- Meet Our Leaders
JFCS board member, Lisa Bardin has been instrumental in supporting our community through giving to JFCS, serving as a wonderful ambassador, and being a co-chair of JFCS’ popular Fammy Awards Gala. Lisa sets the example for her family and our community by being a true JFCS mensch—a person of integrity and honor who does the right thing by helping others.
After a long and successful career on Wall Street as a Portfolio Manager, Lisa made aliyah and she and her husband, Noam, moved to Tel Aviv in 2003. Her daughter, Shai, was born there two months later and Mika was born 15 months after that. After spending seven years in Israel, she and her family moved back to the U.S. and settled in Silicon Valley. Together they have created a beautiful Jewish family and Lisa notes, “My daughters are proud of being Jewish—and JFCS has helped considerably to strengthen that.”
Board Member, Lisa Bardin, with her husband Noam Bardin
Tell us a bit about the community where you grew up and your background.
I grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey and I remember being one of the only Jewish families in our community. Occasionally, we would drive into Brooklyn to visit my grandparents for Shabbat and I got a taste of the type of childhood my father had. He grew up on Bedford Avenue playing stickball on the street.
When did you become involved in the Jewish Community?
When I went away to college at Brandeis University, I deepened my connection to Judaism. I met other Jews and was accepted for my heritage by my peers for the very first time. It was an important time for me.
Meeting my husband, Noam, in 2000 is when I really started to find greatest meaning in Judaism. He is from a wonderful Zionist family and I learned much about the basic Jewish tenants of giving from them. His grandfather, Shlomo Bardin, is the founder of the Brandeis-Bardin Institute and both giving and building the Jewish Community are important parts of the generational fiber of the Bardin family.
Tell us about your family.
My husband is CEO of Waze, a traffic and navigation app. We have two incredible daughters—Shai is an actress and is currently playing the lead of Peter Pan in the San Jose production. My youngest, Mika, is a competitive squash player and is ranked 2nd in the U.S.
What JFCS programs have your family participated in or benefited from?
My family has benefited from JFCS in so many ways! When a family member faced a serious health crisis, JFCS helped us to coordinate their care.
Additionally, my older daughter, Shai, participated in service learning through JFCS’ YouthFirst program to prepare for her Bat Mitzvah. Both my daughters spend time with community members, including matches made by JFCS with Holocaust survivors, and these special friendships have been so meaningful for all of us.
Some of the more worthwhile interactions I’ve had with my children have occurred when we are visiting with aged survivors. We only have a small window of time left for Holocaust survivors to be with us, and JFCS’ services are invaluable. I don’t have typical hobbies like knitting, but every chance I get, I love sharing time with Holocaust survivors.
I feel extremely fortunate and grateful that my many connections with JFCS have become part of the lives of all my family members.
How do you encourage others to become involved with JFCS?
I tell people that at JFCS there are so many opportunities to help others, and that by doing so you help yourself at the same time. I’ve never seen an organization here in the Bay Area with such wide reach—from assistance with children who have special needs, to senior home care, adoption, emergency financial assistance, and Cleanerific—there are so many important programs to help the community all under one roof.
What is the most rewarding part of your involvement with JFCS?
The programs and community of JFCS help my children grow up with empathy for everyone in the human race. My daughters understand that tzedakah isn’t just about filling a box with change, but is basic Jewish tenant of helping the world.
JFCS is part of the moral fiber of our community and my involvement gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Our family is very grateful.