Terrie Goren joined the JSS team as Executive Director in July 2010.  Terrie came to JSS with a diverse background in fund development and Jewish communal life dating back nearly thirty years of serving the community in both professional and volunteer roles.  Terrie and her family relocated to Madison in 2007.  Some of Terrie’s past appointments include:  serving as Executive Director of the Madison Public Library Foundation (2007-2010) where she was responsible for raising significant funds for branch libraries, endowments and general support for the Madison Public Library, the Director of the Lehigh University Hillel Society (2001-2006), and President of a large conservative synagogue in Allentown, PA (2002-2006).

 

Terrie is enjoying her role at Jewish Social Services.  According to Terrie, “JSS is a wonderful organization that plays an integral role in the Madison community.  We are blessed with very fine social workers, a committed board of directors, and a cadre of dedicated volunteers making it a pleasure to serve as Executive Director.  Through our collective work, JSS has established itself as a well respected agency in Madison. It is an honor to be part of this fine organization.” 

 

When calling, e-mailing or visiting JSS, Carly is probably the first person you'll meet. She joined JSS in January 2011 and provides administrative support for our fundraising, gift processing and communication initiatives. Originally from Minnesota, Carly received a BA in Journalism and Political Science from Indiana University. She recently relocated to Madison, after 3 years of working for a large Chicago non-profit. Have a question about a recent gift, fundraiser or our communications and marketing materials? Contact Carly

 

Barbara Spierer, LCSW is the Associate Director of Jewish Social Services.  She has been with the agency since 1982, and has administrative, supervisory and direct service responsibilities.  In addition, she edits Connections, the JSS quarterly newsletter.

 

While not a psychotherapist, Barbara is available to assist individuals and families under stress with a variety of issues. She is particularly experienced in helping individuals who have special needs due to mental and/or physical challenges and is a valued resource and source of emotional support for their family caregivers. She is knowledgeable about and can assist in applying for and managing government benefits, finding appropriate housing and coordinating a sometimes complex array of services.

 

People come to Barbara with other issues including domestic abuse, financial difficulties, joblessness, substance abuse, and more. While finding solutions, particularly in these challenging times, may be difficult, over the years, thousands of individuals have found Barbara to be very  knowledgable, helpful  and supportive. Contact Barbara

 

Following a decade in Israel, Francie Smith Saposnik returned to Madison in 1983 and began her work with Jewish Social Services.  As Director of Senior Services, Francie provides case work and counseling services including discharge planning, grief counseling, consultation with families, and help with life transitions. She also helps people cope with emotional issues, Holocaust related cases, caregiving of the elderly, long term planning, housing options, and more. Her work with senior programming, includes Lechayim luncheon events, Senior Summer Programs, intergenerational opportunities, and ecumenical connections.  Francie provides Jewish outreach to hospitals and Hospice as well as group programming around Shabbat and major Jewish holidays in retirement communities and nursing homes.  

 

Raised in Rawhide, CA, Francie attended the University of California at Berkeley, Haifa University in Israel, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison from where she received her MSSW and later taught on the faculty of the School of Social Work.  She has received training from the National Jewish Healing Center, Family Therapy symposia, and National Jewish Hospice.  Francie is committed to each individual and family she serves and is inclusive of all peoples who request services. Contact Francie

 

Janice Beers, Director of Immigrant and Refugee Services:  Janice started working at JSS in 1990. Janice led JSS’ Resettlement effort of refugees from the Former Soviet Union. She is fluent in Russian and continues to provide casework, case management and interpreting services to the Russian-speaking community. In 2005 Janice became Dane County’s first Accredited Representative with the Board of Immigration Appeals. This accreditation allows Janice to represent immigrants in a variety matters at the Milwaukee United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

 

Originally from Wayne, NJ, Janice moved to Madison in 1988. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Slavic Languages and Literature and holds a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to being fluent in Russian, Janice has studied French, German and Swahili. She is currently studying Spanish. If you have questions regarding legal immigration matters or are looking for a Russian interpreter Contact Janice

 

Louise Goldstein, Director of Volunteer Services and Senior Group Programs:  Louise directs the JSS volunteer program, and arranges Social Recreation programming for seniors.  She was a JSS volunteer herself, and returned to JSS in 2003 after starting and directing an award-winning volunteer program for a large parks department. She has an MSW from the University of Michigan, and became a Certified Volunteer Administrator in 2006.

 

Louise believes that volunteering should be meaningful, fun or both, as defined by the volunteer.  She welcomes you to contact her about volunteering – or having a volunteer – and invites you to participate in our Social Recreation programs for seniors.  Contact Louise.