Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia Names Robin Brandies as its Next President and CEO
Jewish Family and Children’s Service and Abramson Senior Care Announce They Have Signed a Term Sheet for a Merger
Philadelphia, PA (June 12, 2025) — Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS), with its unique and vital mission to strengthen families and individuals across generations and cultures to achieve stability, independence, and community, announces the appointment of Robin Brandies as its new President and CEO. Ms. Brandies currently serves as President and Executive Director of Abramson Senior Care which, for nearly 160 years, has ensured that frail Jewish seniors have the opportunity to age with dignity, independence, and choice through access to needed healthcare services and supports. At JFCS, Ms. Brandies will succeed longtime President and CEO Paula Goldstein, who will retire on August 31. Ms. Brandies assumes the role on September 1.
In addition, JFCS and Abramson Senior Care jointly announce the signing of a Term Sheet for the merging of their two organizations. Discussions regarding the potential merger stem from the long-standing partnership and parallel commitments of both organizations to serve vulnerable older adults throughout the Philadelphia Jewish community.
The merger will create an exceptional single resource in the Greater Philadelphia region for older Jewish adults and their caregivers seeking a comprehensive range of resources, programs, and services along the social services and healthcare spectrum, tailored to the diverse and evolving needs of our aging populations and their families.
Ms. Brandies was identified as the top candidate to lead JFCS as the result of a thorough and thoughtful search process, managed by an experienced executive recruitment firm. The decision to offer Robin the position was unanimous among JFCS Search Committee and Board members.
“Robin is an experienced leader in nonprofit operations with the analytical problem-solving skills and tenacity to build on Paula’s legacy and lead JFCS into the future,” said Sheree Bloch, Chair of the JFCS Boards of Directors and Trustees. “Her deep experience in program creation, community collaboration, and fundraising ensure JFCS will sustain our trajectory of innovation and growth so that we can support more individuals and families in our region in moments of need.”
Ms. Brandies is a dynamic executive with a proven record of accomplishment. For the past two years as Abramson Senior Care’s President and Executive Director, Ms. Brandies 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 Abramson serves.
Caren Barnet, JFCS Board Chair Elect, said, “Robin is the right leader to steward our essential organization forward and broaden our reach. She is a person of integrity and intellectual curiosity with an authentic belief in JFCS’ mission. What’s more, she is a compassionate leader who will nurture our culture of innovation, transparency, and inclusion.”
Ms. Brandies joined Abramson a decade ago as its top fundraising and communications executive. 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.
“I am deeply grateful to the search committee and board who have placed their trust in me to lead JFCS at this pivotal time,” Brandies said. “The mission of JFCS is more crucial than ever. I am fully committed and looking forward to working with the staff and board to sustain and grow JFCS so we can continue to serve Greater Philadelphia’s vulnerable populations. I am also immensely grateful to Abramson Senior Care for the opportunity to have been part of the organization’s extraordinary journey caring for seniors.”
“It is a testament to the strength and spirit of collaboration in our Jewish community that two exceptional organizations are coming together to benefit vulnerable seniors,” said Neil Model, Chair of the Abramson Senior Care Board of Trustees. “We are excited to bring Abramson’s years of expertise and quality services to JFCS, where we look forward to expanding the reach of our mission. We are also delighted that JFCS has hired Robin to be their new CEO, as we have great confidence in Robin’s leadership.”
“Jewish Family and Children’s Service and Abramson Senior Care share deep roots that date back to the mid-1800s,” said Michael Balaban, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. “This merger, combining their shared expertise and compassion, stands as a bold step forward in elevating and enhancing care for community members across Greater Philadelphia. We celebrate Paula Goldstein, for how she has led JFCS over these many years and her dedication to positioning the organization for the future. We look forward to Robin Brandies as she carries that vision forward in continuing to strengthen support for lives across our Jewish community and beyond.”
“Pennsylvania is the fifth oldest state in the nation by population, and by 2030, one in three Pennsylvanians will be over the age of 60 – up from one in four right now. Valued and trusted older adult organizations like Jewish Family and Children’s Service and Abramson Senior Care must continue to serve communities and remain the critical partners we need to improve the lives of every older Pennsylvanian,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “This merger will no doubt benefit the thousands of older Jewish adults they serve and countless others in their community. Under the Shapiro Administration, we have developed a 10-year road map to serve older adults called Aging Our Way, PA—addressing everything from transportation and housing to meals and social settings—and are investing millions to boost transparency and accountability of our AAA Network that protects older adults, among other things. The Department of Aging shares the values of these important community organizations, and we congratulate them for bringing this exceptional single resource to the Philadelphia Community.”
The execution of a Term Sheet for a Merger formalizes ongoing discussions and sets the two organizations on a path toward a final merger agreement, which, once executed, will be subject to regulatory review. The parties hope to complete the merger during the next few months.
About Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS)
JFCS of Greater Philadelphia has a unique and vital mission: to strengthen families and individuals across generations and cultures to achieve stability, independence, and community. JFCS provides quality social and community services across the life spectrum to enhance the lives of families, children, and individuals. Guided by Jewish values, the services are available to all in the Greater Philadelphia Region. For more information, visit www.jfcsphilly.org.
About Abramson Senior Care (ASC)
For nearly 160 years, Abramson Senior Care has enhanced the lives of seniors and family caregivers by providing extraordinary care, partnering in their personal journeys, and rooting its approach in Jewish values. Abramson connects seniors and families to coordinated healthcare and comprehensive support to ensure that seniors have the opportunity to age as safely and independently as possible. For more information, visit www.abramsonseniorcare.org.