Bill Stein steps in as interim executive director at Jewish Residential Services
JRS hopes to have the position defined and a new executive director in place in six to nine months.
Bill Stein has taken the helm of Jewish Residential Services as its interim executive director following the departure of Harold Love earlier this month.
Love was hired in June 2016 to replace longtime JRS executive director Deborah Friedman upon her retirement. He left his position on Jan. 5, 2018, according to Judy Greenwald Cohen, president of the board of JRS.
“Harold was extremely helpful in getting us to the point where we are in the organization,” Cohen said.
JRS was founded in 1993 to provide housing options for adults in the community with psychiatric or intellectual disabilities. JRS runs other programs as well, including the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, a psychiatric and social rehabilitation program.
The JRS board will be examining the parameters of its executive director position, Greenwald said, with an eye toward restructuring.
“Bill will oversee our day-to-day operations,” Cohen said. “And along with our seasoned staff, he will look at the position of executive director and help us get ready for our search.”
Though a search committee has not been formed, the board hopes to have the position defined and a new executive director in place within six to nine months, said Cohen.
JRS and ACTION-Housing are now working on converting the former Poli’s restaurant property at 2607 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill to a six-story complex, called the Seymoure and Corinne Krause Commons, which will include 33 affordable housing units, the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse and administrative offices for JRS.
Half of the apartment units will be designated specifically for individuals with disabilities, with the remainder open to people with or without disabilities but with limited incomes.
In addition to administrative duties, Stein will “help to coordinate the building project at Forward and Murray,” he said. “I will be part of the frequent group meetings with the architects and the builders.”
While he will also “look around to see if there are opportunities for improved operations,” Stein said he is impressed with the work JRS is doing with its clients.
“That’s one of the things we do well,” he said. “And that will continue.”
The reorganization at the executive level is “not about our mission or who we serve,” Cohen stressed. “We have the same incredible staff, and we’re proud of the work they do.” PJC
Toby Tabachnick can be reached at
ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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