A very special message from Sheree Bloch, our Chair of the Boards of Directors & Trustees
Dear JFCS Friends and Supporters,
I am delighted to share two exciting and transformative developments impacting the delivery of care and community support in Philadelphia.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS), I am thrilled to announce that Robin Brandies has been appointed as our next President and CEO, effective September 1, 2025. Robin’s appointment marks a new chapter for JFCS, and we are confident that her leadership, vision, and commitment to serving vulnerable populations will continue to strengthen our mission. Robin brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of leadership and innovation, and a deep sense of compassion.
We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary leadership of Paula Goldstein, who has served as JFCS’ President and CEO these past 14 years. Under Paula’s guidance, JFCS significantly expanded our ability to support individuals and families across the Philadelphia region in moments of need, and she has positioned our agency for long-term growth and sustained impact. With Paula’s planned retirement, we retained an experienced executive recruitment firm to conduct a thorough and thoughtful search for a new leader with the skills, experience, and strength of character to build on Paula’s legacy.
Following a rigorous vetting process, Robin Brandies emerged as the unanimous choice of the JFCS Search Committee and Board. Robin is an experienced leader in nonprofit operations with the strategic vision, analytical problem-solving skills, and tenacity to guide JFCS through times of change. Her deep experience in program development, community collaboration, and fundraising makes her exceptionally well suited for this role.
For the past two years as President and Executive Director of the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life (Abramson Senior Care), Robin launched a new care management model focused on dementia and chronic illness, secured an innovative partnership with primary care providers, and oversaw an organizational restructuring that increased the population served.
Robin joined Abramson a decade ago to lead fundraising and communications before being named President. Previously, she was a development professional at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and at Temple University School of Social Work. Her academic background includes a J.D. from Duke University School of Law, a B.A. from Barnard College, and a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Over the summer, Robin will work closely with Paula and the JFCS executive team to ensure a smooth transition. By the time she steps into the CEO role this fall, Robin will be deeply familiar with our mission, programs, and organizational culture.
The JFCS Board has full confidence that Robin is not only an exceptional match for the role, but the right leader to ensure the continued strength and vibrancy of the organization.
More Exciting News
At JFCS, we’ve long believed in the power of collaboration to strengthen our mission. Over many years, JFCS has been intentional about leveraging community partnerships to expand our capacity to serve those in need. Today we are excited to announce that JFCS and Abramson Senior Care’s respective Boards of Directors have approved the signing of a Term Sheet for a Merger. This potential merger, subject to regulatory approvals, represents the joining of two legacy institutions, each with a deep-rooted history of service, compassion, and commitment to the most vulnerable in Philadelphia’s elderly Jewish community.
A merger of our two organizations will bring together our complementary strengths, creating an exceptional single resource in Greater Philadelphia for older Jewish adults and their caregivers seeking a comprehensive range of resources, programs, and services along the social services and healthcare spectrum. Together, we will offer an even wider array of programs and services tailored to the diverse and evolving needs of our aging populations.
The Term Sheet for a Merger formalizes ongoing discussions and sets the two organizations on a path toward a final merger agreement, which is subject to regulatory review. In the coming months, we will keep you informed about the progress of this merger and the opportunities it creates.
Charting Our Path Forward
These two important milestones in JFCS’ journey—the selection of our next CEO and a potential merger with Abramson Senior Care—have moved forward on parallel but separate tracks. Neither was dependent on the other, and neither influenced the outcome of the other.
We are grateful for your continued support and engagement as we embark on this exciting new chapter.
If you are on Abramson’s mail list, you will receive a similar communication from them today. If you have any questions, please write to us at info@jfcsphilly.org.
Sincerely,
Sheree Bloch
Chair of the Boards of Directors & Trustees