JFSE is taking the pulse of our community: Introducing the MENSCH Survey

By Danielle Dolgoy

(Edmonton) – How is our community really doing?

It is a simple question, but an important one. At Jewish Family Services Edmonton (JFSE), we support individuals and families across Edmonton every day. In recent years, we have seen growing demand for counselling, social supports, and programs that strengthen connection and resilience. We also know that mental and emotional wellbeing do not exist in a vacuum. They are shaped by many aspects of daily life, including relationships, financial security, belonging, safety, purpose, and community connection.

To better understand these experiences, JFSE, in partnership with Jewish Federation of Edmonton, is launching a new initiative: the Mental & Emotional Needs Survey of Community Health, or MENSCH.

The survey is being administered independently by Y Station Communications & Research and is supported by Edmonton Community Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Edmonton. At its core, MENSCH is about listening.

Why “MENSCH”?

The name is intentional. In Yiddish, a mensch is someone of integrity and heart, someone who shows up for others and contributes to the wellbeing of the community. Taking a few minutes to complete this survey is, quite simply, a very menschy thing to do.

It also reflects a broader idea. Mental health is not only about diagnoses or therapy. It is shaped by the social determinants of health, the conditions in which people live, work, learn, and connect. Feeling supported, having access to resources, experiencing belonging, and navigating challenges with dignity all play a role in our wellbeing.

By asking thoughtful questions about these realities, the MENSCH survey aims to create a clearer picture of what our community is experiencing right now.

Why This Matters

Organizations like JFSE exist to serve community needs, but we can only do that well by listening.

Today, JFSE supports roughly 500 Jewish clients, about 10 percent of Jewish Edmonton. It is a significant number. At the same time, it raises an important question: how many more people might benefit from support, but feel unable to ask for it?

Many people carry challenges quietly, behind busy schedules, family responsibilities, and the expectation that we should manage on our own. Creating space to share experiences helps us better understand those unseen realities.

The insights gathered through MENSCH will help inform programming, identify emerging needs, and strengthen supports for individuals and families. This work is about building resilience, both individually and collectively. Strong communities are not defined by the absence of struggle, but by how they respond with care and connection.

Supporting Families and Older Adults

This is especially true for older adults and family caregivers.

JFSE provides in-home supports that help older adults continue aging in place with independence and dignity. For many families, these services are a lifeline. Care plans are overseen by professional social workers, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks for clients or their loved ones.

At the same time, caring for someone whose health is declining can carry a quiet emotional weight. Caregivers often juggle work, parenting, and caregiving, while setting aside their own needs. This kind of silent suffering is more common than we realize.

It does not have to be this way. Help is here, and support is available.

An Invitation to Pause and Reflect

Completing the MENSCH survey is also an opportunity for reflection.

Life moves quickly, and it can be hard to pause and check in with ourselves. Taking a few minutes to complete the survey offers a chance to take stock, to consider what is supporting you, and what may be weighing on you.

Participation is completely anonymous. Responses cannot be traced back to individuals and will only be shared in aggregate. That anonymity creates space for honesty and openness.

A Conversation for This Season

As Passover approaches, many will gather around the Seder table to tell the story of liberation and renewal. The Seder is rooted in questions, reminding us that asking is part of who we are.

The MENSCH survey invites us to ask some modern questions. How are we caring for ourselves and one another? What helps us feel connected and resilient? Where can we grow stronger?

These reflections may spark meaningful conversations with loved ones. They may also encourage those who have been struggling quietly to consider taking the brave step of seeking support.

Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. It is an act of courage that strengthens both individuals and communities.

Be a Mensch

Communities thrive when people show up for one another.

By participating in the MENSCH survey, you are helping build a clearer understanding of our community’s needs and strengths. Your voice will help shape programs and services that are responsive, meaningful, and grounded in real experiences.