JFSLA CEO’s Message of Resilience and Commitment
The following are excerpts from a speech given by Eli Veitzer, JFSLA President & CEO, at the July 14th Board of Directors installation ceremony. To everyone in our JFSLA family: thank you for making our indispensable work possible. For the thousands of people whose lives we touch every year, you make a critical and tangible difference.
“Good evening. It is so lovely seeing everyone here. It is so lovely seeing this Board Room transformed into such a beautiful venue for this event. And it’s lovely to celebrate a happy occasion together.
Unfortunately, outside of these walls, the world is not so lovely. These are truly difficult times. These are truly awful times. Awful times politically and socially in America. Awful times for Jews in America – for Jews in the world. We find we must fight for so many things we took for granted, only a short time ago. And it’s not even clear how to do that. It’s as if what we might want to preserve has crumbled to dust in our hands. Increasingly, it’s not clear what’s left to preserve, other than an idea and a memory.
I’ll share with you what I think is still tangible, and still preserved. Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles. We are, and will continue to be, a reflection of the values and commitment of Los Angeles’ Jewish community. We are and will continue to be of service to the Jewish community, and to all in Los Angeles who need a helping hand.
We serve with a clear commitment to uphold the dignity of each individual. We serve with a clear commitment to excellence. We serve with a clear commitment to uplift our city and our community. That’s been true for 170 years. And it will continue to be so.
If the chaos and fear out there are disorienting and overwhelming – and they are – come inside to JFSLA. Because in our little world, it’s just people helping people.
Your values are intact here. The world you want to live in – a world of caring and respect, a world of kindness and generosity of spirit, a world that heals rather than hurts – that is the world within these walls we call Jewish Family Service LA.
Whatever happens out there, we will continue to pursue our mission with vigor and optimism, reflecting and living the values that have animated our agency for 170 years.”
