Breaking: Sokatch out at Federation!

Has the SFJFF fiasco claimed its first victim?  Daniel "J Street" Sokatch is out at the Federation.  It will be interesting to learn if he jumped, or if he was pushed.

Here's the email from Federation prez Koshland and from Sokatch regarding the departure:

From: Jim Koshland <JimK@sfjcf.org>
Date: Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Subject: Important letters from Daniel and me

Dear Agency Presidents and Executives,

It is with real regret that  I announce today that the Officers of the Federation have accepted Daniel Sokatch’s resignation.  Daniel is to become the leader of the New Israel Fund, allowing him to have a global impact at this most critical juncture in Israel’s history.

We have dearly appreciated the leadership and vision that Daniel brought to the Federation, and take great comfort in knowing that we’ve accomplished so much in such a relatively short time. Among these myriad achievements: We raised more than $22 million from the community—no mean feat in these difficult and challenging economic times; our Endowment Committee provided crucial funding to fill the gap where the need was greatest; and, we launched the JCF Catalyst, which not only provided emergency funds to the neediest in our community, but also strengthened our synagogues and began the innovative series of projects that take us into the future with optimism and an abiding spirit of hope.  From a more international perspective, our Federation, Endowment Funds and Supporting Foundations sent more than $160 million toward important and deserving projects in our local community and throughout the world.

We are pleased to announce that the able and talented Jennifer Gorovitz, who has been with the Federation for five years—most recently as Chief of Staff—will become Acting CEO. Prior to her already distinguished tenure at JCF, Jennifer practiced law for a decade and is a first-rate manager and leader.  She has our  confidence and trust; we look forward to working with her.  We welcome her and wish her very good luck, indeed.

Please also join me in thanking Daniel Sokatch and wishing him the best of luck in his new position.  Please see his letter to the community below. 

Sincerely,

Jim Koshland, President

 

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Enclosed please find important announcement letters from Daniel and myself.  

 Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning my post as CEO of the JCF in order to assume the leadership of the New Israel Fund.  This was not an easy decision for me, as I am genuinely sad to be leaving the Federation and its rich history of 100 years of tikkun olam and tzedakah, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead a global organization at a particularly critical time for Israel. 

Still, I feel completely confident that I leave the organization in capable and passionate hands . I am so very proud of the Federation and all we have accomplished together over the past year. I take great pride in our mutual and committed efforts to  accomplish our goal that the Federation—and our Jewish community—remain relevant, vibrant and dynamic in the 21st Century. It is my hope that our meaningful progress continue ever onward.

Thank you so much for sharing in this most-important and vital cause; you should all be justly proud. I will miss each and every one of you.

Sincerely, and with heartfelt appreciation,

Daniel Sokatch