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St. Louis, MO — Jewish Family & Children’s Service of St. Louis (JF&CS) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has appointed Miriam Seidenfeld as Chief Executive Officer effective February 04, 2019. After a rigorous national search, Miriam has been chosen to succeed L. Louis Albert in the role, which he has occupied for over 29 years. Mr. Albert will be stepping down as CEO but will continue to serve as a consultant for the agency over the coming months.
“This is an ideal time to welcome Miriam as our next CEO,” remarked Board President Stephen Green. “Over the past 29 years the agency has grown and evolved immensely. In addition to our core counseling services, the agency added the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, which now feeds over 6,500 community members each month and the Child Abuse Prevention Program which reaches over 30,000 students each year. The needs of our community are increasing and changing and our financial and operational resources are evolving. We look forward to Miriam’s visionary leadership, experience and energy as she works with our qualified staff and other local agencies to identify the challenges and further increase the positive impact JF&CS has on the lives of those in need in our community.”
Ms. Seidenfeld has more than 25 years of experience working with children and families in non-profit settings, and 15 years of non-profit leadership experience. While Executive Director of Temple Israel in Minneapolis, the eighth largest Reform congregation in the U.S., she oversaw a $30M capital and endowment campaign, supervised a $20M building project, and led the development and implementation of an ambitious new strategic plan. Before her time with Temple Israel, she directed an innovative career development program for middle and high school youth living in the most underserved neighborhoods in New York City. Her skills in fundraising, strategic planning, management, and operations will guide JF&CS as it expands to meet the changing and growing needs of the community.
Ms. Seidenfeld has spent the majority of her career in Minneapolis and New York City, receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Relations from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. She is looking forward to making St. Louis her home.
“I am thrilled to be part of the next chapter of Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s uplifting story. I am honored to have been selected to lead this prominent organization that has impacted the lives of so many people over its 150-year history. I am eager to meet and learn from all who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences of the St. Louis community – and to work together to continue providing compassionate support and innovative solutions to those facing life’s challenges.”
The Board of Directors at JF&CS welcomes Ms. Seidenfeld and looks forward to her tenure as CEO.
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For generations, Jewish Family & Children’s Service has offered compassionate support and practical solutions to help people in our community navigate life’s challenges. JF&CS and its licensed, professional staff assist the elderly, protect children at risk, provide food and services for the needy, resolve family problems and enhance Jewish connections. We serve those in need regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.