THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED THE JFS 2026 ANNUAL MEETING!
Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
Board President Ian Rubin provides the opening remarks, welcoming attendees at the JFS Annual Meeting
Framingham, MA – June 8, 2026 – Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest—a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides vital social, health, and community services to alleviate suffering, enhance lives, and support people in need—held its Annual Meeting at Temple Aliyah in Needham. The event recognized the dedication of volunteers, staff, and community partners, and included organizational business such as the installation of new board members.
Following a light dinner, Board President Ian Rubin welcomed guests and reflected on the agency’s accomplishments and impact over the past year. He thanked Temple Aliyah for hosting the event and introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Senator Rebecca Rausch.
Rabbi Allison Poirier welcomed attendees on behalf of Temple Aliyah and spoke about the congregation’s partnership with JFS in supporting and resettling refugees. She then highlighted Senator Rausch’s background and connection to Temple Aliyah before welcoming her to the podium.
Speakers Rabbi Allison Poirier and Senator Rebecca Rausch
As part of the Chester and Diane Black Lecture Series on Volunteerism and Civic Engagement, Senator Rausch delivered remarks centered on the importance of community and the power of putting Jewish values into action. She praised JFS for its commitment to “welcoming the stranger” and recognized the agency’s service to approximately 8,000 individuals each year. Senator Rausch noted the strong alignment between her legislative priorities and the mission of JFS, emphasizing the critical role human service organizations play amid changing public policies and growing regulatory challenges. She also discussed key provisions of the recently passed state budget and underscored the importance of working collectively to support vulnerable populations.
The evening continued with the presentation of several awards recognizing the extraordinary contributions of volunteers, staff, and community partners. Chief Executive Officer Lino Covarrubias introduced the CEO’s Roll Up the Sleeves Award, which honors individuals who go above and beyond in support of the JFS mission.
JFS Senior Director of Innovation and Community Engagement Adam Smith introduced the volunteer award recipients, sharing citations that highlighted their dedication and contributions to the JFS mission:
- Michael Albert
- Beth Goldfarb*
- Rachel Seliber
- Garry Weiner*
CEO Lino Covarrubias with Volunteers Michael Albert, Rachel Seliber, and Garry Weiner
Mr. Covarrubias also recognized staff recipients:
- Susan Delahunt*
- Shashona Kaye
- Wendy Kogan
- Mildred Clarisa López*
Director of Operations Systems and Technology Wendy Kogan and Staff Member Shashona Kaye
Senior Director of Philanthropy Jayne Lampert took the podium to present the Ellen Bloch Youth Leadership Award, inviting Berkeley Wolk – a member of the JFS/Rashi Learning and Leadership Council – forward to be recognized for her exceptional dedication, compassion, and initiative.
Left: Candice Wolk, Board Vice President Barbara Schultz, Addison Wolk, Senior Director of Philanthropy Jayne Lampert, and Ellen Bloch Youth Leadership Award recipient Berkeley Wolk
The Community Humanitarian Award was presented by Manager of Immigrant Services Amira Elamri to The Edward Keljik Family (represented by Rody Alay) and Karen Hovsepian of J.E. Furnished Apartments. The award recognized the organization’s extraordinary generosity, compassion, and humanitarian leadership in supporting immigrant and refugee families.
Manager of Immigrant Services Amira Elamri with Karen Hovsepian and Rody Alay of J.E. Furnished Apartments
Mr. Covarrubias also honored staff member Maryann Cardani* as the recipient of the 2026 “Lebold” Staff Award, recognizing her outstanding professionalism, integrity, and commitment to service.
Meet the inspiring individuals behind this year’s awards—click to learn more!
Following approval of the previous year’s meeting minutes and presentation of a positive Treasurer’s Report by Board Treasurer Meyer Levy, former Board President David Milowe welcomed new members to the JFS Board of Directors while recognizing the service of outgoing Board members. Board Member Chase Carpenter was formally installed as Board Vice President for a 2-year term expiring in 2028, and several returning Board members were reinstalled for new terms.
The organization also welcomed the following new Board members who were installed for 3-year terms expiring in 2029:
Adeyemi “Yemi” Ajao
Yemi is an entrepreneur and community-focused leader with nearly two decades of experience designing and leading programs that expand access and opportunity for children and families. Currently serving as Director of Partnerships for Framingham Public Schools, he oversees a broad network of community collaborations, aligning resources and initiatives to support student success, family engagement, and district-wide belonging goals.
Yemi has a strong track record of managing large-scale programs, having previously directed out-of-school time initiatives for the school district and in the community. Prior to that, he served thousands of students and led cross-sector efforts in education, wellness, and workforce development. He is also the owner of Atmos Heating & Cooling LLC, where he manages business finances, branding, and organizational growth.
Being a first generation Nigerian-American, Yemi values embracing and celebrating the diverse backgrounds and identities that people hold. As a bilingual professional fluent in Yoruba and English, Yemi brings a culturally responsive and relationship-driven approach to leadership. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Framingham State University and remains actively engaged in community leadership, mentorship, and youth development initiatives.
He is also an active member at his home church and is a gigging and contracted musician playing in different gospel, R&B/ soul, funk, and afro music environments. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, playing and watching basketball, and traveling.
Jennifer Drucker
Jennifer lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with her husband, Jeffrey, where they raised their three children. Emily, 27, will soon begin her MBA at Northwestern University. Matthew, 25, lives and works in New York. Daniel, 21, is a junior at Pomona College in California. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys reading, playing cards, cooking, traveling, and staying active.
Jennifer has been deeply engaged in the community for more than a decade, with a longstanding commitment to Combined Jewish Philanthropies. She has held a range of leadership roles, including nine years on the Women’s Philanthropy Board, where she helped plan and lead initiatives that engage women across generations, foster meaningful connections, and inspire philanthropic involvement. She also played a key role in organizing programs and events that support vulnerable populations.
From 2018–2022, Jennifer participated in the Journey to Empowerment Program at Jewish Family & Children’s Services, mentoring survivors of domestic abuse through financial education, budgeting support, and connection to community resources. She currently serves on the advisory board for the Center for Basic Needs Assistance (CBNA), supporting initiatives that expand access to essential services for families in need.
Currently, Jennifer serves on the Development Committee at CJP, where she has spent the past three years advancing fundraising efforts and strengthening community impact. She also recently served on the committee responsible for the Community Study as part of the organization’s strategic planning process.
Jennifer has been an active member of the Jewish Family Service of Metrowest MarCom Committee over the past year. In this role, she has helped develop initiatives to engage new audiences while contributing to strategic planning efforts that support development goals and expand the organization’s reach and impact.
Jennifer is honored to join the board and looks forward to contributing her experience, building meaningful relationships, and helping advance the organization’s mission in the years ahead.
Jack Faer
Jack is the Founder and Principal of Faer Risk Consulting LLC, a consulting firm focused on risk mitigation and security. Jack helps individuals manage their personal risk by developing a trusted and pragmatic approach that fits clients’ risk tolerance. It is a unique offering of security, risk management and financial expertise that enables clients to understand how one risk impacts another. Jack works with executives and companies on a range of topics including Enterprise Risk Management, Crisis Management, Succession Planning, Business Continuity Planning, and Corporate Governance, while focusing on business success.
A CPA by training, Jack has specific expertise in various oversight functions, including audit, risk management, security and compliance. His most recent organizational role was as Chief Risk & Security Officer at Iron Mountain. Previously, Jack held senior roles at Fidelity Investments, including Chief Security Officer, SVP of Risk and Compliance and Head of Risk & Internal Audit for the international business. He was SVP of Operational Risk for State Street Global Advisors and a Deloitte forensic accountant. Jack was an FBI agent, specializing in white collar crime investigations and maintains an extensive risk management, security and law enforcement network.
Jack’s global experience included three years as an expat in leadership roles in the UK and Luxembourg and throughout his career, he has led global staffs in audit, risk management and security. He has traveled extensively overseas and managed crises that resulted in threat to and loss of life in locations outside of the US.
Along with a CPA, Jack holds an MBA in Finance and has held several FINRA and other licenses, including a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He has been qualified as an expert witness in the areas of forensic accounting and economic damages in state and federal court.
In 2017, Jack was recognized by Insurance Business Magazine as a leading risk manager. He was also honored by Security Magazine’s as “Most Influential in Security.”
Jack serves on the Board of Directors of MassBike and previously served on the National Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association as Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Executive and Nominating and Governance committees. Jack served as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and has been an Adjunct Professor, teaching a range of business classes. Jack was a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow, designating advanced training in the appropriate functioning of Boards and the role of Directors. Additionally, Jack has raised over $500,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through his long-time participation in the Pan Massachusetts Challenge.
What drew Jack to JFS was an opportunity to impact the local community by lending his expertise to an organization that helps those in need.
He lives in Wayland with his wife, Jo Anne, and is a father of two adult children and three grandchildren.
Helene Gelber
Helene was born and raised in South Florida and now lives in Newton with her husband (Seth) and son (Benjamin).
Prior to becoming a mother, Helene worked at Combined Jewish Philanthropies for seven years and served as the Director of Leadership Resource Development. She also worked for two years as a preschool teacher at her synagogue, Temple Beth Elohim.
Helene currently serves as Vice President of The Rashi School Board, Vice President of CJP’s Women’s Philanthropy, and development committee member at JFS of Metrowest. Additionally, Helene is the Chair of Friends of FASI (Food Allergy Science Initiative). She is following in Benjamin’s footsteps by joining the JFS Board.
In addition to serving as an active volunteer, Helene produces Mitzvah video montages and enjoys playing Mahjong.
Adam Farb – Youth Board Member
Adam attended The Fessenden School from 6th to 8th grade and is currently a Junior at Gann Academy in Waltham. He takes an active role in both his school and local community, serving as captain of his baseball team, leading his school’s annual book drive in partnership with More Than Words, and serving as president of his local CTeen chapter.
Outside of school, Adam is deeply involved in his local Jewish community and runs financial literacy programming through a non-profit he helps run called NextGenInnovators, bringing real-world economics curriculum to middle school students in the Boston area.
Throughout these endeavors, Adam has developed a deep appreciation for leadership, community, and the importance of giving back. He is excited to join the JFS of Metrowest Board alongside an organization doing vital work in the community.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Covarrubias reflected on the challenges facing families and communities today. Citing findings from CJP’s 2025 Greater Boston Jewish Community Study showing that approximately one-third of Jewish households have experienced financial hardship, he emphasized the growing need for strong community partnerships and sustained support for human services.
As economic pressures continue and resources become increasingly strained, he noted that organizations like JFS will play an even more critical role in helping individuals and families navigate difficult circumstances.
He urged a call to action, encouraging attendees to deepen their involvement through volunteering, advocacy, and philanthropy. “Now is not the time to be a bystander,” he urged, emphasizing that the strength of the community depends on collective action and shared responsibility.
In closing he expressed gratitude to all who attended and supported JFS throughout the year, celebrating both the impact already achieved and the work that lies ahead.
*These individuals were unable to attend this year’s annual meeting and were recognized in absentia.
Click here for to see the full list of 2026/2027 JFS Board of Directors.
About JFS of Metrowest:
JFS is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with over 8,000 people within the Metrowest and Greater Boston regions each year, targeting at-risk families, individuals, immigrants, and older adults aging in place. Dedicated to accelerating social, academic and health equity, JFS is:
- Increasing the ability of older adults to maximize independence and quality of life as they navigate the challenges that come with aging
- Supporting the needs of low-income students so they can thrive
- Providing safety, hope and opportunity for refugees victimized by world conflict
- Advancing equity with comprehensive assistance that empowers immigrant families to succeed
- Reducing poverty in our community with case management, basic needs assistance and employment readiness support
JFS provides the tools to meet life’s obstacles to stabilize during a crisis and optimally achieve self-sufficiency, strengthen lives, improve wellbeing, and build a stronger community. JFS’ sound fiscal management practices have earned it a 4-star rating (score=100!) from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.