COUNSELING • SUPPORT • DISCUSSION GROUPS
Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service promotes well-being across the lifespan for the Austin Jewish community and community-at-large
through a range of programs designed to address critical areas of need.
JFS serves people regardless of race, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
SERVICES
Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service (JFS) is the professional human and social service branch of Shalom Austin and a beneficiary of the Shalom Austin Annual Campaign. JFS provides a wide array of mental health and support services to the Jewish community and to the wider Austin community, including counseling and psychotherapy, support groups, case management, emergency financial assistance, and community consultation and education programs. JFS also provides consultation related to the inclusion of people with disabilities in services and programs in the Austin Jewish community.

Counseling, Discussion Groups & Psychoeducation
Jewish Family Service offers both one-on-one counseling with a licensed therapist and support groups.

Basic Needs Support
Jewish Family Service provides essential services and emergency financial assistance to help with food, housing, utilities and other necessities.

Resources
Jewish Family Service provides references and resources to help with community needs of any kind.

Online
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Jewish Family Service provides additional services online.

Volunteering
Volunteer to give back and help others in the community and around the world.
MEET OUR STAFF

Rabbi Amy B. Cohen, LMSW
JFS Executive Director / Chief Social Services Officer
In her role as CSSO, Rabbi Cohen’s focus is primarily on capacity building, seeking out new funding sources and opportunities to collaborate…

Emma Howitt, LPC-S, LCDC
JFS Clinical Director
Emma brings more than ten years experience counseling individuals, couples and families dealing with issues such as depression substance abuse, relationships, and life transitions…

Lee Rogers
(Catherine E. Lee)
LCSW
Therapist
Lee began working with children and adolescents in residential treatment settings to address behavioral issues and histories of abuse and trauma. Lee has since worked in practice settings including in-patient and out-patient…

Rachel VanScoyoc
Office Manager
Rachel Moved to Austin 4 years ago by way of Colorado. She has spent the last 12 years working in various administrative roles and has loved them all. Rachel grew up at the JCC in Denver attending theatre camps every summer…
Ensuring that high quality professional counseling remains available to people of all income levels continues to be a deeply held value of the JFS staff team and volunteer advisory cabinet. While the organization offers sliding scale fees, JFS also accepts several insurance plans that provide coverage for mental health services. JFS currently accepts health plans offered through Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Humana, United Healthcare, Aetna and Magellan.
volunteer opportunities
The volunteer spirit is the backbone of Shalom Austin. Only through the efforts and energy of our volunteers are we able to provide top-notch programs and services to the Austin community. Teens, families, young adults and senior adults— everyone and anyone can and should get involved. Whether once a year or once a week, your help makes a difference.
There are many ways to give back:
Donate to the Shalom Austin Annual Campaign. Lend your time to hands-on volunteering projects. Join a task force or committee. Participate in a leadership program. Attend an event that inspires you.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE COMMITTEE
Ian Spechler, Chair
Kim Schocket, Immediate Past Chair
Emily Bray
Cathy Brown
Brianna Cohen
Ari Franklin
Deliana Garcia
Aaron Holtzman
Lenny Krasnow
Heather Krol
Fabiana Laby
Lawrence Maze
Frances Meltzer
Brett Merfish
Robert Nason
Shalom Austin Staff
Rabbi Amy B. Cohen
Emma Howitt
Rachel VanScoyoc
Shalom Austin Representatives
Abby Rapoport
Rick Rosenberg
Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus

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