Volunteer & Donor Profile: Esther Krisman

Esther Krisman came to Los Angeles, by way of London, after spending many years traveling with The Royal Ballet, as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Royal Ballet Company until his retirement. After his retirement, she left the company and decided to vacation in Los Angeles, where she had many friends. One of those friends happened to be William Matthew Byrne, Jr., Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She became the Judicial Assistant to United States District Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. until his passing early 2006.

After retiring, Esther became a more active participant and volunteer with the JFS LIFE (Living Independently in a Friendly Environment) Program. The JFS LIFE Program is a partnership between Jewish Family Service LA and the Park La Brea apartment complex in the Fairfax/Hancock Park area. The program offers older adults who reside in the complex access to JFS’s Arts, Wellness and Engagement programming, on-site activities and events, private consultations with social workers, and more. Esther resides at Park La Brea, and the fit was a natural one.

How did you get involved with Jewish Family Service LA?

“I knew quite a few people who were involved with the JFS LIFE program, but I didn’t know it was affiliated or even what JFS was. I later found out it was the organization behind LIFE. I joined the program and became very involved with it. Now, I know all about JFS and the wonderful work being done every day.”

Tell us about your experience volunteering with the JFS LIFE program?

“Before COVID happened, I helped the director, Mandi Carpenter, with just about everything I could. One of the things I really enjoyed doing was volunteering with the TalkLine. I would call several older adults who were isolated or on their own and just check in on them. Many of them did not have families or anyone else, so they would always wait for me to call them. We all really enjoyed speaking and getting to know each other. I would even send them birthday or holiday cards. I also helped plan events, send out invitations, call our members to remind them of said events, anything that needed to get done, I was happy to help.”

Why do you think it’s important to volunteer with an organization like Jewish Family Service LA?

“It’s really meaningful, and it’s easy to get lost in this type of service. Especially when you’re working with seniors who have needs that need to be addressed. With JFS LIFE, we had people who came to us for advice, and it was nice to be able to point them to a social worker who could help address their specific needs. It’s a service being a volunteer, it’s a service really that you are doing to help the needs of people.”

You’re not only a volunteer, you’re also a donor. Why do you think that it’s important to donate to an organization like Jewish Family Service LA?

“Well, it’s very important. My decision to give a donation now rather than in the future was made while listening to and being very moved by the words of the speakers at last year’s virtual Gala. I realized the responsibility and support that the organization has undertaken for the community, especially during the past few years of the pandemic. I realized how much the organization has done and given, and how truly important the work they do is. “

What do you wish more people knew about Jewish Family Service LA?

“I wish more people could read about and see the wonderful work that Jewish Family Service LA does. And, that it is a non-denominational organization that serves everyone in Los Angeles. “

After COVID shut down the LIFE Program office at Park La Brea, Esther took home the plants that had been left behind to take care of them and hopes to someday bring them back. She continues to check in on the LIFE office weekly.