Jewish Family Service of Tidewater presented at the formal session of the Virginia Beach City Council on Tuesday, May 27. JFS was nominated by Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, Councilmen Michael Berlucchi of District 3, and Joash Schulman of District 9 in recognition of its impactful service across the city and throughout Hampton Roads.
Councilman Michael Berlucchi commended JFS for its unwavering dedication, stating, “Jewish Family Service has been a beacon of hope for many in our community. Their programs transcend cultural and religious boundaries, truly embodying the spirit of service.”
Councilman Joash Schulman echoed those sentiments, adding, “The impact of JFS is felt across Virginia Beach. Their commitment to enhancing lives is evident in every program they offer.”
Brooke Rush, director of development, spoke about key service areas including food security, mental health counseling, senior support, and refugee resettlement. The JFS Food Pantry, for example, provides food for nearly 1,000 clients annually, with a focus on dignity and choice for every client. Embrace Counseling is comprised of licensed trauma counselors specializing in grief and life’s transitions.
Dorothy Salomonsky, director of the Personal Affairs Management (PAM) program, reflected on its evolution, noting how she and JFS helped develop the agency’s guardianship model and established oversight through an advisory board. This model is now adopted throughout the state. “We work every day to meet the needs of our clients. We serve our clients throughout their lives, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect—even after death,” she said.
“As a long-time practitioner of physical therapy, I have used your services and resources and it was magnificent and really valuable, especially for my home bound clients,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said emphasizing the reach of JFS’ impact.
Jewish Family Service’s presence at City Council served as both recognition and reaffirmation of its mission. With continued support from public officials, community donors, and volunteers, JFS is poised to expand its reach and deepen its impact in the years to come.
As JFS continues to evolve, it remains a vital pillar of compassion, dignity, and resilience in Virginia Beach and throughout Tidewater. From its food pantry shelves to its therapy rooms, and from its guardianship program to its home delivered meal efforts, JFS is actively repairing the world—one person, one family, one community at a time.
For more information or to support JFS, visit www.jfshamptonroads.org.
From pantry to advocacy: JFS of Tidewater speaks to VB Council about compassionate service
