Dr. David Gordis’ nearly three-year stint as executive vice president of the American Jewish Committee was “terminated” on April 24, the human relations agency’s lay president, Theodore Ellenoff of New York, confirmed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Tuesday.
“There were policy differences between Dr. Gordis’ view and the lay officers’ view upon the ultimate control of the agency, particularly in connection with staff and administration,” Ellenoff explained. He indicated that he had tried to resolve the conflicts for several months, but declined to elaborate on them. Gordis, 46, and a Conservative rabbi, could not be reached by telephone, and his secretary at AJCommittee here said “he was not speaking to the press at this time.”
Ellenoff was asked if Gordis’ rumored desire for reinstatement would be addressed at the agency’s 81st annual meeting here May 13-17. “I think so,” he replied. He said that a search committee would be formed “shortly after the annual meeting” to seek Gordis’ successor.
In the meantime, AJCommittee’s half dozen senior staffers are running the agency. Ellenoff said “they’re well trained,” will work collegially and know what must be done. Under these circumstances, does Ellenoff feel extra pressure? “With the departure of the executive vice president there is the need to reassure a very good professional staff that the Committee’s work moves in its prescribed rhythm and to reassure the lay group that the agency, which has a number of good programs in place, will do them,” he replied.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
