Al Siskind kept this transient aid record book, 1974.
L. S. Frankel first collected and distributed money to transients and others in need in the 1930s and 1940s. Frankel established a Free Hebrew Loan Society, under the auspices of the Central Florida Jewish Community Council. This activity was later carried by Al Siskind who was instrumental in the establishment of Jewish Family Services and whose work became part of the organization’s mission.
Collections of the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, originated by Marcia Jo Zerivitz, LHD, Founding Executive Director
The “signing over the books” ceremony when Jewish Family Services (JFS) became a JFGO agency, 1979.
Founded in 1978, the mission of JFS is to provide vital, highquality, innovative services to people in need. Louise Franklin [Sheehy] served as first president and Al Gamson as first executive director until his death in 1989. Original offices were in two rooms at the Jewish Federation campus in Maitland. In 1981, JFS moved to Wymore Road. JFS is currently located in its own building on Lee Road. L-R: Jewish Family Services (JFS) Treasurer Eric Foxman, Federation (JFGO) President Marcia Kerstein [Zerivitz], JFGO Executive Director Paul Jeser, JFGO Bookkeeper Sara Van Hook and JFS Executive Director Al Gamson
Heritage Florida Jewish News
George and Madeline Wolly fostered growth of JFS, 1998.
George and Madeline Wolly were early leaders of JFS and a driving force behind the agency’s success. Each served as president. George went on to serve as interim executive director of JFS after the untimely death of Al Gamson. He later was president of the agency’s national board (Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies). Allen Yasgur, Barry Kudlowitz and Eric Geboff were subsequent executive directors. JFS provides individual, family and group counseling services on a sliding fee schedule, by licensed, master’s degree professionals.
Jewish Family Services
Bank of America Senior Vice President Jodi Hardman (center), presents a check of support to JFS President Mike McKee (left) and JFS Executive Director Eric Geboff (right), 2013.
Local business support is vital to JFS. Bank of America, Orlando Magic and the Orlando Sentinel continue to financially support the services and programs of JFS. One such program, the Family Stabilization Program, is a preventative six-month intensive case management effort to help low-income families achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Jewish Family Services
The Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry honors the dedication of David and Audrey Pearlman, 1995.
In 1995, after years of chairing the Jewish Family Services (JFS) food pantry and making sure its shelves stayed full, the agency formally adopted the name Pearlman Emergency Food Pantry in honor of Audrey and Dave. An estimated two million meals have been given to needy Central Florida residents from this pantry. JFS provides counseling, case management services, and emergency financial aid in the form of rent, mortgage and utility payments. All services are provided without regard to race, religion or nationality to those living in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties.
Heritage Florida Jewish News
JFS participates in the United Way Day of Caring, 2005.
Alcon Labs, manufacturers of laser equipment for eye surgery, chose JFS as the recipient for its Day of Caring project. In all, 250 employees helped create goody bags filled with personal care items and delivered them to the pantry. Shown here are Alcon representatives Dale Schaper (left) and Hillary Schatz (right). JFS Director of Volunteer Services Marlene Farber (center) coordinated the project. Volunteers play a vital role at JFS, from packaging and distributing food from the pantry to delivering meals at holiday time.
Jewish Family Services
Long-time volunteers Emily and Marty Glickstein deliver Passover meals, an example of one JFS program, 2016.
JFS makes a difference in the lives of people through a variety of programs. The RIDE Program (Reliable Independent Drivers for the Elderly) provides transportation to medical appointments, shopping and cultural events at no cost for elderly and disabled adults. Through the Chaplaincy Program, the JFS Orlando rabbi makes hospital visits, provides pastoral counseling to patients and families, and burial for unaffiliated Jews. An intergenerational program, Grandparents Connect, brings grandparents and grandchildren of interfaith marriages together building understanding as they celebrate Jewish holidays.
Jewish Family Services