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JSSA's History: Our Past, Present and Future

Our Roots (Early 1920s - 1940s)
Growth and Expansion (1950s - 1990s)
Breaking New Ground and Meeting New Challenges (2000 - present)

JSSA History Timeline (1893-Present)

Early 1920s - 1940s


Groundbreaking, Spring Road building, c. 1939

The Jewish Social Service Agency, or JSSA (as it is known today), has a proud legacy of serving and supporting the metropolitan Washington community for nearly 120 years. JSSA’s roots reach back to two relief agencies – United Hebrew Charities and the Hebrew Relief Society of the District of Columbia. Both organizations depended on volunteers to provide the most basic needs – money, food, clothing and coal – to Jewish immigrants, families and widows with children. These two organizations merged and incorporated in 1921 as the United Hebrew Society of D.C. In 1933, the United Hebrew Society changed its name to Jewish Social Service Agency. Through the ‘30s and ‘40s, JSSA focused on finding jobs for the wave of European refugees and on troubled Jewish foster children, emphasizing prevention and rehabilitation as opposed to subsistence in foster care.

1950s - 1990s


	JSSA Volunteer orientation; 1964

The 1950s were an important decade for JSSA as it transitioned from a mostly relief agency to a predominantly social service agency offering a wide range of services for the entire family. For the first time, JSSA set a new “fee-for- service” policy for those that could afford to pay for counseling services. In this decade, the agency opened the metropolitan area’s first outpatient mental health treatment center for children, the Child Guidance Clinic. JSSA began serving more clients in Maryland and Virginia. The adoption program grew, accumulating a waiting list of 2-3 years for childless couples to become parents. A formal volunteer training program also began in the ‘50s, with all of the initial participants being women.


JSSA's Montrose Road Office, Rockville, MD

During the 1960s, JSSA’s demographics shifted dramatically, with more than 60 percent of clients from the suburbs. The agency opened its first suburban office in Wheaton Plaza in 1965 and moved into the newly built Jewish community campus on Montrose Road in Rockville in 1969. Changes in JSSA’s programs also reflected societal changes. Adoption continued to grow. Group counseling, then a relatively new form of therapy, was provided to clients with diverse needs such as couples, widows, and mothers with their teenage daughters. Services for children and adolescents mushroomed as well, supporting children who otherwise would have been sent to institutions.


Meals ready for delivery to seniors.

Through the 1970s, services for the elderly became the largest programs at JSSA. The Meals On Wheels program flourished, and JSSA social workers began meeting with seniors at Jewish Community Centers’ (JCC) nutrition sites and at the residence for low-income seniors now called Revitz House. When a Jewish community study found a need for homemaker and home care services for the elderly, JSSA responded by hiring a registered nurse and two medical social workers. The demand for children’s services remained steady, with JSSA adding two group homes for adolescents. The newly created Jewish Family Life Education (JFLE) program presented highly popular workshops on interfaith marriage and the Jewish life cycle.

Late in the decade, JSSA faced a sudden influx of Jewish refugees from Russia and Iran as well as non-Jewish refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia. Though the demand strained the agency’s staff, JSSA started an English language school for adults and a day care for the children whose parents attended. JSSA also helped find jobs for the refugees and recruited volunteer physicians and dentists as well as synagogues to help provide for the families’ many needs.

During the 1980s, home health and other services for the elderly grew, and, for the first time, JSSA offered hospice services for the terminally ill. JSSA social workers began assisting families of the “sandwich generation” who were sandwiched between raising their own children (often while working) while also caring for aging parents.

Special needs services also proliferated at JSSA in this period. The agency improved accessibility of its buildings and contracted with state and local governments to serve the hearing impaired, severely disabled children, and individuals with chronic mental illness.


JSSA Silver Spring Office

As more Russian Jews immigrated to our community, JSSA continued resettlement activities together with other community agencies. In 1988, JSSA opened Jewish Vocational Services (JVS), which included programs especially for refugees seeking jobs. JVS also received government contracts to offer supported employment to individuals with disabilities.


JSSA's Northern Virginia Office

The 1990s were another decade of dramatic growth for the agency. A Gaithersburg office was opened to provide care for the growing number of clients with chronic mental illness. Other JSSA professionals from hospice and child and family services moved their offices to the Gaithersburg location to reduce overcrowding at the Montrose Road office. JSSA opened its first Northern Virginia office separate from the JCC. Reacting, as always, to the changing needs in the community, JSSA offered new programs for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and HIV/AIDS prevention.

2000 - present


JSSA's Fallsgrove Office, Rockville

With the new millennium, JSSA expanded the staff and services in its Northern Virginia office and opened the doors of The Ina Kay building, its new headquarters in the Fallsgrove community of Rockville. JSSA’s professionals have designed innovative new programs in many departments. For instance, our Collaborating Couples program offers collaborative divorce coaching to couples seeking a less adversarial, out-of-court approach. The Going Places! Social Club, a joint program with the JCC of Northern Virginia, has filled a need for social gatherings for young adults with Asperger’s syndrome. And in JSSA’s revitalized Employment and Career Services, a two-day Job Search Boot Camp teaches cutting edge

job-hunting skills, which are urgently needed in the weak economy. In addition, the agency has undertaken an extensive branding initiative, creating its signature “Think JSSA” tagline, fresh marketing materials, an expanded website, and an agency-wide strategic marketing and public relations outreach plan.

JSSA is proud of its past, excited about its present and eagerly anticipates its future. JSSA will continue to grow and expand to meet the needs of all those who turn to us for help. Our steadfast mission remains - to provide a broad range of high quality services and programs for children, families and seniors of all backgrounds, races and ethnicities, regardless of ability to pay.

JSSA History Timeline – 1893 to 2011

19th Century

20th Century

21st Century

19th Century

1893		Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) has its origins in the United Hebrew Charities and the Hebrew Relief Society of the District of Columbia with the mission to clothe, feed and provide shelter for needy Jews – especially immigrants.

20th Century

1921		United Hebrew Charities and Hebrew Relief Society incorporate and merge into the United Hebrew Society of D.C.

1933		United Hebrew Relief Society changes its name to the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) and begins keeping regular records. JSSA focuses on securing employment for European refugees and carrying casework responsibility for Jewish foster children.

1939		Plans are underway for a child welfare program.

1940s		JSSA moves into its first building on Spring Road in Northwest D.C. JSSA opens a dental clinic run by volunteer dentists.

1942		Jewish Foster Home and JSSA casework staff and services combine.

1948		JSSA launches its first membership drive, raising $5,000.

1950s		JSSA transitions from a relief agency to a social service agency and grows its adoption program.

1954		JSSA institutes a “fee-for-service” policy for counseling for those who can afford to pay for services.

1957		JSSA’s Child Guidance Clinic opens. It is the first outpatient treatment center for children in the metropolitan area. Within the first 2 years the clinic serves 562 children and parents.

1958		A volunteer training program is established.

1960s		JSSA’s fundraising campaigns increase, the adoption program continues to grow and group counseling becomes integrated into JSSA’s services. JSSA institutes a foster care program, psychiatric treatment for emotionally disturbed children and a volunteer “Friend-to-Friend” program for troubled youth.

1965		JSSA opens a branch office in Wheaton Plaza as the Jewish community continues to migrate to the suburbs. JSSA, the JCC of Greater Washington and the Hebrew Home buy land on Montrose Road in Rockville.

1967		Ground is broken on JSSA’s current Montrose Road office. JSSA rents an office in Washington. JSSA opens the Bombe Chest – a volunteer-run resale and consignment shop on Connecticut Avenue, N.W.

1968		In response to the race riots in the District following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., JSSA works with Jewish and black business owners to rebuild damaged or destroyed businesses. The Kosher Meals On Wheels program for homebound seniors launches. JSSA increases its social work staff to serve the growing aging population.

1969		JSSA moves into the Montrose Road office and closes the Wheaton location.

1970s		JSSA helps establish two group homes for emotionally disturbed adolescents. JSSA hires its first registered nurse to coordinate homemaker services for the elderly. JSSA launches a Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister program.

1971		Aging becomes the largest department at JSSA.

1974		Jewish Family Life Education (JFLE) program is created with workshops on interfaith marriage and the Jewish life cycle.

1975		New agency departments are established: Family Services, Services to Children, Aging and Volunteers and Refugees.

1977		JSSA responds to the rise in the number of Russian and Iranian refugee families. The agency offers resettlement services such as help with housing, employment and integration into the local Jewish community.

1980s		JSSA’s home health service receives its Medicare certification, and the agency adds physical, speech, and occupational therapy to the skilled nursing and aide care services it offers. JSSA’s senior services, special needs services and volunteer programs expand.

1981		JSSA sends 3 social workers to the Northern Virginia JCC to offer counseling for children, adults and couples.

1984		JSSA opens an office in Hyattsville. JSSA’s first hospice patients are admitted.

1985		JSSA offers pediatric home health and hospice services. JSSA establishes a D.C. presence in the new DCJCC.

1987		JSSA’s adoption program expands with an increased emphasis on “fee-for-service” home studies and post-placement supervision.

1988		JSSA establishes its Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) offering employment services, professional mentor programs, job clubs for refugees, counseling and supported employment for individuals with hearing impairments and developmental disabilities. JSSA launches its used car donation program.

1989		JSSA’s Newcomer Resettlement program surges as emigration restrictions in the Soviet Union are eased. JSSA’s Himmelfarb Mobile University is established and run by volunteers, offering classes on a wide variety of topics to seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

1990s		JSSA begins providing service to hospice patients in nursing homes, including the Hebrew Home. JSSA establishes a crisis team to help those afflicted by a community tragedy. JSSA introduces a clinic for children with ADHD and their parents.

1990		JSSA opens its first Gaithersburg office, which doubles in size within two years.

1991		JSSA moves into an office in Annandale, Virginia.

1994		JSSA hosts its first annual professional symposium.

1997		JSSA moves its Gaithersburg office to a larger space on Firstfield Road.

1999		JSSA launches Premier Homecare, providing private-duty home care aides, homemakers and companions to the elderly and individuals with disabilities. JVS relocates to new offices in Silver Spring.

21st Century: 2000 - Present

2000		JSSA relocates its Northern Virginia office to Fairfax.

2001		JSSA launches the Caring Partners program for individuals and families with special needs. JSSA starts the Transitions program – a volunteer-run program providing respite care for family members dealing with serious and terminal illness. JSSA introduces its Early Childhood Intervention program.

2004		Jewish Chaplaincy Services joins JSSA. JSSA opens a Neuropsychological and Educational Testing Program (Assessments and Solutions) in Bethesda.

2005		A capital campaign begins raising funds to build JSSA’s new agency headquarters in the Fallsgrove community of Rockville. JSSA Hospice celebrates its 20th anniversary.

2006		Construction begins on JSSA’s new Fallsgrove Ina Kay Building.

2007		JSSA doubles its Fairfax office space and services. JSSA starts the social club for young adults with Asperger's syndrome and related disorders, later called Going Places!

2008		JSSA re-brands the agency and launches a new state-of-the art website. JSSA opens the doors of its new headquarters, the Ina Kay Building, in the Fallsgrove community of Rockville. The new building consolidates staff and services, replacing JSSA offices in Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Rockville.

2009		JSSA receives The Greater DC Cares 2009 Business and Nonprofit Philanthropy Award for Community Impact for its revitalized and refocused mental health, employment and emergency financial assistance services. These are key components of the agency’s response to the economic downturn and the increased demand for care. JSSA wins The Marriott Spirit to Serve Community Service Award from the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (recognizing JSSA’s transitions and hospice volunteers). JSSA launches five new programs: the Autism Family Coordination, Collaborating Couples, Parenting and Training Institute (post-graduate, CEU trainings, and symposia for mental health professionals). JSSA receives the highest possible rating - 4-stars - from Charity Navigator, America’s leading independent charity evaluator in recognition of sound fiscal management.

2010		JSSA expands Collaborative Divorce, Employment and Career Services, Training Institute programs, anti-bullying education, and the award-winning Going Places! social clubs for teens and young adults with Asperger’s syndrome. JSSA increases partnerships with other community organizations to conduct programs in more schools, synagogues, community centers and senior living communities. JSSA launches JLink in response to the economic downturn. This collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington connects the unemployed with JSSA employment and social work services. JSSA introduces ParnossahWorksTM, a free, local online job bank employees and employers.

2011		Judy Smith, MS, Career Coach, JSSA Employment and Career Services, receives the IAJVS Benjamin S. Loewenstein Award from the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services for creating and launching innovative job search programs. Dawn Kaye, JSSA clinical supervisor, and Melissa Hochberg, resource specialist of the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV), leaders of the Gong Places! Social Club for people with Asperger’s syndrome, receive The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington's annual Ted B. Farber Professional Excellence Award. JSSA launches a pro-bono dental assistance program for its Holocaust survivor clients in collaboration with the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity and the Maimonides Dental Society of Greater Washington. JSSA re-opens the Silver Spring office after significant renovations. JSSA launches new Suicide Grief Support Program.