Jewish Family Services of Connecticut

Professional Staff

Harvey Paris, L.C.S.W., President
Harvey spends the bulk of his time in activities that insure a stable agency. This includes fundraising, marketing and work with the Board of Directors and agency committees. In addition, he still is clinically active in the adoption program and in leading Jewish Family Life Education Workshops on such topics as Parenting and Jewish Identity..

Barbara Paris, L.PC., Vice President
Barbara is responsible for all of the agency's community programs. These include adoption, senior services, resettlement, volunteers, and Jewish Family Life Education. She is also a child specialist. Her counseling caseload includes elementary age children up through teenagers. Barbara spends most of her time in the adoption program.

Irene Ivaska, L.C.S.W, Clinical Supervisor
Irene is the agency's family therapist. In this role she counsels couples, families and individuals. She is also very involved in adoption and specializes in "searches".

Natalie Fried, M.S.W.
Natalie works with adoption clients on their home studies.

Allison Gruder , M.A., M.F.T., Geriatric Social Worker
Allison is working with elder services clients in counseling, assessments and is involved with activities in the Kosher Lunch Program.

Keven Sheehy, L.C.S.W, Licenced Clinical Social Worker
Keven specializes in child therapy for elementary school grade children.

Myrna Kosowsky, M.S., Volunteer Coordinator
Myrna recruits, trains and works with our many volunteers who provide valuable services to our community.

Wendy Levine, M.D., Consulting Psychiatrist
Wendy provides psychiatric evaluation, medication and follow up for agency clients that could benefit from such services.

Faina Doliner, M.A Russian Speaking Case Manager
Faina uses her educational and Russian language skills to reach out to elderly Russian clients. She is able to assess their current needs and develop a plan to help them.

Beckie Rosen, M.A. Big Buddy Mentoring Program Coordinator
Becky coordinates the Big Buddy program that matches children 6-14 of single adults with adults 18 and older to provide support and companionship.

Jay Stubenhaus, M.D., Medical Director
Jay provides psychiatric evaluations, medication and follow up for agency clients that could benefit from such services.

Joan Farley, B.A., Caregiver Program Coordinator
Joan runs our support program for caregivers to seniors. The program provides education and emotional support to caregivers.

Francine Schweiger, C.S.W.

Francine is the Geriatric Care Manager for JFS and is a licensed social worker specializing in assisting older people and their families facing elder care concerns and decisions.

Support Staff

Julie Caraballo
Administrative Assistant/Resettlement and Adoption.

Jan Coogan

Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors:

Jewish Family Service is governed by a Board of Directors composed of up to 27 community members. Members of the Board are expected to represent the different components in the Jewish community.

Our Executive Committee consists of:
	Keith Rubenstein, Esq. Chairperson of the Board
	Gerald Newburg Vice Chairperson
	Mitchell Weinstein Vice Chairperson
	Edythe Rosenfield Treasurer
	Nancy Altchiler Secretary
	Miriam Parker, DSW Secretary
	Eric Garver, M.D. Past Chairperson

Jewish Family Service - 2370 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604-1699
Phone: (203) 366-5438 - Fax: (203) 366-1580 - Email: info@jfsct.org