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UJF Chair Andrea Oster announces Steven J. Morris as new CEO
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)--Andrea Oster sent the following letter on July 21 to UJF supporters and Jewish community leaders:
"I am pleased to announce that United Jewish Federation has named Steven J. Morris as its Chief Executive Officer. The appointment of Morris, who will assume the post on August 3rd, concludes a national search conducted in collaboration with the UJC Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence.
"Most recently the founder and owner of a successful venture capital and management consulting firm, Steve has spent his professional career owning and managing large organizations with multiple operating sites in the restaurant industry. He brings expertise in operations management, strategic planning and execution as well as development of high performing teams. Steve has a B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.B.A. from New York University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
“We are thrilled with the result of our CEO search at UJF. Steve Morris has demonstrated success both as a lay leader in the Denver community — having just finished his second term as Campaign Chair of Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado — and in his entrepreneurial business ventures. Steve brings a unique set of abilities and perspective, an understanding of the UJC system, and great relationship-building skills to UJF. We look forward to the years ahead under his leadership”, said Rich Effress, who, along with Marty Klitzner, co-chaired the Search Committee.
"In addition to his leadership roles at the Denver Federation, Steve has served on the boards of the Jewish Family Service of Colorado, AIPAC and the Colorado Capital Bank, along with committees and task forces for UJC, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado Venture Israel Philanthropy Fund, and many other local, national and international organizations. He has participated in numerous Federation missions to Israel, Budapest, Cuba, Argentina, Ethiopia and Russia. He is also a UJC Young Leadership Cabinet Alumni and the winner of Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado MVP award for 2005.
"I want to express my sincere thanks to Search Chairs Rich Effress and Marty Klitzner, as well as the entire committee, for their extraordinary diligence and service. I look forward to working with Steve and welcoming him to our community."
San Diego's Max Einhorn, four other California Jewish teens
win Tikkun Olam awards
 SAN DIEGO (Press Release)--A San Diego area teen is among five Jewish outstanding California teens named winners of an award for community service that comes with a cash prize of $36,000. Max Einhorn of La Jolla was recently honored with the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam award. Einhorn was nominated by the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego (JCF) where he participated in the JCF’s Youth Philanthropy Program. The Diller award was created to recognize teens who have initiated an exceptional social action project that helps to repair the world (tikkun olam). The awards will be presented Monday, August 31 in the San Francisco Presidio.
The award recognizes Einhorn’s efforts in developing and spearheading the Entrepreneurs Club and Disaster Aware which prepare community members for national disasters .
“Our goal is to educate and prepare everyone in San Diego and we do this by informing anyone that will listen and make it as convenient as possible to buy a disaster preparedness kit,” said Einhorn. Einhorn conceived of the idea after witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of the 2007 Wildfires in San Diego. He is also a founding member of Hand up Youth Food Pantry at Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS).
“Disaster Aware was inspired by devastation. In November, 2007, wildfires destroyed parts of San Diego County…I felt compelled to help. I discovered that San Diego is 20 years overdue for its next major earthquake…and that most of the city is susceptible to flood as well as fire,” said Einhorn. Einhorn has always been interested in business and philanthropy. He saw an opportunity to do both by starting these two initiatives at La Jolla High School.
The awards are funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.
“Max’s gregarious nature and passion for helping others makes him a natural leader among his peers who turn to him for guidance,” said JCF Vice President of Philanthropy Charlene Seidle. “His impact on the world is especially significant, not
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only because of his personal contributions, but for his ability to motivate other teens.”
More than 135 teens were nominated this year, which were awarded by a team of judges composed of educators and community leaders from the San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County. To be eligible, teens had to be nominated by an adult and then complete a detailed application describing their projects, its goals, their inspiration and challenges, fundraising tactics and more. Nominees had to be California residents, between 13 and 19 years old, and self-identify as Jewish. While nominees are required to be Jewish, their community service projects are unrestricted, and can benefit the general community.
The other four 2009 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award winners are:
Eric Feldman, Palos Verdes Estates: “Just One Night” – fundraising concerts for education of orphans in Africa. Eric was inspired by his grandfather and other members of his family who taught him about tikkun olam as he “tagged along to see my father’s patients, deliver Meals-on-Wheels, and visit half-way houses. He became despondent while reading about the lack of education of orphans in Africa. “Just One Night”, Eric’s first fundraiser, referred to the fact that just one night of giving would change a child’s life forever.
Aaron Feuer, Los Angeles: President, California Association of Student Councils – empowering students to change their schools and become leaders. Aaron focused on “reinvigorating our student councils as the vehicles for change, providing leadership training for students from all backgrounds and giving students from across the academic and socioeconomic spectrum opportunities to lead and speak up about school issues.”
Jacqueline Rotman, Santa Barbara: Everybody Dance Now! – creates positive outlets for at-risk youth . Jackie was inspired to take action at a young age. She states “when I was twelve years old, I performed a hip-hop routine for eighty teens with disabilities. In response to a technical difficulty with my music, I adapted my performance by inviting audience members onstage to have their own opportunity to express themselves freely through movement. Five years later I haven’t forgotten the way it felt to see those teenagers full of self-confidence and adrenaline from dancing.”
Erin Schrode, Ross: Teens Turning Green/Teens for Safe Cosmetics – informs and educates youth about making healthy and “green” life choices, investigates harmful exposures in our daily lives, school, and communities, and advocates for change in policy and habits to protect our world. Erin sees herself as “the ultimate green girl” where “eco-consciousness forms the lens through which I view my entire life.”
The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award is one of a number of projects funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation through the Jewish Community Endowment Fund to develop leadership in teens and enhance Jewish education.
Filner wants Gold Star weekend changed to avoid conflict with observance of Rosh Hashanah
WASHINGTON, D.C. ( Press Release)— Congressman Bob Filner of San Diego has joined a number of his Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to The White House Commission on Remembrance, requesting that the proposed dates be changed for the 2009 National Weekend of Remembrance.
“The announced dates of September 18-19 conflict with the Jewish High Holy Day, Rosh Hashanah,” said Congressman Filner, “preventing many Jewish Gold Star families from attending.”
Gold Star families are those who have lost a loved one in service to our nation.
“We are committed to ensuring that all Gold Star families have this opportunity to remember their fallen service members together with other families who have experienced this loss,” continued Filner. “Many participants in former weekends say that the weekends assist families in their mourning process and allow them to celebrate the memories and lives of their brave loved ones.”
American Jews have historically been an important part of the United States military and continue serving honorably today. The United States military and the whole country have prided themselves on religious pluralism.
“These values should be kept in mind as The White House Commission considers our proposal to reschedule the 2009 Weekend of Remembrance,” concluded Filner.
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