Honoring People Who Make JFCS Extraordinary
At JFCS, our strength has always come from the people who choose to serve our community with compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment. This month, we’re proud to highlight three individuals whose leadership and dedication embody the very best of who we are.
Honoring Kannu Sahni: Righteous Among the Neighbors 2025.
We are proud to celebrate former JFCS board member Kannu Sahni, who has been named one of this year’sRighteous Among the Neighbors by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh.
From career services client to colleague to JFCS board member, Kannu has been an essential part of our organization every step of the way.
Following the tragic Tree of Life synagogue shooting, Kannu’s guidance and empathy helped support JFCS through one of its most difficult times. He reminded us that supporting the Jewish community also means standing with immigrants who share in the impact of antisemitism and hate.
As Kannu shared, “I was supported by JFCS when I needed it. So when the community needed support, I showed up.” His example continues to inspire us and we are grateful for his continued commitment to the community.
Read more about his well-deserved recognition in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle here.
Honoring the Legacy of Sandy Budd.
As JFCS older adult social worker, Sandy Budd, retires after 33 years of service, we reflect with gratitude on the impact she has had on many Holocaust survivors in Pittsburgh.
Throughout her career, Sandy has provided compassionate care, guidance, and dignity to more than 150 survivors. Her memories are filled with the stories they entrusted to her, stories of resilience, faith, and difficult choices. We thank her for the compassion she has shown, the strength she has shared, and the lasting difference she has made.
Read more about her impactful career in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle here.
We are delighted to announce we have named Leah Berman-Kress as our new Communications Officer.
Leah brings extensive experience in nonprofit marketing and communications, coupled with a background in public relations and growth strategy.
Leah shared, “I’m thrilled to join JFCS in this new role and help inform the community about the organization’s important services, while sharing our staff’s meaningful work. I’m honored to advance JFCS’ mission and vision and contribute to expanding its impact.”
We look forward to the leadership and vision Leah will contribute in advancing our mission and amplifying the voices of those we serve.
Together, Kannu, Sandy, and Leah remind us what makes JFCS exceptional: people who lead with heart, who show up for others, and who strengthen our community through every action, large and small. We are honored to celebrate them.
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Finding Strength Together: Support Groups at JFCS
Support groups at JFCS provide a welcoming space where individuals facing challenges, such as grief, caregiving, or mental health, can find understanding, camaraderie, and practical support.
Support groups offer shared knowledge and resources, understanding, empathy, and are a safe space to talk with others in a similar situation. Director of JFCS Clinical Services, Stefanie Small, LCSW, shares: “Support groups are among the safest places to be vulnerable and share that pain, because the other attendees are in your same boat.”
By joining a JFCS support group, individuals discover that they are not alone and find strength, connection, and hope in the company of others.
JFCS is proud to have been recognized as Best of the Burgh’s Best Counseling Center 2025 in Pittsburgh, a testament to the impact of our counseling and support services on the community.
Art Connects People and Cultures
JFCS is a proud partner with the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Neighborhood Museum initiative, a program designed to welcome refugee and immigrant families into Pittsburgh’s cultural community. Through this collaboration, families served by JFCS gain free family memberships to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, opening doors to exploration, creativity, and connection.
The Neighborhood Museum emphasizes that art is not only about aesthetics, but it’s a way to learn about the place you live while sharing where you come from. For immigrant families, this means a chance to celebrate their heritage while engaging with Pittsburgh’s diverse cultural landscape.
The Neighborhood Museum is a bridge between cultures, offering families the opportunity to see themselves reflected in art while discovering new traditions.
One participating family shared the impact of the program, saying, “The museum tour and the membership we received were very valuable for our family. We consider it an achievement, and we are deeply grateful to you and everyone involved.”
For JFCS this partnership reflects our mission to ensure that every family we serve has access to the resources, experiences, and connections that make Pittsburgh feel like home.