Board Spotlight: Josh Passman
Josh Passman is a member of the Jewish Family Service LA Board of Directors and vice-chair of the Resource Development Committee. He attended Pitzer College where he majored in Sociology and went on to receive his J.D. from Southwestern Law School. He now owns an estate planning law practice, The Law Office of Josh Passman.
How long have you been with involved with JFS and what/who encouraged you to join?
Josh: I’ve been a part of Jewish Family Service LA since their Young Leaders group started. I don’t know if it was 10 years ago, but it’s been a long time. I had volunteered a little bit at JFS’s former Freda Mohr Center, playing chess with some of the seniors right after college. I got involved through my mom, Shana Passman, who is a longtime, active volunteer with the agency. She is also a current Board member and immediate past Board Chair. So really, it’s all been because of my mom.
Why do you think this work is important?
Josh: JFS is helping the most vulnerable in Los Angeles by giving them the tools they need to be able to have sustained help and recovery from their situations. They take such a holistic approach to their clients no matter what they’re coming for. JFS tries to help clients with everything they can, and if for some reason JFS isn’t the right place, JFS will make sure they get the client to the help they need. They’re just really doing God’s work and doing it an incredible way. And it’s also important to remember that, as a Jewish organization, we are providing care for everyone in Los Angeles.
How long have you been a member of the JFS Board of Directors? What committees and/or projects have you worked on?
Josh: I’ve been on the board since 2014. I was the co-chair of the Young Leaders Group and helped start it. And now I’m on the Board and the co-chair of Resource Development. I love being on the Board, and the best part for me, aside from being able to help families in need, is being able to do this with my mom. That’s my favorite part.
As Gala Co-Chair – what can you share about this year’s Gala?
Josh: We are really excited about this year’s Gala. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase the amazing work that JFS does, and to showcase our honorees who have been so instrumental to the agency. Vicki Gold has worked at the agency and has been involved with the agency for so many years, specifically with JFS Hope, the Domestic Violence program. And so, to be able to highlight the incredible work she’s done is going to be so meaningful. And now with Michael Gendler and what he brings to the table, not only with his network but his passion for Jewish Family Service LA as well, we are just so grateful to be able to honor him this year with the first-ever Susie Forer-Dehrey Spirit of Humanity Award. We were so excited that we got to give the award to Susie last year, and that we were able to name it in her honor. And for Mr. Gendler to be the first recipient of it is special to the Board, because we’re just still so proud of Susie and what she has accomplished and continues to do for the agency.
I’m hoping that we’ll be able to have the Gala in person next year. But I mean, look, the bottom line is it was so great last year, doing it virtual, and we were able to raise more money, because we didn’t have the expense of putting on the Gala. We really just want to continue to provide critical services to people in Los Angeles, in fact more people than ever before. And this Gala is going to allow us to do that.
What have you enjoyed most about being a part of the JFS Board?
Josh: I have so many friends and literal family that are on the Board that I get to serve with. And to be able to do it with my mom, there is nothing better in the world. Especially to see her be so active in the Board, so in action. And to see the impact that she has had on Los Angeles through this agency, it’s just extraordinary. I’m just in such awe of her as a person and as a mother, and now as a grandmother to my children. I just feel so privileged and honored to serve on the Board with so many extraordinary people and the staff who are so tirelessly devoted to the agency and to the clients. And with such dignity for people that really, really need our services.
What does JFS mean to your family?
Josh: It means everything to our family. You know, my parents taught me really early that to give is to receive. And for my wife, Lindsey Rosin, and I, it’s important for us both to give and now show our children just like my folks have done. And we’ve seen that the more we put into JFS, the more that we get back; so, the more I’m able to put in the time, even if I don’t have the time, you know, the better I feel. And it almost gets me more time because I’m feeling better and feeling more energized about my other obligations, which right now between family and work is a lot. But I wouldn’t have it any other way because this is so important to me.
Why should people donate and/or be part of JFS?
Josh: Because selfishly, you’ll feel really good. But more importantly, you’re going to do really good. You’re going to help so many people in Los Angeles with very direct services that are also really smart and holistic; and not just taking into account what they came for but taking into account what they’re going to need in the future as well.
Fun Fact about yourself?
Josh: I’m dyslexic, and I passed the bar on the first time. So that’s pretty cool!
What do you do in your free time/What are your hobbies?
Josh: I spend all my free time with my family right now. My wife and I have two young, amazing children, Helen and Judah, who are the youngest Young Leaders. They will grow up knowing all about Jewish Family Service LA and will hopefully be volunteers when they’re able. But when I do have extra time I love watching dodger baseball, listening to phish and playing poker.
