The LJD Jewish Family & Commuinity Services Welcomes New Board President

THE LJD JEWISH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES WELCOMES NEW BOARD PRESIDENT

By Caryl Butterley The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services

JFCS is honored to welcome Christen Luikart as its new Board President. Christen is a partner of the law firm of Murphy & Anderson, P.A. She is a litigator who handles a variety of cases and has tried more than 65 jury trials, including two recent full defense verdicts as lead counsel. Christen previously served as a prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville. She obtained her B.A. and B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Florida on a full academic scholorship, and earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Florida Levin College of Law - where she was awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding Contribution to the University of Florida. In her spare time, Christen enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.

Christen has served on the JFCS Board since 2018, and on its Executive Committee since 2020. She feels its work is an essential part of strengthening our community. “More than ever, our community is plagued with significant obstacles that threaten to divide us even further,” Christen said. “The importance of JFCS, and all that it does, cannot be understated. From financial assistance, to education, to counseling, to providing food to those in need, JFCS works tirelessly to build a stronger community for us all. I am excited to serve as a president and support the agency in what it does best - helping people help themselves.”

“We are thrilled to have Christen step into this important role,” said Colleen Rodriguez, JFCS CEO. “We are also grateful to outgoing Board President, Dr. David S. Loeb, whose guidance was critical during the difficulties of the pandemic.”

JFCS is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida. Its funding helps support several of the programs and opportunities we provide for the Jewish Community.