- Meet Our Leaders
Ian’s work with JFCS spans nearly three decades, including being one of JFCS’ longest serving board members. Since first joining the Finance Committee, his relationship with JFCS has blossomed immeasurably; his compassion and big heart have inspired so many in our community. Ian says, “I’ve had broad involvement with the Jewish community with many other agencies and synagogues, but I found my home at JFCS.”
Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and your background.
I grew up in Albany, New York. My parents were active in the Jewish community and we are all still very close. We now have three generations celebrating the High Holidays together each year!
The synagogue that I was raised in was a “traditional” reform congregation. It was founded by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, a very forward thinking figure. Under Wise’s leadership our congregation was the first in the country to include women in the minyan—way back in 1847.
In college, I studied math and economics and graduated with honors from Yale University. Since then I’ve worked as a licensed actuary and run a boutique pension consulting practice.
Board member Ian Altman with his family at the World Series.
Have you always been involved in Jewish leadership and community?
The answer is definitely yes. I was in the first Bay Area fellowship cohort of the Wexner Foundation, a Jewish educational and training program for aspiring leaders. (Dr. Anita Friedman, JFCS’ Executive Director, was also in my cohort.) It was a great experience; we shared learning opportunities with the best Jewish scholars in the country.
More recently, I have been fortunate to be part of bi-weekly hevra (study group) led by Rabbi Larry Kushner, an incredible Bay Area Jewish scholar. It is a wonderful and deeply meaningful experience for me to study Torah with a great teacher and a warm group of colleagues.
What is the most rewarding part of your involvement with JFCS?
JFCS focuses on those who have the most need. We live in a time and place where the rich get richer and the poor get forgotten. I believe that JFCS is one of the best organizations that is taking care of the underserved; and it does so effectively and in many ways. This is very rewarding to me.
A few years ago my family and I were given the opportunity to help one of these rewarding programs in a desperate situation. In 2011, when California state government was making its first major budgetary cuts in social services, there was a small program run by JFCS on the chopping block. The program provided in-home care to adults with disabilities in Marin County. If not for this program, 100 or so individuals would be forced out of their homes and into institutions, or worse. This program was their lifeline.
Basic human values—not just Jewish values—require us to provide assistance to those less fortunate. My family and I supported the program until long term funding was found or reinstated. As a family, it wasn’t acceptable for us to do nothing when we could help our neighbors. That’s why JFCS’ programming speaks to us—it helps those who need it the most.
Has JFCS helped you directly, and have you used the services in some way?
Everybody needs help sometime and there have been several times my family has called JFCS for services. The first time was for home care to assist a family friend who had taken ill. With one phone call we had a caregiver scheduled through JFCS’ Seniors At Home. Since then, my wife and I have received excellent professional assistance when we have had questions about our aging parents. I don’t know what I would have done in these cases without JFCS; it is second nature for me to call the one place I know I’ll get expert and immediate service.
Tell us about your family
My wife,Laura Scher, and I have lived in Tiburon since 1989. We have two children, Alison and Jonathan. We are HUGE Giants fans and catch many games throughout the season.
How do you encourage others to become involved with JFCS?
I would say that everything that JFCS does, it does well. JFCS is an organization that upholds a standard of excellence. I let others know that their contributions in time and/or money will be generously rewarded. It is an organization that does the right thing.