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Dear Friends,
I want to thank you all for your warm welcome to me at JF&CS - it has been a whirlwind of a month, but I am both energized and inspired.
During the past thirty days, I've had the opportunity to visit our programs and to meet with dozens of clients, staff, volunteers, and lay leaders--and I'm looking forward to meeting many more of you in the months ahead. Hearing first-hand about the impact of our work and the support JF&CS provides has shown me the dedication of our staff and volunteers and the courage of our clients who ask for help.
What strikes me most is that JF&CS not only provides services, but also builds relationships. A Holocaust survivor who attends our monthly social gathering feels less alone as he receives help in applying for much needed benefits. A new parent who feels overwhelmed by the demands of her baby receives encouragement from a volunteer visit. A young adult with different abilities is able to gain confidence through his employment program and his job at a local school. And a teenager who volunteers each month with Family Table shares that he gets back as much as he gives.
JF&CS is a complex agency, with more than 40 programs, but it is anything but a bureaucracy. Instead, it's a place filled with compassion, embodying the Jewish value of
chessed or lovingkindness as a foundation of improving lives. I'm proud to be part of the JF&CS family and eager to develop our relationships together.
Gail Schulman
CEO
P.S. This photo shows you a snippet of my volunteer day at Family Table
- when long-time volunteer Seymour challenged me to differentiate kosher vs non-kosher tomatoes. Happily, I passed the test - and I also got to appreciate the knowledge and commitment of our volunteers.
To read more about Gail and what brought her to JF&CS, check out our
blog.
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