After 32 years at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minneapolis – including the the last 20 years as CEO – Judy Halper is retiring at the end of 2025. Halper and JFCS President Natalie Zamansky announced the move in an email to the community Thursday morning.
“JFCS has truly been as much my home as it has been my place of work,” Halper wrote. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, contribute and serve alongside tremendously gifted and deeply compassionate staff and volunteers, which has been my experience at this incredible organization in this amazing community.”
Halper started at JFCS in 1993 as a supervisor of the counseling program and later worked as development director and chief program officer. In 2005, she replaced longtime Executive Director Jerry Waldman. Prior to her tenure at JFCS, she worked in community mental health as a therapist and program manager and wrote training programs on how to work with child victims of physical and sexual abuse. She was a licensed psychologist for 30 years and a certified school psychologist, working in the Minneapolis Public Schools.
“Over the past 20 years as CEO, Judy has led the organization with [a] steadfast vision to serve all with caring, compassionate and professional programs,” Zamansky wrote. “She has cultivated incredible relationships in our community and beyond and has strengthened the foundation of JFCS for continued success. She is a well-respected leader in human services on both the local and national front, and we should all be incredibly proud of her. Judy’s contributions are immeasurable, and their impact will continue to resonate for years to come.”
A search committee, chaired by JFCS president-elect Howard Hoffman, will chair a search committee. The goal is to fill the position by mid-to-late summer to allow for a transition period.
One of the signature accomplishments of Halper’s tenure was the move to the organization’s Golden Valley building in February 2018. The organization renovated an existing office and warehouse building to create a space for its employees, clients, programs and services. The building also includes space for more than 120 employees and clients in its 30-plus programs and services. The building shares space with PRISM, which serves nearly 9,000 people annually with its food shelf, housing programs, children’s programs, and thrift shop.
“I want to especially take this moment to thank the smart, kind, generous JFCS staff and community colleagues who I have been so privileged to work alongside,” Halper said, thanking the board members, volunteers, donors, and community members. “As I retire from JFCS, I do so with deep respect and tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to get to know and work with so many of you. No one could have imagined or experienced a career as satisfying and fulfilling as I have been able to do.”
