Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Extra Edition April 13, 2011 | 9 Nisan 5771 | Vol. 90 | No. 31.5
Mike Silverman named Federation CEO
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT would stay,” he says. “I don’t like to Editor of the Jewish Press move around too much. Luckily, as During their April 7 meeting, the soon as we came here, we immediately Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Board of felt embraced by the entire community. Directors voted to offer the newly creOmaha is amazing because the Jewish ated position of Chief Executive Officer Community is not only generous with to current Jewish Social Services their dollars, but also with their time. I Director Mike Silverman. have never seen a Jewish community “Mike is a class act,” says former so focused on caring for itself -- caring Jewish Federation Board President for Jews everywhere. Omaha gets it Howard Kooper. “He has a big heart, and I am very proud to be a part of it.” and really cares about this community. One of the questions that many comHe has proven himself a confident munity members may have is: what agency director, understands how this about the Home? Jim Farber admits community works, and will be a sucthat decisions need to be made about cessful Executive for the Jewish how this transition can be most sucFederation of Omaha. In short, Mike is cessful. “Mike is not leaving, and we the right guy, in the right place, at the are not losing him, but sharing him right time.” Kooper would know; as with everybody else,” Farber says. “The chairman of the committee to remodel wonderful thing is, when the search and create the new Rose Blumkin takes place, whoever we find will not Jewish Home, he had a front row seat to only be highly qualified, he or she will the force that is Mike Silverman. also be able to take full advantage of Mike grew up in New York on Long Mike’s experience and vast knowledge Island. He lived there for 32 years and about the Home. And, of course, as the then moved to Connecticut with wife CEO, Mike will continue to care for Mimi, who at the time was his fiancée. and be involved with many aspects of What brought him to Connecticut was our programs.” a position as Administrative Intern at Jay Noddle, President of the Jewish the Jewish Home for the Elderly. Federation Foundation, thinks Mike’s It’s all for the family: Mike Silverman with wife Mimi, left, and sons Adam and Jeremy “During my time in Connecticut I RBJH background is a big advantage. advanced to Vice President of Operations,” Mike says. He Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is amazing. It has many fun “While at the Home, he has had the opportunity to get to was subsequently recruited by the Board of Directors of things going on, offers wonderful opportunities for the com- know a very large segment of our community. Omaha’s Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to reinvent the Home munity, and looks fantastic. But most importantly, the mem- Unfortunately, people often come through the Home under bers of our staff are outstanding! They not only know how less than ideal circumstances, but it has allowed Mike to get physically and operationally. At that, he has certainly been successful, as any visitor to the to do their jobs extremely well, they truly understand what to know many people in this community extremely well. In Home can see. The renovation of the Home, which started in customer service is all about.” addition, he has invented reasons and opportunitis for comThe Home renovation project officially was completed in munity members to come through its door, even when they 2006, has resulted in a complete facelift to the building, as well June of 2010. “I recall thinking about what the next project don’t have relatives there.” as the creation of new services and program opportunities. Jim Farber, Jewish Social Services Board President, says: for the Home and Jewish Senior Services would be, because “The future for Omaha’s Jewish Community is extremely “When Mike first came here, he had a big vision, and a seri- I cannot be stagnant,” Mike says. “I challenge myself every bright,” Mike says. “We have much to do and we must proous desire to make the Home great. One of the things he day. And that challenge doesn’t always require physical vide for the next generation, as well as the generation after described in the beginning was to open up the space, mak- improvements; it can take the that, so they can be strong and ing the public feel welcome and the residents feel like they form of procedural improveconnected.” had a normal life. It was very satisfying to watch how that ments, policy changes, new What currently makes the business ventures, and so idea came to fruition.” Blumkin Home so attractive, Mike made many improvements that opened up the forth. The sky is the limit. according to Jim Farber, is the Home, and it went from nursing home to village square, so And I must say -- I love a good challenge!” variety of programs and places to visit and feel at home. “It That challenge has arrived. As the Federation’s new CEO, is just as welcoming to the residents as it is to the little kids, to speak. “We have so much to be proud of,” Farber says. “There’s the auditorium, which attracts all kinds of activities. Mike has some heavy lifting ahead of him. He will bring who have a playground indoors. The computer facility is Including the residents in those activities certainly enhances great experience, according to Howard Kooper. “Mike’s car- state-of-the-art, and allows residents to learn and stay contheir quality of life, while it builds community at the same ing for the community and concern for our mission is some- nected. There is something for everybody, and it truly gives thing you can’t buy. Combine it with his knack for running a us that neighborhood community feeling.” time.” Mike adds: “During the past eight years, I have focused on business, and you have a great combination; exactly what the It is that neighborhood feeling that Mike would see transoperational efficiency, customer service and creating a desti- community needs in a CEO,” he says. “Mike has a great ferred to the campus as a whole. From carpet to programnation that the entire community would be proud of. The vision for what this community and the Jewish Federation of ming to lighting fixtures, every decision he makes correOmaha need.” sponds to this vision of community. It’s an approach that The community shouldn’t look for immediate big doesn’t allow one to view “no” as a viable option; it’s how airchanges and results over the first few weeks, Kooper planes come to hang from blue painted ceilings, and how states. “It is important that we be patient, and trust bikes end up on faux balconies. that Mike will never be one to make rash decisions. “The campus needs to be alive and active all the time. I That is not what this position is about; instead, it’s envision an array of new programs and services offered that about caring for the community in the best possible are timely and well attended. I fully expect that we will way. When decisions do need to be made, Mike become more operationally efficient and identify better ways knows how and where to seek counsel, and he knows to use community dollars. I foresee better uses of space and to ask for advice from community members.” positioning of services that are focused on customer service Mike and his family now consider Omaha their and accessibility.” home. “When I came to Omaha, I felt confident that I Continued on page 4.”
“Mike is the right man, in the “right place, at the right time.”