Joining other Jewish community-based outreach programs across the country, JFCS of the Suncoast recently announced the appointment of Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz as its new community chaplain. In this role, he will lead the Jewish Healing Program at JFCS of the Suncoast as well as serving on the JFCS Executive Leadership Team. As community chaplain, Rabbi Katz will facilitate visitation programs for unaffiliated Jews at local hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, direct JFCS’s Bereavement Support Groups, supervise the agency’s Friendly Visitors and prison ministry programs, and participate in the Jewish Aging Mastery Program, a national pilot program offered in conjunction with The Patterson Foundation. Additionally, Rabbi Katz will oversee JFCS volunteers who provide Shabbat, High Holy Day and other holiday worship experiences to isolated Jewish residents as well as celebrate Hanukkah, Purim and Passover with them. A former spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key, Katz received his formal chaplaincy training at Sibley Hospital in Washington DC and previously served as a chaplain in the Baltimore City Fire and Prince William County, Virginia Police departments.

JFCS of the Suncoast