Who we are:

The United Jewish Fund for Charlottesville is a mission-driven fundraising community supporting Jewish causes making a difference in Charlottesville and around the world.

OUR COMMUNITY

Our community is made up of Jews of all affiliations and levels of observance living in Charlottesville, Virginia and the surrounding areas. Our community is also lucky to be joined by Jews all over the country with special connections to our community and the programs we support.

Our Board of Directors

Jeffrey Grossman

  • Member: Campaign Committee, Events Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2013 - present

  • Jeff was born in Youngstown, Ohio and grew up in a reform congregation. After graduating from Emory University School of Law, Jeff and his family moved to Charlottesville to launch a startup home healthcare business called Commonwise Home Care, of which he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer.

    Jeff joined the UJFC Board shortly after moving to Charlottesville because he was compelled to be more involved with the Jewish community. In his long tenure on the Board, Jeff has watched the scope of fundraising grow and with it, the impact on the local and international Jewish communities.

    Jeff says “the Charlottesville Jewish Community is civic minded, cultured, engaged and tight nit. It is an honor to serve on this Board”.

 

Dan Derby

  • Member: Campaign Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2021 - present

  • Bio forthcoming

 

Pam Socolow

  • Member: New Family Committee, Campaign Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2021 - present

  • Bio forthcoming

 

Russ Linden

  • Member: Campaign Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2008 - present

  • Russ grew up in Detroit, and went to school at the U. of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Russ and his first wife came to Charlottesville for warmer weather. They thought they’d stay 2-3 years, and that was in 1974!

    Russ teaches leadership courses to public and nonprofit managers and leaders. Russ joined the UJFC board because he loves the programs UJFC funds, and was happy to provide some "new blood" when asked.

    Russ leads a group called “Welcoming Greater Charlottesville” working to make the community open to all with special focus on immigrants and refugees. Russ is also active in local politics.

    Russ has a huge extended family, and he helps organize family reunions, Zoom talks and a family newsletter. He’s also a passionate fan of Michigan football and basketball - go Blue!

 

Dela Alexander

  • UJFC Board Member 0000 - present

  • Bio forthcoming

 

Pat Yorke

  • Member: Event Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2017 - present

  • In 2014, Pat retired from EMC Corporation in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and moved to Charlottesville to avoid the blizzards of the north and to be near her son and his family.

    Pat is honored to continue working with people who have grown to be dear friends while working to meet the needs of the Jewish community in Charlottesville. On the UJFC Board, Pat’s focuses her time and energy on events – UJFC’s Annual Brunch and our spring community get-together.

    Pat is currently the President of the Charlottesville Hadassah women’s organization, and is a member of the Chutzpah chorus.

    According to Pat, Charlottesville has proven to be the perfect place for her next exciting adventure.

 

Vikki Bravo

  • Member: Grants Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2002 - 2011, 2021 - present

  • Vikki moved to Charlottesville in 1997 for a job as an oncology social worker. Little did she know then that the real reason to move to Charlottesville was to meet her husband Gerry!

    Vikki is also involved in IMPACT, a local interfaith group that works to get solutions for serious community problems.

    Vikki serves on the UJFC board because we support a strong local Jewish community as well as Israel and Jews in need around the world.

    Vikki and Gerry enjoy travel and eating out.

 

Danielle Buynak Horner

  • Member: Communications Committee, Campaign Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2020 - present

  • A native of Charlottesville, Danielle got involved with UJFC during her time working as the Development Director for the Brody Jewish Center.

    Danielle is from an interfaith family, and is thankful to help represent UJFC’s commitment to Jewish people from all families.

    Danielle currently works as the Director of Community Outreach for the Erin Levtias Foundation, a sexual assault prevention nonprofit. Danielle is also a proud big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge.

    Danielle lives with her husband, Jeff and their dogs Lincoln and Zora. Danielle loves the Virginia Tech Hokies, being outside, making things, and exceptional books.

 

Truman Brody-Boyd

  • Member: Campaign Committee

    UJFC Board Member 2022 - present

  • Bio forthcoming

 

Anne Rafal

  • UJFC Board Member 2022 - present

  • Anne grew up in a Military family and moved to Charlottesville from Northern Virginia in 2021. Anne lived in Charlottesville between 2000 and 2007 and the pandemic gave her family the opportunity to move back.

    Anne is a mental health therapist and has a solo practice. Anne enjoys board work and supporting the Jewish community. Anne is also involved in the National Organization for Women and The Phillips Programs in Northern Virginia.

    Anne enjoys painting, pickle ball, and literature.