2013–2014 In 1854, Jewish Family Service JFS welcomes and serves of Los Angeles (JFS) was the first people of all ages, ethnicities, charity to be established in the city. and religions. Our professional Today, 161 years later, we are staff and dedicated volunteers proud to offer “a family of services” share a passionate commitment to more than 100,000 individuals to enriching and improving every year. the lives of every member of our community. Through our programs and services, we strive to meet the trials of poverty, hunger, domestic violence, 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. 01 02 A lot has changed since 1854 For 160 years, JFS has provided when Jewish Family Service of compassionate social services to A MESSAGE Los Angeles (JFS) was founded. TERRY B. all who walk through our doors As the landscape has evolved, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion FROM however, JFS’ mission has FRIEDMAN or ability to pay. JFS is a large, remained the same: to provide multiservice agency, yet remains a safety net for those who are focused on the small choices that OUR vulnerable and at risk in our BOARD make a big impact in people’s community. In our commitment lives. Toward these efforts, our PRESIDENT to serve individuals and families, PRESIDENT professional staff and volunteers JFS is anchored in the communities served 100,000 people over the in which we provide those services. course of the last year, helping AND To remain effective and relevant, to make the entire community JFS has embraced change, healthier and stronger. CHIEF adapting to meet the changing needs of our community. PAUL S. We are deeply thankful to the EXECUTIVE board members, volunteers, JFS might be the oldest social CASTRO, JD staff and donors for their OFFICER service agency in Los Angeles, unwavering commitment to but its approach to helping those CHIEF the fabric of the Los Angeles in need is continually reinvigorated. community, the people. Despite the enduring effects of the economic downtown on local, EXECUTIVE state, and federal funds, JFS creatively explores new service OFFICER and funding models to mitigate the external environment’s impact on our clients. JFS is constantly evolving to ensure that the best of emerging trends in social services, behavioral health and health are integrated as we look towards the future of our organization. 03 04 At JFS, we are volunteers, partners, JFS offers our sincere thanks to donors and friends who all believe in our most generous supporters one thing – we can change things - whose names are listed in the and we’re going to do it as a family. pages of this report. This is a list This is the heart of JFS: people of financial donations only, made touching people, reaching out to between July 1, 2013 - June 30, nurture lives filled with dignity, 2014. These listings do not include meaning and joy. We are proud that gifts to our Capital and Endowment 2014 marked our 160th year of service Campaign. Every effort has been to the Los Angeles community. made to ensure proper recognition; we apologize for any errors. Throughout this report, we have included images of some of our new We would also like to gratefully and innovative programs and services acknowledge the thousands of as well as some of our traditional individuals who have given gifts offerings all designed to serve those up to $500, donors of goods and in need in the most efficient and services, those who wish to remain dignified manner possible. We asked anonymous, those who give of their those we photographed to provide time, and others who support a short note about what they find to our work whose names do not be the most meaningful about their appear in this report. In addition, involvement with JFS. We hope you we would like to thank our very will be as inspired by their words as talented graphic artist friend, we are. Craig Holden Feinberg for helping us produce this piece. Please read about his award-winning work bio at the end of this report. 05 06 2014 HIGHLIGHTS MAY JFS hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Tea at the American Jewish University in honor MARCH APRIL of the 1000+ volunteers who donate their time to our agency JFS { Café Europa celebrated For more than 30 years, each year. This year we were Purim with laughter, dancing, JFS has hosted Community proud to honor Sofia Komskaya entertainment and lunch. Passover Seders for low-in- from the JFS { West Hollywood Nearly 250 JFS { Café Europa come and isolated members Comprehensive Service JANUARY Members participated in the of our community, and Center with the Charlotte celebration and took home 2014 was no exception. Kamenir Volunteer of Distinction beautiful mishloach manot Thanks to the generosity Award. Walter Klein from Rose Bowl teams from gift bags. of our generous supporters Michigan State University JFS { SOVA, Jody Natan from and volunteers, Seders JFS { Family Violence Project and Stanford University (complete with a traditional “teamed up” to feed the JFS { Legacy Corps kicked received a Volunteer Leadership and Kosher for Passover Award and Gloria Krane was hungry with a day of off its third year by focusing meal) were held in the city community service at the on pairing elderly or disabled honored with a JFS Professional and in the Valley and were Achievement Award. JFS { SOVA Community veterans with trained home enjoyed by all. Resource Program. visitor volunteers from JFS. Over 100 Volunteers Over $1.1 million was raised sorted and packed food CBS was host to A Day of for JFS programs and services that was later distributed at our 21st Annual Gala to those in need. Hope, a day of fun and hands-on activities for the whole family Tribute Dinner in May where benefiting the programs of JFS. Dr. Lee Lainer, LCSW was Hundreds of people turned out honored with the prestigious to take part in the event, which Anita and Stanley Hirsh Award. included a musical performance Dorothy Goren, Ozzie Goren by Josh Groban. and Lillian Raphael were also recognized at the event with a Special Recognition Award. 07 08 JUNE NOVEMBER JFS { Chaverim hosted an Laughing Matters 3, afternoon of music and fun featuring the hilarious at their annual Shining Star Bob Saget and Dave Coulier, Fundraiser, honoring AUGUST was held at the Laugh DECEMBER community leader Ellyn Factory in Hollywood to Gelson. The event featured Hundreds of people participated benefit JFS { Shelter JFS participated in the music by the Chaverim in the JFS Back to School Services. Over 250 people #GivingTuesday movement, Singers as well as activities Community Day. During the attended the event, which a global day dedicated to and family fun. event, spearheaded by also included an auction, giving back. Thanks to the JFS { Young Leaders, children and raised over $75,000 generosity of an anonymous living below the poverty line for the agency. Special donor who offered to triple JULY had the opportunity to fill their thanks to our terrific the value of donations backpacks with brand new co-chairs Wendy Silver collected on December 3rd, school supplies for the and Linda Levine. the agency raised $90,000 for Debby Barak was installed as upcoming school year as our programs and services. Chair of the Board of Directors part of our JFS { Tools for at our Board Installation School initiative. Lines stretched down the ceremony at American Jewish block at each of our three University, where California JFS { SOVA locations the State Senator Holly J. Mitchell week before Thanksgiving delivered the keynote address. OCTOBER where people in need lined Joining Debby on the 2014-2016 up for a special holiday slate of officers were Shana Over 200 shoppers enjoyed a giveaway. More than 35,000 Passman and Tami Stapf as special day at the JFS { Family pounds of food was distributed with JFS { SOVA staff and Vice Chairs for Resource Violence Project’s Annual Shop volunteers working overtime Development, Doreen Klee for A Cause Boutique. Raising to make sure each client as Vice Chair for Programs, thousands of dollars for received a bag of groceries Sara Aftergood as Secretary, JFS { Shelter Services. Special filled with traditional and Ann Barton as Treasurer. thanks to our generous hosts Thanksgiving items. Stanley Kandel and Janet Rifkin Lynn and David Feldman, our were installed as new fantastic event chairs, Cori Marcus Board Members. and Debbie Priel for ensuring that the day was a success. 09 10 YOUNG LEADERS JFS { Young Leaders is a dynamic and diverse group of communty-minded individuals between the ages of 21-40 who are committed to the mission of Jewish Family Service. Together we participate in hands-on volunteer activities, social and fundraising events, holiday celebrations, leadership trainings, and networking opportunities. We have a lot of fun and do our best to help JFS build relationships with future community leaders. -Caitlin Lipsman Dan Lipsman (right), Caitlin Lipsman (second from left), and Josh Passman, Young Leaders Co-Chair (front left) from JFS { Young Leaders assist Fred Summers, Director of JFS { SOVA Community Food and Resource Program with preparations 11 for a busy day of serving those in need. 12 DECEMBER HOLIDAYS AT JFS SHELTERS Children residing at JFS { Hope Cottage celebrate the December holidays with a variety of celebrations including lighting the menorah, decorating a Christmas tree and enjoying special meals. When my kids and I arrived at Hope, we were frightened and unsure about the future but the staff made us feel right at home, helping me find a job, getting us into counseling, assisting with legal work, and so much more.