Jerry Grossfeld kept the faith. He headed Jewish Family and Children’s Service (as JFS was then known), 1976-1989, when the nuclear Jewish family was dropping from the vision of American Jewry.
Besides the intricate and intimate problems brought to his attention, his agency operated in a climate of opinion that challenged its basic presupposition: the centrality of family. Which made the job Jerry Grossfeld did all the more remarkable.
Grossfeld kept a low profile. He was self-effacing. He did not project himself. It was not about him. It was about the people who needed help. He did not confuse personal aggrandizement with professional success, did not substitute visibility for vision.
Grossfeld had a vision during his 13 years of leadership. One does not readily associate “vision” with “consensus.” But then, the realities with which Grossfeld dealt were complex, rarely given to black-and-white solutions. Grossfeld successfully sought consensus.
When he announced his retirement, his board wanted him to reconsider. They knew his abilities — his vigor, his judgment, his sensitivity, his commitment.
In an arena most of whose accomplishments are guarded by confidentiality, Grossfeld had a number of identifiable successes. One was the Jewish Group Home.
To see the people who lived in the home at public events in the community — to see how well they got along, how well they were cared for, and cared for themselves — was to witness Jerry Grossfeld’s vision at work, an ability to coordinate the input of parents, administrators, social workers, fundairsers, kashrut supervisors.
Another success of Grossfeld has had a still broader impact. During his tenure a young Russian immigrant was hired by the agency: Yana Vishnitsky, now its renowned head.
It was an honor to know Jerry Grossfeld, to watch him humbly and confidently carry out his mission.
Copyright © 2014 by the Intermountain Jewish News
