Annual Meeting 2011

Michael Schwartz, Andrea Lerner Levenson

CINCINNATI While writing her report for the Jewish Family Service Annual Meeting, Executive Director Beth Schwartz asked her 6 year old daughter what she thinks about JFS. “JFS Rocks!” was her daughter’s reply, followed by “because JFS helps people.”

“Yes, JFS Rocks. But it doesn’t Roll,” said Beth in her report. “We are a small but mighty agency. We have the will, the ability, and motivation but not enough capacity to Roll. How much more could we Rock if we had more to Roll with?”

That was the focus of the meeting held at Rockdale Temple’s chapel Thursday, June 23, 2011.

Beth thanked the Board for providing direction and strategy, a clear mission, scope, and a voice to others in the community. And she thanked the staff that continues to amaze her.

“In 2010, Jewish Family Service strengthened 3,954 individual lives. Those are unduplicated numbers. Clients may have been helped more than one time and by more than one part of the agency, but we only count them once no matter how many staff hours were required to meet their needs,” she said.

More than 75% of the almost 4000 lives touched by JFS receive on-going and intense services.

Beth joked that she recently heard the Dean of a School of Social Work share that when she tells people about the social work profession others often comment, “I don’t think I could do that kind of work,” and then they ask, “you don’t make very much, do you?”

“I’ll tell you what our staff makes,” said Beth speaking directly to the staff. “You make families through adoption where there once was no hope for children. You make women who were battered and abused strong and safe. You make disenfranchised, disconnected people part of a community. You make older people independent and self-determined. You make kids who fear the bully feel empowered and knowledgeable about what to do. You make sure people who are on the verge of homelessness have a roof over their heads. You make struggling families feel safe and secure with medicine in their hands and food in their bellies. You make broken people whole. You make the community a better place for all to live. You make JFS what it is.

“We Rock. But we don’t Roll. We don’t do enough. We have the will, the know-how, the innovation and motivation…but not enough capacity to Roll.

“Over the past years we went lean with staff in order to overcome financial challenges. We have survived. But we are not thriving. Funding has subsided due to the economy, but demand has increased. We don’t have what we need to invest back into the agency.

“We Rock. With the right infusion of resources in our infrastructure, we could do so much more. We could transform our community. We could Rock AND Roll.”

Jewish Family Service Board President Michael Schwartz opened the meeting with a review of the strategic planning currently being explored in Aging and Caregiver Services, Family Life Education, and Vital Services. “In the next 12-24 months we will be announcing a new location for the food pantry,” he gave as one example.

Michael’s primary goal for his upcoming year as Board president is to establish deeper connections between individuals and the JFS mission. “We have a compelling message to share,” he said.

Following a nominating report by Scott Slovin, the new Board of Directors was installed. The 2011-2012 Officers of the Board are Michael Schwartz, President; Andrea Lerner Levenson, Vice President; Danny Lipson, Vice President; Mark Miller, Co-Treasurer; Pam Sacherman, Co-Treasurer; and Bruce Baker, Immediate Past President.

Tzipi Dahan, Steve Halper, Steve Holman, Larry Juran and Scott Slovin were installed as new Board members to serve a 3-year term. Leslie Miller was re-elected to a 2^nd 3-year term. Resigning from the Board were Marcie Bachrach, Mark Kanter, Mike Kernish and Greg Miller.

Board members continuing their term on the Board are Bruce Ente, Gail Friedman, Suzy Marcus Goldberg, Jeff Harris, Elaine Kaplan, Amy Peskovitz, Bonnie Rabin, Lauren Scharf, Susan Shorr, Gary Smith, Max Yamson, and John Youkilis.

Andrea Lerner Levenson was presented with the Miriam Dettelbach Award. This award is given in honor of the first executive director of Jewish Family Service as recognition of exceptional volunteer service to the agency.

Two staff members received Longevity Awards; Linda Kean for 10 years and Natalie Hurley for 5 years.