After nearly three decades with JFS, Bilingual Senior Community Specialist Dora Lender has retired.
Dora, along with her husband and son, came to Minnesota as Jewish refugees from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and were resettled with the help of JFS. When she started at JFS, Dora helped other FSU Jewish refugees resettle. After a few years of providing that service, Dora was asked to work with FSU Jewish older refugees and assist them in securing necessary citizenship, services, and benefits. Eventually, Dora became one of the five bilingual case managers through a contract with Ramsey County to provide case management services.
Several years ago, Dora was asked to step into a new role as a bilingual case manager for the community. She has helped literally hundreds of older Russian-speaking clients get the services and benefits they need. She has been a tenacious and strong advocate on behalf of her clients, not relenting until they have received the necessary service or benefit.
She said it has made her so happy to be able to work at JFS and to give back for the assistance she received when she came to this country.
Dora will be honored at the JFS Annual Celebration of Service Fundraiser on Sunday, June 2, 9 a.m-noon, at the Midpointe Event Center in St. Paul.
Dora will be missed. She has truly been a gift to JFS and to the community. Thank you, Dora.
