Edmonton’s Jewish Family Services
Celebrates 50 Years- Again
By Larry Derkach, Executive Director JFS 

This year Edmonton’s Jewish Family Services celebrates its fiftieth anniversary.  Some people in the community recall that a fiftieth anniversary was also celebrated in 1992. 

Like the different new years in the Jewish calendar, the different dates mark significant beginnings, each of which is worthy of recognition. 

Many years of dedicated efforts by individual volunteers preceded the formation of Edmonton’s Jewish Family Services organization.  Indeed, its roots extend to the beginnings of our local Jewish community early in the last century.  As communal organizations formed they shared the task of caring for those in need.  Organizations such as Aznoches Orchem, National Council of Jewish Women, B’nai Brith and the Jewish Federated Budget took lead roles.  No single date marks the commencement of these efforts. 

The Jewish Welfare Society was formed in 1942, to enable grants to be received from the new Community Chest (now the United Way).  The first grant was $2 000, and used for direct aid to those in need, as well as associated administrative costs.  The work was still done by volunteers. 

With the post-war boom, the Jewish community grew.  So did the various problems ordinary people face.   It became clear that volunteers could no longer handle the work, and that to maintain the highest standards of social work and confidentiality, there would have to be paid professional staff and a more formal, accountable organization. 

Thus, with the vision and leadership of group of  concerned citizens, the Jewish Welfare Society was registered under the Alberta Societies Act and part-time staff were hired.  The year was 1955, and it marked the establishment of a modern, professional agency able to meet the increasing demands of the community. 

Clara Mintz had been one of the main driving forces for this move, and she became the first president of the new organization.  The other founding executive officers were Jack Saslow, Samuel Lieberman, Mrs. David Kline, M. Stochinsky, and Matthew Ram. 

In 1961, the name of the agency was changed to Jewish Family Services, to reflect the increasing breadth of the work.  Over the years, scores of men and women have volunteered in various capacities to build the agency. 

The Board of Directors decided that the best way to celebrate the occasion was with a “fun-raiser”, an opportunity to delight in the work our caring and responsive community has accomplished together through Jewish Family Services.  On Sunday, September 18, about 300 people enjoyed a concert of traditional music with the band KlezMerovitz.  There was dancing in the aisles and a freilich feast of finger food followed.