Volunteer Spotlight November 2026: Natalia Sagalova-Kenigsberg
Natalia (right) at a Volunteers in Action project distribution event supporting PRISM
Tell us a little about yourself and your background:
I immigrated to the United States with my family, and I will always be grateful to our host family, Gloria and Stan Alexander, and their family, who helped us begin a new chapter here. My dad and aunt Bronya were the driving forces behind our move, hoping we would have the freedom to make our own choices and discover what being Jewish meant to us.
Today, I live in Maple Grove with the most wonderful and supportive husband on the planet. He is my biggest cheerleader, believing in me and supporting my decisions, even when I decide to add a Ph.D. to our already busy lives. I have worked in federal human resources for a little over 10 years and am pursuing a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology. My hope is to help people facing job loss rebuild their confidence and recognize possibilities for their future.
An important part of my connection to Judaism began through my children’s Jewish daycare. Karen Burton, the director, created a wonderful program for the children, and through them, I began learning about Jewish holidays, traditions, and songs. The daycare’s family days gave me opportunities to meet other Jewish parents and build connections that I cherish to this day. Karen also offered a position to my mom, who had been a pediatrician in the Soviet Union and has always loved working with children. My mom and I learned alongside my children thanks to Karen and the wonderful daycare community.
With an open heart, Karen welcomed us into her family’s holiday celebrations. For the first time, we experienced what it was like to celebrate Jewish holidays as a family, and soon afterward, we began bringing those traditions into our own home. Her kindness and warmth played a major role in shaping my Jewish journey, inspiring me to learn more about Judaism and helping me guide my children along that same path.
I am a very proud mother of two daughters. My older daughter is currently studying at the University of Minnesota and has a deeply compassionate heart. She is passionate about caring for animals and wants to save every little soul, ensuring they have a safe and loving environment where they can be healthy and thrive.
My younger daughter is a co-president and founder of the Jewish Student Union at Maple Grove High School, which she helped establish shortly after Oct. 7. When her grandfather, my dad, expressed concern that wearing a visible Star of David could put her at risk, she responded by embracing her identity even more openly. She contacted Mindy from the Jewish Student Union and asked her classroom teacher for permission to start a Jewish club. With her teacher’s wholehearted support, she helped create a space for Jewish connection, belonging, and awareness.
My dad’s fear came from his experience of being Jewish in the Soviet Union, where keeping our identity quite often felt necessary. Seeing his granddaughter choose to stand proudly in her Jewish identity is deeply meaningful to me. Both of my daughters make me proud in their own ways and give me so much hope for the future.
The more I learn about Judaism, the more I appreciate the importance of community and showing up for one another. Having experienced the kindness of people who helped our family, it means so much to be able to offer that kindness to others.
What volunteer roles have you had with JFCS, and how long have you been involved?
I have been involved with JFCS for four years and have had opportunities to help in several different ways. I am fortunate to speak Russian, particularly because JFCS supports a large Russian-speaking community. Through Hag Sameach, I have made calls to offer holiday gifts to individuals and families. During this past Hag Sameach delivery day, another volunteer and I called Russian-speaking gift recipients to let them know their Passover food was on the way. Being able to connect with them in their own language made the experience especially meaningful to me.
Most recently, I served as a registration assistant at the 26th Annual Mental Health Education Conference. I also participated in a Volunteers in Action project distribution event supporting PRISM. Each opportunity has given me another way to connect with our community and help people feel supported, remembered, and included, while reinforcing how meaningful it is to contribute my time, language skills, and energy to meeting the needs of others.
What does your current volunteer role involve?
My role involves calling individuals and families to offer gifts through Hag Sameach. These conversations also provide an opportunity to listen to their stories and help them feel remembered, cherished, and needed. Many have lived rich, meaningful lives and are happy to share their experiences with others.
I was recently offered the opportunity to serve as an outreach visitor for one Russian-speaking client. She has limited social contact and may be struggling with isolation. If I can bring a little light into her life a few times each month, I am happy to do so by connecting with her in Russian, listening to her stories, and offering a friendly, supportive presence.
What inspired you to start volunteering with JFCS?
I have always felt drawn to helping people, especially when they are going through an uncertain or difficult time. As my connection to my Jewish identity grew, I wanted to put what I was learning into practice. JFCS offered a meaningful way to turn caring into action and give back to my community.
When my children attended Jewish summer camp, JFCS offered scholarship opportunities that helped make it possible for children to participate. At that time, I hoped that one day I would be able to contribute financially toward other children’s summer-camp experiences and give back to the community through my time and service.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with JFCS?
The human connection. Even a short conversation creates an opportunity to listen, show kindness, and remind someone that their needs matter. I appreciate being able to contribute in a small but practical way to making someone’s holiday brighter and helping them feel seen, valued, and connected to the community.
I also enjoy meeting other volunteers. Everyone I have met has such a big heart and a genuine willingness to help others in any way they can. I have learned so much from their humility, as none of them view helping others as anything extraordinary. They simply want to help whenever they can, and they do so with great joy.
How has volunteering with JFCS impacted you personally?
Volunteering with JFCS has helped me feel more connected to my Jewish roots and to the community around me. It has also reminded me that we never fully know what another person may be carrying. Volunteering has reminded me to slow down and cherish time with the people I love, appreciate the stories, wisdom, and memories each stage of life brings, and recognize how quickly life moves. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for family, meaningful relationships, and the importance of being present for one another.
I know my mom and dad would be proud to see me building the sense of connection and belonging they hoped our family would find here. They may also be surprised that I find time to volunteer, but I believe it is something my soul desires. I truly hope that the help and companionship I offer are needed and meaningful to those I serve.
Is there a memorable experience or story from your volunteer service that you would like to share?
The most memorable moments are hearing how happy someone is to receive a phone call and how eager they are to share their story. Sometimes individuals tell me that I am the only person they have spoken with that day. Some have shared that being remembered, knowing they are still needed, and having someone who cares gives them a reason to get up in the morning.
Those words stay with me. They remind me how much a simple phone call can mean and how taking the time to listen can help someone feel less alone and know that they matter.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering with JFCS?
You do not need a special talent or all the answers to make a difference. Start with a willingness to listen and share some of your time. There are many ways to contribute, and something that feels small to you may mean a great deal to someone else. You may also find a sense of connection, purpose, and community that you did not realize you needed.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our volunteer community?
I was initially hesitant about being in the spotlight because I see myself as an ordinary person who simply wants to help. However, I am grateful for the opportunity to share how much being part of this community means to me.
Thank you to the staff and volunteers who make this work possible. To me, this is a meaningful expression of Jewish life: looking out for one another, sharing kindness, and making room for others to feel seen, supported, and that they belong.
For more information about JFCS Volunteer Services, click here or contact Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Manager, at dshapiro@jfcsmn.org.