Volunteer Spotlight September 2026: Beth Silverwater
What can you tell us about yourself and your background?
I am 64 years old and grew up in Plainview, NY (Long Island). I studied at Cornell University where I earned a B.S. in food science and technology. After that, I took marketing and psychology courses at Nassau County Community College and then took graduate marketing courses in the business school at Pace University.
I have volunteered for most of my life in a variety of organizations. As a kid, I was a candy striper. At college, I taught teens’ nutrition and cooking in a 4H class. In addition, I worked as the editor of the Nassau County Bicycle Suitability Map (NY). Since college, I have served on several organization boards, held many officer roles, and served on many committees. I worked professionally for some of the time.
What volunteer role do you currently have with JFCS, and what does it involve?
The majority of my current volunteer work at JFCS has revolved around mental health education. The goal was to educate people in the Twin Cities area about mental health and illnesses, to reduce stigma, and to ease navigating the medical system to get the help they need. In 2000, I served on the Mental Health Education Project Committee for eight months when we conceived the idea of educating the Jewish community and the general public about mental health. We decided that the best possible way to achieve this was by having a conference on mental health.
From those discussions, Laurie Kramer, working with JFCS Minneapolis and JFS St. Paul, headed this effort at the time and put together a conference planning committee with representatives from different Jewish organizations to plan the initial conference. We thought that this was likely going to be a one-time conference. It was a huge success and as a result, JFCS and JFS decided to continue holding this event. Several years later, the planning committee expanded to include representatives of the largest mental health education non-profits.
Our conference planning committee is currently planning the 26th Annual Mental Health Education Conference. Over the years, I have helped plan all of the conferences and have given five presentations – two joint and three as the organizer and leader of panels.
What volunteer role have you had with JFCS in the past and what did it involve?
My past JFCS volunteer work consisted of nine years of working with the Bikur Cholim (visiting the ill) program, as well as helping some of the time with the Healing Resource Library. Besides visiting patients, I co-led a specialized class for visiting patients in psychiatric units. I do have a lived experience with mental illness and was able to teach about mental illness, provide information about psychiatric units from my experiences, and teach how to work with patients they would be visiting in a meaningful way. In addition, I served on the J-Chai Committee for five years and have helped wrap presents for the Hag Sameach program. (Some of these programs have since been discontinued – click here for a list of JFCS’ current volunteer opportunities.)
How long have you been volunteering with JFCS?
28 years.
What motivated you to become a volunteer with JFCS?
I decided to volunteer with JFCS to give back to the community – using my time, skillset and resources. I feel it is very important to practice Tikkun Olam – repairing the world. JFCS’ mission – “to provide essential services to people of all ages and backgrounds to sustain healthy relationships, ease suffering, and offer support in times of need” – resonates deeply with my values. The programs are in line with causes I care deeply about, and thus I decided to give my time and skills to JFCS.
What’s your favorite part about volunteering with JFCS and how has the experience impacted your life?
My favorite parts are to educate people about mental health and wellness, and to help people in times of need. There is an abundance of volunteer programs that have allowed me to take advantage of my volunteer desires. I’m glad that JFCS offers a variety of opportunities that have made it easy to fit volunteering into my schedule.
Is there a memorable experience or story that you would be willing to share?
My father, who had recently moved to Minneapolis for the last four years of his life, and his partner, came to the first panel presentation I organized and led, “Reducing the Stigma of Mental Illness,” with Sue Abderholden, NAMI MN Executive Director, and Shannah Mulvihill, Mental Health MN Executive Director. The goal of reducing stigma is one of the main goals for creating the Mental Health Education Conference in the first place. Needless to say, it was very successful and I was very happy that my father and his partner were there to see this.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with JFCS?
JFCS of Minnesota is a wonderful organization that really epitomizes the value of Tikkun Olam. Its many programs revolve around helping people. This is what attracted me and I hope you as well. It has both short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities that make volunteering fit into busy schedules.
Is there anything else you would like our volunteer community to know about you?
Volunteering my time, skillset, and resources drives my life. I stopped working professionally several years ago and thus have had the time to pursue volunteer work. I have been very happy and fortunate to make JFCS of Minnesota a recipient of my time – a large part of my volunteer work over the last 28 years has been spent with JFCS.
Click here to learn about and register for this year’s 26th Anniversary Mental Health Education Conference, taking place on Sunday, Oct. 11. The conference is open to all. Volunteers are needed for the day of the conference and are an integral part of making this conference special. Volunteers can accomplish tasks while also attending the conference. Click here to sign up.
Please contact Tabitha Benci DeRango at 952-417-2107 or tderango@jfcsmn.org if you have any questions.
For more information about JFCS Volunteer Services, click here or contact Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Manager, at dshapiro@jfcsmn.org.