In my new role, raising funds is a family affair

By Jonathan Friedman, Senior Philanthropic Advisor in the Federation's Peninsula office.

It began 90 years ago, but I didn’t even think about the connections until this year – my own connections to the Jewish community and the Federation. My father, Israel Friedman, suffering from tuberculosis at 15 years old, moved from Columbus, Ohio to Denver, Colorado. He was welcomed there by the National Jewish Hospital and the Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society. Eastern European Jewish immigrants had established these institutions to care for their Jewish community. My maternal grandfather was treated there as well, and without the confluence of these events, I certainly wouldn’t be here today!

Grateful for his rehabilitation, my father began a long career working with Jewish organizations – the JCRS, National Jewish Hospital, Allied Jewish Campaign and the Jewish National Home for Asthmatic Children. In fact, he was a pioneer in the field – one of the first to use direct mail, sending out address labels all over the country. As a young child I have fond memories of opening mailbags full of donations – the family always pitched in to help! And there are the memories of High Holiday services in Billings, Montana. As a lay rabbi, my father and our family drove north and west to celebrate with the small Jewish community there. It’s not coincidental that my brother, Dan, chose the rabbinate as his career.

Many other Jewish institutions impacted me growing up – Hebrew School, the synagogue, summer camp, Jewish fraternity, Hillel and many others. My wife has worked for Jewish agencies practically her whole life and is now the Advancement Director at Brandeis Hillel Day School. Helping her as a volunteer exposed me to a wide variety of organizations – JCC’s, Yeshiva University, and day schools. Our grandchildren attend the Austin Jewish Academy, in fact. Our son, Jesse, lives with his wife, Alla, in Tequesta, Florida. Our newest grandchild, Addy, attends the local JCC preschool. Alla emigrated from Russia 30 years ago, assisted by the Federation in Atlanta.

I’ve worked for the past 15 years as a fundraiser and executive at several non-profit organizations, ranging from symphonies to social service and conservation (raising money for Bat Conservation International was a particular challenge). Most recently, I was proud to work for the Parkinson’s Institute, one of the leading research and clinics specializing in Parkinson’s disease. And now, in my new position as Senior Philanthropic Advisor in the Peninsula, I carry on the tradition established by my father.

I’m proud to be able to use my many years of experience to raise funds for the worthy causes in the Jewish community of the Bay area and for Israel. Things have changed since my father’s days. I’m not the same kind of fundraiser, and the Federation isn’t the same either. We’re much more focused on new ideas, efficiencies of operations and programs and performance, while maintaining Jewish values and support for the vital needs of our community. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Federation, and I am thrilled to be joining the team. Read the official press release.