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November 13, 2008 (San Francisco, CA) – Daniel J. Sokatch has been honored as one of the 50 most influential Jewish Americans by The Forward, a legendary name in American journalism and a revered institution in American Jewish life. The Forward 50 selects dynamic individuals from a broad range of candidates whose leadership, creativity and impact make a difference in the Jewish community. Sokatch commented that he was “Honored to be named to this prestigious list along side other notables this year. This honor is a testament not only to me, but also to the dedication and hard work of all of the people here at the Jewish Community Federation, as well as a rising generation of Jewish activists and leaders.” Included in this year’s honorees are Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Obama's Chief of Staff; Penny Pritzker, who may end up as Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration; Congressman Barney Frank; Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Senator Joseph Lieberman; Olympian Dara Torres and many others. In selecting Sokatch for this list, The Forward commented: “When Sokatch as tapped to be CEO of the Jewish Community Federation, many in the Jewish communal world were surprised. Could a charismatic progressive known for galvanizing young activists translate his brand of leadership to a consensus-oriented Federation?” According to The Forward, “Searching for that breadth of leadership within the community is a challenging task. Some of the American Jews highlighted in this year's Forward 50 earned their distinction quietly. Although theirs were not the loudest voices, nor the usual ones, by words and deeds they shaped American life as Jews.” Past honorees include Michael Bloomberg, Alan Dershowitz, Norman Podhoretz, George Soros, Ronald Lauder, Elie Wiesel, Barbra Streisand, Charles Bronfman, and Elliot Abrams, among others. Sokatch has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties (JCF) since July 15, 2008. He oversees the Federation’s staff of 105, and its four satellite offices located in the Federation’s service areas and Israel. The Jewish Community Federation and Jewish Community Endowment Fund allocated, in the fiscal year 2008, over $300 million towards funding social services, educational and cultural programs in the Bay Area, in the U.S., Israel and elsewhere around the world. Sokatch was the founding Executive Director of the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA). PJA educates advocates and organizes on issues of peace, equality, diversity and justice, serving as a progressive voice in the Jewish community. In eight years under his leadership, the group grew from a membership base of 250 to over 4,000. Sokatch has been named to the Forward 50 twice before. ### For further information, please contact:
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