DANIEL Z. LEPOW
Lepow sharpens Federation’s focus on future
By Deborah Moon
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Daniel Z. Lepow has joined the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland as director of community development.
“It’s basically a planning position to help the community look toward the future,” said Lepow, formerly the western regional director for the Jewish Agency For Israel. He added his goal was “to create not just a community plan, but also a community financial plan with supplemental giving opportunities beyond the annual campaign for individuals and families who want to invest in the future of the community.”
Prior to his two years in Albuquerque, N.M., with JAFI, Lepow served 10 years as the campaign director for the Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Va. A native of Philadelphia, he said his aunts and uncles all moved to Israel early in the country’s history, so he has been a frequent visitor to the Jewish state.
Lepow moved to Portland Feb. 29 with his wife Susan, a long-time Jewish educator. The couple has three grown sons—Benjamin, in internet marketing in Oakland, Calif.; Jesse, who works for Heritage Tours in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Alexander, who is finishing college in Richmond, Va.
“The board’s authorization of this position allows us to move ahead to work with all elements of the community to map out our future in a planful and intelligent way,” said JFGP Executive Vice President Charles R. Schiffman. “That is one of Federation’s major concerns and I feel very good that we can now embark on it more fully than in the past. We are fortunate to have secured the services of an experienced professional like Dan Lepow, who will be a valuable asset to the community.”
Lepow said he was inspired to apply for the job, which is a new position at JFGP, because of the forward-looking nature of the job, his respect for JFGP’s staff and because Portland seems like a nice place to live.
“It’s an opportunity to use my skills and talents and is consistent with my belief we need to look forward to meet the needs of the community and develop different funding sources,” he said. “Another factor was my respect for Charlie (Schiffman) and the staff. I’ve known Charlie and Laurie (Rogoway, JFGP campaign director) for many years and I respect them as top-notch professionals.”
He added that moving to the desert after living in Virginia Beach for 10 years had given him “water withdrawal.”
“I had to get someplace there was water,” he quipped.
Lepow emphasized he has not arrived in Portland with a blueprint for the future.
“I’m coming in as someone anxious to listen to people and to try to put that into some kind of plan so the community can move forward,” he said.
Lepow said he looks forward to hearing from those who have ideas about the community’s future. To reach Lepow, call the JFGP at 503-245-6219, ext. 313.