They came wearing their suits and carrying elegant briefcases. They sipped wine, noshed on gourmet cheese and crackers, and shmoozed nonstop.
And if things go according to plan, they will be part of a burgeoning affinity group sponsored by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation.
Officially named the Business Leadership Council, it drew more than 100 Jewish businesspeople to its third event, held April 12 at the Hotel Vitale in San Francisco. Present were lawyers, venture capitalists, money managers, technology officers, and a host other professionals from the Bay Area business community.
Organizers hope the Business Leadership Council will be more than just a shmooze-fest, but will link people into the Jewish community and inspire them into supporting it.
“I grew up in this town and I had no idea what federation was or what it did,” said Daniel Grossman, CEO of Wild Planet Toys, and one of the founding members of the council.
But a trip to the former Soviet Union helped Grossman understand “what it means for a community to lack a center of gravity.”
He returned home to San Francisco with zeal to get involved building the community he loves.
“I don’t think any of us should feel complacent. It’s kind of on our shoulders now,” he said. “There’s a lot of work to do and a lot of needs we need to address.”
Doug Mandell, 36, one of the founding members of the group and a managing partner at the Mandell Law Group in San Francisco, echoed Grossman’s sentiments.
“I do feel a personal responsibility. … Especially people in this room have been very fortunate and very successful. If we don’t do it, no one is going to do it.”
Mandell was among the original 15 members of a steering committee that met in March 2004 to get the group off the ground.
And though the Business Leadership Council is focused on the San Francisco metro region, its most recent event drew professionals from all over the Bay Area. It also drew almost double the number of attendees: The first two events in March and May of last year each drew between 40 and 50 people.
Jeremy Benjamin, the director of the JCF’s San Francisco metro region campaigns, said groups such as these fill a need.
Robert Blum, the executive vice president of Cytokinetics, Inc, and a member of the steering committee, agreed. “There are a large number of Jewish business professionals that don’t have another outlet to build community. Maybe this can be a conduit for them.”
Susan Werner, who came with her brother, Bradley Werner, said, “I think people are fairly isolated in their community and this is an opportunity to reach out and connect with their heritage.” The siblings are fifth-generation San Franciscans.
Others, like Yuval Shenkar, 40, are new to the area. A native of Jerusalem and the vice president of Presidio Financial Partners LLC just moved to the area eight months ago with his American wife. He saw the event as a foray into both the Jewish and the business community in San Francisco. “I’m just starting to get to know people and organizations,” he said.
Many in the crowd of mostly 30- and 40-somethings voiced enthusiasm for the networking event and eagerness to connect with and support the Jewish community.
Jeff Scult, 39, a partner in Solstice Management, a company that provides time-shares for luxury homes around the world, summed it up as he munched on crackers and cheese, “Cool, smart people in one room is always a good thing.”
The next Business Leadership Council event will take place 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at the World Trade Club. Information: Jeremy Benjamin: (415) 512-6217 or [email protected].