As a key part of our mission, JCYS is committed to guiding young professionals to develop the skills needed for a lifetime of community service and philanthropy.

Through our Board of Directors, JCYS provides guidance on non-profit governance, legislative policy, business programs, financial management and fundraising. JCYS Board Members are primarily between the ages of 26 and 40 years old and participate in a dynamic, comprehensive and intensive leadership development experience.

JCYS 2023-24 Board of Directors at Samba with the Stars
JCYS Board Presidential Trio at Samba with the Stars

Board Members experience hands-on responsibilities through:

  • Establishing the agency’s mission and strategic plan
  • Overseeing the agency’s budget and investments
  • Approving and monitoring facility improvements
  • Championing the agency’s fundraising campaigns
  • Amending by-laws

Through exposure to the full scope of the agency’s operations, Board Members are equipped to assume key leadership roles throughout JCYS and in the greater Chicago area.

Join Our Board

If you are interested in joining our Board, please contact Samantha Jakubowski at sjakubowski@jcys.org or (312) 726-8891.

JCYS has over 600 treasured Alumni who helped make Jewish Council for Youth Services the organization it is today. If you are a JCYS Board of Directors Alum, we welcome the opportunity to reconnect with you!

JCYS Board at JCYS Leadership Development Boot Camp 5.0 in February 2024

2024-25 Board Members

Josh Beren – President
Max Fargotstein – President-Elect
Carly Newman – Immediate Past President
Benjamin Altshul – Vice President of Development
Katie Nowicki – Vice President of Leadership Development
James Arogeti – Vice President of Strategy and Innovation
Ian Shaffer – Assistant Vice President of Strategy and Innovation
Jason Zenner – Treasurer
Zack Karmin – Secretary
Rachel Seserman Patzik – At Large
Suzanne Hershman Secler – At Large

Robert Friend
Laura Gottlieb
Noah Jaffe
Courtney Rosenfield Kalter
Leah Knobel
Morgan Marcus
Mike Neff
Josh Olian

Designates to the Board

Jessica Bernstein
Roni Cohen
Seth Greenberg
Lianne Epstein Jacobs
Brad Levin
Jordan Multack
Madeline Remish
Dan Thalheimer

Past Presidents

See our distinguished list of Past Presidents.

Directors for Life

See our distinguished list of Directors for Life.