Jewish Family Service is proud to introduce Tavia Minnich as the new Manager of Marketing and Donor Development. The decision to hire Tavia in July of 2024 was based on the philosophy that marketing and donor development are not just about transactions; they are about building lasting connections.
Tavia grew up in the Lehigh Valley and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Kutztown University, along with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Lehigh Carbon Community College. With a background in nonprofit administration, Tavia has led marketing, development, and operations teams at a variety of organizations including Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, PBS39, and the Museum of Indian Culture. Tavia is passionate about Judaism and Jewish values and has accomplished her goal to work for an organization where she can truly feel a sense of belonging while helping the Jewish community and community-at-large.
“The decision to hire Tavia was an easy one,” says Debbie Zoller, the executive director of JFS. “I want to bring more awareness to what JFS does for the community. Tavia’s background and professional experience align with my goal of shining a light on the accomplishments and initiatives of the agency for the community and our generous supporters.”
As Tavia establishes herself in her new role, she is gaining mastery in managing the JFS website. She oversees the creation of the agency’s Hakol page, programs and event promotion, and donor development through annual appeals and the annual fundraiser. Social media and weekly e-blasts highlight the dedicated JFS volunteers, donation requests, and the agency’s focus on supporting mental health for counseling clients.
When asked about the most surprising part of her job, Tavia says, “I never realized all that JFS did! My office shares a wall with the Community Food Pantry. Volunteers are very intentional in providing a dignified experience for clients, and I often hear clients saying they don’t want to take too much of a product if someone else could use it more. It’s pretty incredible.”
What’s next? Tavia looks forward to expanding the Life & Legacy program, an important philanthropic initiative which has the potential to ensure that JFS is here for generations to come. A natural bridge-builder, she is cultivating partnerships with Jewish Federation, LV Chamber, and other entities in order to develop collaborative opportunities and better support each other. Tavia says, “It is my belief that we are stronger together as a community.”