Jerry Silverman Will Step Down As Federations Chief
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — Jerry Silverman will step down next year after 10 years as president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, the umbrella body of local community Jewish philanthropies.
Silverman announced his decision in an email Monday to colleagues. He said that after consulting with his family, he decided not to seek renewal of his contract after it ends in September 2019.
“I wholeheartedly plan to continue at my usual pace until September 2019. My decision is bittersweet,” he wrote. “However, as I have always stated, family comes first.” He is the father of five grown children.
Silverman came to JFNA in 2009 after serving as CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Prior to that he was an executive for various consumer brands, including serving as president of the Keds Corp.
JFNA serves as a coordinating body for 148 Jewish federations and 300 smaller “network” communities, claiming combined fundraising of more than $2 billion annually. The money is distributed to programs in Israel and Jewish social services and educational needs in North America and abroad.
Silverman said a CEO search could take more than a year.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
