Norman Schlossberg attributes his success in the insurance industry to his empathetic ear for people in crisis.  He was no stranger to the devastating effects of illness on a family. “I have seen a lot of life people shouldn’t see,” says Norm of his Brooklyn childhood.  His older sister developed diabetes at 12 and died prematurely—at 47. Norm’s mother died of a stroke at 38, six months after his bar mitzvah. One of the bright spots for Norm during these times of loss was summer camp.  When Norm and his wife, Adrienne, decided to create a Named Fund at JFCS,… Read More

“JFCS is an organization that I have been fortunate to participate in with my children and grandchildren. Through our donor advised fund and our “Morris Family Endowment Fund” for children and seniors our family is confident that JFCS is providing important services for our community—one individual or family at a time.” —Natalie-Ann Morris, Marin County  … Read More

Bill z’l and Marilyn sat for this interview in 2012. May his memory be for a blessing. Marilyn and Bill Sugar have never forgotten the hardscrabble lives of their families, European Jews who escaped the anti-Semitism of the Old World and struggled to learn English and make ends meet in the United States.  From their parents’ and grandparents’ hardships emerged an important lesson for Marilyn and Bill: that coming together to help those in need makes for a stronger community. Following the path of their forebears—who supported their communities through Jewish benevolent societies in Seattle and Akron, Ohio, their respective… Read More

May her memory be for a blessing. For JFCS friend Phyllis Friedman, support of the agency and the community runs in her blood. Her mother, Eleanor Haas Koshland, was the inspiring first female president of the Jewish Family Service Agency (now JFCS), and her father, Daniel Koshland, was a founder of the San Francisco Foundation. Her late husband, Howard, an architect, designed the rebuilt Jewish Home in San Francisco and served as its board president. Looking back upon many decades of philanthropy and civic involvement, Phyllis, who established the Phyllis Friedman Endowment Fund for Children and Families at JFCS, attributes… Read More

“She only wanted to get out of the house.”  That simple declarative has become a mantra to JFCS donor and volunteer Nancy Epstein—and it clearly and succinctly explains why she has committed her time, energy, and resources to JFCS’ Palliative Care Program. Some years back Nancy regularly shuttled between the Bay Area and Los Angeles to care for her mother, Elaine Epstein, an advanced Alzheimer’s patient.  As Nancy was leaving her mother’s house one day to run an errand, her mother begged to go along for the ride. “I told her, ‘No, no, there’s no need for you to come.  … Read More

Lonny Darwin z’l – October 29, 1912 – January 11, 2013 Just as Lonny Darwin shaped the Bay Area Jewish community, many people, places, and passions shaped Lonny.  Our entire community has benefited from her work—whether it be youth who can learn about the Holocaust or the elderly who can enjoy a cultural performance. Lonny was a community leader, a true philanthropist, and a dear friend.  Living for more than 100 years gave her ample opportunity to learn important life lessons from people, passions, travels, and experiences.  Lonny was who she was because of these multiple influences, and none more… Read More