Wendee Cutler Retiring as Executive Director of CFJS After 17 Years

Charlotte Jewish News April 2022

After 17 years, Wendee Cutler is retiring as the executive director of Carolina Foundation for Jewish Seniors (CFJS). She brought her financial and organizational management strengths to the foundation, leaving with a “deep love and affection” for Jewish seniors.

“My time with CFJS has been a journey filled with honor and pride as the foundation has grown within the Jewish communities of North and South Carolina. Seeing the joy from the seniors reminds me of my relationship with my grandparents and makes the years all worthwhile,” said Cutler.

CFJS helps enrich the lives of Jewish Charlotte, granting funds to active organizations providing focused programs, activities, and services within the community.

Beginning in 1962 as the Blumenthal Jewish Home for the Aged in Clemmons, North Carolina, CFJS has evolved from a nursing home into the largest foundation focused on supporting seniors across the Carolinas.

This shift occurred with the sale of the original property, the proceeds of which expanded the foundation’s endowment. “Thanks to the vision and philanthropy of I.D. Blumenthal of Charlotte, the foundation has been able to carry on his legacy and ideals to assure Jewish seniors are cared for in their later years. Instead of a nursing home, organizations apply for and receive grants to enrich Jewish lives,” said Cutler.

For the past 17 years, Cutler has worked with CFJS’s officers and board of directors to manage operations and assure distribution of funds to more than 30 North and South Carolina organizations committed to enduring Jewish values and precepts.

CFJS has awarded more than 300 grants, totaling almost $4 million. Those receiving grants enriching seniors in Charlotte include Jewish Family Services, Levine Jewish Community Center’s Oasis Senior Enrichment, Temple Beth El, Temple Israel, and Temple Kol Tikvah in Lake Norman.

CFJS Board and Temple Beth El’s SPICE (Senior Programs of Interest, Concern, and Engagement) member Robert Weiss said, “SPICE has been able to provide the senior Jewish community with outstanding programs, both educational and religious and socialization opportunities as a result of generous grants from CFJS.”

Few doubt that managing and working with boards of “engaged, active, intense Jews,” from a variety of professions is anything but a “joyful challenge.” CFJS President Ari Medoff said, “During Wendee’s tenure with the foundation, we’ve created partnership programs for smaller Jewish communities that lacked services for their Jewish seniors. What’s more, she has helped keep an open mind and remain focused on changing needs in various communities, including Charlotte.”

For years, CFJS has been a consistent supporter of the Levine JCC Oasis Senior Enrichment Program. “Even during this COVID pandemic, CFJS has not waned in its commitment to helping fund vital programming for Parkinson’s disease, birthday and holiday celebrations, and training programs for exercise instructors to better meet the needs of the Jewish aging population,” said Jill Lipson, director of senior and adult programs.

Even in good times, raising funds is always challenging for any nonprofit service organization. With the pandemic, the task has intensified, causing the foundation to reassess and refine its mission of enriching lives of seniors.

“Our grant from CFJS has been critical to meeting the needs of our seniors. As our aging population grows and the needs of our senior community become more complex, funding from CFJS has enabled JFS to continue to meet those challenges and connect our community with the resources it needs,” said Howard S. Olshansky, JFS executive director.

Even with a healthy endowment, the foundation is not an open checkbook for requests just because the program has a Jewish connection. “CFJS is a good steward of the available funds. To receive funds in a highly proscribed grant application process, we require more quantifiable results or outcomes, with proof that the funded programs and services are successful,” Medoff explained.

For 2022, CFJS will continue to be proactive with funding, especially transportation and case management. “As always, our board needs to be attuned to identifying good, focused grant opportunities,” said Cutler.

CFJS grant objectives include: - Long-term community impact Collaboration with other local organizations. - Participant involvement in social services (volunteer or financial). - Applicant organization showing their financial commitment to the program. - Specific qualitative and quantitative outcomes such as numbers served and measurable impact on lives. - Uniqueness (non-duplicative of other area programs or services). - Competent grant management and program oversight.

The application priority categories are socialization and health and wellness programs for people who may have multiple, complex, specific mental, and/ or physical health needs. They include: - Case Management with a licensed professional or case worker. - Congregational nurse. - Dementia or memory impairment. - Group day care and respite programs.

Though Wendee’s shoes will be hard to fill, CFJS is seeking a new executive director. For information about the position, contact Stefanie Kahn at Kahn400@aol.com. For additional information about CFJS, contact www.carolinajewishseniors.org or (336) 854-8400.