Congrats to our April Volunteer Spotlight: the Goldstein family! We couldn't do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers like you.

The Goldstein's have been volunteering with TOV for many years through the JUF Uptown Cafe, Mitzvah Mania, Good Deeds Day, and most recently through our COVID-19 volunteer response database. We wanted to get to know the Goldstein's a little bit more, so they answered some of our questions below.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF?

We have a long relationship with TOV/JUF. Both my husband and I are former JCC employees (9 and 22 years, respectively). Our children attended JCC pre-school, Apachi Chicago Day Camp, JCC Camp Chi. We support JCC, Keshet, JUF, to name a few. We are members at Temple Sholom. We have participated in many volunteer opportunities with the TOV Network.

2. What makes it important for you to volunteer through TOV?

It is important for us to volunteer both as individuals and as a family as regularly as we can. We especially enjoy volunteering in the Jewish Community as it connects us to our Jewish identity, as well as our passion for feeding those in need.

3. Are there any fun facts about you that we might not know? Feel free to also share a story or experience that has inspired you.

Michael and I started volunteering regularly at Uptown Cafe in 2018 while our children were at Camp Chi. Upon their return from camp, both boys asked when they could start volunteering with us. The Cafe has a "12 years and older" policy so we gifted them, for their 12th birthdays (they're twins), a night at Uptown Cafe. They LOVED it and we've served dinner at the Cafe once a month since then.

When Governor Pritzker issued the Illinois Stay at Home order, our daily life changed. As part of our quarantine schedule, we perform acts of kindness everyday. So far, this has included delivering groceries for EZRA/TOV, grocery shopping and cooking for friends, one of our sons starting a virtual food drive for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, one of our sons reading to pre-schoolers, and volunteering at a local food pantry, just to name a few. These acts of kindness (mitzvot, if you will) bring us great happiness, and bring smiles to others. During this challenging time, we are looking for silver linings, and hoping for a return to "normal" with deeper respect, honor, and empathy for others.

We are so lucky to have the Goldstein's as part of our TOV family! To learn more about JUF's important work in the community, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation in their honor, please visit our website! 

Congrats to our February Volunteer Spotlight: Joel Spenadel! We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our incredible volunteers like you.

Joel has been volunteering with TOV since Israel Solidarity Day in 2010. Joel has participated in Good Deeds Day since 2017 and is currently serving on the GDD committee. We wanted to get to know Joel a little bit more, so he answered some of our questions below.

1. How did you first get involved with TOV/JUF?

My first involvement with TOV was as a “TOV Captain” at the Israel Solidarity Day in May 2010, but I was a JUF donor and supporter for many years before that.

2. What makes it important for you to volunteer through TOV?

I have been truly blessed with many good things in my life and feel it’s really important to serve others in need, and TOV provides so many opportunities to give back. Besides, I teach Tikkun Olam to the 10th grade Confirmation students at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard (pictured) and so I better lead by example to repair the world!

3. Are there any fun facts about you that we might not know? Feel free to also share a story or experience that has inspired you.

I am a big sports fan, especially a Cubs fan and may be the only person in the world who attended both Ernie Banks’ Hall of Fame induction and game 7 of the 2016 World Series! I have been inspired by my wife who is an amazing teacher, my daughter who has a heart of gold and my son who was born with Down Syndrome but has taught me to face everyday challenges not only with determination and effort but also with a smile and even a laugh!

We are so lucky to have Joel as part of our TOV family! To learn more about JUF’s important work in the community, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation in his honor, please visit our website.

Meet Sarah Trowbridge! Sarah joined TOV in September 2019. As TOV’s Assistant Director, Sarah is responsible for Good Deeds Day (JUF’s largest day of service), planning projects with the TOV Volunteer Concierge service, and assisting other volunteer initiatives.

Sarah's favorite TOV program so far is the TOV Volunteer Concierge service. “Helping individuals, families, and groups plan special projects that are meaningful to them is so rewarding. I love bringing their ideas to life, as well as seeing all the fun pictures afterwards!” Sarah is looking forward to connecting more community members to amazing volunteer opportunities throughout the year.