- Meet Our Leaders
Over the past decade Alex Varum has paved the way for a new generation of young adults to support JFCS and step into leadership roles. He recently joined the JFCS Board of Directors and has been an influential force on the long-standing JFCS Emigre Committee. Originally from the Soviet Union, Alex immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child. He completed his education in the Bay Area and holds a law degree. With his expertise in law and business, Alex has established himself as a successful Bay Area real estate professional and property manager.
Alex, his wife, Natalie Kriegel, a finance professional, and their toddler son live in San Francisco. The young couple are both active in the community and Alex comments, “Staying connected to my Russian-Jewish roots and giving back have been really important to me, and JFCS has helped me do both in innumerable ways.”
Alex Varum and Natalie Kriegel
Tell us a bit about the community where you grew up and your background.
I was born in Moldova and my parents and I were the first of our family to come to the United States. As refuseniks my parents filed our papers with the Soviet authorities, but we were not permitted to leave for three years. In 1983 we were finally permitted to emigrate and we arrived in San Francisco. I was 8 years old.
JFCS was the agency that welcomed us warmly and helped us start our new lives, along with 40,000 other Russian-speaking Jewish emigres who were arriving during those years. I remember that our social worker at the time, Gayle Zahler, sent a wonderful volunteer to come to our home once or twice a week to help us learn English. JFCS answered all of our questions and, among many other things, gave us a grant to buy some furniture, which helped a lot since our family arrived in the U.S. with just $400.
I also remember driving out to a home in Hillsborough to pick up a set of really nice dishes that were generously donated to us. I’m still using some of them today because they are such great quality and an interesting design!
What motivated you to join the Board?
My parents and I eventually settled in Berkeley. Growing up, I had few Russian-speaking Jewish friends. Then about 15 years ago I got involved in JFCS’ newly forming young adult group, (now called RJen) and I had the chance to meet and socialize with other Russian-speaking Jews my own age—people who had the same background and shared similar experiences with me. It was very meaningful and re-introduced me to a big part of my identity, as well as getting me involved with learning about Jewish values and the work of JFCS.
My involvement just kept growing and I joined the JFCS Emigre Committee eight years ago. When Board Member Luba Troyanovsky reached out to me to see if I was interested in joining the Board this year I was delighted. It seemed like an opportunity to play a larger role in serving the community.
What is the most rewarding part of your involvement with JFCS?
I think that when you see that you are actually making a difference in the lives of individual clients it’s an amazing thing. Right now, for example, I’m volunteering to advise Rebecca Paul, JFCS’ Director of Fiduciary Services, on a few real estate matters for the agency’s most vulnerable clients, those for whom JFCS is appointed as legal guardian by the court.
When you are involved in the client services aspect of JFCS you can see just how much the agency is helping people who have no one else to turn to. I get to interact with some of JFCS’ most fragile seniors and it’s very rewarding to know that they will be safe and well-cared-for in the way that my family was when we first arrived as refugees in the United States.
How do you encourage others to become involved with JFCS?
The best way I’ve found is to lead by example. I tell people what I’m doing and why it’s so meaningful and important to me, and then I wait and see if I might have sparked something in them. Whether it is contributing financially, attending a Gala, or volunteering, there are plenty of ways to give back. There is a place for everyone at JFCS.
In the past few weeks I’ve been very involved in raising money for JFCS’ Sonoma County fire relief efforts. It is very gratifying to see the results of everyone coming together to help raise the funds needed to support people who have lost so much.
Anything else you would like to add?
JFCS has enriched my life throughout the years and I’m excited to now be on the Board so I can continue to do the same for others.