The Weight of the Papers:

Why History Feels So Close in 2026

by Susan Greenberg, JFCS Executive Director

Jewish Family & Child Service (JFCS) in Portland was founded from an immigrant story—and from the understanding that safety can be fragile.

In 1874, local Jewish women created the First Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society to support Jewish immigrants and families in crisis. They offered food, clothing, and practical help, but what they truly built was a community safety net for people starting new lives far from home. That was the beginning of JFCS.

The Stress We’re Seeing Today Isn’t New

In 2026, I’m hearing a particular kind of stress from many of the people we serve—stress not only about what is happening now, but about what today echoes from the past. I hear it in the uncertainty people carry. I see it in the way some immigrants feel they must always carry their papers—ready to prove who they are and why they belong.

For many in the Jewish community, that vigilance recalls a painful timeline: the pogroms of the late 1800s; the 1930s and 1940s, when documentation could determine survival; and the instability of the former Soviet Union. Even when circumstances differ, the emotional experience—hypervigilance, uncertainty, and the fear of being questioned—feels hauntingly familiar.

I’m also mindful that many immigrants—often immigrants of color—live with an added layer of daily vigilance. For some, “being prepared” means carrying documents, avoiding certain places, and wondering whether they will be treated with fairness and respect. Our mission is rooted in a simple truth: every person deserves dignity, safety, and belonging.

Portland’s History of Welcome

This commitment was deeply tested in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Portland saw a wave of Jewish immigration from the former Soviet Union. JFCS helped families navigate new systems, a new language, and the overwhelming work of rebuilding.

That support often took tangible form. Community Warehouse grew out of this era through Operation Exodus, which helped JFCS settle Russian-speaking immigrants. Furnishing a home may seem simple, but it is transformative: a bed, a table, a couch—the basics that make an empty apartment feel like a place where life can begin again.

Among those arriving were Holocaust Survivors—people who had already survived unimaginable loss and were once again rebuilding under uncertain circumstances. Today, JFCS supports over 80 Holocaust Survivors, helping them age with dignity and reduce isolation. This work is a direct expression of our immigrant-rooted mission.

A Trusted Doorway to Care

JFCS exists to be a trusted doorway—helping people feel heard and supported when life becomes overwhelming. In 2026, the same values from 1874 guide us: dignity, belonging, stability, connection, and hope.

Through our Community Support Services (CSS), we connect people with trusted community organizations specializing in immigrant and refugee support. Even when someone is not a JFCS client, we ensure they have a reliable place to start, providing vetted referral options and guidance tailored to their specific needs.

What We Hold, and What We Offer

When history feels close, support must be both skilled and deeply human. We are here to provide:

  • Compassionate Listening that never minimizes your experience.
  • Expert Navigation through complex social and legal systems.
  • Steadfast Follow-through that stays with you as long as needed.
  • Restored Connection to help you find steadiness in a community.

The Promise We Keep

From the First Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society in 1874 to the stress many clients feel in 2026, the thread remains the same: When people live with uncertainty, community becomes safety.

JFCS exists because Portland’s Jewish community decided, generations ago, to be that safety net—organized, practical, and compassionate. We are keeping that promise today.

Join Us in Keeping the Promise

The work of building a community safety net is a commitment we renew every day. If this history moves you, there are quiet, meaningful ways to stand with us:

  • Share This Story: Sometimes the greatest support is simply helping someone else feel less alone. Share this post with someone who might need to know that a “trusted doorway” exists for them.
  • Support the Basics: Our partners at Community Warehouse always appreciate the household items that turn an apartment into a home.
  • Invest in Stability: If you can give, your support sustains our Behavioral Health, Community Support Services, and Holocaust Survivor Services. These programs ensure that when someone walks through our door, we are ready to listen, navigate, and follow through—just as we have since 1874.

Together, we make sure that no one must navigate uncertainty alone.