Here’s the press release:
D.C. FEDERATION NAMES STEVEN RAKITT AS CEO
Jan. 5, 2011
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has hired Steven A. Rakitt to be its Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer.
Rakitt, currently the President and CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, was unanimously approved by the federation’s board of directors and will begin his tenure next month.
“It is an honor and privilege to be selected for this position,” said Rakitt. “My personal values and passion have always aligned with the mission of Federation. I look forward to forging my experience and passion for this work with the strong foundation of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.”
Rakitt will be tasked with championing the federation’s mandate to inspire, connect, educate and support Jews locally, in Israel and around the world.
From 2000-2010, Rakitt served as President and CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, where he led one of the largest non-profit organizations in the Southeast.
“I am delighted that Steve, a seasoned large-city Federation executive, will serve as our next CEO,” said the federation’s President, Susie Gelman. “He is a talented and capable leader who has dedicated his entire professional life to serving the Jewish community. His expertise will prove invaluable as we build a stronger, more vibrant Jewish community in the Greater Washington region.”
Before serving in Atlanta, Rakitt spent seventeen years as a senior professional at The Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, including seven years as Executive Vice President. Rakitt has been very involved in the continental Jewish Federation movement, as a chair of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Large City Executives Forum and as a member of the Executive Committees of the Jewish Agency for Israel and The Jewish Federations of North America.
