Letter To The Editor
Dear Editor,
As a proud member of the search committee, I found Josh Nathan-Kazis’ Dec. 19 piece about the selection of Lonnie Nasatir as President-Elect of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to be a missed opportunity to highlight an exciting and pivotal moment in the Chicago Jewish community.
The search process was rigorous and thorough. The 18-member search committee—ranging in age from 31 to 93—included virtually every former JUF/Federation chairman of the board, plus leaders of JUF’s Young Leadership and Women’s Divisions. The search committee was comprised of volunteers only; it included no staff. Under the leadership of an outside consultant, this committee conducted an extensive, six-month national search, considering a field of nearly 40 exceptionally qualified candidates and interviewing dozens of extraordinary professionals.
Ultimately, the search committee unanimously recommended Lonnie Nasatir as the next president, and the JUF/Federation Board of Directors approved the search committee’s recommendation.
The reality is that Lonnie Nasatir’s credentials would have made him a prime candidate for leadership at any Federation, anywhere. His professional experience, his tenure as a leader in the Jewish community, his impeccable work ethic and character made him the right choice despite, not because of, his last name.
Sincerely,
David Sherman
Search Committee Member
2008-2010 Chairman of the Board
Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO