Dear Bronfmanim,
It is with great pride and excitement that I announce our hiring of a Director of Alumni Engagement of The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel. After an intensive process, we have selected BYFI alum Becky (Paley) Voorwinde '97. Becky has accepted, and is set to begin in her new role on May 14th.
It would be hard to overstate my enthusiasm about this development, at this time in our history. An excellent example of vision and leadership, this position was conceived of and developed as a collaboration between BYFI and The Samuel Bronfman Foundation and is the culmination of many months of thought and discussion.Since then, Ariel Groveman Weiner '96 of The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, Executive Director Rabbi Shimon Felix, and I have reviewed 27 applications, conducted 10 phone interviews, and 7 in-person interviews at The Samuel Bronfman Foundation offices in New York. We were blessed not only with a high number of applicants but also a field of phenomenal quality, including professionals at the top of their fields in Jewish organizations and philanthropies, Jewish and non-Jewish entrepreneurship, and the business world.
Becky's decision to apply for this position - not to mention her final selection - was not a foregone conclusion. As Corporate Responsibility (CR) Project Manager at Ernst & Young in New York since 2006, she has a superior record of success in a cutting-edge business field, and she had not been looking for a career change. However as an active member of our Alumni Advisory Board, Becky is well aware of the fantastic opportunities inherent in a community like ours. She is also aware - and this is the key - of the potential for an adequately envisioned and empowered BYFI executive to take over as the full-time leader of alumni life and, in collaboration with the AAB, drive our priorities forward. I tell you with great confidence today: Becky is that leader.
Although she has not yet officially started work, Becky attended the BYFI-supported Righteous Indignation conference in Boston yesterday, along with founder Margie Klein '96 and a number of other BYFI alumni - the conference had an excellent turnout.
Becky and I are committed to joining with Shimon, Ava, The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, and all of you to take this incredible community of almost 600 Bronfmanim to new heights of collaboration and mutual enrichment.
We want to hear from you. I welcome your feedback and ideas as we enter this very promising new chapter.
All the best,
Elijah
Elijah Dornstreich '92
elijah@byfi.org
From Becky Voorwinde, Director of Alumni Engagement
Dear BYFI Alumni,
It is truly an honor to serve BYFI as Director of Alumni Engagement. I respect and admire our talented, committed and innovative alumni. It is my goal to harness the strengths and experiences of our community to benefit the broader Jewish community and the wider world.
Most BYFI alumni, including myself, credit the Fellowship summer with profoundly shaping their identity as Jews and leaders. There is tremendous potential to extend the role that BYFI plays in the continued growth of our alumni. I am committed to contribute my energy to achieve this vision.
With the leadership of our Alumni Advisory Board and Shimon and Ava's continued dedication, I know we will accomplish great things! I look forward to getting to know each of you. Please reach out and share your ideas, needs and interests.
Best,
Becky
Becky Voorwinde '97
becky@byfi.org
Becky Voorwinde's Bio
Becky joins BYFI as Director of Alumni Engagement with professional experience in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. As corporate responsibility program manager at Ernst & Young, Becky served as an internal business consultant with a focus on environmental sustainability and corporate volunteerism. She designed a signature volunteer program for Ernst & Young employees to support disadvantaged students towards college attendance. For three years, Becky worked in Australia as a human resources diversity consultant. She created diversity policies and programs to enhance workplace inclusiveness. Prior to returning to the U.S., Becky and her husband Michael traveled in South and Central America.
Becky graduated Summa cum laude from Barnard College with a BA in American Studies. She served on the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel Alumni Advisory Board as a member of the Fundraising and Projects Committee. Becky resides in Brooklyn, New York.
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