- Donor Stories
- Named Endowment Funds
Elinor and Eugene Friend z”l set an incredible example of philanthropy for their children.
Through their involvement with various organizations in the community, Elly and Gene showed their deep connection to their home and their heritage. Their story spans more than a century.
As an Eastern European Jewish immigrant in New York City around the end of the 19th century, Gene’s father was drawn to the western frontier, a place without barriers or discrimination. Elly moved to California from El Paso, Texas, and met Gene while attending UC Berkeley. The couple married in 1940 and started a family. Though the two shared a passion for San Francisco and for service, they held an even stronger dedication to their family.
Through the generations, the Friends have remained very close-knit, with both Elly and Gene’s sons and almost all of their grandchildren making their homes in the Bay Area. “We love to be with one another, and we have our Jewish traditions, like Shabbat, to bring us together,” shared their son Donny in 2015.
Brothers Bob z”l and Donny Friend (front row), with Donny’s sons, Jason and Benji
“We’ve always had a tradition of giving, because it was in our blood. Part of being Jewish is to care for others and to give tzedakah,” said Bob, now of blessed memory.
The brothers wanted to honor their parents’ efforts to set an example for them and for their children in a lasting way. Establishing the Friend Family Children’s Fund with JFCS was a natural extension of Elly and Gene’s community work and focus on family. The Named Endowment Fund provides enduring help for children who have special needs and learning differences, supporting expert clinical care at JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth.
The Center for Children and Youth provides compassionate and comprehensive services to help children and families thrive. Endowment funds are an important way to sustain this vital work, so that every child has the opportunity to grow and succeed. Reaching children with effective support as early as possible is critical, and the expert clinicians and parent educators have the knowledge and training that keeps them on the cutting edge of treatment.
Bob and his wife, Michelle, and Donny and his wife, Janie, carried forward the family’s traditions to the next generation. Donny’s son Benji participated in a JFCS YouthFirst internship at the JFCS Holocaust Center during high school. His brother Jason recalled seeing firsthand how involved his now deceased grandparents were and realizing he wanted to honor their legacy.
“JFCS is a great way to help people in our community. We’re making sure to set an example in a meaningful way,” said Donny.
Shared from the Heart:
“He who teaches his children teaches his children’s children—and so on to the end of generations.”
—Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 30a