Martin Kraar, the former executive vice president of the Council of Jewish Federations and later of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute died Nov. 1. He was 69.
Kraar, who was from Atlanta, served as the head of the CJF for 10 years until 1998 and was instrumental in helping the organization merge with the United Jewish Appeal and the United Israel Appeal forming what is now the Jewish Federations of North America.
He left the CJF just before the merger to lead the Weizmann Institute.
“It is with a heavy heart we note the passing of our friend and beloved colleague, Marty Kraar,” said Jerry Silverman, president and CEO of JFNA. “He led our organization with vision, courage and wisdom through a period of transition, and spent his life devoted to the betterment of the Jewish people. We honor his memory with gratitude for the wonderful gimilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness, he performed on behalf of our people and will continue to find inspiration in the legacy of his leadership.”
He is survived by his beloved wife Lynda and four daughters: Shanna, Anita, Miriam, and Yona.
