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New Leadership at JFS San Diego Steps Up to Meet the Moment
By Molly Pincherli
Fresh, nutritious food for a family working hard to make ends meet. In-home care for a Holocaust Survivor so they can age with dignity. A ride to the doctor for an older adult who can’t drive. Support for a Jewish woman seeking safety from an abusive relationship. Diapers for a single parent.
These are just some of the life-changing services that tens of thousands of San Diegans – of all faiths, backgrounds, and ages – receive each year from Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS).
According to JFS’s new leadership duo⎯CEO Dana Toppel and Board Chair Theresa Dupuis⎯the needs in our community are growing more urgent and more complex. Together, they are stepping forward determined to meet the moment with compassion, purpose and resolve.
In July, Toppel became only the sixth CEO in JFS’s 107-year history. A licensed social worker with an MBA, she brings more than 25 years of experience in social impact work and has served at JFS for the past 16 years, most recently as chief operating officer.
Dupuis, a native San Diegan and longtime Jewish community leader, served six years on the JFS board before becoming board chair. Known for her warmth, integrity and ability to connect people, she has been a champion for vulnerable populations across the region.
In a recent conversation, Toppel and Dupuis reflected on their personal journeys, their shared values and their vision for the future of Jewish Family Service.
Toppel: Theresa, we’ve worked closely for six years now, but I don’t think I’ve ever asked⎯what first brought you to JFS?
Dupuis: My journey started as a volunteer serving meals to families in our Safe Parking Program. I was struck by how many of the guests were children – kids doing homework in the back seat of a car. It was eye-opening. That experience led me to get more involved. I’ve always been guided by values of compassion, justice, and community – and those values are at the heart of JFS’s mission.
Toppel: That resonates so deeply. One of the things I love about JFS is how we live our Jewish values out loud. Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – is not just a concept. It’s our job description. Whether we’re delivering food, advocating for justice, or helping people find stability, we are putting those values into action every day.
I know your personal connection to Judaism means a lot to you. Would you be open to sharing more about that?
Dupuis: Absolutely. I began the process of converting to Judaism 35 years ago. My husband is Jewish, and we wanted to raise our family with shared values and traditions. As I neared the end of my studies, I met with the late Rabbi Aaron Gold z’’l and told him that I had a deep sense that Judaism was where I belonged, but that I still carried some profound questions about my beliefs. He smiled and said, “Welcome to Judaism.” That moment confirmed that I was on the exact right path. I completed my formal conversion the very next day.
Judaism⎯and the community it creates⎯has come to mean everything to me. I love that it makes room for questions and for growth and that it places emphasis on our deep sense of responsibility to one another. That’s what first drew me in, and it’s what continues to sustain me.
Toppel: My story is a little different, but I think we landed in similar places. Sixteen years ago, I walked into the lobby at JFS’s Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus and felt instantly aligned. My dad was a real estate investor and entrepreneur; my mom was a social worker. I grew up at the intersection of pragmatism and purpose⎯so JFS felt like home.
Today, more people are facing hunger. Families are struggling to stay housed. Older adults are isolated. And for many, hope feels out of reach. That’s why we’re inviting the community to get involved – volunteer, donate, advocate. It takes all of us. There’s a reason our tagline is “Moving Forward, Together.” We truly couldn’t do this work without our community.
Dupuis: As we both step into new leadership roles at a critical time⎯for JFS, for San Diego, and for our country⎯what do you see as our most urgent priorities?
Toppel: I go back to the teaching from Pirkei Avot: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” That’s our charge.
JFS has always met the moment – through the Great Depression, wartime, recessions, the pandemic and much more. Our history is one of resilience and reinvention.
Right now, I’m focused on three core priorities for everyone we serve: safe and stable housing, access to nutritious food, and a strong community of support. We may not be able to solve every issue at once, but together we can make real, lasting impact.
Dupuis: Right. I recently saw someone on NextDoor asking for help, and several neighbors replied, “Call JFS.” It was such a meaningful moment⎯to see how deeply trusted this organization has become.
One thing I appreciate is how JFS sees each person as a whole. Someone might come to us for groceries or parenting classes, but our professional team takes the time to listen and understand the bigger picture. That holistic approach leads to long-term change.
Toppel: That’s exactly right. And while JFS serves people of all backgrounds, many people are surprised to learn just how many Jewish individuals and families turn to us.
There’s a misconception that the Jewish community is somehow insulated from issues like poverty, mental health, relationship violence or food insecurity. But the truth is, these challenges exist in every community including ours.
Dupuis: And our response must reflect the full range of our community’s needs. Yes, we are here for Holocaust Survivors and Jewish older adults⎯and we also support Jewish college students, young families, and individuals navigating life transitions. There are people in every generation that need our care and connection.
Toppel: I recently met a remarkable young woman⎯Jewish, formerly homeless, who found safety through our Safe Parking Program. With support from the JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship, she’s now in graduate school studying to become a social worker. Her story is one of resilience and a testament to how support at the right moment can change a life forever.
To learn more about Jewish Family Service’s programs, how to donate or volunteer, visit jfssd.org
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