We’re all increasingly hearing about the “affordability crisis.” Growing numbers of U.S. households are struggling financially due to the rising costs of consumer goods, food, utilities, health insurance and housing.

This holds true for the Bay Area, both beyond and within our Jewish community, which was well documented in J.’s Dec. 19 article “Hidden from view, more Bay Area Jews are struggling financially.”

A year ago, a major national study was already shedding light on the acceleration we’ve seen of late. “On the Edge: Voices of Economic Vulnerability in the U.S. Jewish Community,” was commissioned by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and published by Tulane University and Rosov Consulting in December 2024.

This comprehensive study of Jewish life sought to understand the experience of economic vulnerability among American Jews — a reality the study found for more than a quarter of Jewish households and one that is often invisible in Jewish communal spaces.

The report offered five key takeaways:

  • Financial hardship affects Jews of all ages, backgrounds and denominations.
  • Unexpected life events like job loss or health crises are the most common cause of financial distress.
  • Economic hardship hinders participation in Jewish communal life, especially for households with nontraditional family structures or those that are geographically isolated.
  • Financial adversity is linked to diminished social, emotional and physical well-being.
  • Addressing economic instability is multilayered, requiring short-term interventions, long-term supports and philanthropic vision.

Economic insecurity can arise when someone hits a bump in the road — a major health problem, a layoff, a divorce or a death in the family — or at a moment of significant life change such as starting or graduating from college or providing care for a family member, whether a new baby or an aging parent. Similar to broader trends in the Bay Area, many of the Jewish households facing financial vulnerability are headed by a single parent with young or school-aged children.

Sadly, Jewish households facing economic insecurity are also more likely to report they don’t feel they belong in Jewish community spaces.

The staff and volunteers at Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay — alongside our local colleagues at Jewish Family Services Silicon Valley, S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Hebrew Free Loan and our sister agencies across the country that make up the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies — uphold the sacred obligation of caring for members of our Jewish community at every stage of life.

We embrace the value of “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh,” that all Jews are responsible for one another. We specifically address situational economic vulnerability through a “safety net” approach.

The East Bay’s Jewish Community Safety Net works with individuals and families to provide layers of support, regardless of synagogue affiliation. The safety net includes coaching, referrals to services, food delivery, limited-term mental health care and a small amount of direct financial assistance. Combined, these options soften the harshness of the moment and give people enough of a short-term reprieve to build a plan and take their next steps.

This support also creates opportunities for greater participation in Jewish community life. When we step up as a Jewish community to provide support at moments of challenge and insecurity, we also build pathways to community belonging for more Jewish households. This strengthens and benefits not just those specific households but our whole community.

At JFCS East Bay we literally answer calls weekly from Jews in our community seeking support. Obviously, none of the Jewish agencies can do this without your help. We ask you to donate your time, your money and your community network to connect those who need support with Jewish service organizations across the Bay Area.

A final request: Each time you walk into a Jewish community space, please consider how you can help create an inclusive and welcoming community that strengthens belonging for everyone who wants to engage in Jewish life, regardless of their financial circumstance.