Ann Arbor Federation
New name, leadership; same mission.
Ann Arbor
T
he Jewish Federation of
Greater Ann Arbor recently
changed its name from the
Jewish Federation of Washtenaw
County. In doing so,
the Federation aims
to increase the rec-
ognition and stature
of the community in
national and inter-
national forums.
In particular, it is
Susan Fisher
attractive to identify
with the core com-
munity of Ann Arbor.
"Ann Arbor con-
jures visions of a
politically and cul-
turally active com-
munity," says David
Shtulman, executive
David
director.
Shtulman
The new name
accompanies a
new era of Jewish communal leader-
ship for the local Jewish Federation,
which is entering its 22nd year in Ann
Arbor. Shtulman arrived in July from
Pittsburgh where he served as director
of agency endowments at the United
Jewish Federation.
The Jewish Federation of Greater
Ann Arbor recently installed Susan
Fisher as president of its board of
directors. Fisher recently retired as
an ATT general manager and now
is focusing on volunteer activity
within the Jewish community, includ-
ing membership on the boards of
Jewish Family Services and the Jewish
Community Foundation. She has shep-
herded the community's long-range
planning Capital Needs Task Force
and co-chaired the successful 2008
Annual Campaign. In addition to her
work in the Jewish community, Susan
has lent her considerable talents to the
University of Michigan Musical Society
Advisory Committee.
Shtulman believes that Fisher is
exactly the right partner for him as
he assumes his position as the profes-
sional head of the Federation.
"Susan brings that perfect combina-
tion of success in the business world,
experienced leadership as a volunteer
in the non-profit sector and a deep
commitment to the Ann Arbor com-
munity"
The Jewish Federation has experi-
enced change during the past year; its
mission remains the same: to foster
Jewish communal life through the spir-
it of tzedakah (righteousness) and tik-
kun olam (social justice). The Jewish
Federation's mandate is to initiate, to
coordinate, and to preserve activities,
which strengthen Jewish life locally in
Israel and throughout the world. [i]
Gay Network Adds Director
The Jewish Gay Network of Michigan
(JGN) has hired Kim Phillips-Knope
as program director.
An educator and specialist in les-
bian, gay, bisexual
and transgender
(LGBT) issues,
Phillips-Knope is the
organization's first
paid staff member.
Founded in 2005,
JGN is a volunteer-
Kim Phillips-
based network com-
Knope
mitted to ensuring
that LGBT Jews are
seen as a vibrant branch of the Jewish
family tree and stakeholders in the
Jewish future.
Phillips-Knope's hiring was made
possible through a partnership with
Keshet, a Boston-based nonprofit
organization working for the full
inclusion of LGBT Jews nationwide.
The Keshet grant to JGN is part of
a larger Keshet initiative funded by
the Kalamazoo-based Arcus Gay &
Lesbian Fund, the Charles and Lynn
Schusterman Family Foundation, the
Nathan Cummings Foundation, and
the Hadassah Foundation.
The grant provides JGN with an
integrated model for Jewish corn-
munity change through implementa-
tion of the Hineini Education Project
which seeks to ensure that LGBT
youth, family, faculty, and staff are
affirmed in all Jewish educational
settings.
"JGN was created to ensure that
every member of the Jewish commu-
nity, whether gay or straight, is able to
say `Hineini — Here I am' and know
the community will honor them with-
out judgment;' said P.J. Cherrin, JGN
board president.
For information about the JGN, visit
it Web site, www.jgnmi.org .
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July 24 2008
A17