Refugee Crisis

Mindy Berkowitz has been Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley (JFS SV) since 2003 – and still claims it’s the best job she ever had. Mindy earned a BA in Sociology and Certificate in Women’s Studies from Rutgers University, prior to receiving a Masters in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College and a Masters in Social Work from Washington University. Before working at JFS SV, Mindy enjoyed an extensive nonprofit management career in mental health, camping and youth services. Mindy lives with her husband, Rabbi Allan Berkowitz in San Jose, CA. Mindy and Allan have four children and one grandson.

Refugee Crisis:  JFS SV protects and supports refugees who have experienced persecution due to their religion, ethnicity, political expression or sexual orientation. They come from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, other eastern European countries and various countries throughout Africa. The people we help are fleeing dire and often violent circumstances.

As the second largest refugee resettlement agency in Santa Clara County, JFS SV serves 200+ refugees annually with resettlement, pro-bono legal immigration clinic, vocational English training, job search assistance, case management, and emergency food assistance. Our services to refugees have been funded through HIAS, County of Santa Clara, United Way Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, other foundations and generous individuals.