Specific Pioneering Contributions
Lori Popp Moss, MSW (1959-2025) dedicated over four decades to reshaping how social services are designed, delivered, and sustained—especially for older adults, immigrants, Holocaust survivors, and those facing food insecurity. Her career is distinguished by visionary, community-driven innovations that have become models of best practice nationwide.
During the resettlement wave from the Former Soviet Union (1989–1993), Moss led the design and implementation of wraparound services for every arriving family in Indiana. Her Family Circles program provided coordinated support for housing, employment, education, language acquisition, and community integration—establishing a replicable framework for immigrant support grounded in dignity and inclusion.
Moss also led the development and national recognition of the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program through the Reuben Center, mobilizing $2 million in federal funding and convening hundreds of local agencies to support aging in place. When the grant ended, she guided the transformation of the organization into Jewish Family Services (JFS)—expanding its mission to serve individuals of all ages. Under her leadership, this rebranded JFS became a national model for multi-generational, inclusive care.
In 2010, identifying a cultural gap in existing food support systems, Moss created Popsie’s Pantry—a culturally appropriate, accessible food pantry serving Jewish and non-Jewish families alike. The pantry remains an exemplary model in culturally responsive food security work.
Moss’s leadership extended further with the launch of the Kavod initiative in 2016, ensuring Holocaust survivors in Indianapolis received access to sustained federal support. Her successful advocacy with the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany resulted in Indianapolis receiving its first-ever Claims Conference grant in 2019—securing ongoing funding and recognition for local survivor services.
Career Highlights
Moss began her career as Director of Jewish Senior Services (1984–1992), where she developed coordinated systems of care for older adults. She then served as Program Leader at the Jewish Community Center (1992–2002), overseeing and expanding programs that addressed the needs of an aging population. From 2002 to 2024, she was Executive Director of Jewish Family Services, guiding the agency through a period of transformational growth, program innovation, and national integration. In 2017, Moss became the first Indianapolis professional to serve on the Board of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA), a role that expanded access to national resources and training for her community.
Her work has led to sustained systems change at both local and national levels. Through visionary leadership, she launched innovative services such as NORC, Popsie’s Pantry, and Kavod, each reflecting her deep commitment to responsive, inclusive, and sustainable social work practice. Equally important, she has built bridges across philanthropic, governmental, and community sectors, creating models that continue to thrive. Moss's career is marked by her ability to empower colleagues, influence national policy, and transform her agency into a beacon of excellence within the Jewish human service sector.
Biographic Information
Born in Indiana in 1959, Moss earned both a BSW (1981) and an MSW (1983) from Indiana University. Their career in social work spanned four decades, from 1984 to 2024, during which they focused on issues of aging, immigrant resettlement, food insecurity, Holocaust survivor services, and agency leadership.
Significant Achievements and Awards
- Frank H. Newman Award for Professional Excellence (2006) – Jewish Federation of Indianapolis
Recognizes outstanding achievement and innovation in professional service within Jewish communal organizations