Jennifer Gorovitz Will Resign Position as CEO of San Francisco Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund

San Francisco, CA – Today, Jennifer Gorovitz, CEO of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties (the Federation), informed the Board of Directors of her decision to step down from her position at the end of the first quarter, on March 31, 2014. The former lawyer plans to return to the practice of law, focusing on trust and estate planning for individuals and families, and to spend more time with her family, especially while her children are still at home. Gorovitz was the first woman to head a large Federation in North America, and was voted one of the world’s top 50 Jewish leaders in her first year by the Forward, as well as one of San Francisco’s most innovative women leaders by the San Francisco Business Times. 
 
Tom Kasten, Chair of the Board, stated: “We are grateful to Jennifer for the many accomplishments of the Federation under her leadership the last four-plus years, and for her total tenure of nearly 10 years. Jennifer brought an exciting vision and strategy to the Federation. She focused us on the need for innovation and on the imperative of engaging a new generation of people in our work. Jennifer succeeded in stabilizing the Federation during an abrupt leadership transition and a challenging economy, and is leaving the Federation in much better condition than during the start of her stewardship. She will be dearly missed, but we understand Jennifer’s desire to reinvent herself.”
 
In her letter to the community, Gorovitz noted: “I am still as passionate and committed to the work of the Federation and Endowment Fund as I was nearly a decade ago, and I’m so energized by and proud of what we have accomplished together. We created a new vision and strategy focused on embracing the diversity of our community, innovating within and outside our walls, and engaging a new generation – all with the very important mission of strengthening the Federation and increasing the vibrancy and health of our wonderful community.”
 
Gorovitz expressed her gratitude for the partnership, leadership and friendship of her three Board Chairs – Kasten, Nancy Grand and Jim Koshland. She also praised the dedication of the volunteers, Board of Directors, and staff of the Federation without whom, she stated, none of the important changes during her tenure would have been possible. Still ever passionate about the importance of the Federation to Jewish life, Gorovitz plans to remain involved in the organization as a donor and a volunteer.

The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives to the power of the Jewish community to improve the world. We partner with donors, organizations, and foundations to address pressing issues facing our community, and develop innovative strategies that result in deep and lasting impact locally, in Israel, and around the world. Learn more at www.jewishfed.org.