Jim Joseph Foundation Announces November 1, 2016 as New Start Date for Incoming President and CEO Barry Finestone

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco-based Jim Joseph Foundation today announced that incoming President and CEO Barry Finestone will assume his new role effective November 1, 2016. Founded in 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than $420 million in grants to foster compelling, effective Jewish education for youth, teens, and young adults in the United States. Finestone will assume this role as Chip Edelsberg, the Foundation’s first executive director, steps down.

“The Jim Joseph Foundation already has left an indelible mark on Jewish education in North America,” says Barry Finestone, incoming President and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “Over the last few months I have grown to better know its dedicated Board of Directors and its very talented professional team. I am greatly looking forward to working closely with them to pursue the vision of Jim Joseph, z”l, to have more young Jews engaging in Jewish learning and living vibrant Jewish lives.”

A Scottish native with 25 years of experience in the Jewish nonprofit world, Finestone will be the Foundation’s first President and CEO. He currently is the executive director of the Lisa and John Pritzker Family Fund. Previously, Finestone was executive director of the JCC of San Francisco, which he built into the second largest JCC in the country. He also served as executive director of the Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati from 1999 to 2005 and as a residential camp director in the Young Judaea youth movement in the 1990’s. He holds a degree in Community Education from Jordanhill College in Glasgow, Scotland. Finestone and his wife, Ellen, have three children—Gabrielle, Ethan and Mia.

“I know first-hand Barry’s commitment to Jewish education. He understands the Foundation’s relational approach to philanthropy, and he excels in the skill at putting precious philanthropic resources to effective use,” adds Chip Edelsberg, Executive Director of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “There is no doubt that the Foundation under Barry’s leadership will be well positioned to achieve continued success.”

Over the previous ten years the Jim Joseph Foundation awarded numerous multi-year large grants with a guiding principle that Jewish education occurs in a variety of settings. The Foundation also became known for its strong commitment to evaluation and assessment of grants. Edelsberg will remain in the fields of philanthropy and Jewish education as a consultant.

“Barry and Chip have worked closely to ensure a smooth, even seamless, executive transition—and they will continue to do so in the months ahead, says Al Levitt, President of the Board of Directors of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “Most importantly, we maintain our steadfast pursuit to create effective and compelling Jewish education experiences, working closely with valued grantees, funder colleagues, and other stakeholders in the field.”

The Foundation also announced two new members of its Board of Directors: Laura Lauder of the Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund and of Lauder Partners, and Rachel Levin, Executive Director of the Righteous Persons Foundation.

Additionally, the Foundation announced that Al Levitt will retire as President of the Board of Directors effective December 11, following the Foundation’s Annual Meeting. At that time, Dan Safier will become Chair of the Board of Directors and Alisa Doctoroff will become Vice Chair.

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By investing in promising Jewish education grant initiatives, the Jim Joseph Foundation seeks to foster compelling, effective Jewish learning experiences for young Jews in the United States. Established in 2006, the Jim Joseph Foundation has awarded more than $420 million in grants to engage, educate, and inspire young Jewish minds to discover the joy of living vibrant Jewish lives. www.jimjosephfoundation.org