Management Team
Don Goldman, Executive Director & CEO
Don has a background in marketing, strategic planning, operations, and technology. He spent much of his career as an executive with Sprint and Birch Telecom. His most recent position in the for-profit sector was Chief Operating Officer at Birch Telecom. In the past few years Don decided to refocus his professional energy into the not-for-profit sector. Most recently, Don was the Director of Adult Jewish Learning at the Jewish Community Center. Don holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Telephone: 913-327-8262
Email: dgoldman@jfskc.org
Celeste Aronoff, Director of Administration and Communications
Celeste has been with JFS since 2008, and has extensive experience in administrative management, with an emphasis on organizational management, human resources and operations. Prior to working at JFS, she was the office manager for AMLI Residential in Chicago, overseeing administration in their 100-person corporate headquarters. Celeste graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boston University. She has taught and studied meditation for over 28 years, and returned home to Kansas City in 2007.
Telephone: 913-327-8263
Email: caronoff@jfskc.org
Kristin Brumm, Director of Finance and Controller
Kristin oversees fiscal operations for JFS. She is responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies to support the agency’s mission and vision and ensuring the responsible use of agency funds. Kristin has a Masters degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.
Telephone: 913-327-8294
Email: kbrumm@jfskc.org
Dawn Herbet, Director of Older Adult initiatives
Dawn has been with JFS since June 2007. She directs the JET Transportation Program and Help @ Home, JFS’ “aging in place” program for the 65-plus generation. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and human services from Marymount University and has more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit field. She has worked and volunteered within the Kansas City Jewish community for the past 17 years.
Telephone: 913-327-8239
Email: dherbet@jfskc.org
Adrienne Kizer, Director of Volunteers and Special Projects
Adrienne has been with JFS since February 2001. In 2008, Adrienne took on the role of Director of Volunteers & Special Projects. Adrienne’s focus is on creating volunteer opportunities for all ages that help support the agency programs and members of our community. Adrienne also develops and implements the agency’s special events such as Raise Your Voice for JFS: Boogie to Broadway community friend-raiser, the JFS Annual Board Meeting, and the Volunteer Appreciation Program.
Telephone: 913-327-8257
Email: akizer@jfskc.org
Rachel Krantz, Development Director
Rachel has a background in outside sales, most recently in pharmaceuticals, and previously served as President of the Memphis Jewish Community Center. She combined her professional and volunteer paths when she left the for-profit world to serve as Annual Fund Director at Memphis University School. She earned a BA in Personnel Administration from the University of Kansas. Rachel joined JFS in 2010 as Interim Development Director, and became Development Director in 2011.
Telephone: 913-327-8299
Email: rkrantz@jfskc.org
Richard Odiam, LCSW, LSCSW, Director of Clinical Services
Richard began his clinical practice in 1993 and has worked with a variety of clients in different settings. Long inspired by Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, Nelson Mandela, and others who find meaning, purpose, and vitality in the midst of pain and suffering, Richard recently began incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into his counseling work. The aim of ACT is to help create a rich, full, and meaningful life while accepting the pain that life inevitably brings. “I find ACT compelling as it comes from a point-of-view consistent with those who inspire me. It has also been personally liberating in my own journey of letting go of my struggle with ruminative thoughts and painful feelings and more fully engaging in what’s important to me. I regard my client as a fellow traveller: someone who, like me, gets caught up in painful thoughts and feelings and ends up struggling with life.”
Richard joined JFS in 2009 as Director of Clinical Services and is delighted for the opportunity to serve in such a dynamic and committed organization. In addition to outpatient psychotherapy, Richard oversees the agency’s counseling and case management services. Richard is a licensed clinical social worker, earning his master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas. Along with his work at JFS, Richard teaches graduate students in the UMKC School of Social Work and serves on the board of NAMI-KC. He can often be seen on his bicycle, uphill or down, enjoying the ride.
Telephone: 913-327-4686
Email: rodiam@jfskc.org
Gayl Reinsch, Director of Jewish Employment Services
Gayl Reinsch, Director of Jewish Employment Services, coordinates the program and connects job seekers and employers. She brings a non-profit background and employer relationships to her position. Previously, Gayl connected schools and the workplace as Client Services Manager at YouthFriends. She also created the New Business Development division at United Way of Greater Kansas City, establishing new funding sources for agencies. Gayl has a bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Telephone: 913-327-8278
Email: greinsch@jfskc.org
Rabbi Jonathan Rudnick, Jewish Community Chaplain
Rabbi Rudnick joined the JFS staff in September 2006. He received his bachelor of arts degree in 1988 from Claremont McKenna College, a diploma of International and Comparative Law of Human Rights from University of Strassbourg, a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, a master of arts degree in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University, and a fellowship in education and policy at Mandel School for Educational Leadership. In addition, Rabbi Rudnick has a Master of Arts degree in Jewish Studies from the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, where he was ordained as a rabbi in December 2004.
Telephone: 913-915-7730
Email: rabbi@jfskc.org
JFS Staff
Sondra Atherly, Project Coordinator
Sondra earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies. After working in telecommunications management for 25 years and moving to Kansas City, she changed directions and moved into the non-profit sector. Sondra joined JFS 4 years ago as a volunteer. When JFS began developing older adult programs she took responsibility for coordinating the day to day activities of Help@ Home and JET Express. Sondra directs the agency’s holiday efforts at Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah and assists with various volunteer activities and special projects.
Telephone: 913-327-8265
Email: satherly@jfskc.org
Cathy Banks, Finance Assistant
Cathy has been with JFS since 1998. Her financial background consists of extensive experience in researching and reconciling of corporate bank accounts and developing and writing procedure manuals. She assists the Finance Director with data entry support such as entering accounts payables, invoicing, writing assistance checks and updating program information for financial reporting and agency grants.
Telephone: 913-327-8255
Email: cbanks@jfskc.org
Mary Beth Blackwell, LCSW, LSCSW, Eating Disorder Resource Center Program Manager / Therapist
Mary Beth is in charge of facilitating an adolescent girls program (B.L.I.N.G.) for the prevention of eating disorders within the schools and the greater KC community. She also directs the eating disorder resource center, which provides assessments, referrals, educational support and treatment for individuals who have eating disorders and their loved ones. As a therapist, she works with individuals with eating disorders and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Professional Certifications: C.N.C. (Certified Nutrition Consultant) with the American Association of Nutritional Consultants L.M.S.W. Licensed Masters in Social Work with the State of Kansas
Telephone: 913-327-4690
Email: mblackwell@jfskc.org
Amy Breashears, Older Adult Case Manager
Amy mainly serves as an advocate/case manager for the elderly. She has an emphasis in aging studies and has been a social worker since 1994. She also provides some case management for the emergency assistance program at JFS.
Professional Certifications: Masters Level Social Worker
Telephone: 913-981-8858
Email: amyb@jfskc.org
Anna Feldman, Older Adult Case Manager
Anna is an advocate/case manager for older adults, and predominantly helps the elderly Russian-speaking community. She works with Jewish Senior Network clients and emergency assistance program clients, providing case management and translation services. She also helps with resettlement and acculturation to individuals from the former USSR. Anna has a BA from the University of Kansas in clinical psychology.
Telephone: 913-327-8254
Email: afeldman@jfskc.org
Susan D. Hurst, Adolescent Specialist/C.H.A.I. and Director of Family Life Education
Susie is the Adolescent Specialist for C.H.A.I. (Channeling Healthy Adolescent Interaction). She offers preventive education workshops and individual consultations for adolescents, parents, educators and youth workers. In addition, she serves as the Director of Family Life Education, offering a variety of education and support programs across all age groups. Susie holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MA in Psychology from the University of Missouri Kansas City. She also attended the One Year Program of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Susie earned the local Jewish Teacher of the Year award and the national Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
Telephone: 913-327-8259
Email: shurst@jfskc.org
Christine Jamerson, JSN Coordinator
Christine joined JFS in October 2009 when the Jewish Senior Network and Simcha Food Box programs were transferred from the Jewish Federation. She has worked with these programs since April 2005, and has an extensive background in working for nonprofit organizations. Christine works with the JSN case managers to provide support to new and existing clients of the Jewish Senior Network and the Simcha Food Box programs.
Telephone: 913-327-8105
Email: cjamerson@jfskc.org
Betsy Low, Children’s Therapist
Betsy is a child and family therapist. She provides individual and family therapy to kids from preschool age to high school and their families. She also facilitates parenting groups at the Jewish Community Center and other Jewish preschools.
Professional certifications: LSCSW- Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, LSCW- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri
Telephone: 913-327-8253
Email: blow@jfskc.org
Brooke Nelson, Case Manager
Brooke joined JFS in February 2009 as the case manager for the community assistance program. In 2006, Brooke graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas with a clinical concentration in children and families. Her undergraduate degree is in philosophy and religion. Previously, Brooke has worked in non-profit organizations and for the state of Missouri doing foster care case management.
Telephone: 913-981-8816
Email: bnelson@jfskc.org
Dayle Reed, Administrative Assistant, Billing Specialist
Dayle joined the JFS team in April 2005. She comes with 18 years medical billing experience. Dayle manages the day to day operation of the Missouri Counseling office. She handles all medical billing for the counseling department.
Telephone: 816-333-1172
Email: dreed@jfskc.org
Deborah Snow Sheridan, Licensed Psychologist
Deborah joined the staff of JFS in July 2005 as an outpatient therapist, working with adults and families. She is a generalist but also has specialties in stress resilience, substance abuse and psychological treatment of individual’s with medical problems.
Professional Certifications: Missouri Licensed Psychologist, Missouri Health Service Provider, Kansas Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist.
Telephone: 913-327-4685
Email: dsheridan@jfskc.org
Seroj Terian, Community Handyman
Seroj joined JFS in January 2009 as the Community Handyman for Help@Home, the agency’s aging in place program for the 65-plus generation. He provides minor home repairs and computer troubleshooting to Help@Home members.
He holds bachelor degrees in math and English from the University of Kansas and is experienced in many facets of home construction and repair. Previously, he worked as a technical writer and process analyst for Sprint before leaving the company to start his own remodeling and handyman business.
Telephone: 913-327-8279
Email: sterian@jfskc.org
Catherine Roy Tremblay, Older Adult Case Manager
Catherine came to JFS in October 2008. She serves as an advocate/case manager for the Jewish Senior Network program providing assistance to older adults. She also provides life crisis assistance to case management clients. Her background in social services includes most recently working for a community support service as a case manager in Manhattan Kansas. Catherine holds a Bachelors of Science degree in psychology from Kansas State University.
Telephone: 913-327-8277
Email: ctremblay@jfskc.org