive to truly show up for those who need – whether with food, community, practical support or professional expertise.

“I’m always struck on Yom Kippur when we read that the fast God desires is to ‘share your bread with the hungry’ and ‘let the oppressed go free.’ That’s what we do at JF&CS: We live these values, to help people move from vulnerability to strength and from isolation to connection. We believe we have a unique role in caring for the social service needs of the Jewish community at a time of rising antisemitism, anxiety, and disconnection from traditional institutions.”

In addition to delivering food, the agency is undertaking a number of initiatives, including hosting a special Yizkor remembrance service on Sept. 16 for people grieving loved ones lost to suicide; hosting a Rosh Hashanah celebration for adults with disabilities and mental health challenges, on Aug. 30; and distributing bookmarks to area synagogues, reminding congregants that support is available for mental health, economic insecurity, aging, caregiving, parenting and other needs.

Five years ago, JF&CS Family Table served roughly 550 households each month, Schulman said. Today, that number has grown to more than 750 households, representing approximately 1,200 individuals. She added that food insecurity isn’t the only area where community members are experiencing difficulties prompted by economic factors.

JF&CS has seen demand for basic needs assistance grow by 25% this year over last: 131 instances in 2025 versus 164 instances in 2026. The agency has also taken on a record number of Holocaust survivors as new clients, with more than 61 additional survivors reaching out for support. Finally, community mental health needs continue to grow: the agency’s help line, Mental Health Connect, continues to be its most popular help line; and its new Parent Connect help line is growing in popularity as well.

Two other Jewish social service agencies, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest and Yachad New England, did not respond to Journal interview requests.

Addressing feelings of isolation and stress caused by food insecurity around the High Holidays makes it especially important for Jewish social service organizations to be present and accessible this time of year, Kriegel said.

“Not only to provide tangible assistance, but to help ensure that financial hardship does not prevent someone from feeling fully part of the Jewish community,” she said. “That need feels especially urgent in 5787.”

If you or someone you know is in need, contact Yad Chessed at 781-487-2693, intake@yadchessed.org or yadchessed.org/intake-form. Contact JF&CS at 781-647-5327, GetHelp@jfcsboston.org or jfcsboston.org/get-help-now.

Contact reporter Brett M. Rhyne at brett@jewishjournal.org.