The Jewish Children’s Service Organization (JCSO) installed its 2017-2020 slate of officers and board members at the organization’s Annual Meeting, held Wednesday, June 14 at The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford.

Emanuel’s spiritual leader, Rabbi David Small, offered a D’var Torah in which he shared a story focusing on the dedication and commitment of JCSO’s two incoming co-presidents, Faith Helene and Joanne Pasternack. Pasternack also served as JCSO president in the 1970s, and Helene served as its treasurer.

JCSO’s newly installed officers include: Faith Helene and Joanne Pasternack, co-presidents; Linda Stein, 1st vice president; Anne Cohn, 2nd vice president; Fran Lowenstein, board secretary; Judy Kronick, recording secretary; Bonnie Wolfe, corresponding secretary. Board members for 2017-2020 include: Gail Adler, Debra Feldman, Amy Goldstein, Marsh Kamins, Ellen Lescher, Joyce Libbin, Saul Pasternack, Elaine Siegel, Judy Siegel and Barbara Sperber.

The meeting was also highlighted by the awarding of block grants to several local Jewish schools and camps, including: the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford, Solomon Schechter Day School, Hebrew High School of New England, Camp Shalom, Camp Gan Israel, and JT Connect.  JCSO block grants are used by the recipient organizations to offer scholarships for needy students and campers whose families are unable to provide their children with a Jewish education or a Jewish summer camp experience.

An all-volunteer organization, on Oct. 22 JCSO will celebrate the organization’s centennial anniversary — 100 years of helping Jewish families in crisis by providing their children with clothing, basic needs, day care, school backpacks, Chanukah gifts, scholarships and camperships all made possible by membership dues. And everyone is invited to the party!

CAP: JCSO Officers for 2017-2020: (l to r) Marcia Mizrahi (outgoing president), Linda Stein, Anne Cohn, Joanne Pasternack, Faith Helene, Sharon Budkofsky, Fran Lowenstein, Bonnie Wolfe, Sheila Frankel, Judy Kronick.