The Jewish Community Center has selected its interim President and CEO Jim Sluyter to fill the position permanently. The appointment was approved by the The J’s board of directors on Thursday, Aug. 27. Slyter, who is not Jewish, was chosen from a pool of 35 candidates and three finalists who were vying for the position that became open when Jacob Schreiber resigned in January.
“I am deeply honored and proud to be named the CEO of The Jewish Community Center,” Sluyter said. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}“I am excited to be part of this great institution and to have the opportunity to lead The J forward, as I know our best years lie ahead.”
This is the second time Sluyter, who has worked for The J for 16 years — first as comptroller and then chief financial officer — has served as interim CEO. The first time was in 2009.
Sluyter is the first non-Jewish person to serve The J as its top leader. However, he is not the only non-Jewish person to serve in the top position at a JCC on the national level. In 2014 the 92nd Street Y, the oldest JCC in the country, promoted Henry Timms as its first non-Jewish chief.
Sluyter said his first personal challenge will be to “reassure the community that I am dedicated to the Jewish mission of the JCC.”
The mission of The J, as stated on its website, is “to enrich our diverse community by cultivating an inclusive environment built upon Jewish values, heritage and culture. We offer programs of excellence that enhance wellness, meaning and joy from generation to generation.”
Mark Bohen, vice chair board leadership and head of The J’s executive search committee, is confident Sluyter can head the Jewish organization.
“Although Jim is not Jewish, he truly understands and embraces Jewish values and traditions,” Bohen said.
Ken Sigman, chair of The J’s board, whole-heartedly agreed with Bohen.
“Jim is actually pushing for more visible Jewish activities than some of our people on the board who are Jewish,” Sigman pointed out. “All of his kids attended the CDC and brought home values they have adopted in their family, such as tzedakah.”
“Yes, he is a man of a different faith but the same basic tenets of faith in general apply,” Sigman concluded.
Sigman and Bohen are proud that The J’s board was intent on conducting a formal and transparent search for the new president and CEO. The nationwide search was done through the help of JCCenters Assocation of North America consultant Dori Denelle.
“The search was a rigorous and transparent process,” said Bohen. “We had candidates throughout all of North America, with applicants from as far away as Canada, from Nevada, to Pennsylvania, to right here in Overland Park. Jim stood out for a number of reasons … he is a terrific leader that will help take The J to the next level.”
“We’re confident we chose the very best person for the job as Jim embodies all of the leadership qualities we were looking for; in addition, he’s a humble and collaborative leader who, as The J’s interim CEO, was already reaching out and working with the leaders of other Jewish organizations throughout our community,” Bohen added.
Sigman added that the search committee didn’t begin its search until another committee decided exactly what type of person was needed as The J’s next leader. Those qualities included being a good listener, someone who has a sense of humor and someone who is humble.
“We wanted someone who knew it’s not about the CEO, it’s about the organization. The person we were searching for had to have a sense that the organization is more important, it’s not about me,” Sigman explained.
It was also important to the committee that they find a person who is a “servant leader.” To Sigman, that’s a leader who works with the staff, not stands above the staff as a supreme leader.
“If I’m a servant leader and you work for me, I come to you and say, ‘What can I do to make your job better. I work for you,’ ” Sigman explained.
“A servant leader is also a person who is willing to listen to those around him, knowing that no one person always has the best idea.”
Sigman continued to explain why Sluyter is considered a servant leader.
“Jim, at 5:15 in the morning, is down in the fitness center greeting people as they are coming in the door, giving them fruit and asking how they like The J,” Sigman said.
After serving in the interim twice, Sluyter is excited to put his own stamp on the organization.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to move the organization forward because I think this organization impacts the community in so many ways and I think that I can lead the organization into furthering that mission and impacting the community even more.
Among his first priorities will be to fill the position of CFO when he took over as interim CEO in January. In addition to filling his old job, Sluyter said he will be concentrating on filling a couple of other big positions that are open at The J. Candidates are currently being interviewed for the cultural arts director position. The J also hopes to hire a chief development officer and a human resource person.
Sigman truly believes The J “needed somebody to take a much more sophisticated staff, more resources, more outreach to the community, to the next level,” and Sluyter is that person.
“Jim and The J are deeply committed to our mission and to promoting Jewish values, heritage and culture,” said Sigman. “We’re proud to blend our traditional mission with that of a progressive, forward-thinking organization.”{/mprestriction}
