When Maayan and her husband arrived in Columbus from northern Israel, they carried both the weight of war and the hope of starting fresh in the United States with their baby son. Though her husband and child were U.S. citizens, the path forward was anything but clear. They had no connections in Columbus, no roadmap for navigating the legal system, and no sense of where to begin.
“We found it extremely difficult to get by and find the resources to help us get started with our lives here,” Maayan recalls.
That first step came through JFS. The team quickly connected the family with an immigration attorney to resolve their legal questions, then wrapped a circle of support around them so they wouldn’t have to navigate their challenges alone.
JFS recommended potential childcare providers, introduced them to a realtor who helped them secure an apartment, and shared information about synagogues available in our community.
JFS team members then delivered personalized career services and 1:1 financial counseling to guide Maayan and her husband as they searched for jobs and began building their financial foundation.
Today, Maayan’s family is thriving. Her son is enrolled in childcare and her husband has joined the Navy. Together they feel like they are building a real home in the U.S. Perhaps most importantly, they have found belonging in the local Jewish community.
For this young family, what began as a frightening leap into the unknown has become the beginning of a new chapter.
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Our community needs these kinds of supports now more than ever, and our mission to help people achieve self-sufficiency and stability has never been more important. You can be part of stories like this one—by making a gift or giving your time to ensure individuals and families have the support they need to thrive.
