Staff Bios

Gina Botshtein - Vice President Older Adult Services

Gina received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1996.She has been employed by JFS for over 5 years and has had the privilege of having worked in the clinical department, the Social Services to Russian Speakers department and the Older Adult Services department. Currently, she manages the Older Adult Division which is dedicated to serving people over age 60 with dignity and respect for the purpose of assisting them with meeting their goals and outcomes. Gina brings with her the passion for serving older adults and refugees and encompasses the motto of serving others as she would want to be served. Under her leadership, the Family Care department has grown from 60 clients to over 340.

In addition, Gina’s employment at JFS is unique in that she and her family were resettled by the agency when she was 8 years old.  Her gratefulness for the help they received has carried over into her passion for helping others.

Rebecca Andersen

Rebecca Andersen joined JFS staff in November 2007.  She works as a Case Manager in the Family Care Department with individuals who have exceptional needs as a Wisconsin state certified social worker.  Rebecca received her Bachelor’s degree in social work from Mount Mary College in 2007.

Ludmila Arov

Ludmillla has been working in long-term care since 1992. Her nursing career began as a Certified Nurse's Aide at the Jewish Home and Care Center and than at St. John's Nursing Home. After graduating from Alverno College in 1997 with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing and Science and minor in Psychology, Ludmilla worked as a staff nurse at St. John's Nursing Home. From 1998-2002 worked as RN Manager on Advanced Dementia/Alzheimer unit at the Jewish Home and Care Center. Her competent work, dedication and caring personality won her a Surlow Award in 2001 and a nomination WAHSA (Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for Aging) award in 2002. She continues to apply her knowledge and experience by working with elderly in the Milwaukee community. Her dream became a reality in 2002 when JFS became a Family Care provider.

Bella Borenstein

Bella Borenstein was born in Belarus and graduated from Teacher’s Institute. She worked as a Kindergarten and grade school teacher in Russia until immigrating to the United States in 1968.She got a job at Astronautics Corporation of America and worked there for 11 years. In 1989 she began her work here at Jewish Family Services as a Case Aide/Translator. Bella enjoys very much providing assistance to others that chose the brave endeavor of immigration. Bella is the proud mother of two daughters (Julia, 44 and Irene, 30) and even prouder grandmother of Andrew 13. She looks forward to continuing her work at Jewish Family Services in the Services to Russian Speakers Department.

Sue Derfel

Sue Derfel grew up in Milwaukee and attended the University of Wisconsin taking General studies. She has 2 children 4 grand cats and 1 grand dog. Sue has worked for Jewish Family Services for over 15 years, mainly for the Social Services to Russian Speakers Department. Sue is also the Receptionist for JFS and is the first person clients see when entering JFS.

Yelena Dykhne

Yelena Dykhne joined JFS in April 2008 as a Registered Nurse in the Family Care program of JFS’ Older Adult Services division. Yelena was born in Moscow, Russia and immigrated to the United States in 1991.  She started her nursing career working as a home health nurse and gradually took on care management roles. Yelena graduated from MATC in Milwaukee with an Associate’s degree in nursing in 1996 and from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with her Bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1999.

Stacy Ehlers

Stacy Ehlers joined Jewish Family Services as a Case Manager in the Family Care Department in 2003.  Stacy is a Wisconsin state certified social worker. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work Administration with a graduate certificate in Applied Gerontology through the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Nina Mikhanovsky-Gelfand

Nina studied at Alverno College 1994-98 and graduated with RN, BSN, with honors.  Throughout her years in the United States, she has worked as a volunteer for Sinai and Columbia hospitals. As a student nurse, and later - RN, BSN: at St. Joseph's hospital (med-surg, & orthopedics), Columbia hospital - operating room; St. Michael's - ICU; Froedtert - GI lab. Nina has been with the Family Care team since 2002.

Luda Golod

Luda Golod graduated from St. Peterburg State University (Russia) with a degree in Arts in Education and Comparative Literature.  She had a 24 year career in education before immigrating to the USA.  Luda completed a computer technology training program at MATC and has been with Jewish Family Services as a Family Care Case Manager since 2006.

Linda Groden RN, BSN

Linda has worked as a registered nurse since 1980 and graduated in December 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with honors from Cardinal Stritch University. Linda has also been employed as a Primary Nurse Instructor for nursing assistants and as a certification tester for Certified Nursing Assistants. She has taught classes for Personal Care Workers and Supportive Home Care givers. Linda has also served as a floor nurse, manager, supervisor, and educational coordinator in a long term care facility. During her many years as a nurse, Linda has focused on her role as a patient advocate, always demonstrating her dedication to the highest quality nursing care.

Tamar Heifetz

Tamar was born in Uzbekistan and immigrated to Israel in 1972, where she finished high school and went to teacher seminary. From 1979 to 1982 Tamar lived in the United States. She then moved back to Israel, where she worked as a kindergarten teacher, and in 1987 moved to New York. Tamar came to Milwaukee in 1992, where she got married and worked as a teacher in Lubavitch nursery, Hillel Academy and as a substitute at YES until 1994. From 1995 -2001, she worked at the Jewish Home and Care Center as a social worker, and began as a case manager at Jewish Family Services in 2001.

Melanie Hersch

Melanie Hersch joined JFS in April 2008 as the Older Adult Services Outreach Coordinator.  She will be responsible for outreach, programming, providing supportive services to individuals and their families, and representing JFS in the community.  Previously, Melanie served as a Field Interviewer for two federally funded studies, was the JFS Volunteer Services Director, a Research Associate for the Medical College of WI, and was a Public Health Advisor and Program Manager for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Melanie received her Bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC.

Alla Kotlyarsky

Shortly after immigrating to the United States, Alla started working at Jewish Family and Children's Services helping newcomers learn English. Although Alla had a degree in civil engineering from Moscow, it was a challenge for her to find a position in her field. JFS' job placement specialist helped her find a job at a transformer manufacturing company in Waukesha where she worked for 18 years until her early retirement in 1999. Afterwards, Alla returned to JFS where she has had a number of different responsibilities: clinical interpretation, ESL teaching and ESL volunteer coordination, conducting citizenship preparation classes, and community outreach to the Russian community through a Russian language newspaper.

Halanna L. Lathon

Halanna was born in Milwaukee and graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts (Psychology Concentration) and minors in Women's Studies and Sociology in 1998. Halanna graduated from the University of Minnesota Metropolitan State University with a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration. She started her non-profit career as an intern at the Women's resource of Winona as a Sexual Assault Advocate. Other career experience includes: Court advocacy, Welfare Case Management, Sexual Assault Advocacy, Child Welfare Social Work and now Family Care Case Management. The most challenging and exciting experience to date was volunteering as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in the Ivory Coast in Western Africa.

Jenny Levin

Jenny was born in Samara (former Kuybushev), Russia and graduated from Kuybushev Polytechnic Institute with a Masters Degree in Computer Science. Jenny immigrated to the United States in 1991 and worked as a programmer/analyst until 2002. Since 2005 she has worked as a Case Manager for Jewish Family Services.

Marina (Levin) Shafranski

Marina Levin was born in Russia, but came to the US when she was seven years old. She graduated from Concordia University with a degree in Psychology in 2004. She is currently enrolled in school to get her masters in professional counseling. She has been with JFS since December 2005 as a Family Care Case Manager.

Bella Perelshtein

Bella Perelshtein was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She has a high school diploma, graduated from Nursing and Barbering School. In 1976 her family immigrated to the United States of America. She has two sons and four grandchildren. She has been employed at Jewish Family Services in the Social Services to Russian Speakers Department of the Older Adult Division since 1989. In the USA she has completed a ten hour Interpreter and Translator Training Seminar, including Fundamentals of Interpretation and Translation, Interpretation in The Courtroom, and Interpretation in Healthcare.  She completed Refugee Case Management Training in 2003. In March 2004 she completed 5 CEU’s in Honoring Ethics and Boundaries in the Helping Professions.

Nancy Plotkin RN, BSN

Nancy has been an RN for 26 years and earned an ADN from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 1980. She returned to school in 1983 and then attended Cardinal Stritch College and earned a BSN in 1987. Her work experience includes 8 years in Milwaukee area hospitals and 14 years in home health care in the Milwaukee area. For the last 3 1/2 years Nancy has worked for JFS in Family Care. Nancy has been married to Neal for 29 years and they have 3 children together.

Jennifer Quirk

Jennifer Quirk graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA. After graduation she began a business career in client relations management, import/export with the former USSR, staff training and office management. Over the years she has volunteered and been involved with the Jewish and Russian-speaking populations in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Madison. Her degrees are in Russian Language and Literature, Political Science and Eastern European Studies. She completed a business internship in Moscow, Russia in 1996 and traveled back and forth to Russia for subsequent jobs in the States. She began her employment with JFS in July, 2004. Jennifer's most rewarding aspects of her job at JFS are the day-to-day contact and support from her Family Care colleagues and making a difference in the lives of senior citizens.

Violetta Raykhtsaum

Violetta Raykhtsaum joined the agency as a Case Manager in the Family Care program of the Older Adult Services Division in June 2008.  Before joining JFS, Violetta worked as a translator and scheduler for Supportive Home Care. Violetta attended Collin Community College in Plano, TX and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in International Business at MATC and UW-Milwaukee.  Violetta is fluent in both Russian and English.

Theresa Roznik

Theresa joined JFS in March of 2008 as a Registered Nurse in the Family Care program of the agency's Older Adult Services Division. Theresa is a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse and has over seven years of Family Care experience working with the exceptional needs population acting as a consultant, mentor, advocate and educator to staff, Family Care members and supports. She also has many years of experience as a nurse in the home care, health care management, and rehabilitative care fields. Theresa completed undergraduate work in business studies from UW-Waukesha and graduated from Alverno College, with honors, with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a minor in psychology.

Viktoriya Rubinshteyn

Viktoriya Rubinshteyn joined JFS in December of 2001 as a Case Manager, providing assistance to seniors.  Ms. Rubinshteyn has been the Service Coordinator at Golda Meir House for the past six years. She was born in the former Soviet Union and immigratedto the United Statesin 1989. Viktoriya has a Master’s degree in elementary education from Minsk Pedagogical University in Belarus. In May of 2005 she participated in exchange with JFS in Belarus through Jewish Healthcare International.

Lyudmila Rusovskaya

Lyudmila Rusovskaya was born in the former SU, graduated Belarusian Polytechnic’s Institute in 1972. She worked as an engineer metallurgist for 11 years on the Minsk’s Tractor Factory and 11 years on the Minsk’s Experiments’ Factory, emigrated to US in October 1994. Worked 7 years as Lab Technician on “Photonics “factory, 1 year on the “Service Heat Treating” factory. 1 year on the Milwaukee Envelope Factory as machine operator. Since 2003 she has been working for JFS as a case manager.

Carla Rutherford

Carla’s nursing career started in long term care as a certified nurse’s assistant. While in nursing school she worked as a Nurse Extern in a long term sub acute care facility. After graduating in 2004 she continued to work at Kindred hospital as an RN. She also worked with children as a Health Manger-RN at a local Head Start. While at Head Start she worked with Medical College of WI (pediatric residents) and Cardinal Stritch University (nursing students) coordinating health screenings and educational presentations for head start children and their families. She joined us at JFS in March 2007.

Csilla Sandor

Csilla has been an RN for over 20 years, specializing in geriatric care. Her work experience includes a variety of settings: hospitals, long term care and home care. Her current interest include wellness and the aging process, working with topics such as include nutrition, exercise, and education.

Natalie Schneider

Natalie was born in the Ukraine, where she attended high school. She then received a degree to be a math teacher from the Pedagogical Institute Tiraspol in Moldova and a degree in Economics from Tcernovtsy University. Natalie worked in the Economics Department of the Tcernovtsy Drama Theater. In 1973, she moved to Israel and worked as a loan officer at Bank HaPoalim until 1984, when she moved to the United States. She worked at the Lubavitch Educational Center as a teacher's assistant and started at JFS in 1993 as a case manager in the Refugee Department and now as a Case Manager/Supervisor in the Family Care Department.

Deborah Sevart

Deb Sevart joined Jewish Family Services in December 2007 and currently serves as a Case Manager in the Family Care program.  She is a Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker in the state of Wisconsin. Before joining JFS, Deb was an intern at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Froedtert Hospital, where she coordinated programs for older adults and facilitated support groups. Deb earned her Master's in social work and Certificate in Applied Gerontology at UW-Milwaukee in 2007. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, a Master’s in education from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, and earned teaching certification through Marquette University.

Nataliya Sharer

Nataliya Sharer was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After graduating from University, she began working at the Tashkent State University in the science departments as an ESL teacher, Associate Professor, Ph.D. for 33 years. She came to New York as a refugee with her family in July 1994 and started to work as a teacher and tester at the ASA College of Business and Computer Technology in New York. In 1995, she received a Registered Business School Teacher License at the University of the State of New York Educational Department. In 1997 her family moved to Milwaukee and she was hired at JFS, where she has been working since November 1997.

Dawn Sheffield

Dawn Sheffield joined Jewish Family Services as a Care Manager in the LinkAges program in May 2008.  Dawn has worked with older adults for over four years as a Certified Nursing Assistant.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2003 from UW-Parkside and is currently pursuing her M.S.W. at UW-Milwaukee.

Sheryl Sims Daniels

Sheryl Sims - Daniels is a Milwaukee native and has lifetime of experiences with diverse communities and organizations. In the older adult arena she has served in managerial, case management and advocacy positions. Ms. Sims-Daniels comes to Jewish Family Services after functioning in the capacities of Program Manager and Program Officer, Project Developer, Coordinator and Benefit Specialist /Paralegal. Her career started with the City of Milwaukee, managing and supervising in several departments. As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) she dually majored in Communications and Sociology. She has credits towards a Master’s degree. As a life long learner, Ms. Sims-Daniels has certification and continuing education units from Marquette University and UWM’s continuing education programs in Geriatrics, Public Administration, Organization Finance and Management Administration.

Reggie Thirus

Reggie Thirus joined the agency in the Older Adult Services’ Family Care Department as a Care Manager in May 2008.  He has experience in customer service, sales and as a family caregiver.  Reggie was born in Chicago, IL and graduated from Upper Iowa University – Milwaukee Campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2007.

Rimma Vainman

Rimma was born in the Ukraine and graduated from the Institute of Culture in Russia, where she worked as a librarian in Russia, Ukraine, and Israel. She immigrated to the United States in 2000. Rimma is married with two children.

Lena Vusiker

Lena was born in the town of Kremenchug, Ukraine on November 13 1930. She graduated from the Kiev Foreign Languages Institute in 1952 and worked as an English teacher at the Kiev High School # 51 for 22 years. She immigrated to Milwaukee, Wis. on March 19, 1980. She took courses in Social work 1, in social work 2, in Theory of Personalities and in counseling practices at UWM in 1981. She began her job at the JFS on July 14, 1980.

Barbara Weber, MSW, ICSW

Barbara completed her Master's in social work program at UWM in 1975 and has worked at Jewish Family Services, Milwaukee since 1978 as a clinician and administrator. Since 1995 she has served as Director of Multicultural Programs. Barbara serves as the coordinator and fiscal manager for the Milwaukee Area Refugee Consortium (MARC). In this role she has also been responsible for program development, fiscal reporting, and coalition building, and has initiated opportunities to obtain grants for designing and implementing services to immigrants and refugees.

Collaborative programs she has organized include employment services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) adults, an employment initiative and a cultural orientation curriculum for preliterate African refugees, a Milwaukee County Department on Aging workshop addressing the needs of LEP elderly in Milwaukee, and a health education and wellness project for immigrants from Russia and Bosnia. Barbara has served as co-chair for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging Advisory Committee and for the Wisconsin Refugee Advisory Council. She also serves as the Quality Improvement Coordinator for JFS.

Lauren Wiczynski

Lauren graduated from Marquette University in 2004 with a BA in Social Welfare and Justice.  She is originally from Ohio and returned there to start her career in case management for the mentally ill, then went on to counsel people for health/wellness.  Lauren recently returned to Milwaukee and has been with Jewish Family Services since May 2007.

Irene Yakubovich

Irene Yakubovich has a BS and has been working in the Family Care department at Jewish Family Services for four years.

Irina Yanovskaya

Irina joined JFS in September 2001 and is a case manager for the Family Care team since February of 2002. She has an MA and enjoys working with the elderly.

Charity Yoder

Charity Yoder joined JFS as a Case Manager in the LinkAges program in 2006. Charity has worked in the field of older adult services for the past seven years. In 2005 she graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Gerontology from the University of Northern Colorado.