After 41 years, Shalom Apartments gets a new executive director

Susan Bazar

Susan Bazar has been named executive director of Shalom and Shalom II Apartments, in Warwick.

Bazar is taking over from Bonnie Sekeres, who was the executive director for 41 years.

 “With the utmost integrity and keen fiscal prudence, Bonnie has overseen daily Housing and Urban Development [HUD] operations, and community and tenant relations here,” Bazar said. “A consensus-builder, Bonnie created and sustained a staff culture rooted in kindness and exemplary performance.”

In addition to overseeing HUD operations, Bazar will serve as Jewish Collaborative Services’ community liaison statewide, also representing The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, in Warwick.

Bazar is no stranger to JCS, a full-spectrum social services and housing agency. For the past few years, she has been the chief of administration and strategy, the management agent of Shalom and Shalom II. Prior to that, she was a longstanding board member of JSA and president of its Board of Trustees.  She was also executive director of the Jewish Seniors Agency prior to the merger that formed JCS. In these positions, she became familiar with Shalom’s operations, as well as its reputation, both statewide and nationally, as a sterling HUD community.  

Bazar, of Narragansett, has a B.A. in sociology from Tufts University and a certificate in community health. With a background in community health, advocacy and business strategy, she brings to her new position a wealth of experience in navigating complex systems to meet individual and community needs. 

Jewish Collaborative Services serves Rhode Island and beyond, providing a single-entry point for the following programs: The Counseling Center, Case Management, The Kesher program, Lifeline RI, Partners in Care, Adoption Options, Jewish Eldercare of RI, The Louis and Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry, Kosher Senior Café and Meals on Wheels. Housing options include The Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence, including Celebrations Adult Day Services, Respite, and Shalom and Shalom II Housing.

Submitted by
Jewish Collaborative Services.