Neighbor News
Community Stalwart Takes Reins at JNF-USA in Illinois
Jewish National Fund-USA has appointed local community leader, Ellen Spira Hattenbach, to the role of Executive Director for Illinois
Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) is pleased to welcome community volunteer, lay leader, and professional, Ellen Spira Hattenbach, as its next executive director for the Illinois region.
“I feel immensely proud to be joining a movement that has served as the bedrock of modern Zionism and a source of inspiration for the Jewish People since 1901,” said Hattenbach. “The Illinois community is known for its activism and philanthropy and I’m excited to lead this new and exciting chapter for JNF-USA in our region.”
Hattenbach joins JNF-USA from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership where she served as Vice President for External Relations.
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“I’m delighted to welcome Ellen to the JNF-USA family,” said JNF-USA Chief Development Officer, Rick Krosnick. “Ellen brings a unique skillset that spans the philanthropic, corporate, and communal worlds. Her decades of experience are complimented by the special perspective she enjoys thanks to her service as a lay leader and professional.”
Hattenbach takes the reins at JNF-USA as the organization calls on its partners (donors) to support Israel’s immediate needs during this pandemic, while also moving forward with its strategic vision to develop the Negev and Galilee so all Israelis can enjoy a better quality of life.
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Hattenbach also expressed her immediate priorities and explained how she intends to navigate the current paradigm: “There has never been a more important time to reinforce the relevance and ‘essentiality’ of Israel in the lives of the next generation and I am thankful to be joining a world-class team who can help achieve that. In my experience, no matter what organization you’re a part of, when talented Jewish communal fundraisers and marketers are inspired and celebrated, they are the finest professionals with whom you will ever work. I am honored to be joining an organization of truly capable and great professionals who have the privilege to support a dedicated and powerful lay leadership team. Together, they helped build JNF-USA in Illinois and Chicago into what it is today—a strong organization with presence, prominence and promise. My goal is to ensure our entire team continues to be just that.”
For more information on JNF-USA in Illinois, call 847.656.8880, visit www.jnf.org, or email ehattenbach@jnf.org.