Milwaukee Jewish Federation President Jerry Benjamin has announced that the MJF will launch a national search for a new executive. Daniel Bader will lead the search, and a local volunteer committee is being organized.
Long-time MJF Executive Vice President Richard H. Meyer retired from his position on Aug. 31. Since then, former Community Planning Director Sheryl Primakow has served as interim executive director.
“I have found this interim work very special and meaningful, and I am honored that I was called upon to contribute to the Jewish community in this capacity,” said Primakow, “but I strongly believe that our community will most benefit at this point from new leadership and new ideas.”
“I look forward to guiding the search for a new executive director and continuing to be a part of the future of the MJF team,” she added.
“While I’m disappointed of course that Sheryl has chosen not to apply for the permanent position, I know I speak for the whole community in expressing my deepest gratitude to her for her outstanding leadership,” Benjamin said.
“Sheryl is ensuring that the work of Federation is able to continue smoothly through the transition, and her warmth and skills have done much to reassure both volunteers and staff. We are very grateful to her,” he said.
Benjamin and Primakow attended the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Denver in early November. During that time they consulted with staff at JFNA’s Mandel Center for Leadership as well as with staff from other federations in order to plan for the search.
The committee will consider candidates as they are identified, and no definitive timeframe for completing the search and hiring a new executive can be specified at this time, according to Benjamin.
“Our priority is finding the right person for this particular time in our community’s history,” he said.
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