Posted by Rimma Zelfand, CEO

Last month I succeeded Sy Friedland as CEO of Jewish Family & Children's Service. Although the name on the door is changing, our passion for helping vulnerable people live with dignity will stay the same. The values of empathy, innovation, and respect for all members of the community that Sy instilled in us will continue to inspire us to achieve our goals.

I have worked with JF&CS since 2003, when I became a member of the Board of Directors and the Strategic Planning Committee. I joined the staff as director of senior services in 2004 and in 2008 was promoted to senior vice president of programs. Over the past eight years, we have grown in size and stature, and I'm excited to continue this growth.

Earlier this year, the Board of Directors finalized our strategic plan, which is based upon an amazing vision for the next ten years. Everyone at JF&CS is inspired to make this plan a reality, achieve national recognition, and scale our services to reach more people in a more profound, long-lasting way.

In this uncertain economic climate, we will have challenges. Government support is shrinking while needs are increasing. We will need to be resourceful and innovative to overcome these trials. Despite any challenges, I am determined to lead JF&CS to improve the lives of more people, more deeply. With your support, I know the JF&CS community - our staff, volunteers, and donors - can achieve this goal.

You will be hearing from me regularly as I settle into my new role. I look forward to providing updates and connecting with many of you in person. The coming months promise many exciting events and developments at JF&CS. I look forward to working with all of you, and welcome your thoughts and comments. You can reach me at rzelfand@jfcsboston.org or 781-647-JFCS (5327).