JFS has a rich and long history of devoted volunteers who help us reach our goals.
It all started in 1849 with a group of brave women volunteering their time, efforts, and resources creating The Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Association; dedicated to serving their neighbors and the community through selfless acts of kindness.
After 175 years, the vision of these women has been the driving force behind JFS today. Although we can never forget about our legacy, this month we want to highlight a few of the leaders who are helping us steer through the modern era.
We asked a few of our Presidents over the years to share what volunteerism means to them.
When asking our current JFS Board President, Dr. Michael Mandel, ‘what does volunteerism mean to you?’ he didn’t hesitate and simply said “I have been very fortunate in my life…[and] looking to volunteerism as an opportunity to give back for the many blessings I have received.” Dr. Mandel also shared that “to be a small part of the many successes that JFS creates daily is very rewarding and I get back much more than I give.”
Eric Shoenfeld, Board President 2021-2023, said, “giving has to fundamentally be in someone’s heart, that’s where it starts. It’s where it counts the most.” Eric shared, “The way I was raised, my parents showed and taught me how important it [volunteering] is, but I later developed my own philosophy on it. Volunteering gives people the ability to supply a helping gesture to people in need.”
Ron Felmus, Board President 2017-2019, said, “When I was growing up, my father was very involved and active in our synagogue and in our city government…so, I learned the importance of not being passive and expecting everyone else to do everything for you.” He added, “[through volunteerism] I get experiences that I may not get at work that help improve my skills, it gives me a wider community network…and I hope it helps me raise more well-rounded children.”
Bernard ‘Bernie’ Henderson, Board President 2015-2017, shared, “I have served, and continue to serve, on Boards of Directors of several non-profit organizations, and all of them are terrific, but JFS is distinct because at every meeting I attended during my nine years on the Board, I learned that JFS was doing something different to serve our community. If JFS identified a need, it found a way to fill it and to do so successfully. Its leadership never wondered if it could fill that need, it focused on finding an efficient and effective way to do so.”
To find out more ways you can become a part of the growing community at JFS visit our website for volunteer and gift-giving opportunities at jfsrichmond.org.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @jfsrichmond in April where we will be highlighting our amazing volunteers all month in honor of National Volunteer Month.
Jewish Family Services is supported, in part, by a generous annual campaign contribution and programming and other grants from the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.
