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.”
2 | The Jewish Press | April 13, 2011
April 13, 2011 | The Jewish Press | 3
Moving forward together
From the desk of the President JODY MALASHOCK, President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Our Omaha Jewish Community and the Jewish Federation share a long and rich history dating back over a century. Last summer, our Federation embarked on a course of transition and change. I think about the periods of time during the past 100 years when this Jewish Community was compelled to alter its course and adapt to the needs of the day. When the waves of Jewish immigration reached the heartland, the community focused on resettlement. This happened at varying times from the European immigration of the early 20th century to the end
of the millennium when we resettled Soviet Jews who remain an integral part of our community today. Some changes involved buildings, such as relocating the Dr. Phillip Sher home to our campus which itself was moved over 35 years ago from its downtown location. This was all done in the name of progress – to meet the needs of a changing time. Today we are also faced with issues of change. We know we must be pro-active and anticipate the needs of our diverse population. Above all, we need to stay relevant and important to young Jewish families and insure a vibrant community for them and their children. In short, we must insure our own future. This has been the catalyst for change. Over the past year we have examined our systems, explored alternatives and made dramatic changes in how we do business - and our business remains the Jewish people. Below you will see the new organizational chart of the
Jewish Federation of Omaha. While it may seem complex, it reflects our move to a centralized organizational model. The JFO Board of Directors remains as the legal authority, continuing our commitment as a lay driven community. The greatest change has come in the addition of the Chief Executive Officer and the reporting function of the agencies and departments to that position. This centralized authority allows greater efficiency and the sharing of resources throughout the campus and community. I am pleased to announce and would like to congratulate Mike Silverman on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Our community has had a long standing relationship with Mike as Executive Director of Jewish Social Services. Through his vision, our community has excelled at providing services to our elderly and those at risk. Mike’s business expertise, leadership and commitment to
Jewish Omaha will ensure our success as a Federation for many years to come. As President of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, I am looking forward to working with Mike as we continue to transition and build upon what has been accomplished so far. We have been mindful during this challenging process of the need to maintain a strong grassroots perspective. Our volunteer base is one of the most important elements of our organization. We plan to keep agency boards active and significant. Lay leaders throughout the system will continue to drive our mission and vision as representatives of a cross-section of the Omaha Jewish Community. Together with our excellent professional staff, we will move forward together, remaining vibrant and relevant as “One Campus – One Community”. To continue with the organizational chart, the Chief Executive Officer reports to the board and all other agencies
and departments report to the CEO. The JFO Foundation is shown as its own legal entity with strong ties to the Federation. All other areas are owned by the JFO. The Chief Financial Officer also has a unique role in reporting to the CEO but also, for purposes of financial transparency, to the Board of Directors. The Federation has also recently announced two new positions. Jan Goldstein has been named Chief Development Officer and will be responsible for the area of Fundraising and Donor Development which includes our Annual Campaign. We are continuing our relationship with the University of Nebraska at Omaha through Dr. Guy Matalon’s new position of Scholar in Residence. This position has been created to further our commitment to the development of Jewish identity and the enhancement of Jewish education throughout our campus and community. A number of key positions are currently open and search
processes are underway. We will be updating you in the Jewish Press and on our website as these positions are filled. In the meantime, the staff is working together in an environment of cooperation and teamwork. We can all be proud of our staff, boards and committees that have stepped up during this time of change to continue the great work we do. On a personal level and on behalf or our community, I would like to thank David Bailis, Interim CEO, who has been instrumental in positioning us for success as we move forward. His leadership and mentoring will leave a lasting impact on those of us who have benefitted form his counsel. I will forever be grateful for his support, encouragement, and dedication to our community. Finally, I would like to thank the Omaha Jewish Community for the opportunity to serve as President during these exciting times and express my gratitude to all of you who make our community the best in the country.
Executive Director
Chief Financial Officer
JFO Standing Committees Executive Committee Budget & Allocation Human Resources & Compensation Building & Grounds Budget & Allocation Planning & Community Engagement Rabbis & Presidents
• Campaigns • Supplemental & Designated Giving • Affinity Groups • Liaison to Missions Program • Liaison to Israel Overseas •Liaison to Partnership
The Center for Jewish Education
Accounting Purchasing Payroll Information Technology Budget & Allocation Strategic Planning
Executive Director • • • •
Fitness Center CDC Camp Youth Programming
Executive Director Campus Management
• Rose Blumkin Jewish Home • Jewish Senior Outreach • Jewish Family Services
JFO Scholar in Residence
Executive Director • Kripke Library
• Israel Education
• Community High School • Scholarship/Grant Program
• Shaliach Program • Missions Program
• Liaison to Synagogue Schools • B’nai Tzedek Program
• Adult Family Education • Partnership with Israel
• • • •
Governance Administration Communication-Graphic Design Marketing Leadership Development
• Young Jewish Omaha • Synagogue Relations • Vaad • Israel/Overseas
Jewish Press
Jewish Social Services
Human Resources
Community Relations Committee
• • • • • • •
Chief Development Officer
• • • • • •
Jewish Community Center
Chief Executive Officer Fundraising / Donor Development
Foundation
Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors
Editor
Executive Director • Anti-Defamation League • Israel Advocacy • Teachers Workshops • Community Outreach
• Media Relations • Institute for Holocaust Education • Prejudice Elimination
4 | The Jewish Press | April 13, 2011
Working together, we can Mike Silverman named Federation CEO accomplish great things Continued from page 1 Jay Noddle thinks Mike will bring “desire, experience, That means more and more cooperation between indi- and enormous energy” to the new CEO position. “I am
Letter to the community MIKE SILVERMAN, CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha Dear members of the Omaha Jewish Community, I am so pleased to be the first Chief Executive Officer for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Over the past 9 years I have worked very hard to provide outstanding programs and services to the Jewish community. A few years ago, the Jewish Federation of Omaha consolidated Jewish Family Services, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, and Jewish Senior Outreach into what is now Jewish Social Services. This provided a great opportunity for sharing resources. By adding things like Star Deli and Mainstreeters, we have made the Home a hub of activity, and a place that people can take ownership of. In my new role, I will be able to impact all areas of the campus and the community. I look forward to bringing a high level of energy and enthusiasm to each task. Over the past several months, Many professionals and lay leaders have worked tirelessly on the One Campus Initiatives to create efficiencies and bring the campus together as a whole. We still have much to do, but working together as a team, we can accomplish great things. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. It is important that the community recognize Jewish Federation of Omaha President Jody Malashock for her steadfast leadership throughout this process. There have been some bumps along the road, but Jody’s determination has positioned the Federation to achieve all we can be. The future of the Federation and its agencies is very bright, and we all owe Jody a resounding Thank You for her efforts. In addition, David Bailis has created the path we will walk on toward change. David is a brilliant business man and in just a few short months, he was able to understand the necessity to change certain areas of both the campus and the community, so we can truly be One Campus -- One Community. I have valued David’s strength, insight, professionalism, and friendship. He is leaving a lasting impression on this community and we are better for it. Thank you so much. So now, we move on to business. My sleeves are rolled up and I am ready to get to work for you, the Omaha Jewish Community. It continues to be a privilege to be part of this amazing community. Thank you for your support.
viduals, organizations, agencies, and synagogues. It also excited about the decision to create a brand new structure means an emphasis on the fact that the more the entire for the Federation, and I am equally excited about having a community comes together, the more effective it will be. “I have been very fortunate to already have a strong relationship with the synagogues and I expect that to get ever stronger in this new role. Regular meetings with the Rabbis and Synagogue Executive Directors will allow the Jewish Federation of Omaha to remain an active partner in the health of their congregations, while allowing the synagogues to provide critically important input. This way, the Federation can meet everybody’s expectations. I foresee more collaboration and constant, respectful communication.” From left to right: Alan Simon, Mike Erman, Don Greenberg, Mike Silverman, and Sam Much of that collaboraFried. tion has started on the JCC campus already over the past months, as many profession- CEO for the first time,” he says. “This is a big change, and als and lay leaders have taken part in the various One change doesn’t come without emotion and a fair amount of Campus task forces. The task forces, which each focused angst. However, it will do so much for the future viability on a single area, such as building utilization, customer of our agencies and the services these agencies provide for service, or communication, have allowed many people to the community. Mike has a steady hand, he listens, motiwork closely with colleagues from different departments. It vates, and works incredibly hard at what he does. I have no has allowed people to build new relationships, and benefit doubt that his leadership will benefit our community for from each other’s experience decades to come. I feel very and knowledge. It’s broken good about our future.” down quite a few walls, and It’s a long way from Long it’s something that energizes Island to Omaha, in more Mike. ways than one. However, for “Under the leadership of both Mike and his wife Jewish Federation of Mimi, it has been a successOmaha’s President Jody ful change, and as a family Malashock, as well as interim CEO David Bailis’ guidance, they are committed to their adopted city and community. the One Campus initiative has brought staff together from “My family has been very supportive of my work, espeall across the campus,” Mke says. “It has certainly allowed cially my wife Mimi. She understands how passionate I am many people to actively participate in developing efficien- about our Jewish community and affords me the time and cies and improving services and programs. It is amazing to support to make a difference. I would not be as effective see how staff can come together. Currently, there is an without her strength and support. And of course, my sons energy on the campus that I have never seen before. I Adam and Jeremy keep me focused -- I couldn’t love my intend to harness that energy.” family any more than I do.”
“I have never seen a Jewish “community so focused on caring “for itself, as well as on caring for “Jews everywhere.”
Federation emerges stronger and more energized
Letter to the community DAVID P. BAILIS, Interim CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha A chapter of the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s organizational evolution is now closed. The changes driven by the vision of the Federation’s lay leadership were material, forever altering and improving the Federation’s ability to serve the Omaha Jewish Community and deliver care to individuals relying upon it. At times the changes were disruptive, difficult and unwelcome by some. Organizational change is rarely easy, but in this case necessary and demanded by the Community. The Federation has emerged much stronger, more focused, more energized and more keenly aware of the special role it plays in the Community. The changes in the
(Founded in 1920) Bobbi Leibowitz President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Allan Handleman Advertising Manager Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Managing Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
Jewish Press Board Andy Ruback, Vice President; Eric Dunning, Treasurer; Howard K. Marcus, Past President; Daphne Pollak Alperson; Marc Brodkey; Phyllis Brown; Jason Epstein; Mel Epstein; Scott Farkas; Michael Kaufman; Bette Kozlen; Jamie Meyerson; Michael Sigmond; Jim Simon; Dorothy Spizman; Nancy Wolf. The role of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to involve Jews in meeting Jewish communal needs locally, nationally and in Israel. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Education, Jewish Family Service/Jewish Senior Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page sto-
Federation professional leadership have placed individuals in roles that draw upon their strengths. The Federation professional leadership also now has a deeper understanding of the inherent interdependency among the Federation agencies as well as the broader Omaha Jewish Community— including the need to work together more efficiently and effectively. Employees at the Federation and its agencies have taken direct responsibility for improving how they go about the business of the Federation. The One Campus Initiatives provided opportunities for them to work together as teams in assessing what needed to change and proposing tangible executable plans to effectuate the changes they identified. Plan implementations are currently underway. None of this would have occurred without the steadfast and passionate leadership of Jody Malashock, the President of the Federation Board of Directors. Jody’s vision and will provided the fuel for all that occurred. She recognized the necessity for change and championed all that needed to occur even when difficult decisions and actions were
required. Jody bore the brunt of the unpleasantness from members of the Community who might not have been pleased by particular actions. Notwithstanding, Jody never wavered. Jody is a Community hero and we all owe her a debt of gratitude. My successor, Mike Silverman, is perfect to lead the Federation into the future. He is a compassionate individual with a Jewish soul very capable of implementing the Community’s will through the Federation. Silverman’s past experience at the Federation and as an active member of the Omaha Jewish Community means he understands the needs of the Federation and of the broader Community, and also knows what to do to meet those needs into the future. Finally, I would like to thank my good friends Judy and Keith Josephson for allowing me to help the Federation. The opportunity to help an organization that positively impacts so many lives on a daily basis was very special and I am very grateful. I leave the Federation a better and more capable place—with a stronger foundation for its future. Thanks again to Jody Malashock and for the opportunity to help.
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