Jennifer Gorovitz can do the math.
When she ponders the centennial of the Jewish Community Federation, the organization for which she serves as CEO, she sees a much bigger number than 100.
“It means we’ve had 100 years of volunteers, leaders and donors,” she says. “We have over 60 volunteer committees and 650 individuals volunteering for this agency. Multiply that by 100, and the number of people who have propelled this organization forward is astonishing.”
Gorovitz and many other federation supporters will mark the anniversary April 10 with FedFest 100. The theme of the day: “Shaping Our Jewish Future.”
The milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on the federation’s achievements and future direction. Gorovitz says changes in demographics and philanthropy will heavily influence that direction.
The Jewish community looks far different than it did a century ago. Demographic shifts include the many Israeli expatriates, Jews from the former Soviet Union, interfaith families and LGBT Jews who now call the Bay Area home.
The federation’s responsibility, according to Gorovitz, is “not only [to] welcome them, but integrate them into all our agencies and synagogues in a meaningful way.”
She cites the LGBT Alliance and interfaith outreach at early childhood education centers as examples of federation commitment in those realms.
Though she takes pride in the federation’s growth, she’s not blind to the challenges her organization faces. The volatile economy has adversely impacted giving, but Gorovitz also notes that these days, donors want more involvement and influence over their gifts. “It’s more a partnership than a transaction,” she says.
“We are a vibrant and huge force for good in our community at large,” she says.
As a cornerstone of that vibrancy, she cites the growth of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, today one of the largest institutions of its kind in the country. It has become not only a trusted repository for a host of donor-designated philanthropic funds, but also the “first responder” (as she calls it) during emergencies.
“We have the ability to raise funds in large quantities very quickly,” Gorovitz adds, “and we have the unrestricted endowment, which should be three times
the size of the annual campaign. We’re fortunate it remains so, even after the economic decline, when so many endowments were decimated.”
When looking at federation, Gorovitz sees “throughlines” that link past, present and future.
For one, the “passion of our lay leaders and volunteers for the continual drive for improvement, security and health and welfare of our community has remained unchanged. It started out an incredibly high level, it continues at an incredibly high level.”
She also acknowledges the stalwart families, some having been in the region since the Gold Rush, who have continued to support and volunteer for the federation.
And then there is Israel.
From the founding of the Jewish state, the federation has made support for Israel a top priority. “Even before statehood, this organization had a deep and wide commitment to Israel, supporting Herzl’s dream,” Gorovitz says. “Upon statehood, it did everything it can to help build and sustain Israel’s democracy. To this day, longtime federation leaders say Israel grantmaking is the bedrock of this organization.”
As for the future, Gorovitz wants to see the federation focus on three areas: high-impact investment in the community; developing next-generation leadership; and maintenance of Jewish institutions through smart planning.
But first, she looks forward to FedFest, spending a day with federation supporters, attending workshops, and basking in pride for her organization.
Says Gorovitz, “I will totally be a kid in a candy store.”