I am pleased to share the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's 2022 Annual Report. We encourage you to read the report and take great pride in our community's successes. As always, feel free to reply to this email with any questions.
It is hard to believe that in two weeks I will celebrate my 12th anniversary at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. It has been the most positive experience in my professional career. This is due to two important factors -- incredible volunteer leaders/partners and an outstanding team of professionals I work with on a daily basis. What they continue to achieve is truly remarkable.
As we begin the new fiscal year, I want to share more about the Jewish Federation professional team with you. Some names may be familiar, and others may not – but you should know these excellent professionals:
Julie Alferez has been with the Jewish Federation for four years, works in our finance department, and serves as our office manager. If you ever call the Jewish Federation office or have a question about your pledge statement, you will hear her cheerful voice and feel her friendly personality.
Jessica Anderson joined the Jewish Federation and Secure Community Network (SCN) team in February 2022 as the Director of Community Security. She retired from the FBI after 24 years, serving as Supervisory Special Agent in Counterterrorism for the State of Oregon. Jessica provides safety trainings and risk assessments for Jewish organizations across the state, assists with applications for non-profit security grants from the Department of Homeland Security, and is our liaison to the police and FBI whenever an incident occurs in the Jewish community.
Important Note -- Sunday at 6:00 p.m., watch the CNN Special Report, “Rising Hate: Antisemitism in America." CNN anchor Dana Bash visited the SCN National Jewish Security Operations Command Center in Chicago, where she toured the facility and spoke with SCN intelligence analysts. SCN provided extensive background information on the threat landscape and SCN’s work to create a security shield over the Jewish community in North America.
Daniel Berger is the newest addition to our team, starting on September 1 as our Growth Marketing Director. Daniel has over 25 years of experience in graphic design, copywriting, and social media management. Daniel will focus on developing and managing marketing programs in specific channels, supporting community-building objectives, increasing financial resource development, fostering donor retention, advancing brand building, and providing staffing support. We look forward to working with him.
Rabbi Barry Cohen came to the Jewish Federation four years ago and serves as our community chaplain. Rabbi Cohen regularly visits Jewish patients in hospitals and residents of senior care facilities to bring pastoral care and a smile. He has been instrumental in supporting Jewish Family and Child Service in their group work.
Bob Horenstein has worked at the Jewish Federation for 28 years and serves as our Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs. His job is not easy as he works with committees (made up of representatives of community organizations and at-large community members) to build consensus on a variety of legislative and policy issues. He also works closely with other religious, ethnic, and cultural groups to create partnerships and to find areas of common concern, including houselessness.
Wendy Kahn has been promoted to be our Chief Development Officer. Wendy joined our team in early 2017 after many years as a volunteer leader at the Jewish Federation, while also serving as a professional at a synagogue. Wendy continues to lead our growing Annual Campaign efforts and Women’s Philanthropy programs.
Deborah Moon has worked at local Jewish publications for 30 years. She worked at the Jewish Review until it closed in 2012. She then served as editor of Oregon Jewish Life magazine. Thirty months ago, we
re-launched the Jewish Review with Deb as the editor. She probably knows more about the happenings of our Jewish community than anyone else.
Rachel Nelson has been at the Jewish Federation for nine years and comes from a family of Jewish communal professionals. Rachel serves as our Director of Educational Initiatives and Associate Director of Community Relations. She convenes the Portland Area Jewish Educators (PAJE), manages PJ Library, oversees our multiple incentive grant programs (One Happy Camper, Chai Israel, Jewish Right Start), manages the Sussman Fund scholarship program, and leads our intergroup outreach efforts with other ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
Caron Blau Rothstein has been promoted to be Chief Allocations and Engagement Officer. Caron oversees our community allocations process, is coordinating our Community Trip to Israel, and is leading our upcoming community study. Caron manages Rachel’s Well – Community Mikvah and serves as the “community concierge” to welcome newcomers, along with other special projects. She has worked at the Jewish Federation for 11 years.
Laura Renner-Satushek has been at the Jewish Federation for nine years and manages our campaign donor database. I cannot reinforce enough the importance of this role.
Ben Winkleblack has been promoted to be our Chief Finance Officer. He ensures all community dollars donated are used wisely and for the purpose intended. Under his leadership, the Jewish Federation continues to be under or at budget year after year and maintains an annual “clean audit.” He also coordinates our Jewish Free Loan Program. Ben has been at the Jewish Federation for 16 years.
I also want to acknowledge the work of our graphic designer, Rick Lupert (in Los Angeles), and our social media consultants, Izzy Wellman and Emma Pelc (in Minneapolis). They have been wonderful partners and make our work much easier.
These are special people -- great colleagues and friends. I say this every year -- I have never worked with a better group of professionals than the team at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. What this group makes happen (we are by far the smallest professional team of any Jewish Federation of our size in the country) with no department silos and an “all for one” mentality is truly special. Two reasons -- they "live and breathe" Jewish community and their longevity is a major positive. Plus, these professionals do this work ON YOUR BEHALF!
Feel free to send any of them (click on their name above) a note of thanks.
Shabbat shalom.
0Comments
Add CommentPlease login to leave a comment