Please read the letters below from our CEO Will Berkovitz and our Board President Eric LeVine.
A Letter From Schocken Family CEO Will Berkovitz
Dear Friends,
After twelve years with Jewish Family Service, I plan to step down in September 2025. It has been an incredible privilege to serve our community as the CEO of JFS. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from some of the smartest and most dedicated group of professionals and community members I have ever known. I recognize that I stand on their shoulders, as well as on the shoulders of all those who have been a part of JFS for the past 132 years. It has truly been a collective effort that has made JFS the extraordinary organization it is today – one generation handing JFS to the next. And now it is my time to pass the baton.
While I am leaving JFS, I am not leaving the Jewish community or Seattle. Two extraordinary Seattle philanthropists have invited me to help them develop a foundation that will support the global Jewish community. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will allow me to apply the lessons and values that have guided me at JFS to a broader context, while continuing my commitment to strengthening Jewish life in Seattle and beyond.
As a community, we have weathered many challenges—COVID, civil unrest, political division, and the tragic events of October 7th. Amidst these trials, we have remained steadfast in our mission to serve the community and those who rely on us. We have never wavered from our greatest aspirations and highest values, even when the path was not easy. I have no doubt that spirit will endure.
I have always seen myself as a steward of a vital Jewish communal resource. We inherited JFS from those who came before us, and my goal has been to honor the foundational Jewish values and history, ensuring that every decision reflects those values. If we forget the stories and principles that shape us, we risk losing the fire that sustains our community. I am deeply grateful to have worked alongside others who share this vision.
There may never be a perfect moment to step aside, and that is certainly true now. Yet, I believe that while stability is valuable, new perspectives are essential for growth and evolution. I am proud of all we have built and how we have navigated these past twelve years together. I look forward to seeing the next chapter of JFS unfold and to working together with the new CEO as this extraordinary organization continues to thrive. Please continue reading for a letter from JFS Board President Eric LeVine.
In peace and gratitude,
Will
A Letter from JFS Board President Eric LeVine
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As you read in Will’s letter above, after 12 remarkable years of service, our beloved CEO will be stepping down. Will’s tenure has been defined by visionary leadership, exceptional stewardship, and unwavering dedication to the mission of JFS. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I want to express our profound gratitude to him for guiding this organization to new heights and leaving an incredible legacy for the next chapter of the JFS journey.
As the stewards of this organization, the Board of Directors holds the critical responsibility of hiring a CEO. We are committed to ensuring a thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive process as we identify Will’s successor. We have formed and approved a Search Committee, co-chaired by long-time Board members Mike Adler and Zane Brown, both of whom bring deep experience and insight. In addition to me, the committee also includes Immediate Past President of JFS, Karyn Barer, and JFS Board members Lynne Herer Smith, Cindy Strauss, and Lisa Colton. All of them are highly seasoned leaders in our community who are deeply dedicated to JFS.
The committee will begin by interviewing search firms to help us conduct a comprehensive national search for our next leader.
On a personal note, my relationship with JFS spans more than two decades, having joined the Board in 2003. I had the privilege of serving as President-Elect during the 2012-2013 term and as Board President when Will began his tenure. I was also a member of the Search Committee that hired Will which makes this moment both nostalgic and full of hope.
It has been an honor to witness the extraordinary growth and impact of this organization under Will’s leadership, and I am confident that the foundation he has built will serve as a springboard for what lies ahead.
While change can be challenging, it is also an opportunity. Will is leaving JFS in an incredibly strong position, with a highly skilled senior leadership team, an incredible staff, and a Board of Directors deeply committed to supporting this transition. With Will’s guidance during this period and the collective strength of this community, I have no doubt we will navigate this moment with grace and unity.
JFS has thrived for 132 years, and this leadership transition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Together, we will build on Will’s remarkable legacy to continue serving our mission with passion and purpose. We will keep you informed as this process unfolds, and we welcome your thoughts and encouragement as we take these important next steps.
With gratitude and optimism,
Eric LeVine
JFS Board President
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.