A special community conversation with Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th Surgeon General of the United States and the author of the New York Times bestseller Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, and Dr. Anita Friedman, JFCS Executive Director.

This timely, virtual event will present an update on the pandemic and deep insights into how we can nurture our children, our parents, our community, and ourselves during these uncertain times.

Join us in support of JFCS' Pandemic Emergency Services and JFCS' Center for Children and Youth to ensure that no one is left alone.

To sponsor this event, or to become a community partner, contact Lois Wander at LoisW@jfcs.org.

About Dr. Vivek H. Murthy

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States, appointed by President Barack Obama. During his tenure, he created initiatives to tackle the country’s most urgent public health issues, including the Ebola and Zika viruses, obesity, mental health, and the opioid crisis. Currently, Dr. Murthy serves as a health care expert and consultant advising on the health and well-being of the public during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

In 2017, Dr. Murthy focused his attention on chronic stress and isolation as prevalent problems that have profound implications for health, productivity, and happiness. Partnering with the Veterans Health Administration, he led a convening that brought together leading thinkers, researchers, and practitioners to identify scientifically proven ways we can cultivate emotional well-being and fitness to help us thrive among the most challenging circumstances. This spring Dr. Murthy’s first book, Together—The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, was published by HarperCollins and made the New York Times Best Sellers list.

Dr. Murthy received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard and his M.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Yale. He completed his internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and later joined Harvard Medical School as faculty in internal medicine. His research focused on vaccine development and later on the participation of women and minorities in clinical trials.

As a special gift, Dr. Murthy’s book is available with a 10% discount and free shipping from Books Inc. A percentage of book sales will go to JFCS’ Community Emergency Fund. Use the code: JFCSCOMMUNITYREADS. Shop now.

About Dr. Anita Friedman

Dr. Anita Friedman has a distinguished record of public service, both as a professional and as a volunteer leader. Her roles in the Jewish and general communities extend from the Bay Area to the national and international arenas.

Professionally, Dr. Friedman heads Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the largest and oldest family service institutions in the United States. Dr. Friedman also serves as Board President of the Koret Foundation, one of the Bay Area’s most prominent philanthropies.

As a speaker, lecturer, and author, Dr. Friedman’s expertise includes social policy and programming for diverse populations—from children and youth to families and the aged; the provision of health and human services; and the development of innovative business social enterprise models.

Dr. Friedman is also an expert on Holocaust and genocide education. She is the editor of the English-language edition of Rywka’s Diary (HarperCollins), which has been published in more than a dozen languages and is the subject of a forthcoming film. Another major documentary produced by Dr. Friedman on Eastern European Jewish life is scheduled for completion and global distribution this year.

Dr. Friedman has served on various local, state, national, and international commissions, including as Commissioner of the San Francisco Human Services Commission. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her public service leadership.

All Together Now: Dr. Vivek Murthy in Conversation with Dr. Anita Friedman