Dear Friends,

As I look back on my three-year term as board president, I’m astonished by the number of people we’ve helped in truly life-changing ways. I got involved with JF&CS because I wanted to give back to the community. As my fellow board members will attest, you get far more out of serving this agency than you can ever give.

The work of this agency is near and dear to my heart, as it is to so many of you. Many of you know that my brother is deaf, so serving those with disabilities is very important to me. I’ve often thought how beneficial it would have been to participate in the support groups JF&CS offers for siblings of children with disabilities. Over my years as board president, I’ve heard from many in our community how grateful they are for the support this agency provides to clients, family members, and caretakers alike.

The diversity of services JF&CS provides directly to clients—by people who are so skilled, so dedicated, and so committed—is truly awe-inspiring. Our staff are the people who pick up the phone when someone is struggling with aging, parenting, financial pressures, mental health, and so much more. We respond nimbly to the real needs we see in the community, as evidenced by our work in the wake of the October 7 attacks in Israel. And then we hold people’s hands through it all. This is where the work happens.

To our loyal friends who understand how important JF&CS is to the health of both the Jewish community and the community at large, and who step up year after year to provide both the donations and volunteer service needed to continue this work: thank you.

Andrew Pearlstein

President, 2021–2023