Annual Impact Report
2023-2024
For 46 years, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley has been supporting and empowering those in the community who are facing life's challenges. Through comprehensive service offerings, JFS of Silicon Valley supports thousands of individuals each year, including older adults, families, holocaust survivors and refugees.
Dear Friends & Supporters,
JFS Silicon Valley
Serves individuals and families in Santa Clara County and the greater Bay Area, including refugee clients who have moved to Modesto, Turlock, Fremont, Hayward, Neward, and Monterey.
Serving the community since 1978, JFS Silicon Valley provides comprehensive services to people of all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or ability to pay. And, we continue to honor our original founding focus caring for those in the Jewish community who need assistance, especially the remaining treasured Holocaust survivors. Our dedicated and diverse team of staff, volunteers, supporters and community partners unite under one mission: equipping individuals and families in our community with the tools and resources needed to achieve well-being, self-sufficiency and stability.
Budget Growth
This year, we finished in great standing with a budget of over $12 million. This budget increase reflects the expansion of our services, the number of lives we’ve impacted, additional staff, and the increased demands for enhanced infrastructure. While our budget grows, funders are very restrictive on how funds can be used, making fundraising a continued priority.
Refugee Services:
Individuals and families served: 700
A leading refugee resettlement agency in Northern California and the Western U.S., JFS Silicon Valley welcomes and helps refugees from around the world work toward self-sufficiency. Our comprehensive services include case management, assistance finding and furnishing permanent housing, English language training, career counseling and job placement support.
Holocaust Survivor Services
Individuals served: 250
Our unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity of aging Holocaust survivors remained steadfast. We allocated millions of dollars to ensure they receive the care and support they need to continue living in their own homes.
Project NOAH Community Services
Individuals and families served: 3,000
Project NOAH provides a safety net of case management, advocacy, referrals, and emergency assistance to people in the community facing a life crisis or ongoing challenge. Support programs include The Berkowitz Kosher Food Assistance Program, Embrace-A-Family Holiday Gift Program, Equipped to Learn Back-To-School Drive and Centerpieces for Tzedakah.
Volunteer Services
Volunteers are, and have always been, the heart of JFS Silicon Valley. Last year, 170 individuals volunteered 15,416 hours with the agency. A broad range of volunteer opportunities abound for individuals, kids, teens, families or groups, including ESL tutoring and teaching, friendly visitors for older adults, driving, moving and mentoring refugees, general office assistance, and support for food, back-to-school, and holiday gift programs.
Older Adult and Caregiver Services
Individuals served: 540
The Rick and Doris Davis Center for Aging and Caregiver Services provides a comprehensive menu of services and referrals for adults 60+ and their caregivers so they can live in their own homes safely with quality and dignity for as long as possible. Services include care management, home care services, home safety and fall prevention, food assistance, “Building Connections Community Groups” and friendly visitor volunteers
These accomplishments would not have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional staff, committed board, devoted volunteers, and the generosity of our committed donors. Your belief in our mission has been the catalyst behind these achievements and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
On behalf of all of us at JFS SV, thank you for your support and commitment to the agency, as well as to those we serve.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Susan Frazer, CEO
Our Impact
remained comfortably in their own homes as a result of our care management services.
98% of Older Adults
distributed to food insecure clients.
10,350 lbs of nutritious food
provided to Holocaust survivors.
40,000 hours of homecare services
to refugees of all language levels.
4,200 hours teaching ESL
received comprehensive services enabling them to find security, stability and self-sufficiency.
552 Afghan and Ukrainian refugees
spent helping make our community stronger.
14,000 volunteer hours
“I am really grateful to JFS SV!”
“Severe hearing loss prevented me from participating in everyday activities which was leading to increased isolation. As a senior on a fixed income, the expense of hearing aids and related audiology services were cost prohibitive. Thanks to my care manager Irina at JFS SV’s Center for Aging and Caregiver Services, I received financial aid and assistance with the coordination of audiological services so that I could finally purchase my hearing aids. I can once again hear and connect with friends and family!”
-Rosa, Older Adult Client
Our Team
In the past two years, our staff has grown to 40 employees. The diversity of the JFS Silicon Valley staff helps address the needs of our clients and community. Together we work in collaboration with each other, providers, and local community-based organizations to provide quality, professional services to those in need in our county.
Our agency is now led by a robust and expanded leadership team, comprising visionary individuals who bring unparalleled expertise, determination and strategic thinking to guide us toward unprecedented success and longevity.
Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer:
Susan Frazer, LCSW
VP of Finance & Operations:
Lisa Tran
Dir. of Development & Community Engagement:
Debbie Michels
Dir. of Refugee Resettlement & Career Services:
Michelle Lee
Director of Clinical & Social Services:
Jason Hall
Our Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in guiding and supporting our agency’s mission and vision. They offer oversight and accountability, ensuring ethical practices, financial sustainability and effective governance.
Board of Directors
Executive Board Members
Members At Large
Ruth Bareket, Chair
Rhonda Farber, Vice-Chair
Rich Zbriger, Treasurer
Howard Taub, Secretary
Dr. Joe Isaacson, Immediate Past Chair
Melinda Berlant
Vicky Clark
Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy
Ricki Gafter
Bill Halper
Jessica Intrator
Stephen Kloder
Robin Sabes
Daniela Silverstein
Alice Wald
JFS Silicon Valley partners with many organizations to collaborate and help vulnerable individuals and families in our community. Together we can make a positive impact.
Partner Organizations
JFSSV Annual Meeting 2024
JFS Silicon Valley held its annual meeting on August 22nd, 2024. We couldn't be more grateful to the staff, board members, volunteers, and community members who made it a wonderful and warm-hearted event.
To Open The Evening
Rabbi Josh Berkenwald from Congregation Sinai began the evening with a beautiful invocation, reminding us of Maimonides' eight levels of Tzedakah (charitable giving) and the sacredness of our work in the community.
State of the Union Address
JFS Silicon Valley president and CEO Susan Frazer, delivered a powerful state of the union address, covering the many efforts and achievements over the past year. To read her full address, click here.
Financials
Board treasurer, Rich Zbriger, shared information from the agency's 2024 fiscal year, summarizing JFS Silicon Valley's budget, income and expenses, and the agency's efficient budget management with 90% of JFS' funding going directly to client programs and services. We are proud that our impressive management of funds allows us to do more for those in need in our community! He also highlighted how 88% of JFS' revenue consists of restricted funds with only 12% of the budget available for general operating expenses.
Board Chair Ricki Gafter led us in a fond farewell to retiring board member Rhonda Farber and helped us welcome new board member Hal Hendrickson.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation by staff of the Bobi Shulkin Award for Outstanding Service to 10 of our fantastic volunteers. We also had the pleasure of recognizing two community partners - Fragomen and Temple Emanu-El, San Jose - with the Cal Lubrin Award for their outstanding partnership with JFS Silicon Valley. And board chair Ricki Gafter presented JFS president and CEO Susan Frazer with The Vlada Gelfund Visionary Award.
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We are humbled and thrilled by the deep well of support from our community and loved being reminded of it at this year's annual meeting. The commitment to our mission has never been stronger here at JFS Silicon Valley and we enter this next fiscal year with hope, inspiration and gratitude.
