Special Report
TIME TO STEP UP / ON THE COVER
CEO Scott Kaufman is mindful of Federation's historic legacy. A portrait of the late philanthropist and diplomat Max Fisher of Franklin peeks over his shoulder.
Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor
S
cott Kaufman officially starts
his job as CEO of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit on Oct. 1, yet in the last month he
has already held about 100 one-on-one
meetings with community leaders and
professionals from Federation, its agencies
and area synagogues.
That adds up to countless breakfasts,
lunches and dinners as well as serious
wear-and-tear on his two new suits, but
Kaufman is a community builder by
nature and he couldn't wait to get started.
"It's a great opportunity to listen to con-
cerns and to learn from others," Kaufman
said. "I want people to know I'm someone
they can come to with ideas and criticism."
Kaufman takes over the helm of
Federation from Robert Aronson, who held
the position for more than 20 years and
became legendary in the Jewish world for
his fundraising prowess and his visionary
thinking. Aronson will remain at Federation
as a senior development advisor.
Both men share a passion for this
Jewish community, the Jewish people and
Israel, and both are considered outside-
the-box thinkers able to ignite excitement
for community projects.
Unlike Aronson, Kaufman did not rise
through the ranks as a Jewish communal
professional before becoming Federation
CEO. He's an entrepreneur at heart and
has for-profit business experience. At 43,
he joins the trend of younger Federation
CEOs being hired in other major cities,
such as Baltimore and Minneapolis.
Kaufman, a native Detroiter, spent near-
ly 10 years as a volunteer lay leader, mostly
in Federation's Young Adult Division (YAD)
where he served as president, led Israel
missions and helped develop the Grosfeld
Leadership Program. He also served key
roles on Jewish community boards.
As a Federation employee, Kaufman
was director of strategic initiatives,
responsible for addressing the issue of
attracting and retaining Detroit's young
talent, and exploring Web-based
platforms, such as social media,
to further the Federation brand.
Prior to that role, he was direc-
tor of IsraelSixty, overseeing
Federation's yearlong, commu-
nitywide celebration of Israel's
60th anniversary celebration in
2008, and leading its family mis-
sion to Israel.
His experiences have put him Bubba
in contact with thousands of
Jewish Detroiters, especially those of his
generation, many of whom have seen his
commitment and respect his leadership
abilities.
"Scott is the consummate leader:' said
Brad "Bubba" Urdan, a former YAD presi-
dent."Every time he swings for a single,
but hits a home run. I'm behind Scott 100
percent, and so are all my friends."
Federation's old guard recognizes the
same qualities.
"I think Scott is a great fit,
particularly at this time in our
community," said Larry Jackier,
a former Federation president.
"We are going through a neces-
sary and important sea change
— a generation of experienced
leadership handing the baton to
the next generation.
"Scott is very well connected to
Urdan
that generation through Grosfeld
and YAD, and he inspires them.
So many of them were so excited to hear he
was selected. There's positive momentum.
"I think he'll do extremely well',' Jackier
said. "He's got vision and energy, and he
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