JFS Delaware was established in 1899 by leaders sharing and representing the Jewish culture, traditions, and values. While the needs of our community and the populations we serve have changed and expanded over our long history of service, JFS is still very much guided by these foundational principles.
JFS has the unique privilege of representing justice, compassion, and loving kindness of the Jewish people to the broader community. Many of JFS’ staff, clients, volunteers, and supporters are not Jewish, but all of them learn what it means to be Jewish—the beauty of our traditions, the strength of our values, and our commitment to building a better world.
While rooted in our Jewish history, JFS Delaware welcomes staff, clients, volunteers, and friends of all backgrounds. We want to learn the traditions and values of those we work with and serve as much as we want to share our Jewish values, which include the following:
|
VALUE |
PRONUNCIATION |
TRANSLATION / DESCRIPTION |
|
Tikkun Olam |
Tee-koon oh-luhm |
The collective obligation toward repairing the world—making it right and whole |
|
Tzedakah |
Tseh-dah-kah |
The obligation to create justice in the world; often used to refer to charity and service |
|
B’tzelem Elohim |
Behtz-elim Eh-loh-heem |
Treating others with the inherent dignity that arises from the belief that all humans were created in the image of G-d |
|
Chesed |
Kheh-sed |
Kindness; compassion and caring for others |
|
G’melut Chasadim |
Geh-mee-loot khah-sah-deem |
Acts of kindness or assistance toward others without the expectation of anything in return |
|
Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze LaZeh |
Koll yihs-rah-el ah-reh-veem zeh lah-zeh |
We are all responsible for one another; the inherent responsibility that each of us has to care for others |
If you visit a JFS office, you may hear about a mezuzah and see them on our doorways.
What is a mezuzah and what is its purpose?
A mezuzah (meh-zoo-zah; meaning “doorpost” in Hebrew) is a small decorative case containing a piece of parchment that is inscribed with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21). Mezuzot (meh-zoo-zoht; the plural of mezuzah) are affixed to doorways in Jewish homes and businesses—except for bathrooms, closets, pantries, etc.—as a constant reminder of our Jewish identity and G-d’s presence. Observant Jews will often kiss their fingers and touch the mezuzah as they walk through the door.