Installations, Recognition & Awards Celebrated at Annual Meeting

This year, the Jewish Family Service Annual Meeting provided an opportunity for staff, board members, volunteers and donors to virtually come together and hear about the state of our agency, COVID relief efforts, community and staff support and safety. In addition, JFS Board and Community Advisory members were installed and the agency presented the 2020 President’s Award and Volunteer of the Year Award. Emcee Matthew Simpson returned for a second year to host the program on June 10 and weaved in some lighthearted comments to our first-of-its-kind interactive annual meeting.

The program highlighted the diligent work being consistently performed by JFS staff, both in the field and office, during this unprecedented time. As JFS Chief Executive Officer Andrea Steinberg said, “Since the COVID crisis came to fruition in mid-March, our staff has never skipped a beat. Whether it’s assisting our homeless clients, shopping and delivering meals, working in the Food Pantry or providing counseling, the JFS staff has remained committed to helping those in need.”

Next, JFS Board President Johanna Perskie swore in Matthew Simpson to assume the position of Board Vice President and Lawrence Reich to serve as Secretary. She also re-installed JFS Board of Directors Colin Bell, Alisa Elkis, Sarah Rosenthal and Jeffrey Vasser to serve two-year terms and swore in Fox Rothschild Associate Danielle Liberman to the Board of Directors for a one-year term. The agency also extended a heartfelt farewell and thank you to outgoing Vice President and Board Member Traci Werman. Then, JFS Chief Operating Officer Richard Gitlen welcomed OceanFirst Bank Margate Branch Manager Nancy Lynch to the agency’s Community Advisory Board.

At the meeting, Perskie presented Melissa Rosenblum, Esq., with the 2020 President’s Award for her dedication and support of the agency and community. As she shared, “For nearly a decade, Melissa has been a strong advocate and champion of justice, a voice for our society’s voiceless and a pillar of our community. As a JFS Board Member and Treasurer, Melissa consistently rallies individuals to support our fundraisers and events knowing the importance of the work JFS performs for our county.”

JFS also recognized our steadfast donors Seaboard Building & Restoration, Inc., Geoscape Solar, Mutual of America, and Right at Home for their continued generous support and contributions.

JFS agency volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) were acknowledged for their hours of service. The RSVP program, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, engages adults 55 and older in volunteer opportunities in order to help maintain and strengthen communities through activities including friendly visits, Kosher meal delivery, food pantry support and more.

RSVP volunteer, Jack Greenberg, was recognized as the 2020 Volunteer of the Year. For more than five years, Jack has volunteered each week to stock the Food Pantry, serve guests at Holocaust Survivor Luncheons, handle agency mailings for events and programs and assist at the Golf Tournament and Herb Dinner.

JFS was honored to be able to virtually host this year’s Annual Meeting and assure that its members, volunteers and supporters were recognized for their tireless dedication and service to our agency which assists more than 8,000 individuals every year.

For more information on JFS programs and services or to volunteer, call 609.822.1108 x1 or visit jfsatlantic.org.