Robert I. Hiller of Baltimore has been appointed executive vice president of the Council of Jewish Federations beginning Sept. 1, according to an announcement by Morton Mandel, CJF president. Hiller, currently executive vice president of the Associated Jewish Charities and Welfare Fund of Baltimore, will succeed Philip Bernstein who has held the post since 1955.
In making the announcement following a CJF Board of Directors meeting, Mandel noted that the appointment of Hiller “represents our efforts to build the strongest possible executive leadership for the Federation movement in North America. Mr. Hiller’s appointment is a major step in our effort to bring together outstanding executive talent to head our Council.”
Hiller has served as the professional head of the Baltimore Jewish Federation for 14 years, during which time he has directed and provided consultation to national and international organizations engaged in self-studies and reorganizations, including the Council of Jewish Federations, the Jewish Welfare Board and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
In Baltimore, he developed the concept for the Institute for Jewish Communal Service, a dual Masters Degree program in social work and Jewish studies, conducted jointly by the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning and the Baltimore Hebrew College.
Prior to coming to Baltimore, Hiller served as executive vice president of the Pittsburah Jewish Federation from 1956 to 1965 and as associate director of the Cleveland Federation from 1950 to 1956.
He began his professional career in 1948 as associate campaign director of the Detroit United Foundation. In 1969 he played a leading role in the creation of the United Fund of Central Maryland and has continued to serve as a leader of that organization. Hiller has been active in his synagogue, the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, where he has served as a board member and officer.
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