I was approached by the president of JVS at the time to see if I would get involved with the agency. I was inclined to accept, seeing as my father was a past president of JVS and I was familiar with the work they did. In fact, my father was always an important part of my involvement.

A defining event during my presidency was when JVS became JEM & the JEM Workshop. During this stage we went through a whole rebranding and reinvention, essentially bringing JVS into the new age. The Workshop stayed the same in terms of the services it provided, but the restructuring was a necessary step for the agency.

JEM was one stop along the way of a long career in community involvement. Although I am no longer involved in the agency, I am now involved in other community endeavors. The thing about Ometz is, because there are so many different areas of service within the organization, donors can have a choice in projects and programs where their money can go. For instance, they could donate directly to the workshop. There’s a whole menu of options which I believe not only serves the agency, but also the donor. There is a wonderful partnership to be had there.

I believe Ometz is one of the most important, if not the most important agency within the Federation umbrella because it provides the greatest support to the largest group of vulnerable people. I think it is hugely important. Unfortunately, Ometz will always have a great need in the community, and it is our obligation as a community to be there to serve.