NOT long ago, supporters of Jewish Family Service toyed with the idea of changing the name of the venerable Denver agency, founded in 1872 with the help of legendary Denver philanthropist Frances Wisebart Jacobs, and originally named the Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society.

Was the “Jewish” in the name too parochial? Was it too narrow in defining the agency’s extensive work in the general and Jewish communities? Would it discourage non-Jews and foundations from supporting its work?

As it turned out, the name-change idea didn’t go over very well.

Opponents of the change — most notably, JFS’ president and CEO, Yana Vishnitsky — negated the idea.

Like National Jewish Health, Vishnitsky told the Intermountain Jewish News in a recent interview, JFS should always be associated with the Jewish community, whether that goes over well with the general community or not.