Marina Goldshteyn: Building Community Beyond JFSLA
Marina Goldshteyn receiving the Outstanding Service to the Community Award at the West Hollywood Comprehensive Service Center at Plummer Park.
For nearly six years, Marina Goldshteyn has served older adults in West Hollywood as Jewish Family Service LA’s Activity Coordinator with the Arts, Wellness, and Engagement (AWE) Program. In her role, Marina creates classes centered on connection, creativity, and belonging. Through her work, Marina has become a familiar and trusted figure in West Hollywood’s Russian-speaking community, which makes up roughly 15% of the city’s residents.
Through JFSLA’s AWE Program, Marina oversees a wide range of programs, classes, and special events at the West Hollywood Comprehensive Service Center for seniors, including fitness classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, arts programming, and social activities designed to reduce isolation and improve emotional well-being among older adults. Since she began, she has increased attendance and increased connections among community members.
On May 23rd, Marina received the Outstanding Service to the Community Award at the 20th Annual Russian-Speaking Community Awards Presentation for her dedication to both the Russian-speaking community and the broader West Hollywood community. The annual awards celebrate individuals, organizations, and community leaders making a meaningful impact in the Russian-speaking community.
Marina accompanied by her husband Igor and son Sasha (Alex).
Outside of JFSLA, Marina regularly attends evening Russian-Speaking Advisory Board meetings and has become the key link between the Board and JFSLA. Through her consistent presence and engagement, she has helped strengthen their partnership, supporting collaboration on community events and advocacy efforts for older adult residents who visit the center.
“She is at every meeting,” said Raissa Aguf, from the Russian-Speaking Advisory Board. “It’s not required for her at all, but she still chooses to come, participate, listen, and share her comments. She is an exceptional person—very, very dedicated. This kind of involvement really strengthens the partnership between JFSLA and the advisory board, making our collaboration more effective.”
“There is no one more deserving than Marina of an award for serving the community in West Hollywood and in particular the Russian speaking community,” said Kimiko Kelly, JFSLA’s AWE Program Director. “She not only provides engaging classes and activities, she also is always available to provide support to Russian-speaking members by providing interpretation or in answering their questions. There is no doubt she has bettered lives and increased a sense of community through her work at JFSLA.”
For Marina, the goal has always been to create a space where all people feel welcome.
“The most important part is letting seniors know they’re not alone,” said Marina. “That was my main purpose in stepping into this role—building community, creating comfort, and helping reduce isolation.”
For those who know her, the recognition feels well deserved, not only for the programs she leads at the West Hollywood Comprehensive Service Center, but for the countless ways she continues to support the community beyond the organization’s walls.
