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October 17, 2003/Tishri 21 5764, Vol. 56, No. 4
Search begins for top UJC slot
RACHEL POMERANCE
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
NEW YORK - Just four months after the top executive of the United Jewish Communities fed-eration umbrella group unveiled his vision for the federation system, a search has begun to replace him.
Stephen Hoffman, the president and chief executive officer of the UJC, who is respected for his steely resolve, managerial and fund-raising expertise, and prowess for grooming Jewish professionals nationwide, took over a flagging federation system for a three-year stint in November 2001. Now, that stint is coming to an end.
Despite all the personal and professional praise he has received, Hoffman also has heard an earful of criticism about the UJC from the individual federations that own the system and the UJC's many beneficiary agencies.
In June, he presented a vision to his constituents that included three general "areas of focus."
In addition to reducing its budget by nearly 10 percent, the UJC, he said, should be a "vehicle for global Jewish responsibility," an engine of innovation and an organization that must strengthen the federations by offering them improved services and top-notch professionals.
The move was, in part, a response to vigorous com-plaints - that the system was bloated and lacked focus, failed to fund its overseas partners sufficiently, in-adequately served the federations and excluded smaller federations from decision-making processes.
Now, observers say, the new leader who will replace Hoffman will play a pivotal role in shaping the UJC's future - one that has been called seriously into question by many frustrated Jewish professionals.
Robert Goldberg, UJC's chairman of the board-designate, who also is heading the search committee to replace Hoffman, would not comment on the contenders for the position.
But federation insiders confirmed that the following names are being discussed: Robert Aronson, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit; Steven Nasatir, president of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago; John Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO of the UJA- Federation of New York; and Jacob Solomon, executive vice president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
Already, that list has fueled one of the criticisms of the federation system - that it caters to large cities.
"It's just rotating the chairs in the club," said one federation leader who asked not to be identified.
Some disparage the fact that the rumored contenders spring from a well of longtime leaders that perennially come up for the top position.
"As long as the large city execs consider this position their private reserve, all you can rely on is the best of that group," said one federation leader.
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