More than one hundred Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) fundholders and supporters gathered on Dec. 11 for JCF’s 65th Annual Meeting and installation of officers and trustees.
JCF also celebrated the leadership of its outgoing Board of Trustees President Frank Lipsman and welcomed Joseph Hiersteiner as the Foundation’s new board chair.
The event included socializing, refreshments and a program which reflected on a year of philanthropy for every age and stage of life. The theme of the event was “Be the Change,” based on the Mahatma Gandhi quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
The program began with remarks from honorary event chairs Gail and Gary Weinberg, close personal friends of Lipsman and his wife, Janet Mark.
“Over the years, we’ve watched Frank in many leadership roles, as it seems he has been chair or president of almost every agency in our community,” the Weinbergs said. “Frank is an exceptional leader. He is a great calming voice and always reflects wisdom and intelligence.”
Another friend of Lipsman, Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami, provided a d’var Torah.
During the business meeting of the program, JCF membership approved an amendment and restatement of the JCF bylaws to ensure alignment with best practices in nonprofit governance and the strategic direction of the organization. The revisions included addressing JCF’s governance practices to allow for more regular leadership transitions, and changing the title of “executive director” to “president and CEO” to be consistent with nonprofit best practices and industry trends.
Investment Committee Chair Brian Scharf shared an update on market performance and announced that, thanks to the generosity of JCF fundholders, JCF assets have reached an all-time high of $310 million.
A video was shown featuring JCF’s programmatic highlights of the year, which featured community members active in the Foundation’s B’nai Tzedek, J-LEAD, Donor Advised Fund and Create a Jewish Legacy programs. Josh Stein, the JCF’s executive director, recognized the contributions of JCF leadership and staff and shared an update about the Foundation’s growth, noting that legacy gifts are trending at 140% of 2023 levels and new fund creation has increased more than 65% over last year.
In recognition of Lipsman’s leadership, Immediate Past President Alice Jacks Achtenberg presented Lipsman with a tribute book which included messages from those he had worked with during his tenure. She shared a portion of her own tribute to Lipsman, which read, “You gave generously of your time to the entire Jewish community, and we are all better and stronger because of you. Working with you made it clear how any organization, especially JCF, is enhanced by your leadership.”
“Serving as president of the board of trustees of the Jewish Community Foundation has been an honor that I won’t forget,” Lipsman said. “I have forged friendships; learned a lot about philanthropy from staff and both current and past leadership; and broadened my own views of tzedakah. Most of all, I have learned that philanthropy comes in all shapes and sizes, and the important thing is that we all do what we can to help others.”
Lipsman then introduced Joe Hiersteiner as the new chairman of the board of JCF. Hiersteiner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead JCF and invited each member of the “Foundation Family” to help further the organization’s mission. One major focus of Hiersteiner’s work as chair will be helping create a new three-year strategic plan for the JCF.
“An important part of that plan will be a commitment to enhance our outreach efforts seeking new donors and enhancing our attention to the wants and needs of existing donors,” he said.
In looking towards the future, Hiersteiner acknowledged the uncertainty that many people are struggling with in the current political climate.
“In the face of this uncertainty, we have to redouble our efforts to support those who are marginalized, those who need a leg up, those who are discriminated against, those in need,” he said. “We can rest comfortable in the knowledge that despite everything going on around us, the Foundation is in capable hands.”
The following trustees were elected: Ben Abelson, Ace Allen, Carol Barnett, Lindsay Fineman, Michelle Goldsmith, Susan Himmelstein, Pamela Kanter, Linda B. Lyon, Robert V. Palan, Rosanne Rosen, Miles Ross and Catherine D. Singer.
The following officers were also elected: Joseph L. Hiersteiner, chair; Martha Gershun, vice chair; Lara Krigel Pabst, vice chair; Brian M. Scharf, vice chair; Catherine D. Singer, treasurer; and Gary Weinberg, secretary.
