By Hannah Spence | New Pelican Writer Coral Gables – From now until March 8, Actors’ Playhouse At The Miracle Theatre will be showcasing the Tony Award winning musical Dear Evan Hansen as part of…
Some lessons should be taught early in life, yet they often need to be relearned and reaffirmed, especially during moments of division and uncertainty. One truth continues to rise above the noise: the only thing…
Among the thousands of runners who participated in the Miami Marathon on January 25 was a small group wearing blue Star of David’s on their shirts and running for a cause close to their hearts.…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MIAMI, FL - January 2, 2026 – In 2025, JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) loaned $2.3 million in 0% interest loans to almost 500 students, allowing Jewish students to pursue higher education…
Each and every Holocaust Survivor alive today is a miracle of our time. And since Hanukkah is a time for celebration and remembering the miracles of the past, organizations throughout South Florida honored these survivors…
On November 1, as the country marked one month of a federal government shutdown, millions of Americans lost access to their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps. More than 3 million…
Food banks and nonprofits across Miami-Dade are bracing for a sharp rise in demand as confusion and fear spread over sudden cuts to federal nutrition aid. The Trump administration announced Monday that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…
On a recent afternoon, Yudisleine Tejada Rodriguez drew the blinds and perched on the couch at the one-bedroom walkup she shares with her 4-year-old son in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. She beckoned him to join her.…
Two federal judges ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to pay for SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown. The judges in Massachusetts…
Una tarde reciente Yudisleine Tejada Rodríguez bajó las persianas y se sentó en el sofá del apartamento de una habitación sin ascensor que comparte con su hijo de 4 años en Overtown, Miami. Le hizo…
Omrit Shimoni, MS, LMHC, serves as Chief Programs Officer at Jewish Community Services of South Florida, where she leads agency-wide program strategy, quality, and service delivery across a diverse portfolio of community-based programs. With nearly 30 years of leadership experience spanning behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, and nonprofit management, she is known for translating vision into action through strong systems, collaborative partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to mission. Omrit has held executive leadership roles including CEO, COO, Clinical Director, and Program Director, guiding organizations through growth, accreditation, operational transformation, and strategic change. Since joining JCS in 2021, she has strengthened organizational infrastructure, expanded community partnerships and funding opportunities, and helped establish innovative crisis response initiatives that support individuals and communities during times of trauma and adversity. Her leadership is grounded in the belief that high-quality, compassionate services and strong organizational stewardship are essential to creating lasting community impact.
Leopoldo “Polo” Coronado is a nonprofit and corporate leader serving as Chief Operating Officer at Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS). With extensive experience across the nonprofit and private sectors, including leadership roles at Year Up South Florida, Procter & Gamble, Avon, and Intcomex, he specializes in strategic operations, change management, workforce development, and organizational transformation. Throughout his career, he has led initiatives across the Americas in manufacturing, distribution, customer service, and community services, while also contributing to organizations such as The Beacon Council, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and United Way. Polo holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City, is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and brings a multicultural perspective shaped by living and working in several Latin American countries. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, traveling, reading, and spending time with his family.
Francia Fondrose is the Director of Human Resources at Jewish Community Services of South Florida. She has worked in HR since 2016 and has served in her current role since January 2023. She holds an MBA and has been SHRM-CP certified since 2019, bringing experience in HR operations, compliance, employee relations, and workforce development.
Natalie Herradon provides leadership and oversight for JCS's Information & Referral Services, Senior Services, and Case Management programs, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centered support across the continuum of care. Her professional experience spans serving children, youth, adults, older adults, and medically complicated individuals in a variety of clinical and community-based settings. In addition to her expertise in Mental Health Counseling, she has completed extensive training to serve as a Qualified Supervisor for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Social Workers, providing guidance, mentorship, and professional development to the next generation of behavioral health professionals. Additionally, she holds certifications in dementia care and grief practices for children, bringing specialized expertise to the unique needs of vulnerable populations and their families. Mrs. Herradon is recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a Subject Matter Expert in the field of mental health services and brings extensive knowledge in program quality, compliance, and service excellence. As a surveyor for a global accrediting agency, she has significant experience evaluating organizational performance, regulatory compliance, and best practices, helping organizations maintain the highest standards of care and operational effectiveness. She brings this same commitment to excellence to JCS, holding programs and services to exceptionally high expectations for quality, client care, and organizational performance.
Miriam Singer has served as President & CEO of Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) since January 2020, leading the agency through a period marked by the pandemic, natural disasters, rising antisemitism, and other complex community challenges. She has announced plans to transition from the role in January 2028.
Singer began her career as a social worker in 1982 and has since built a reputation for pairing strategic clarity with compassion. Under her leadership, JCS has grown to serve more than 100,000 individuals annually through integrated services supporting people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. She also took on oversight of three JCS affiliate agencies during her tenure: Masada Home Care, JCS Cares Housing, and the Jewish Community Foundation.
Widely respected for her consultative style and ability to turn challenges into opportunities, Singer is regularly sought out by nonprofit and government leaders as a trusted advisor on strategic management and organizational success.
Sarah Katzenstein is Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS), where she leads the agency’s communications, marketing, public relations, and brand strategy in support of its mission and community impact. She specializes in integrated marketing and communications strategy, public relations, brand management, digital and social media, storytelling, fundraising communications, special events, and community engagement. Throughout her career, Sarah has focused on translating complex missions and programs into clear, compelling narratives that strengthen organizational visibility, engage diverse audiences, and advance philanthropic and community impact.