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and fellow resident,
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10 January 12 • 2012
Global Leader
Penny Blumenstein lends her passion
and expertise to Jews worldwide
as new JDC president.
Keri Guten Cohen
Story Development Editor
most uncertain times guarantees
that Jews in need and others facing
crisis are cared for and enriched:'
enny Blumenstein of
Blumenstein said.
Bloomfield Hills has been
"I have two priorities now: the
elected thel6th president of
Jewish Fund and JDC. As much as
the New York-based American Jewish
I have loved my involvement in the
Joint Distribution Committee (JDC),
other organizations, I know there are
the world's leading Jewish humanitar-
only so many hours in the day."
ian assistance organization.
Blumenstein and her husband,
Blumenstein, a
Harold, have three married children
noted global philan-
and 12 grandchildren.
thropist dedicated to
As she begins her JDC presidency,
causes in Michigan,
Blumenstein looks back at local men-
Israel and around
tors.
the world, has been a
"I have been very fortunate that
member of the JDC
many Jewish leaders helped me —
board since 2002.
Connie Giles, Mark Schlussel, David
She was confirmed
Page and Bob Naftaly, all of the presi-
Penny
at JDC's recent board dents of Federation, placed me in the
Blumenstein
meeting, attended by position of learning and leading. And
top leaders from the Jewish and inter-
in Federation's Women's Department,
national NGO communities.
I had the same experience but even
"As JDC continues to address some
better because I had role models.
of the world's toughest humanitarian
Think of those women who pioneered
challenges and ensures Jewish life is
a woman's place in the greater com-
celebrated across the globe, we are
munity, like Edythe Jackier and Frieda
proud to have Penny Blumenstein
Stollman"
as our new president:' said Steve
Because JDC work is global,
Schwager, JDC's CEO. "Her vast Jewish
Blumenstein can count on traveling.
and philanthropic leadership, especial-
"I will travel because I think it is
ly when paired with her deep compas-
important to go where the work is
sion and understanding, are critical to
being done and see it firsthand:' she
our mission today"
said. "This year I plan to go to Israel
JDC works in more than 70 coun-
and Tbilisi, Georgia, and Moscow, so
tries and in Israel to alleviate hunger
far. I also hope to be able to relate the
and hardship, rescue Jews in danger,
JDC story to others — communities,
create lasting connections to Jewish
fenders and foundations that all are a
life, and provide immediate relief and
part of JDC's programs.
long-term development support for
"I am just meeting with my lay and
victims of natural and man-made
professional leadership group this
disasters.
week where I will begin to focus on
In addition to her work with JDC,
the priorities for JDC for the corn-
Blumenstein is currently chair of
ing year. This is an era of global
the Jewish Fund, a legacy of Sinai
turbulence, when the need for JDC's
Hospital in Detroit (see story on page
programs is great and may increase.
8); is on the executive committee of
At the same time, there are economic
the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; is a
challenges that we face and we will
member of the West Bloomfield board
need to secure our financial sustain-
at the Henry Ford Health System; is a
ability. I will try to use my time where
member of the executive Committee
it can do the most good."
at the Community Foundation of
Blumenstein's presidency coincides
Southeastern Michigan; and is a board with JDC's upcoming milestone anni-
member of the national American
versary.
Committee for the Weizmann Institute
"The 100th anniversary tells you a
of Science as well as of the Detroit
lot about how this organization has
chapter. She previously served as
kept up with changing times and the
president of the Jewish Federation of
needs of the most vulnerable Jews
Metropolitan Detroit.
around the world:' she said. "We are
"I'm honored to serve as president
planning a year's worth of events both
of JDC, an organization that in the
here in the States and in Israel."
p