From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper: July 2023

I know what you’re thinking. How is it possible that we are already talking about, thinking about, and preparing for the return to school and the upcoming High Holy Days? It is true that summer passes much too quickly. But it isn’t just that seasons come and go too quickly (except winter) – the years fly by pretty fast too. As the end of July approaches, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis will bid a fond (and bittersweet) farewell to Ruth Paley, who has served our community for 25 years as a JFCS social worker, counselor, program manager, and in her current role, Director of Children and Family Programs.

Ruth has offered insight, compassion, and a milieu of resources and guidance to a range of clients – refugees from the former Soviet Union who required resettlement, those who faced the challenges of aging, and people with an array of mental health needs. She is a much respected and beloved supervisor to generations of social workers and care managers who had the opportunity to “learn the ropes” from Ruth’s decades of experience and wisdom. Indeed, Ruth leaves a legacy and her contributions will be noted for years to come.

It is staff like Ruth who make JFCS what it is. Our team of over 100 professionals approach each person and situation with individualized attention. Our staff believes in a person-centered approach to problem solving, and our clients and participants benefit from the array of programs and services offered in one location.

Collaboration among our program staff means that when someone comes to JFCS seeking assistance to find meaningful employment, they might also be assessed for adequacy of food supplies or challenges with mental health. When appropriate and necessary, our staff can offer boxes of shelf-stable food or referrals to food shelves, or assist in coordinating an appointment with our counseling staff. These are just a couple examples of the whole-person approach and boundless compassion our talented and dedicated staff provides.

We are proud to attract and retain some of the very best practitioners in their fields. When you need help, we are here for you, always. If you haven’t yet made your gift to our annual GIVE campaign and want to support the work of Ruth and our committed staff and volunteers, it’s not too late!

Enjoy the rest of your summer; as a wise person once said, “don’t count the days; make every day count!”