As has happened with many Jews, Jill Hagler had a life-changing experience when she visited Israel for the first time.
But for her, it was a career-changing experience as well. In fact, partly because of it, Hagler as of Sept. 1 is the new executive director of the Jewish Federation of Madison.
Hagler at the time (the middle to late 1990s) was working for the American Heart Association in Miami, Fla.
She was also studying for a master’s degree in English-as-a-Second Language with the thought that she might want to use her gift for languages — she is proficient in Spanish, French, and Italian —to go into teaching.
Then one summer, she went on a Young Leadership Mission to Israel organized by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
“I have to say I was completely blown away,” Hagler said in a recent telephone interview. “I was especially impressed” by how the Miami federation “raised money locally, but the dollars went also to help the community in Israel,” and how this helps “take care of the greater Jewish family…
“I was very moved and impressed. I respect the work the AHA did, but these [in Israel] were my people.”
Therefore, she changed her career path. For the next 12 years, Hagler worked for Jewish federations in Miami, Los Angeles, and South Palm Beach County, Fla., holding such positions as campaign director, associate foundation director, and associate vice president for women’s philanthropy.
And now, at 41, she follows Steven H. Morrison, 65, who is retiring after 27 years of heading the organized Madison Jewish community.
Read the full article in the September issue.
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