NJAMHAA News Winter 2023

14 Winter 2023 Meet New Leaders of Two Long-term NJAMHAA Member Agencies NJAMHAA congratulates Shaina Sherman, MSW, LSW, Executive Director, Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon andWarren Counties (JFS), and Robert Szapor, MBA, BSN, RN, SCRN, Assistant Vice President of Behavioral Health and Neurosciences at AtlantiCare, on their new leadership roles, and is pleased to share their thoughts on the impact and future of their organizations. Shaina Sherman NJAMHAANews: What is your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in behavioral health and social services? Shaina Sherman: Volunteering has always been a big part of my life. As a teen, I volunteered at a summer camp for youth with physical and developmental disabilities and a program for older adults. I felt instantly connected, personally and then professionally, to helping people who are experiencing different challenges and don’t have opportunities or access to services. I completedmy undergraduate studies at Rider University. I originally studied special education and realized teachingwas not the right track, so I took psychology classes. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minored in Gender and Human Sexuality Studies, as well as Social Work. I had a unique opportunity to intern at a social service agency that supports the homeless population. These experiences made me aware of people working to address issues that lead to poverty, including mental illness and substance use disorders, and I wanted to be a part of that. I earned anMSWdegree in the clinical track at Rutgers University. I also received a certificate in serving the aging population and interned at a senior center and a small social services agency. My experiences also include fundraising, group programming, grant writing, community organization and event planning. I felt I could make the largest impact by ensuring access to direct services. NJAMHAANews: What attracted you to your current position and this agency? Shaina Sherman: I worked in the Jewish communal field for most of my career. These organizations serve the greater community, regardless of religious background. JFS serves everyone in need through the lens of Jewish values: Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam. Tzedakah is widely known as charity, but the word actually means “justice,” and a lot of our work as social workers is about pursuing justice for the people we serve. Tikkun Olam literally means “repairing the world,” and it is a Jewish value to know that while it is not our duty to fix the world, it is our responsibility to try. We’re proud to be here for our neighbors when they need us most. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring together my passion for helping people and education with social work and management skills. It’s a perfect next step. Previously, I worked for a partner agency, so I already knew a few of the staff here at JFS. Our professionals have a very clear commitment to the quality of services for clients, and I’m proud to be part of the team here. NJAMHAANews: What have you found to be the greatest rewards of your current role? Shaina Sherman: The social workers at JFS demonstrate collective compassion, empathy and dedication to our clients on a daily basis. I find it rewarding to support our employees in their work, serving people who might not have others to support them. We serve vulnerable populations, including seniors and neurodiverse participants. We help families who are on the brink of crisis to ensure no one falls through the cracks. JFS really values our volunteers. We engage them through a number of our services, including friendly visiting, familymentoring, career counseling, senior grocery shopping and other programs. Appreciating our volunteers aligns withmy personal values.