This Women’s History Month, we honor not only the trailblazers who have shaped history—but also the extraordinary women who have shaped our history at Jewish Family Service of Metrowest.
Since our founding in 1979, JFS has grown from a small, volunteer-led effort into a vital community organization serving thousands each year. From the very beginning, women have been at the heart of that journey—leading with compassion, vision, and unwavering commitment to those in need.
In those early days, Julia Michelson (z”l) coordinated JFS’s first Information and Referral Service, helping lay the groundwork for what would become a cornerstone of support for the community.
Soon after, Candace Mandel, JFS’s first Director, guided the agency through a period of rapid growth—expanding programs, hiring clinical staff, and strengthening its ability to meet emerging needs.
She was followed by Helene Kress, whose leadership continued to build the organization’s reach, innovation, and impact.
These women—and many others who followed—did more than lead. They built systems of care. They expanded access. They ensured that JFS remained responsive to the evolving needs of families, older adults, immigrants, and refugees across our community.
Since its inception, JFS has embodied the value of supporting vulnerable individuals with dignity, compassion, and respect.
That mission has been carried forward by generations of strong, capable women—staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners—whose leadership continues to shape our future.
Today, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize that JFS’s story is, in many ways, a story of women’s leadership. Their dedication has helped transform lives, strengthen families, and build a more compassionate community for all.
Here’s to the women who built JFS,
The women who lead JFS today,
And the women who will shape its future.