Volunteer Profile: Ken Obel

HIAS (founded as Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Immigration & Citizenship volunteer Ken Obel’s reason for honoring the Jewish value of ‘helping the stranger’ began long before he was born.

“Like most people’s in this country, my family story involves immigrants, and for Jewish people, it’s often not that long ago,” said Ken.

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Donor Profile: Eve Samson

Eve Samson’s first contribution to the Response for Teens’ annual fundraising event, Tuned In, was a $25 check written back in 2010. She has been giving in more and more ways ever since.

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Donor Profile: Toby Bernstein & Lynn Freeman

The JCFS Chicago Endowment Foundation helps ensure the continuity of essential life sustaining programs and caring services that JCFS Chicago provides. As an Agency of the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund (JUF), JCFS Chicago established the Endowment Foundation, in partnership with JUF, to meet the growing needs of our community. 

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Donor Profile: Alexis and Jerry Bednyak

Alexis and Jerry Bednyak have become a driving force in Chicago’s philanthropic community. In 2016, the couple founded the Alexis and Jerry Bednyak Foundation to support a variety of causes, including immigrant and refugee rights, educational inequities, medical research, and children’s mental health. While their reach is broad, the couple focuses on “paying it forward” by donating to causes they are personally connected to.

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Donor Profile: Pamela Ruos

Pamela Ruos is a docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and a member of the Response Advisory Council (RAC), a group of dedicated volunteers that generously donate their time and resources to support JCFS Chicago’s Response for Teens program.

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Donor Profile: Michael Capone

Michael Capone, a native Chicagoan and finance professional, became the new Board Chair of JCFS Chicago at our annual meeting in September. Drawing inspiration from his Jewish roots and values, he is passionate about giving back to the community as a volunteer and donor.

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Donor Profile: Rachel Ferber

Originally from the Washington, DC area, Rachel Ferber was inspired to get involved in the Jewish community by her mother, who was a champion of Jewish women’s learning and education. Today, Rachel uses her mother’s example in every aspect of her work as a Jewish community leader, philanthropist, and JCFS Chicago board member.

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