9 minute read
Biz Ins & Outs
from Oregon Jewish Life is the lifestyle magazine for the Jewish Communities of Oregon and SW Washington.
INS & OUTSBIZ
Jaynie Frost Aliza Zef David Forman
New Fitness Program Manager joins MJCC
The Mittleman Jewish Community Center is pleased to announce that Jaynie Frost will be joining the MJCC team as the new Fitness Program Manager. Jaynie has an extensive background in fitness, health and wellness, as well as, leadership, people management, and customer service. Jaynie has worked within the field of health and wellness since 1997 with varying positions. She has worked in health rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, and with integrative fitness programs. Jaynie has an extensive background in managing teams and expanding programs. Her most recent roles have included Health and Wellness Director, Executive Director, and Personal Trainer/Exercise Specialist. Jaynie holds a Bachelor of Psychology from USC and is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a Senior Fitness Specialist.
Jaynie is very excited to join the MJCC team and to work closely with Joe Seitz, Head Trainer, as the MJCC continues to expand and grow their fitness offerings. Jaynie and Joe will make a dynamic team as they both have extremely positive energy, a sense of humor, and a genuine desire to help others. The MJCC is thrilled to have this fitness team in place to kick off 2022! oregonjcc.org
Former Portlander appointed incoming director of TRY in Israel
When former Portland resident Aliza Zef, daughter of Laurie and George Fendel, was 18 years old she boarded a plane and came to Israel with USY High. At that time, she didn‘t know a soul and nobody in her family had ever been to Israel. Now she is going to be influential in helping other teens experience the life-changing program, as the recently appointed incoming director of TRY, Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim in Israel.
TRY is a semester of study at Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim, the Ramah Jerusalem High School, a fully accredited international secondary school program. TRY offers 10th, 11th, and 12th graders two different opportunities to live and learn in the land of Israel.
“There are so many people who played a role in helping me get here, and I hope I›ve already told each of you how much that means to me. Thanks to Ramah Israel for entrusting me with this huge responsibility, to Jonathan Madoff, who is handing over a program that he has put his heart and soul into, and most of all - to my family. I couldn›t do this without them. To all of my friends who have teenagers, if you do not know about this program, please be in touch with me!” Aliza posted about her new position. try.ramah.org.il
OJCF Appoints David Forman as President and CEO
The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation is pleased to announce that David Forman has been named President and CEO of the organization, effective January 1, 2022. Mr. Forman was selected after a nationwide search. He currently sits on the OJCF Executive Committee.
Forman brings more than 30 years of experience as an attorney to OJCF and is the Chair of the Corporate Finance and Transactions Practice Group as a partner at Tonkon Torp, LLP. He has served on the board of OJCF since 2014, joining the executive committee in 2018.
“The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation aligns with my passion and my commitment to our community. After all my experience as a volunteer in our Jewish community, I now have the opportunity to have a hands-on experience to
Susan Berniker Jordan Schnitzer
help write the next chapter of the foundation story and the community at large.”
Forman succeeds the late Julie Diamond, who led the organization for more than ten years, and retired June 30 while battling cancer. She passed away in August.
“I am blessed to have had my predecessor be Julie Diamond. I am following someone who made an amazing difference, who made a huge contribution to this community. And, if I’m doing it right, I’m honoring Julie,” said Forman.
“Our board of directors is thrilled to introduce David Forman as our new CEO,” said Josh Frankel, Board Chair at OJCF. “After an extensive search, it was evident to our hiring committee that David was the best person to lead the Foundation and sustain and strengthen the legacy of longtime CEO, Julie Diamond. David’s goal is not to replace Julie as CEO but rather he aspires to help us write the next chapter for OJCF. David possesses the experience, qualifications and passion to grow OJCF into an even greater, more successful organization. We are kvelling over David as our new CEO.” ojcf.org
The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation has hired Susan Berniker as Donor Relations & Marketing Manager. Susan will help advance the mission of OJCF by advising donors about giving approaches, community needs and foundation services.
Prior to joining OJCF, Susan worked as an educator as well as in the nonprofit arena in fund and policy development, program management and advocacy. Susan brings a passion for social justice work grounded in Jewish values as a member of the Women of Reform Judaism’s Pacific District Social Action and Advocacy Team, as Congregation Beth Israel’s Sisterhood Social Action Chair, and as a CBI Sunday School teacher.
“Susan is a marvelous addition to the OJCF team,” says OJCF Vice President of Philanthropy Tara Siegman who previously served in the donor relations role that Susan now occupies. “Her demonstrated passion for improving the world is in natural alignment with the foundation’s vision of a world in which all Jewish people practice tikkun olam. Susan is excited to begin working with our kind-hearted fundholders and I know they will enjoy working with her. Their philanthropy will be very well and thoroughly supported.” ojcf.org
Harsch Investment Properties changes name to Schnitzer Properties
For more than 70 years, Harsch Investment Properties has been a trusted name in commercial real estate. Under the leadership of company founder Harold Schnitzer and his son, Jordan Schnitzer, they have built meaningful relationships with their tenants, grown as a company and created a legacy of giving connected to the Schnitzer family name.
To honor our past and carry the story forward for generations to come, they rebranded as Schnitzer Properties effective January 3, 2022.
President Jordan Schnitzer says “Though our name has changed, what we do has not. We will focus on expanding our real estate portfolio, distinguishing ourselves through innovation, excellence and a commitment to our values, and we will do it proudly as Schnitzer Properties.”
Schnitzer Properties owns and operates 28 million square feet of property with more than 4,200 tenants in six states with a team of 300 professionals. schnitzerproperties.com
BIZ
Sydney Clevenger Martha Norrie Fred Rothstein Michelle Caplan
New Communications and Events Manager at Cedar Sinai Park
As a young girl, Cedar Sinai Park’s new Communications and Events Manager Sydney Clevenger vividly remembers the tranquility of playing checkers with her greatgrandmother while watching Lawrence Welk. With a passion for those who are aging, and experience working in senior living in the Portland area, Sydney is eager to connect with the residents of Cedar Sinai Park’s facilities as she helps coordinate fundraising events and shares stories of the nonprofit organization’s happenings. A Portland native, Sydney graduated cum laude in broadcasting with an English minor from Washington State University. She anchored radio and television news in Salem and the Tri-Cities before transitioning to public relations, where she’s worked for more than 30 years locally, and in Washington, D.C. Sydney’s expertise is in healthcare and education nonprofits and her primary places of employment include the Children’s Defense Fund, OHSU, Providence Health & Services, and most recently, Oregon Episcopal School.
Martha Norrie New Director of Development at Cedar Sinai Part
A great-great-grandfather of Cedar Sinai Park’s new Director of Development and Communications Martha Norrie, emigrated to the United States and, upon arriving in Portland, helped found Ahavai Shalom in 1869, one antecedent to today’s Nevah Shalom. Meeting minutes reveal that Norrie’s great-great grandfather, Raphael Prag, was elected a trustee and vice president of Ahavai Shalom, which appealed to “traditional Jews from Prussia and Poland,” according to the Oregon Encyclopedia Project. Though Raphael and his wife Johanna had five children, only one married, and that child, son Jacob—Norrie’s great-grandfather—married a Catholic from Ireland so Norrie’s Jewish line ended. Norrie is thrilled to even better understand and honor her genealogy by joining Cedar Sinai Park in January 2022. She is excited to meet those in the Jewish community as she strategically raises funds and awareness for the 100-year-old senior living nonprofit. A native Oregonian, Norrie began volunteering as a teenager and quickly developed a deep passion for charitable work for a wide range of causes. Norrie holds a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Portland and has deep experience in marketing and development, including the Oregon Society of Artists where she was interim executive director, and, for the past 13 years, Norrie Creative. Norrie is credentialed as a certified digital marketing professional and a professional certified marketer.
After 21 years of service to Congregation Neveh Shalom, executive director Fred Rothstein will Fred Rothstein, executive director of Congregation Neveh Shalom to retire be retiring on October 31, 2022.
Glen Coblens Congregation Neveh Shalom president stated in a recent press release, “Please join me in congratulating and thanking Fred on his remarkable career, during which time he worked with six rabbis, three cantors, and 10 congregation presidents; stewarded more than $20 million in gifts; and oversaw an entire building remodel. He celebrated numerous family simchas, including the marriage of his daughters and birth of his grandchildren, and navigated tougher lifecycle events in and alongside our kehillah. As a measure of his strong leadership, Fred guided us – and continues to do so – through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.”
In the coming weeks, we will begin our search for a new executive director, a process co-chaired by past President Jason Kaufman and current Board member Steffanie Goldsmith. We will engage you, our CNS family, throughout the process with the goal of welcoming a new executive director by September 1, 2022.
Michelle Caplan’s role expands at Neveh Shalom
As the new Director of Congregational Advancement at Neveh Shalom, Michelle Caplan’s role has been expanded to include development, in addition to her current role in membership, community building, and administration. Michelle is known for her creative approach to community building for the present and future generations.
Sarah Rohr appointed to the Beaverton Arts Commission
Sarah Rohr, a well known and respected Jewish community activist, artist, teacher and community builder, can now add arts commissioner to the many hats she wears. Sarah began her three-year term with the Beaverton Arts commission this month. She is looking forward support their current projects and exploring the scope of the commission.
Sarah is also a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and an Ambassador of S.A.R.A.H For HOPE which gathers women doing work to make the global community more just and sustainable. When asked how Sarah balances her active life, Sarah said, “ My awesome family and friendships are the fuel that sustain and inspire my efforts.”
Sarah and her husband Brian Rohr, the Communications Coordinator at Congregation Neveh Shalom, have two children.
