Also will take the helm of Board of Rabbis as new executive director

December 18, 2006

(San Francisco, CA) — The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties announces that Rabbi Marvin Goodman has agreed to become the Federation’s first rabbi in residence. In addition, he will serve as the executive director for the Board of Rabbis of Northern California. Rabbi Goodman currently serves at Peninsula Sinai Congregation in Foster City. He will assume this position in February 2007.

“We are excited that Rabbi Goodman will be joining us,” said Thomas A. Dine, CEO of the Federation. “His knowledge of the community and commitment to helping us build strong relationships with our congregations is invaluable. This dual position will allow us to work hand in hand with the spiritual centers of this community to address some of the needs of the individuals and families who live in our neighborhoods and regions.”

The position of rabbi-in-residence has been created to help the Federation expand its relationships with area congregations and address some of the findings of the 2004 community study, including outreach to underserved segments of the population. A task force comprised of rabbis, professional staff and lay leaders developed the position description and served as a search committee, a process that served as a model of the new relationship between the Federation and synagogues. An extensive, six-month national search was conducted resulting in Rabbi Goodman’s selection.

Rabbi Harry Manhoff, president of the Board of Rabbis, stated, “We have been looking forward to this cooperative venture with the Federation for quite a long time and are thrilled that one of our most respected and beloved members — Rabbi Marvin Goodman — has accepted this appointment."

Rabbi Goodman’s background is both as a rabbi and an activist. He has extensive experience helping congregations deal with issues facing their communities, such as welcoming interfaith families, building coalitions and bringing individuals, congregations and groups to gather to tackle important topics that impact the Jewish and general populations.

In deciding to take on this new position, Rabbi Goodman said, “Throughout my career as a rabbi, community development has always been my passion. This new position allows me to focus my energies in a new and important direction. It’s an opportunity to proactively take on the challenges facing us and, consequently, to change the way we function and live as a community.”

The Jewish Community Federation is the central organization for fundraising, planning, outreach and leadership development for Jewish communities in San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Marin and Sonoma counties. In fiscal year 2006, the Federation’s annual campaign allocated $18.3 million to some 60 agencies providing social services, educational and cultural programs in the Bay Area, in the U.S., Israel and elsewhere in the world. In fiscal year 2006, the Federation’s Endowment Fund, with assets exceeding $1.8 billion, provided more than $203 million for a variety of grants, seed projects and emergency needs. For more information, call 415.777.0411 or visit www.sfjcf.org.