JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012 TIKKUN OLAM HEALING THE WORLD GEORGE FOX WWII VET ABOUT JFS In 1854, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFS) was the first charity to be established in Los Angeles. Today, more than 150 years later, we are proud to offer “a family of services” to nearly 100,000 individuals every year. Through our programs and services, we strive to meet the trials of poverty, hunger, domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, families in crisis, disabilities, and aging with dignity. This compassion grows out of deep roots in Jewish values—“tikkun olam,” or healing the world, is a central tenet of Judaism. JFS welcomes and serves people of all ages, ethnicities, and religions. Our professional staff and dedicated volunteers share a passionate commitment to enriching and improving the lives of every member of our community. 01 02 TIKKUN OLAMHEALING THE WORLD 03 04 INTRODUCTION At JFS, we are volunteers, partners, donors and friends who all believe in one thing—we can change things - and we’re going to do it as a family. This is the heart of JFS: people touching people, reaching out to nurture lives filled with dignity, meaning and joy. Throughout this report, which we have entitled “Tikkun Olam”, a Hebrew phrase meaning “repairing the world”, you will see a selection of images reflecting our shared commitment to heal, repair and transform the world. We are grateful to our very talented artist-friends, Shane Ocadja Nash, Photographer and Craig Holden Feinberg, Social Issue Designer, for helping us produce this piece. Please read about their award-winning work in their bios below. If you are interested in learning more about JFS, you can logon to our website at www.jfsla.org. ABOUT THE ARTISTS SHANE OCADJA NASH, PHOTOGRAPHER CRAIG HOLDEN FEINBERG, SOCIAL ISSUE DESIGNER Shane Ocadja Nash was born in Berkeley, California. He has Craig Holden Feinberg was born in 1980 and spent most of his been immersed in the visual arts for most of his life. At eighteen, childhood in Columbia, Maryland. He received his BFA in graphic Shane moved to New York City to attend The Cooper Union where design from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he studied drawing, printmaking, and graphic design before where he was awarded the Thesis Citation and Faculty Award. discovering that he possessed a natural aptitude for photography. Intent on furthering his design experience, he applied for and was accepted at Fabrica, The United Colors of Benetton Communications Shane continued to study and practice photography at FABRICA Research and Development Center in Treviso, Italy, where as in Treviso, Italy where he was taught the importance of maintaining a multi-disciplined designer created graphic design for international a photographic practice that was not only visually striking but print advertising campaigns to support Fabrica clients and publications. socially aware. Shane continues to apply this ethos toboth his commercial and personal work. He strives to make photographs He has been published in COLORS magazine, VORN magazine, FAB that are aesthetically strong, honest, sincere, and impactful. magazine, Fabrica Files/Fabrica 10 a book published by Electa. Awards include, The Reporters Without Borders campaign out of Paris, France, Shane has exhibited work both in the U.S. at New York City’s and silver prize winner of the Design Do! competition sponsored by the New Museum and Russell Simmons RUSHARTS gallery, and International Design Center Nagoya (IDCN), in Nagoya, Japan. Craig internationally at FABRICA features stores in Lisbon, Portugal has lectured in Italy, England, Germany, Japan, The National AIGA and Bologna, Italy. Shane served as the staff photographer Conference on Image, Object, Space hosted by Katherine and Michael and photographic coordinator for Mass Appeal Magazine, McCoy in Colorado, The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and and his work has been featured widely in magazines such as Drexel University. VIBE, Complex, Scratch, Rides, Slam, and WAD. Shane has also been commissioned to photograph prominent artists for Before moving to Los Angeles, Craig worked closely with the World record labels such as Def Jam, Sony, Universal, and Indie-Pop. Health Organization, International Council of Nurses, Fabrica Features, United Colors of Benetton, Krvkurva Laga bag, Arte Fiera, La Ghirada Health Center, Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund, and the Warsaw Children’s Hospital. Craig has been published in the TASCHEN book called, “Contemporary Graphic Design”. Currently, Craig has finished a book project with Charlotte & Peter Fiell, the former design editors of TASCHEN. The book is called, “The Little Book of Shocking Food Facts” which has been released at the London Book Fair. 05 06 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This past year, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles continued to fulfill its historic mission to serve the most vulnerable. Our passionate volunteers and dedicated staff provided services, support, dignity and hope to more than 100,000 persons of all ages and backgrounds. Each of them was someone in need - of shelter, counseling, food, or maybe a friendly smile. JFS met these needs through our network of senior centers, shelters, food and community resource centers and other programs. While continuing to provide these essential services throughout Los Angeles, we have also identified new opportunities to serve our community and clients. In October 2011, JFS was recognized by the national Alliance for Children and Families as its “2011 Large Agency of the Year.” This award has inspired us all to continue to do all we can to work tirelessly and creatively on behalf of our clients. One particularly exciting development is how JFS is working with long-time partners across the state, along with new ones at the federal level, to implement the Affordable Care Act locally. JFS is playing an important role in federal and state efforts to integrate social services effectively into traditional medical care because of our expertise and experience serving the frailest among us. JFS remains steadfast in its commitment to provide a safety net for children and adults, singles and seniors. We are grateful to the volunteers, staff, donors and friends of JFS who enable us to make a real difference each day. Quite simply, it comes down to this: if someone is in need, JFS responds David O. Levine, Board President Paul S. Castro, JD, Chief Executive Officer 07 08 2012 JFS HIGHLIGHTS JANUARY MAY AUGUST NOVEMBER The Rose Bowl contending Oregon Ducks and At the annual JFS { Volunteer Appreciation JFS { Young Leaders coordinated the JFS Westfield Foodie experts Susan Feniegar, Michael Flood, Wisconsin Badgers “teamed up” to feed the hungry Tea party, The JFS { Charlotte Kaminer Century City Back To School Community Day where Evan Kleinman, and Rick Nehmias led a panel with a day of community service at the JFS { SOVA Volunteer of Distinction Award was presented hundreds of children living at or below the poverty discussion about hunger in Los Angeles at the Community Food and Resource Center. to Jeff Druynan for his dedication to the agency. line had the opportunity to fill backpacks with school November grand opening of our new SOVA Elaine Yalowitz from JFS { New Mom’s supplies for the upcoming school year. Warehouse in Odessa. Over 100 volunteers Connect and The Klein family from JFS { Chaverim were also recognized. The L.A. Mid-City Integrated Care Collaborative, JFS { SOVA volunteers and staff distributed sorted and packed food that was later distributed to those a partnership led by JFS, providing services more than in need. JFS { Family Violence Project raised more than reducing avoidable hospital readmissions, was selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid at our third annual A record breaking Services (CMS) as one of 17 sites across the $100,000 Empowerment event, nation to participate in the Community-based 24,000 pounds $1.1 million was raised Care Transitions Program (CCTP). where guests joined JFS in recognizing the of Thanksgiving groceries to those in need. dedication of community supporter Marcia Burnam, at our 19th Annual Gala Tribute Dinner where celebrating the birthday of Abby J. Leibman, Tami and David Stapf were presented with and honoring the memory of Nina C. Leibman. The Spirit of Humanity Award and Jeff Nagler, Past President of JFS, was honored with the Anita and Stanley Hirsh Award. SEPTEMBER DECEMBER Over 82,000 pounds JFS { Adopt-A-Family made a meaningful impact MARCH on the lives of over 400 of families in Los Angeles. JUNE of food was collected during the JFS { SOVA High Generous donors anonymously “adopted” a family Holiday Food Drive. Over 250 survivors A group of JFS Board Members traveled together in need, providing them with basic necessities and of the Holocaust celebrated Purim to Israel where they explored social service small gifts in time for the December holiday season. programming offered for at risk populations. with laughter, dancing, entertainment, and lunch at the JFS { Chaverim hosted a special afternoon JFS { Café Europa holiday party. of music and fun at their annual Shining Star OCTOBER Fundraiser, honoring community leaders Rachel Laughing Matters: An Evening of Comedy Andres, Leah Kitz and Lisa Kodmur and featuring and Song featuring Paul Reiser, Chris Mann performances by the Heartland Band and and Steven Cojocaru (Cojo) was held at the The Chaverim Singers. Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in Universal City to APRIL benefit JFS { Haven House. Magicians Justin Willman and Zach Waldman entertained a crowd of people attended the entertaining 108 event which raised almost Over 300 People who came out to celebrate JFS volunteers $40,000. Dena Bess and David Fox at our “Hocus Pocus” event in April. 09 10 HUGH PEREZ JFS STAFF HUGO PEREZ is the Manager of the JFS { Hirsh Kosher Kitchen, a position that he has held for over twenty years.