Joan Gerstler

Shortly after Joan Gerstler retired in 1989 and made her first individual contribution, she received a postcard from UJA-Federation of New York's Women's Campaign asking her to participate in a telethon. She agreed and from that moment on has been an active, enthusiastic volunteer for the organization. As she puts it, "I haven't been out of the building since."

Joan was initially involved with the Manhattan Women's Division, rising to campaign chair and then to board chair. Later, she became a member of the Jewish Communal Network Commission and for six years served on its Organizational Review Committee, which regularly reviews the work of every agency affiliated with UJA-Federation. She still participates on its Jewish Community Councils Committee.

Most recently, Joan joined the Caring Commission, where she sits on the Poverty Task Force and the Task Force on Aging. She is also chairing an evaluation of safety-net grants through these task forces. "On the Caring Commission, you see the big-picture planning for potential change 20 years down the road and how we can make an impact," she explains.

"One satisfaction that I get is being with like-minded people who care as much as I do," Joan says. "It's humbling to work with so many capable and knowledgeable people here."

According to Joan, her first mentor at UJA-Federation was her late husband, Morris Gerstler, a longtime chairman of the organization's Cocktails and Formals Division. "He did so much that I was inspired to do something too," she notes.

In addition to her efforts on behalf of UJA-Federation, Joan volunteers for other groups as well. She was president of the Volunteer Council of the New York Philharmonic and continues as a member of the council. She also works with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York.

But UJA-Federation and its wide range of agencies are her first priority. "I get the joy of knowing that I'm part of a real community, both professional and lay, that makes a difference in people's lives," Joan says. "Whatever I can do in my very small way makes my life feel useful."