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Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton Changing of the Guard

Cathy Gardner | July 2, 2019
Jewish Foundation of Greater Dayton Changing of the Guard

I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure on the Foundation Board. The assets held by the Foundation represent a significant financial commitment by many of the most well known philanthropists in the history of our Dayton Jewish Community.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure on the Foundation Board. The assets held by the Foundation represent a significant financial commitment by many of the most well known philanthropists in the history of our Dayton Jewish Community.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure on the Foundation Board. The assets held by the Foundation represent a significant financial commitment by many of the most well known philanthropists in the history of our Dayton Jewish Community.

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Around 12 years ago, Bernie Rabinowitz called and asked me to lunch. Although I knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch, I accepted his offer. At that lunch Bernie asked me to serve on the Federation Foundation Board with the hope that I would soon take his place as Chair.

There have only been a handful of people who have chaired the Foundation since it’s inception in 1987, so I was honored to be considered. And you just don’t say “no” to Bernie.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure on the Foundation Board. The assets held by the Foundation represent a significant financial commitment by many of the most well known philanthropists in the history of our Dayton Jewish Community. Shepherding the management of those funds is not a glamourous task, but it is satisfying to know that our community will reap the benefit for generations to come.

We have had outstanding Board members during my tenure as Chair. Most important of these has been Bob Heuman. Bob is the silent hero of the entire operation and he deserves much credit in managing and chairing the investment committee.

More recently, with the addition of Janese Sweeney as our staff liaison, the role of the Foundation has been greatly expanded through the Life and Legacy Program. Janese has been instrumental in making this program one of the most successful of it’s type in the entire country. And of course, behind the scenes, Cathy Gardner and her staff have been rock solid in their support of the Foundation’s activities, including the branding process which is now fully implemented.

Effective June 25th, I am very pleased to announce that Mary Rita Weissman will assume the role of Chair going forward. Mary Rita has served the Jewish Community in so many roles over the last 20 years that it is impossible to count them all. I know that I am leaving the Foundation in extremely capable hands and I wish her all the best going forward.

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