Honoring a Legacy of Service

In gratitude for a meaningful gift, JFS Richmond is proud to name the JFS Board and Community Room in honor of Nancy P. and Morton G. Thalhimer Jr. Their memories will be a blessing, and their generosity will leave an indelible mark on our community while advancing JFS’ mission for years to come.

This dedication reflects not only Mort and Nancy’s personal commitment to service, but also the extraordinary impact that three generations the Thalhimer family have had on the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Association/JFS over the last 176 years.

The family’s legacy began with Morton G. Thalhimer, who partnered with his cousin, William B. Thalhimer, to purchase Hyde Farmlands near Blackstone. Their goal was to help German Jewish agricultural students continue their education. In 1938, those students’ lives were saved when they immigrated to the United States and arrived at Hyde Farm.

The tradition of service continued through Morton G. Thalhimer Jr. and his wife, Nancy, who met while she was visiting her grandparents in Richmond. Together, they raised three children (Mort III, Richard and Leigh) and shared a love of skiing, tennis, golf, travel and strengthening the Richmond community.

Nancy served on the Board of Sheltering Arms and the Council of the VMFA. Mort served as President of Sheltering Arms, received the Clara Barton Award from Elizabeth Dole for his work with the Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross, and was a dedicated leader for the Collegiate School in honor of Nancy’s attendance there.

Their son, Morton G. Thalhimer III, further expanded the family’s connection to JFS. A longtime Board Member, he later became JFS President and Co-Chair of the JFS 150th Anniversary Celebration in 1999. Working side by side, Mort III and his father engaged local and national banks to support the milestone event, making it one of the most successful in the agency’s history. After his presidency, Mort III continued his service as a Trustee of the JFS Supporting Foundation.

In 2025, JFS was honored to receive a meaningful gift from the estate of Mort and Nancy. Naming the JFS Board and Community Room in their honor ensures that their legacy lives on every day within our agency.

By dedicating this room to Nancy and Morton, we celebrate a family whose compassion, leadership and generosity have shaped JFS for generations. Their legacy will continue to inspire all who walk through its doors.

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