February 2022 Newsletter

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FEBRUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Client Success Story

Mohammad S., Refugee Employment Services Program

In Afghanistan, Mohammad was a Civil Engineer and worked with the U.S. Army as a translator. All that changed in December 2021 when he was forced to leave his family and his home country and immigrate to the U.S. Within weeks, Mohammad entered JVS’s Refugee English and Employment services. His Career Coach helped him to update his resume and apply to jobs where he would be able to use and build on his previous experience.

In December, Mohammad was referred to one of JVS’s employer partners, Newly Weds Foods for the role of a Quality Control Technician, and he was hired! Mohammad started his new job in January, and is able to utilize his existing knowledge and education while he learns new skills that will help him in the future. Mohammad is very excited and thankful to JVS for this opportunity. He looks forward to building a life here and he hopes that his wife and daughter will be added to the list of Afghan evacuees so that they can join him in safety.

To learn more about refugee resettlement, join us for Havdalah and a Celebration of National Refugee Shabbat, a virtual event on Saturday, March 5th at 8 pm.

JVS Supporter Spotlight

Q&A with Joe Goodman, JVS Board Member & Philanthropist

Joe Goodman has served on the JVS Board of Directors since 2008. He co-founded Bob's Discount Furniture in 1991 and over the next decade, helped lead the company through its dramatic growth. He is now an active philanthropist and mentor, donating his time, experience, and strategic thinking to several non-profit organizations in the Boston area. In 2020, JVS honored Joe and his wife Lynne at elevate: The JVS Gala.

Continue reading to learn how Joe became involved with JVS and his philosophy on volunteerism.

You’ve supported JVS for 15 years. What originally drew you to JVS?

When I retired from a retail business my hope was to find an organization that was in a space I could contribute. Browsing through the Globe I saw an article that described a program for immigrants to help them start their own business. I sat in on a few sessions and enjoyed interacting with the participants and the staff. That first step led me to learn about the various programs and begin to understand their impact.

Over the years that you’ve been involved with JVS, how would you describe the role of innovation in our growth so far and in our future?

The organization then could be described as set in its approach to challenges it had been dealing with for years. There was no risk taking resulting in little innovation. When Jerry Rubin took hold the rate of growth accelerated. There was a new approach to partnerships with all stakeholders. Fee for services helped prove the value of the services provided. The management began to recognize the worth of services delivered.

L’dor v’dor in volunteerism and philanthropy. Why is this idea so important to you?

All of my grandparents were immigrants. I don’t know if any received help from JVS but I’m certain they needed them. None spoke English. My father was proudest when able to support his synagogue, Israel or any Jewish organization. He viewed it as a privilege. I know I’m a better person because of his leadership and hope that my children and grandchildren will learn from him as I did.