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Joanna Macrae is the first
person that guests, clients
and employees of Jewish
Family & Child Service
see on entering the office.
“Welcoming” is but one Cantor Vitells retires
positive adjective Executive from Shaarie Torah
Director Ruth Scott uses to Cantor Aaron Vitells has re-
describe “Jo.” tired from the Shaarie Torah
pulpit after more than two de-
JFCS’ bookkeeper has perfect pitch cades, citing medical reasons
related to his voice. In an an-

the Shaarie Torah community
BY JENN DIRECTOR KNUDSEN job opening that would be a promotion and just nouncement that went out to
By night, Joanna Macrae provides harmony for the professional challenge she sought. on Nov. 11, he shared, “Around
her two bands. By day, Jo, as she’s known to her Case in point: Nearly one year into the job, two years ago, surgery was per-
colleagues at Jewish Family & Child Service, JFCS has expanded its client base, programs and formed to remove a polyp from
provides harmony in the office. pay sources (such as private insurance), so the my vocal cord. Since that time,
JFCS’ bookkeeper and payroll specialist, Jo, 35, agency’s billing requirements and systems have I have been having increasing
took perhaps an untraditional path to the nonprof- become more complex. issues with my voice. At this
it to support staff and clients in its four programs “We’re receiving multiple grants to cover coun- point, while my soul is willing,
– Counseling, Emergency Aid, Disability Sup- seling programs like our new grief-processing my voice simply will not al-
port Services and Holocaust Survivor Services. group, we have a newly licensed social worker low me to lead our community
Eight years ago, a family friend and owner of on staff, we assist kids and families,” she says. through the Shabbat liturgy.”
Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge simul- Smiling she adds, “I’m doing a little bit of ev- He will gain the title of Cantor
taneously offered Jo and her mom a part-time erything and a little bit more than just being a Emeritus, beloved and honored
job to provide some efficiencies in its revenue capitalist cog in the wheel.” among the kehillah.
system. “Jo is energetic, positive, always ready to help “Cantor Vitells is an in-
“Because in 2013, it was still a pretty cash-heavy as well as learn,” says Ruth Scott, executive di- credible mensch and asset to
business,” Jo says of restaurants in general. rector. “She is growing in her skill set as JFCS our synagogue, and we are
Jo beat her mom to the punch (they still get grows and embraces new tasks, like learning strengthened knowing that he is
along), and as the pizza joint’s office clerk, Jo’s medical billing, as opportunities.” both physically well (except for
responsibilities quickly grew beyond handling Benefits and Operations Manager Janene Rich- his voice) and remaining a part
cash to include QuickBooks, payroll, depositing ards adds, “Jo is always willing to help, in any of our community,” says Rabbi
and other related tasks. area of the organization, even volunteering on Gary Ezra Oren.
To subsidize the part-time, back-office portion weekends for special events. She is wicked smart The congregation will not im-
of the job, Jo joined the pub’s waitstaff and slung and keeps track of so many things around the of- mediately seek a replacement
pizza, prepared salads, washed dishes and tapped fice. She’s a ‘Star Wars’ connoisseur, shockingly but will rely on lay leaders as
away on its old-fashioned cash register (the kind full of random fun facts, and a smile we can de- various vocal styles and melo-
that dings when the drawer opens). pend on. We’re so grateful to have her here at dies are explored.
associates degree in accounting from Portland makes me feel like I’m contributing as much as Jobs board
“I liked QuickBooks and payroll enough to re-
JFCS.”
turn to school,” Jo says, and in 2015 earned her
“I really like working for a nonprofit because it
Community College. “Most people find data en- possible to it,” Jo says.
try mind-numbing, but I find it satisfying, and I Just like she does harmonizing with bandmates FOUNDATION SCHOOL
got really good at it.” for The Waysiders, which specializes in country, Early Childhood Educator
So good that she often catches up on her reading classics, 60s pop, the blues and more, and Gerle Salary: $40,000-$42,000
via audiobooks while working two monitors to Haggard, an all-female band and clever play on Neveh Shalom Foundation
cross-reference data, track donations, enter bills their muse’s name, Merle Haggard, the famous School is seeking a nurturing
and more. Also, like so many later bloomers, Jo country singer-songwriter. Early Childhood Educator with
had struggled with math in college, but then a Jo helps keep her bands going despite their hav- Special Needs Background.
college teacher emphasized her talents, and she ing cancelled 17 gigs in summer 2020. Today, Knowledge of Judaism and/or
realized she is quite numbers savvy. The Waysiders performs up to twice a month at the Reggio Emilia philosophy a
And then the pandemic pounced. the Laurelthirst Public House, and Gerle Hag- plus but not required.
For the pizza pub to remain open, it had to pivot gard is picking up performances. Job listing: nevehshalom.org/
to takeout and delivery, and the transition was “I play rhythm guitar, provide some lead vo- foundation-school-is-hiring.
painful. Jo stayed to train a colleague and tied up cals,” she says. “But mostly harmony.” Both Send resume to Cory Willson at
the books in a bow before responding to JFCS’ night and day. cwillson@nevehshalom.org.
4 Jewish Review Nov. 24, 2021