Accelerating Social, Academic and Health Equity
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Monthly Report to the Community |
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Highlights from the 2023 Annual Meeting. Clockwise: 1. Michael Gilman receives the Community Humanitarian Award, pictured left to right: staff member Iryna Saks; Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships Lucia Panichella; Nan and Andy Langowitz, Board Member Debbie Gotbetter; Michael Gilman; LeeAnn Yolin; Ed Shapiro; former Board Member Barbara Shapiro; staff member Sarah Leacu; Board Member Jodi Bring; and Maris Feinstein. 2. Outgoing Board President Josef Volman receives an official Citation from the office of Senate President Karen Spilka, presented by CEO Lino Covarrubias. 3. Homecare Operations Manager Mayra Tardiff receives the Lebold Award. 4. Sydney Dykeman receives the Ellen Bloch Youth Leadership Award, presented by Senior Director of Philanthropy Jayne Lampert. 5. Maris Feinstein receives the Roll Up the Sleeves Award on behalf of her and her husband Paul. 6. Jane Cohn receives the Roll Up the Sleeves award.
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Dear JFS Friends, Supporters, and Collaborative Partners,
I hope this find you well and that your summer is off to a good start.
The JFS Annual Meeting was held recently; a few highlights are featured in the photos above. This was a great event, during which Board President Joe Volman, who served an extended term to ensure that JFS had steady and strong leadership through the pandemic, was discharged. In recognition of his unwavering dedication, I was proud to present him with an official Citation from the office of Senate President Karen Spilka.
I was also pleased to present awards to volunteers Jane Cohn, Maris and Paul Feinstein and Wendy Heineman for going above and beyond to support our clients and to volunteer Michael Gilman who has been a driving force and volunteer team leader in the resettlement of refugees and war evacuees. Also, middle-schooler Sydney Dykeman was recognized for her work in the JFS/Rashi Learning and Leadership Council. JFS Homecare Operations Manager, Mayra Tardiff, received the staff award for her exceptional leadership of the homecare program where she oversees 20+ direct service providers and 100+ low-income older adult clients.
Closing the meeting and taking the gavel as the new JFS Board President, Allison Kates spoke about her career-long dedication to supporting the needs of those struggling with mental health challenges. As a school psychologist, Allison’s skills and experience will lend expert guidance to JFS’ work in this area as our case managers encounter an increasing number of clients who are dealing with a wide range of conditions.
These individuals represent a small sample of what fuels JFS’ success. Talented, committed, passionate – they are leaders who devote their time and energy to working with some of the most vulnerable in our community.
As we close the 2022/2023 session and welcome seven new Board Members to the team for the coming year, including for the first time two Youth Board Members (see profiles below), we are energized and excited about the breadth of knowledge and perspectives that the 2023/2024 Board brings to the table - a great balance of personal experience, educational credentials, language skills, professional talent, and more. Diverse across multiple spectrums, we are grateful to each for partnering with JFS to hold us accountable, to push us to do more, and to provide the expertise we need to ensure that JFS continues to be a force for good well into the future.
Also in alignment with the JFS values and mission, I was honored to join in this weekend's amazing Juneteenth celebrations.
This was JFS’ second year of officially recognizing the Juneteenth holiday and having our staff take the day off. I was fortunate to experience and participate in local events. The first ever flag raising of the Juneteenth Flag over Framingham was very meaningful.
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The flag was designed to tell the story of the unity among people from Africa. The colors: Red to stand for struggle and sacrifice. Black to stand for black people. Green to stand for the natural wealth of the land of Africa. The five-pointed star refers both to Texas (nicknamed the "Lone Star State") and to the "freedom of African Americans in all 50 states". Surrounding it is a nova (or "new star") representing a new beginning for all. President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of June 1, 1863, declared that all slaves in the rebel Confederate states were free. The state of Texas rejoined the Union with the end of the Civil War on April 9, 1865. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived at the port of Galveston Texas and announced that slavery had been ended with General Order No. 3. The Juneteenth Flag has the date of June 19, 1865 displayed on it.
I also had the opportunity to attend the Juneteenth celebration in Natick MA. There was a great Welcoming by Rev. Dr. Ian Mevoach (Common St. Spiritual Center), Drum Nomads playing amazing African tunes, and great food from Sentie's Kitchen (sentieskitchen.com) – African BBQ. It was an absolutely great celebration of this important milestone date in our nation’s history.
While the summer for many is a time to relax and recharge, we at JFS are full speed ahead responding to individuals and families who call us for help, bringing together thought leaders and organizations to develop strategies to address hate in our community, finding innovative solutions to address gaps in services. It is only with the help of our talented and dedicated staff, volunteers and partners that JFS is able to make a meaningful impact.
Your help is needed - don't wait - contact us and start making a difference today.
Sincerely,
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RESETTLEMENT PROJECT UPDATES |
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Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis:
As part of the Uniting for Ukraine initiative, The Shapiro Foundation, Alight, Social Finance, Kuja Kuja, Talent Beyond Boundaries, and Miles 4 Migrants are partnering to build a Jobs Sponsorship Program, which will
match Ukrainians with relevant skills and language to employers with substantial vacant jobs. Thus, the initiative creates a pipeline that predictably delivers large volumes of Ukrainian candidates who meet employers’ needs.
To support this endeavor, we are looking for volunteers and or community groups to secure and furnish apartments, welcome the newcomers, get them settled, and support them as they start work.
JFS ALSO SEEKS TO HIRE A CASE MANAGER.
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NUMBERS UPDATE
Resettlement:
JFS has welcomed 66 new cases (126 individuals) this fiscal year so far.
Total numbers to date since Fall 2021 = 193
Individuals:
50 Afghan clients (first arrivals October 2021)
120 Ukrainian clients (first arrivals June 2022)
8 Venezuelan clients (first arrivals Septemer 2022)
15 Haitian clients (first arrivals February 2023)
For more information or ways to help:
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2023/24 New Officers and Board Members |
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Board President
Allison Kates
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Board Vice President
Jay Gainsboro
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Board Vice President
Barbara Schultz
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Rabbi Danny Burkeman, Board Member
Rabbi Danny Burkeman (or “Rabbi Danny”, as he prefers to be called) is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Shir Tikva. In his own words he is committed “to making Judaism relevant in the modern world.”
In 2019 Rabbi Danny was a recipient of the CJP’s Chai in the Hub Award for Jewish leaders under 40. He also recently completed an UpStart fellowship for communal intrapreuners, and he was a member of the inaugural cohort of the UJA Federation of New York’s Rabbinic Fellowship for Visionary Leaders. Locally, he is a regular contributor to the MetroWest Daily News.
Rabbi Danny was born and raised in London, England. At Cambridge University, he received his BA in History and Theology, and following graduation he went to work in the British Jewish community, working with Jewish Zionist youth movements from across the political and religious spectrum. Prior to his ordination as a Rabbi he completed a Masters in Jewish-Christian Relations.
Outside of the Synagogue Rabbi Danny is married to Micol, a Jewish educator, and together they are the proud parents of Gabby and Benny.
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Jake Grossman
Jake is President of The Grossman Companies where he is responsible for the sourcing of new acquisition and investment partnerships along with the asset management of our real estate portfolio, which comprises approximately 3 million square feet of properties in Southern New England. Jake is actively involved in a variety of organizations and, with his wife, is most focused on leveling the playing fields and spreading opportunity.
Jake holds a BA from Brown University and lives in Dover with his wife and three children.
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Jacki Hart
Jacki Hart, a medical doctor, is Director of the Bassuk Center, a nonprofit collaboration of service providers, clinicians, program developers, researchers, policymakers, and field professionals who share the common goal of breaking the intergenerational cycle of family housing instability.
Jacki specializes in addressing medical and behavioral health issues to reduce disparities for vulnerable populations, including women and children experiencing homelessness. With over 30 years of experience in lifestyle, behavioral, and integrative medicine, she has designed and implemented multidisciplinary programs for hospitals, health care systems, and clinics. Jacki completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Brown University, received an M.D. from George Washington School of Medicine, and an A.B. from Harvard University. She teaches about social and behavioral determinants of health at a variety of academic institutions and organizations and has hundreds of publications for both lay and professional audiences.
Jacki’s other community involvements include: serving as a co-director of the Heal UkraineGroup (HUG), a consortium of Boston-based physicians, scientists, and healthcare professionals who have come together to provide lifesaving interventions, education, and medical supplies to clinicians, citizens, and military personnel in Ukraine. Jacki returned recently from a medical mission to Ukraine in April 2023. She also serves as a community representative of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and recently completed a 2-year commitment as co-chair of Hands-On Women’s Philanthropy for Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).
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Antonio Massa Viana
Antonio is passionate about immigration law, civil rights, and constitutional issues. He founded Massa Viana Law with the goal of creating a firm guided by the principles of excellency in advocacy, mutual respect, and most importantly, of service.
An immigrant himself who moved to the United States when he was 12 years old, Antonio became the first known undocumented immigrant attorney in Massachusetts. He attended Roger Williams University School of Law, where he was the first Latino Editor-in-Chief of the RWU Law Review, as well as winner of the Esther Clark and National Religious Freedom moot court competitions. He sat for the bar exam in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Antonio currently serves in the Board of Directors of the Brazilian American Center (BRACE) and of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), and he is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He is also a former Board member of the Massachusetts American Civil Liberties Union and former member of the American Bar Association.
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Shirley Nigri Farber
Shirley Nigri Farber is a media professional, teacher, community leader and activist. She is a marketing consultant and owner of Farber Marketing in Stoughton, MA. Born in Brazil, Shirley has significant knowledge of the Massachusetts Brazilian community. Fluent in Portuguese, French, English, Hebrew and Spanish, she frequently lectures on Brazil, Judaism, immigration, and women’s issues.
While producing and hosting Shalom Israel radio program in Rio she was the most voted female member of the Jewish Federation. She moved to Boston in 2001 where she created “Bate Papo Com Shirley” TV show, currently broadcast in 5 states in New England on Comcast on Demand and the Bate Papo Magazine to help bring information to Brazilian immigrants and other Portuguese speakers. In 2009 she founded Shalom Magazine, a print publication in English distributed at temples and supermarkets. She has a B. A in Communication and a postgraduate degree in Print journalism. She has been active with the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place For Hate diversity group, chairing the Stoughton program for five years and their Latino Jewish roundtable as well as AJC New England.
She lives in Stoughton with husband Scott and son David.
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And, for the first time JFS welcomes two Youth Members to the Board: |
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Ben Gelber
Ben Gelber attended The Rashi School from grades K-8 and is currently a freshman at Noble and Greenough in Dedham. He competes on the track and field team, the debate team, Model UN, and is a member of the Kehillah club.
Outside of school, Ben enjoys volunteering with several organizations including Hebrew Senior Life, JF&CS Family Table, and Temple Beth Elohim.
Ben’s introduction to JFS of Metrowest took place three years ago when he was Vice President of Student Government at Rashi and served as a student leader for the Annual Backpack Event. Over the past 3 years, he has helped to distribute over 100 backpacks to families in need in the Metrowest area. Ben has also volunteered with his family to help distribute Thanksgiving and Passover meals. Ben was incredibly honored to receive the JFS Youth Leadership Award at last year’s annual meeting.
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Ben Myers
Ben Myers is a Sophomore at the Noble and Greenough School. At school, he is a member of the soccer, wrestling and tennis teams. He is also involved in a variety of clubs, like the Biotech club, the Environmental Action Committee, and Kehillah, the Jewish Student Affinity Group.
Outside of school, Ben is a JTI (Jewish Teen Initiative) Peer Leadership Fellow, where he serves as a peer leader to Jewish peers and is a member of the Rashi School Alumni Leadership Council. He also enjoys spending time with my family, and spending time outside biking and playing sports.
Ben has had great experiences working with JFS. In 8th grade, he co-led the annual JFS Build and Backpack drive at The Rashi School, where he was a student. It was a great opportunity to bring the community together for community service, and they assembled over 50 backpacks. It was also a great leadership opportunity, and he gained valuable experience from organizing and leading the event.
Ben has been looking for a way to do more in the community and is excited for the opportunity to serve on the JFS board.
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Earlier this month JFS received a very generous donation from a local middle school student named Ben. Ben decided to do a mitzvah project with Jewish Family Service of Metrowest in honor of becoming a Bar Mitzvah. He asked family and friends to purchase gift cards from any supermarket or donate cash, to then be distributed to struggling veterans through the Lucy and Joe Press Food Pantry.
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Each year the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) supports a nonprofit local to the IMA Summit and provides opportunities for members to engage through fundraising activities and conference session activities. This year, we are thrilled to announce that the IMA has chosen to partner with JFS of Metrowest!
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As summer approaches, it is important to be prepared for the heat, especially older adults. With higher temperatures and longer days, the risk of heat-related illness and dehydration increases. Learn 5 tips from expert Malka Young, LICSW that can help you and your loved ones enjoy the summer months while staying safe and healthy.
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Earlier this month, JFS received an incredibly generous donation to the Lucy and Joe Press Food Pantry, which provides emergency food and hygiene products to community members in need. Tate Philips & Jake Glynn decided to hold a canned food drive to honor the life of their fellow classmate, Eliza Norton. The Eliza J. Norton Foundation asked the community to celebrate Eliza's birthday by doing acts of kindness for a week.
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13-year-old Ruby is no stranger to JFS of Metrowest. Throughout the years, she and her family have volunteered at the JFS Thanksgiving Food Distribution and Annual Build-A-Backpack events. This spring, after visiting the JFS of Metrowest Resource Room at Framingham Public Schools, Ruby decided to fill a need of personal care items. Personal care items are often forgotten but are essential. Ruby set up a donation table in a busy shopping plaza to request donations for the JFS of Metrowest Resource Room. She received an incredible outpouring of donations!
A big thank you to Ruby for gathering personal care items for the Resource Room!
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Sarah Leacu
Job Title: Housing Specialist
With JFS since: February 2023
From: Bolton, Massachusetts
Speaks: English
"Even though I was born in Virginia and have lived in four different states, I consider Massachusetts my true home. Starting the day with coffee is a must, and as a true New Englander, I love to drink iced coffee all year round. I have two beautiful children whom made me the stay at home mom I am while I am not at JFS. I am a huge fan of “mud races” and cannot wait to attend one this fall with my son and husband. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and was a molecular scientist for four years, but I discovered I’d much rather work within my community than in the laboratory."
"As the old saying goes 'first impressions are everything', I believe my work at JFS is important as I help provide the first impression that refugee families have of living in the United States. While working with teams of home furnishing volunteers, we will be sure each living space has all the necessities one may need, but will also feel cozy and welcoming. My goal is to make sure each client feels comfortable and blissful in their home away from home."
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Alexis Vincuilla
Job Title: Marketing Communications Specialist
With JFS since: January 2023
From: North Attleboro, MA
Speaks: English and some Spanish
"I graduated from Bridgewater State University with my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing in 2021. Before this role, I was a nanny for many families over the last eight years and was a marketing intern at a startup called Complete Energy Services in Raynham, MA. I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Zoey and Bentley, who love to go on walks and meet new people. In my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, hockey games, reading, going to the beach, watching documentaries, and spending quality time with my friends & family. I am a big hockey fan, my favorite team is the Bruins, and David Pastrnak is my favorite player. My favorite tv show is The Office, but I am really enjoying Ted Lasso currently."
“I believe my work at JFS is important because I have seen first-hand the incredible work we do for the community and beyond. I am excited to work for the greater good and help people in the community thrive!”
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Need help caring for an aging loved one?
JFS Geriatric Care Managers can help.
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JFS in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) provides support to eligible clients who are unemployed or underemployed.
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JFS in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) provides support to eligible clients who are unemployed or underemployed.
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Are you in need of mental health services?
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JFS Supports Our Veterans |
JFS has a commitment with our partner agencies to ensure
no veteran is left behind.
CEO Lino Covarrubias recently attended a Brothers for Life and New England Injured Soldiers event at Gillette Stadium, hosted by the Kraft Family.
This event brings wounded warriors from Israel to visit our community and meet local U.S. injured soldiers.
"There is a special bond amongst wounded warriors and certainly there was discussion on how each got their war injuries and the struggles that have come with recuperating both physically and mentally. Moreover, there was the realization that they were the lucky ones. That many of their fellow warriors did not make it back to family and loved ones."
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WANT TO MAKE A MEANINFUL DIFFERENCE? VOLUNTEER! |
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Patient Navigators Needed!
Join our Patient Navigator team and accompany older adults to medical appointments, easing the stress of the appointment for both the patient and their families.
You’ll help older adults prepare for upcoming medical appointments, serve as a companion at the appointment, facilitate communication between doctor and patient, and take notes during the visit.
Patient Navigator is a flexible volunteer opportunity that can work with your schedule! We ask you to commit to a minimum of 4 appointments per year. All appointments are during weekday, daytime hours.
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Second Chance Cars is a Massachusetts nonprofit with a mission to connect low income working adults with affordable vehicles so they can maintain living wage jobs and support their families.
SCC solicits “gently used” car donations from the public and offers in return:
- The highest tax deduction – the car’s retail value
- The most rewarding donor experience – meeting who got your car
- The most impact – getting someone to work
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Make a Legacy Gift to JFS of Metrowest and
Join the JFS Generation to Generation Legacy Circle
Your concerns and priorities have helped shape JFS today. Your legacy gift will help shape tomorrow.
To ensure that the values and concerns that have inspired your involvement in JFS will endure for generations to come, consider:
- Including JFS in your estate planning -
- Making a gift to JFS as a bequest in a will or trust -
- Designating a gift to the JFS Endowment Fund -
Together, we can maintain the agency’s promise to the community to stand up for those left behind.
Contact Jayne Lampert, Senior Director of Philanthropy today
to learn how you can become a member of the Legacy Circle
Email: jlampert @ jfsmw.org - Call: 508-875-3100 x 430
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JFS COMMITTEE ON ANTI-RACISM & FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM |
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To learn about upcoming news and events as they occur, like/follow the JFS Committee on Anti-Racism and Fighting Antisemitism social media channels, and CLICK HERE for a list of resources specific to this work.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT...
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JFS is a multi-year recipient of the 4-star Charity Navigator rating with a 100% PERFECT SCORE! Less than one-tenth of one percent of charities rated earn a perfect score.
- JFS serves over 7,500 individuals yearly, 40% of whom are not Jewish
- JFS engages over 300 volunteers across 17 programs
- JFS distributed over 7,000 clothing items for children of low income families in the past six months
- JFS serves 3,500 older adults by increasing access to healthcare and safe aging solutions
- JFS, in partnership with CJP, distributed 6,000 holiday meals for Passover and Rosh Hashanah
- JFS resettled almost 300 displaced refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Venezuela in partnership with local faith organizations
- JFS works hand in hand with immigrants and families from 60+ countries
- JFS is a community convener in the areas of bigotry and antisemitism
- JFS works with over 100 collaborative community partners throughout Massachusetts
- 80% of JFS' total annual revenue is philanthropic dollars, supported by donors like you!
Partner with JFS and make a meaningful impact in our community.
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Thank you to all who partner with JFS to
Accelerate Social, Academic and Health Equity in our community.
Your help is needed - get involved today!
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