(Courtesy of JFSCNJ) After an extensive search, Jewish Family Service of Central NJ (JFSCNJ) is pleased to announce the hiring of Rabbi Russ Shulkes, MSW, as its new executive director. Shulkes is replacing Tom Beck, MSSW, MA, LCSW, who has led JFSCNJ for the past 39 years.
JFSCNJ board member, past president and member of the search committee, Michael Gottlieb, stated, “It is hard to imagine the organization not being run by Tom. He was hired when my mother, the late Lilly Gottlieb, was president, and I enjoyed two presidencies of JFSCNJ under his leadership. He is one of the longest standing executive directors for a Jewish Family Service in the country, and one of the most beloved.” Beck leaves behind a legacy of leading the agency through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, COVID, several financial crises and other difficult times. The agency evolved from more of a volunteer-based organization to one of professional leadership starting as a $300K organization that has grown more than 30-fold.
Shulkes comes to JFSCNJ from Yeshiva University and RIETS, where he was associate VP of institutional advancement and associate dean of institutional advancement for RIETS. His focus there was on strategic planning and fundraising. In addition to his work with RIETS, Shulkes supervised fundraising for the YU high schools, Sy Syms School of Business, YU’s Canada office and more. As an alumnus many times over, Shulkes was very proud of his time there and to be giving back to his alma mater.
Shulkes holds a master’s degree in comparative religion from Florida International University and a master’s in social work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, with a certificate in geriatric and palliative care.
Prior to his work at Yeshiva University, Shulkes served as executive director at Hillels of Georgia and as the Emory University Jewish chaplain. During that time, he expanded programming throughout the state of Georgia, created initiatives to fight antisemitism, taught and developed a dozen cohorts of learning fellowships and staffed many Birthright trips.
Shulkes said, “It is obvious [that] JFSCNJ is the next logical step in my professional journey as a role that perfectly combines so many of my previous roles and passions.”
In reflecting on previous experiences, as far back as providing direct care in a group home at Women’s League, now Makor, during his undergraduate years, he is excited to bring his experience that encompasses so many different roles to his directing of the organization. Most recently, he was both an intern and a volunteer in the Yeshiva University Counseling Center, focusing on mourning and bereavement.
Shulkes is looking forward to expanding JFSCNJ’s services in new directions. He said, “Because of Tom’s leadership, I am fortunate to be taking the helm of a well-oiled machine. This rare luxury for an incoming executive director allows me to focus on the big picture, envisioning where the organization can grow, where it can evolve and respond to what tomorrow’s challenges will be. JFSCNJ’s unique position is directly attributable to the solid foundation established by the board of directors and Tom’s leadership over these past decades.”
JFSCNJ President Jennifer Sofield, speaking on behalf of the board and search committee, is delighted with the hire, and views Shulkes as “the right choice to build on the legacy Tom and the staff established throughout the last four decades.”
Go to www.jfscentralnj.org to view JFSCNJ’s comprehensive list of services. Follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/JFSCentralNJ and on Instagram at @jfs_central_nj. Contact them at [email protected] or call 908-352-8375.
