William “Bill” and Renée Rothmann along with Bill’s siblings, John Rothmann and Susan Rothmann Seeley, were honorees at the 2nd Annual Fammy Awards Gala in 1986, the year the event officially became a tradition. “We were huge Gala goers,” said Bill, reflecting in 2018 on the JFCS fundraiser. “The Fammy’s were my wife’s favorite. I don’t know that we ever missed one.” Bill has always recognized the importance of family, and when it was suggested that he be honored for his leadership he said yes, as long as his family was included, too. Bill’s family plays a central part in… Read More

The dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Nancy Livingston z”l and Fred Levin, together honored a family legacy to support the Jewish community. Well-loved patrons of the Bay Area’s arts scene and married nearly four decades, they were the type of couple who regularly completed each other’s sentences. They were steadfast and passionate supporters of JFCS for over fifteen years, having served on JFCS’ Special Events Committee and worked on the Annual Campaign. Nancy, who died in 2019, once said, “The scope of JFCS’ work is truly amazing.” It is our privilege to share this 2018 interview with Nancy and Fred. How did… Read More

Siesel Maibach may still have a slight Southern accent from her childhood in Louisiana, but don’t let that fool you—she’s been in the Bay Area for many years. A successful art consultant for decades, you can view a sample of her work at JFCS’ assisted living community, Rhoda Goldman Plaza, where she placed 350 pieces of beautiful art. Siesel has served JFCS in a multitude of vital capacities over the past 40 years. As Board President in the 1980s, her leadership stewarded JFCS through challenging times. A longtime member of JFCS’ Endowment Committee, she has made an estate gift… Read More

Gerson Bakar z”l, a Beloved Visionary, Remembered You might not know of Gerson Bakar z”l by name but you have almost certainly seen his work in San Francisco. Levi’s Plaza, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the UCSF Mission Bay campus—these are just a few of the iconic San Francisco institutions that Gerson helped bring to life. Gerson, who passed away in June 2017, supported many charitable projects, yet it was giving back to his Jewish Community that brought him the most satisfaction. He once said, “Asking me why the ‘Jewish Community’ is important to me is like asking… Read More

For decades, Carl Grunfeld, MD, PhD, has been a well-loved and deeply knowledgeable JFCS supporter. He and his family have strengthened the organization in significant ways that will continue to be felt for generations. Carl is treasured by JFCS clients and staff, and he humbly acknowledges, “I’ve pretty much done whatever JFCS felt I could contribute to doing.” Carl has been a member of the JFCS Board of Directors, the Rhoda Goldman Plaza Board of Directors, the Palliative Care Taskforce, the Loans and Grants Committee, and the Program and Planning Committee, as well as chair of the Ethical Care Committee.… Read More

It’s not just because she’s something of an “investment nerd” that Barbara Otto was inspired to establish the Barbara Z. Otto Family Endowment Fund, her Named Endowment Fund at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. The international banking veteran wanted to make sure support for a cause she felt passionately about would carry on. That cause is helping young women gain access to higher education in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Barbara didn’t start out in finance; she double-majored in Spanish and Latin American Studies and Art History at Hunter College in New York City. She says,… Read More