The inaugural Robert and Jennie Chortek Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Irving Chortek has been awarded to David Prodoehl, Disabilities Case Manager at JFS.

Please join JFS in congratulating David on this award, in appreciation for his excellence, compassion and dedication. It was awarded during the JFS Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

David earned his BS from the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at UW–Milwaukee in 2001 and joined JFS in 2004. Since 2006, he has supported the Sandy Naimon Breakfast Club, providing socialization and emotional support to adults living with disabilities and chronic mental illness. As a Disabilities Case Manager, David helps clients live independently with dignity and respect.

Jewish Family Services has been a recipient of a ten-year commitment from the Irving L. Chortek Fund in memory of his parents, Robert and Jennie Chortek. This gift touched the lives of many individuals who received help through our Mental Health services, Social Services for Russian Speakers and Disabilities Case Management.

The sister of one of David’s former clients shared these words:
“I was so pleased to hear that JFS is honoring David Prodoehl for his outstanding work. For nearly a decade, David was my brother Harry’s caseworker, and consistently went above and beyond to support him. David helped Harry find housing, attend appointments, manage daily needs, and stay engaged socially through programs like the Sandy Naimon Breakfast Club. He even encouraged Harry to share his film reviews with the group, eventually inspiring a monthly column that brought joy and identity to his life.
After Harry’s passing in 2020, JFS presented our family with a bound volume of his reviews—a deeply meaningful gesture. David was not only a lifeline for my brother, but a steady support for our family. We are so grateful for his care and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”

The Chortek Legacy
Jewish Family Services (JFS) is honored to have been the recipient of a ten-year commitment from the Irving L. Chortek Fund, in memory of his parents, Robert and Jennie Chortek. This generous gift provided critical support for our Mental Health, Disabilities Case Management, and Social Services for Russian Speakers programs.
Through Mr. Chortek’s support, JFS reached an average of 850 individuals annually through mental health services­many of whom lacked insurance-and 475 individuals through social services and case management. His gift helped bridge the gap between service costs and what clients could afford, improving lives across our community. In March 2019, JFS formally recognized Irving Chortek’s generosity with a plaque honoring him and his parents. As his financial legacy concludes, we are proud to launch this perpetual recognition beginning in 2025-26, which is an an annual award honoring a staff member, board member, or volunteer whose work exemplifies the compassion and commitment Mr. Chortek showed to our most vulnerable clients. Congratulations, David Prodoehl!