Citing personal reasons, Gideon Aronoff, the CEO of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, is resigning.

Aronoff, who has served as president and CEO of the organization for the last six years, made the announcement Wednesday in a letter to friends.

“For personal reasons I must seek other opportunities to serve that better enable me to fulfill my obligations to my family during a time of significant transition,” he wrote in his letter. “While the exact contours of my next phase are not fully developed, I am confident that I will build on my experience at HIAS and seek new opportunities to make a difference.”

HIAS announced that Mark Hetfield, senior vice president for policy and programs, will serve as interim president and CEO while the organization searches for a permanent replacement for Aronoff.

The resignation takes effect May 31.

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