Archives for February 2026

Chris Nufer didn’t plan to start over later in life—but he found a deeply rewarding new path as a counselor at JFS Richmond. Before joining JFS Richmond, Nufer spent more than 30 years in advertising, running a small radio creative boutique with national clients. In 2006, he sold the business, thinking retirement was next. “It […]

For nearly 35 years, Sydney Fleischer has been part of the fabric of JFS Richmond, growing alongside the agency and helping shape its clinical leadership. “When I came here, I was living in Washington,” she said. “Even though I grew up in Richmond, I didn’t know about Jewish Family Services.“ What began as a new […]

Home Care Supervisor Dana Conrad’s path to JFS Richmond was anything but traditional. “I chose JFS, initially, because the person who did my interview, who is now my boss, I really liked her,” Conrad said. “Knowing that she came from the business-side, I was wanting to learn more, which I have. Also, the fact that […]

When Sonni Gittelman first walked through the doors of JFS Richmond as a graduate student intern, she immediately felt a connection. “I’m Jewish and one of the tenets of Judaism that I feel most strongly about as a social worker is Tikkun Olam, which means repair the world,” Gittelman, who is now a clinician, said. […]

JFS Richmond has been recognized for its commitment to staff development, earning the Leader in Training Award from Activated Insights. This award honors organizations that prioritize professional growth and training, helping ensure high-quality care for the communities they serve. To achieve this distinction, JFS Richmond met the award’s criteria, including having more than 10 Care […]

Timur was once a successful farmer and businessman in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. His life changed dramatically after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, when large areas of southern Ukraine were occupied. The town of Enerhodar, where Nadirov lived, was among those taken by Russian forces. Unwilling to remain under occupation, Timur made the difficult decision […]