Over Nasatir’s four decades at the helm, JUF has grown to be one of the largest and most efficient charitable organizations in the country.
Save the date for a celebration five decades in the making.
On Wednesday, May 29, the Chicago Jewish community will honor Dr. Steven B. Nasatir’s 40-year tenure as President of Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago. With Nasatir at the helm, JUF has grown to be one of the largest and most efficient charitable organizations in the country, and Chicago has become renowned as one of the nation’s strongest and most vibrant Jewish communities.
Longtime JUF leader Michael H. Zaransky will chair the gala celebration, to be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Lester Crown is the honorary chair of the event.
Nasatir – the longest-serving Jewish federation chief executive in North America – has transformed the Jewish United Fund from a traditional fundraising organization into an innovative, multi-faceted philanthropic, programmatic, and advocacy enterprise. Under his leadership, the Chicago federation has conceived, funded, and implemented initiatives that serve an ever more diverse, dispersed, and changing community, including half a million Jews and non-Jews in Chicago and millions around the world.
Nasatir has led the community through every pivotal moment in the last 40 years of modern Jewish history. He has been a tireless advocate for Israel’s security, for the rescue and resettlement of Jews from hostile lands, for providing for the needy and safeguarding the community, and for inspiring the next generation of Jews.
“In May, we will celebrate and thank Steve, chronicle his career, and mark our collective achievements under his leadership,” Zaransky said. “The true essence of Steve’s contributions are his vision and integrity; energy and drive; relentless pursuit of ambitious goals; love of Israel and the Jewish people; passion for our national and international systems; and pride in his Jewish and American DNA. These are the qualities that define Steve, and which account for his remarkable legacy as a transformational leader.”
The event also will spotlight the newly launched Fund for the Future, an initiative dedicated to accelerating community investment in Next Generation programming. The Fund, chaired by Bill Silverstein, will seek to raise tens of millions to ensure a bright Jewish future.
Nasatir will transition to the new role of JUF Executive Vice Chairman on July 1.
