Donor Spotlight: Rhonda Farber

Our monthly feature celebrating the people who make our community special.

Rhonda Farber has spent her life helping others succeed. After 40 years as an educator, she found that same purpose at JFS Silicon Valley, where she continues serving her community in retirement. She believes there should never be prerequisites to learning or to receiving help. Just as every student deserves the chance to thrive, every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the support to build a better future. That philosophy has shaped both her career and her commitment to giving back.

1. What inspired you to connect with JFS Silicon Valley?

I worked in the public school system for 40 years; I have always been an educator and someone who believes in helping others succeed. I was familiar with JFS; I had friends on the board, and when I retired, I was invited to join the board and was thrilled to serve my community in a different helping role.

2.  What is it about JFS’s work that feels most meaningful to you?

JFS works to serve the community. There are no prerequisites to need, and JFS

serves that need. I found this philosophy similar to my years in education; there are no prerequisites to being a student. All students are welcome in public school regardless of wealth, birthplace, or prior accomplishments or failures. The same is true of JFS; there is no prerequisite to need. All are welcome, and JFS accepts individuals and families where they are and strives to help them make their lives better.

3. When you think about the impact of your giving, what do you hope it makes possible for the people JFS serves?

I hope my contributions to JFS help empower the individuals and families to achieve their goals.  I want them to believe they can be and see themselves as successful members of their new community.

4.  Why is giving back to the community important to you?

Giving to others in need is what I learned from my parents and grandparents.

In my role as an educator and mother, I have always strived to impart that knowledge to my community, my students, and my children.  Belonging and feeling valued is important for all of us.  One never knows when we might need financial, physical or emotional support.  If we all have shared values of caring for others, we will all live in a much safer, kinder world.

5.  Just for fun: What book is on your nightstand, or what show are you currently watching?

On the nightstand: Judge Stone, Shoe Dog, and London Falling. TV for me is Brilliant Minds and Jeopardy.