AN EXCELLENT CHOICE

On the cusp of Shabbat here we received this announcement:

"Dear Colleagues,

I’m delighted to announce that the JFNA Nominating Committee (chaired by Sharon Janks of Los Angeles) will nominate 3 exceptional individuals to serve in the following top leadership roles:

Chair of the Board: Mark Wilf of Greater MetroWest NJ

Vice Chair of the Board: Jodi Schwartz of New York

Treasurer: Harold Gernsbacher of Dallas

These nominations will be brought to the JFNA Board of Trustees for action at our annual meeting at the General Assembly, which will be held this year in Tel Aviv from October, 22-24.

Mark Wilf will be an outstanding chair. In business, his accomplishments are many. He is an attorney and a partner in Garden Homes, a real estate development firm, and owner/president of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. As a philanthropist, his generosity is matched by few.

Mark’s parents, Joseph, z”l and Elizabeth Wilf, philanthropists whose impact across the globe was immeasurable, were great role models for Mark. Drawing on their experiences as survivors who found a way to thrive, Mark has demonstrated a profound commitment to advocating for the needs of the Jewish people. The entire Wilf Family has long played an active and significant role in local, national and global efforts to ensure the welfare and vitality of the Jewish community.

Mark has held numerous leadership positions, both nationally and locally, including National Campaign Chair, National Young Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair, and President of his community’s Federation. Currently serving as Co-Chair of our National Holocaust Survivors Initiative, Mark has helped raise millions in funding, which will enable many survivors to live their remaining years in dignity.

Mark will have the support of a terrific team who share his philanthropic commitment and high level of professional acumen and Jewish communal experience.

Jodi Schwartz, from New York, who will be nominated as Vice Chair (she is completing her current term as Treasurer), is a Partner at Watchell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. She is one of the world's leading lawyers in the field of taxation. Harold Gernsbacher, from Dallas, who will be nominated as Treasurer, is CEO of In Step Foodservice. Harold is the immediate past National Campaign Chair and current Chair of Secure Community Network (SCN). Rounding out the team is Suzanne Barton Grant, from Delaware, who will continue to serve so well in her role as National Campaign Chair. 

My thanks to Sharon and her Committee for conducting such a serious and obviously productive nominating process.

Shabbat Shalom.

Richard V. Sandler

Chair, JFNA Board of Trustees"

Sharon Janks and the JFNA Nominating Committee could not have chosen a better leader or a better person to succeed Richard Sandler. Mark has demonstrated through all of his leadership roles a passion for Jewish communal life and for Jewish Peoplehood, to those of our People most in need wherever they may live.

Kal ha'kavod to all of those who participated in this process; and a yasher koach to Mark and his beautiful family.

Shabbat shalom.

Rwexler