Before I came to work at JFS, I thought that I had a very good understanding of the work that this agency does. I knew about the Counseling Services, the Catch-A-Cab Program, the Continuing Education workshops, and the Lifeline Program (now Medical Guardian). Now, as an employee, I’ve discovered that JFS’ service goes far beyond those programs. When I learned about the Teen Life Counts Program, Unaccompanied Minors Program, and Financial Resource Center, I realized that JFS takes care of far more people than I originally imagined.
The work that JFS does for the community at large is not only inspiring to me; it humbles me to know that the work we do impacts a tremendous amount of people in a positive way. It is an extreme honor to be the current Director of Business Services for JFS of Greater New Orleans. As such, I am literally working for an agency that seeks to change the world through kindness, one person at a time. This describes the concept of Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for Repairing the World) perfectly. We are all partners with our Creator in this world. It is our responsibility to do whatever we are able to make the world a better place. This term is better understood as the idea that Jews are called upon to make the world more just, peaceful, tolerant, and equal through acts of charity, kindness, and political action. When we see people who are struggling, it is our responsibility to help. I, for one, take this idea very seriously and try my best to have a positive impact on everyone I encounter. According to our sages, if you help one person through a difficult time, it is as though you did something to help everyone in the world. Some would call this the ripple effect. To me, it’s just the right thing to do…the state of the world is entirely up to us. Please join us in spreading kindness in all of our dealings. Let’s help the world be the wonderful place that we know it can be.
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