At the close of 2024, Jewish Social Services of Madison (JSS) received an extraordinary $2 million contribution from the family of a former client—an immigrant who arrived in Madison with little but his intellect, resilience, and determination. With the support of JSS, he built a new life, ultimately achieving remarkable success in the scientific field, contributing innovations that benefited countless others. Grateful for the warm welcome and assistance he received as a Jewish refugee from the former Soviet Union, his family chose to honor his memory by ensuring that JSS can continue its vital work for future generations of immigrants.
This gift comes at a time of great financial uncertainty for JSS, as recent federal policy changes have resulted in the abrupt loss of critical refugee resettlement funding. While this generous donation will sustain JSS’s ability to serve immigrants well into the future, it is not an immediate solution to the pressing funding gap that now threatens essential services. Despite these challenges, JSS remains unwavering in its commitment to welcoming and supporting refugees, embodying the Jewish value of hachnasat orchim—welcoming the stranger.
Since its founding in 1976, JSS has helped individuals and families from all backgrounds achieve self-sufficiency and build community, guided by Jewish values of compassion, justice, and service. The agency has long been a beacon of support for refugees, having begun its resettlement work with Jewish families fleeing the Soviet Union in the 1970s and continuing today as an affiliate of HIAS, assisting those escaping conflict and persecution from around the world.
Executive Director Kai Mishlove remarks that, “JSS is incredibly grateful for the generosity of this gift. This remarkable donation is not only a testament to the resilience and contributions of immigrants and refugees to our shared society but also a reflection of the generosity of the Madison community. It takes a village. This is a full circle moment that we are honored to witness and benefit from. Immigrants have long enriched our city with their talents, culture, and perseverance, making Madison a more vibrant and dynamic place for all. This legacy gift ensures that JSS can continue to be a source of hope and opportunity for those seeking safety and a fresh start—just as it was for the donor and his family decades ago.”
