Leonard and Shari Shapiro

Walking into the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center at the JFS Gunther-Hirsh Family Center, you are likely to see Leonard and Shari Shapiro. In fact, you’re so likely to see them that you might begin to wonder if they run the place. But Leonard and Shari are volunteers committed to helping Jewish Family Service LA welcome seniors and other community members to the warmth of our centers.

Leonard and Shari met in 1980 at an event for young Jewish professionals. Shari liked Israeli dancing and Leonard liked backgammon. She asked him to join the dance, and the rest is history. Leonard is a retired civil service employee and Shari is a retired children’s reading specialist. They have two daughters and three grandchildren. When Leonard and Shari walked into the brand-new JFS Gunther-Hirsh Family Center, which opened in Fairfax in 2022, they were blown away. “I picked up one of the activity sheets. I read all about the wonderful activities and services that JFSLA provides,” Leonard said. “Shari and I looked at each other and said, ‘We want to be a part of this and contribute.’”

Shari worked with Kimiko Kelly, Director of JFSLA’s Arts, Wellness & Engagement (AWE) Program for seniors, and Danny Vasquez, Activities Coordinator for AWE, to develop a creative writing class for the seniors at the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center. That class soon blossomed into a creative space where participants could also partake in arts and crafts, board games, and kibbitzing. “We tell a lot of jokes and sing songs,” Shari said.

Leonard started his volunteering by greeting people as they walked into the center. Gregarious by nature, Leonard soon got to know all the regulars. “I felt my primary role was to make people feel welcome,” Leonard said. “To show them that it’s a friendly environment. I’d always give them a smile, and soon I got to know them on a first-name basis.” Leonard started craving more responsibility and now assists Danny Vasquez in the gym and helps serve free, hot meals at Stanley & Anita’s Kosher Café. “My role is engaging with people, making them feel welcome,” Leonard said. “I’ll see a new person in the meal site, and I’ll show them around and introduce them to all the activities at the center. I’ll bring them to an exercise or art class. And I’ll introduce people to each other. We have people from all walks of life, all religions and backgrounds, coming here.”

For Leonard, who grew up in the Fairfax area, volunteering at Jewish Family Service LA is a coming home of sorts. His aunt even worked for JFSLA in the 1950s as the assistant to the executive director. Now he and Shari can be found at the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center Monday through Thursday. And if that wasn’t enough, they sometimes help with the Shabbat Party on Fridays.

Volunteering means so much to Leonard and Shari. It has enriched their lives these past few years. “I feel such joy doing it,” Leonard said. “I go home knowing I made someone happy today, and I get that joy in return.” Shari added, “And I love that I get to be creative and have fun.”

Talking about volunteering with JFSLA makes Leonard emotional. His eyes welled up as he said, “Volunteering makes me feel good that I’m helping, contributing, trying to be a small part of improving someone’s life.” He wiped away tears as he said, “It warms my heart to be of help or to bring a smile to someone’s face who is having a difficult day. Shari thinks everyone can experience the joy and fulfillment of volunteering. “However much time you have,” she said, “you can make a difference.”