Sharon Glassberg has spent years bearing witness to history. As a Holocaust Survivor Services Coordinator at Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) and President of the Board at the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, she has facilitated weekly support groups, creating sacred space for survivors to share their stories and find community. Now, in her expanded role as Coordinator of Holocaust Survivor Services & Jewish Inclusion, Glassberg is ensuring that the Jewish values at the heart of that work permeate the entire organization.
It’s a natural evolution for someone whose career has been defined by helping others explore and live their Jewish identity.
“I began my career in advertising,” Glassberg said. “Not surprisingly, with my love for summers spent at Camp Ramah in Ojai and winters working with teens in United Synagogue Youth, it did not take me long to realize education, especially Jewish education, brought me the most joy.”
That realization led Glassberg to spend the bulk of her career as Director of Jewish Education and Vice President for Programming & Organizational Development at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. The work, she says, was about creating space for people “to not only live their Judaism but also learn more about it and themselves along the way.”
Now at JFCS, where she has already established herself as a trusted presence among Holocaust survivors and as a therapist, Glassberg is taking on the challenge of strengthening Jewish inclusion throughout the organization, ensuring that the Jewish values that inspired JFCS’s founding remain central to its identity and mission.
“I find that I learn the most when I am teaching, informally or formally,” Glassberg explained. “All learners have questions that reflect where they are in their life. I get to live Judaism as I work within the community, finding answers that, of course, lead to more questions; this is truly the Jewish way!”
For Glassberg, the connection between supporting Holocaust Survivors and promoting Jewish inclusion is clear. Both require creating environments where Jewish identity can be expressed, explored, and honored.
“I am honored and excited to bring the love of learning and ‘doing Jewish’ to JFCS, to help ensure the Jewish values with which we were formed remain a central part of not only the work we do but who we are,” she said. “This is my contribution towards not only increased understanding but also respect for Jews here at home and around the world.”
As JFCS continues to serve the broader Southern Arizona community, Glassberg’s expanded role represents a commitment to maintaining the organization’s Jewish roots while remaining inclusive and accessible to all who need its services.
