JCF makes history — and the right choice

The S.F-based Jewish Community Federation made a smart choice in naming Jennifer Gorovitz as the organization’s new CEO. She becomes the first woman ever to head one of North America’s 20 largest Jewish federations.

An attorney by training, Gorovitz is bright and savvy, and she knows her institution inside and out. She’s a wife, a mother of two, and a five-year veteran of both the federation and the Jewish Community Endowment Fund.

Our cover story on page 24a provides insight into Gorovitz’s ambitious plans for the federation’s future and shares her personal story. Taking over as acting CEO last October, she proved herself to be an all-around leader at a time when the federation needed strong leadership.

Gorovitz came to the post facing multiple challenges. Not only was the federation confronting an ongoing economic recession and its adverse impact on the annual campaign, but it was also in the throes of a full-blown intra-community crisis.

That crisis centered on the 2009 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival screening of a documentary about the late anti-Israel activist Rachel Corrie, the booking of Corrie’s mother as a speaker, and having two controversial (some would say anti-Israel) groups co-presenting the event. As a funder of the festival, the JCF quickly became a lightning rod for the debate.

The event caused a rift between those who felt federation dollars should not pay for what they viewed as anti-Israel activity, and others who worried about censorship and free expression.

Gorovitz and her board got to work. A federation subcommittee and partners including the Jewish Community Relations Council crafted sensible guidelines for grantees, setting clear boundaries when it comes to criticism of Israel.

These guidelines were the first of their kind from any federation in the country.

The controversy continues to simmer, and it certainly won’t be the last hot-button issue the federation will face in the months and years ahead. That’s why it needs a cool, steady hand at the helm.

With the JCF’s yearlong centennial celebration just around the corner, we will soon hear plenty of talk about the history of this key Jewish community institution. A look back is fine, but at 46, Jennifer Gorovitz is all about the future.

If the Bay Area Jewish community is to continue to thrive, it will be due to the vision, energy and commitment of people like Gorovitz.

We offer our heartiest congratulations to her and to the entire federation.