Modeling tikkun olam through tzedakah, volunteerism and everyday actions has been a part of daily living for Judy and David (z”l) Jacobs’ families for generations.
Although her husband passed away in 2020, Judy Jacobs consciously continues to serve as a role model for her children, grandchildren and the Kansas City community.
Recently, she made a generous contribution to Jewish Family Services (JFS) in memory of her in-laws, David Jacobs’ parents. She felt strongly that it was important to honor his parents, Rae and Harry Jacobs (z”l), demonstrating to her children and grandchildren these important values from their Jacobs and Gondos family heritage.
In honoring Rae and Harry Jacobs, Judy Jacobs designated her gift to support social workers in JFS’s Older Adult program. Rae Jacobs, her mother-in-law, graduated from the University of Illinois in 1914. She devoted her career to social work and social justice and was highly motivated, expecting the same from her only child, David.
David Jacobs was a pathologist, involved in anatomic and clinical pathology and serving as the editor-in-chief and primary author of several pathology textbooks. Additionally, he donated financial resources to a food bank near his office at Providence-St. Margaret Health Center. In 2023, Judy Jacobs made a gift to JFS’s food pantry in his memory.
Each year, about 500 older adults and their families receive personalized support from JFS Care Managers to address challenges related to healthcare, transportation, aging in place and overall well-being. Though JFS provides a wide variety of services to support older adults, the centerpiece of its Older Adult Services is its Care Management program. Case management provides personalized assistance that builds on each client’s unique strengths and challenges to help them meet their healthcare needs.
JFS Care Managers (social workers) work with clients and their families to develop and implement a service plan to reduce hospitalizations and transitions to higher levels of care.
“JFS’s Older Adult program champions the services and standards that my mother-in-law devoted her life to,” Jacobs said. “I think my mother-in-law would be pleased to know that her family made a meaningful gift like this in her honor. I know David would be proud, too.”
Having now made two significant tribute gifts, Jacobs said, “I believe JFS is one of the most vital and best-run Jewish organizations in KC.”
More information about honoring loved ones or becoming a JFS Legacy Society member is available by contacting Debbie Bass, JFS’s chief gift officer, at or (913) 327-8299.