News & Impact

Annual distributions from the Mae Mandl Scholarship Fund are used to ensure that young people traveling or studying in Israel have the opportunity to explore the country, its people, and their Jewish identity in greater depth, as Mae was able to on her own visits.

The Mae Mandl Scholarship Fund was established by a former JFCS employee in loving memory of her husband, Max Mandl, and also of her parents and two younger sisters, who didn’t survive Hitler’s regime. 

Soon after immigrating to the United States in 1941, Mae Mandl was hired by the Jewish Family Service Agency, one of JFCS’ immediate predecessors, and quickly became a valued employee in the Accounting Department, which she ultimately headed for 20 years. As the agency grew, so did Mae’s responsibilities, which included preparing all financial reports for JFCS‘ Board of Directors, government agencies, and various Jewish sister organizations, such as Homewood Terrace and the Jewish Home, as well as overseeing the agency’s payroll and personnel functions.

Some of Mae’s most vivid memories included the introduction of the first-ever coffee breaks for employees and the regular Thursday luncheon outings with her co-workers, as well as the accommodations the agency willingly made for her, setting up a temporary “office” in her Mt. Zion Hospital room as she recovered from the terrible auto accident that had taken her husband’s life. She also fondly remembered being able to bring Mr. Chips, her poodle, to the office, where he occasionally served as a gentle therapist for children who were afraid of animals.

Upon her retirement in June 1973, after 32 years in the red brick building at 1600 Scott Street, Mae was sad to leave behind her many friends. Yet she looked forward to retirement as well. She more than filled her hours, mastering the art of Braille transcription, serving on the boards of several nonprofits, and volunteering in the gift shop of a local hospital before her death in August 2004.

Shared from the Heart

I wish I could express my feelings,
My thanks more eloquently,
And talk about my life and dealings
With JFSA, so close to me.

I can however, in a simple way
Depict what’s in my heart:
These years I spent with JFSA
Were happy from the start.

They now add up to thirty-two!
To me, they seem like one!
I made good friends, more than a few,
And better ones are none.

I must admit the job was tough
At times, and quite demanding;
The going got quite often rough
But the boss was understanding.

I loved it all! Now that it ends,
I wish to thank every one,
The Board, the staff, my many friends,
For making my work great fun.

—Excerpts from the poem Mae wrote for her retirement from JFSA in 1973

If you would like to start a Named Endowment Fund at JFCS, please contact [email protected] or 415-449-3858.