Passing the Torch: Seeking to be ‘the leading edge’

by Johanna Ginsberg
NJJN Staff Writer

Weeks before becoming president of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey, Kenneth R. Heyman of Short Hills has already outlined specific initiatives and priorities for the organization going forward. And while that may mean taking the umbrella philanthropy in some new directions — each president does the job with his or her own “personality and energy,” he says — all of its leaders have the same basic goal: “to move the organization toward its goals for the community.”

His vision, he told NJJN , is to help the organization continue to evolve and innovate. “We have always been a community that thinks outside the box. I want to continue to do that overseas and locally. I will follow the past leadership’s example in driving the community forward to stay on the leading edge of UJCs.”

He is looking forward to implementing the Campaign Initiative, a $250,000 project that will address “the changing nature of our donors.” The initiative, already approved by the board, is intended to enlarge and strengthen the UJC’s corps of professional fundraisers and encourage new strategies for the annual campaign.

Also on his agenda is convening a task force to review and evaluate efforts on behalf of the special needs population; improving synagogue outreach efforts; and kicking off the Renaissance Campaign, an endowment campaign now being planned by the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest. Gifts will start at $1 million. Leadership development and training is also on the table.

He will also have to address the future of two local beneficiaries whose effectiveness has been questioned by the UJC’s professional and volunteer leadership.

Heyman hopes to complete a strategic plan for Jewish education and identity what will be the reconfigured services that, until now, have been provided by the Jewish Education Association. He will also oversee the creation of a new model for outreach to intermarrieds that will replace the 14-year-old Pathways program.

The biggest challenge will be communicating effectively, said Heyman. “We have to make sure all of the partners are working toward the same things. When we’re not on the same page with beneficiary agencies and organizations, there is friction. We have to do what we can to reduce or eliminate that tension.”

Heyman, 56, a certified financial planner with Smith Barney in Florham Park, has been volunteering with UJC for 21 years. It all started when he saw an ad for a Young Leadership mission to Auschwitz and Israel. “I had never been to Israel. I signed up and I immediately got involved with the Keystone Division,” he said, referring to the then-name for what is now known as the Young Leadership Division of UJC.

A member of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange, he chaired the Young Leadership Division and served on the national cabinet; he has held “almost all of the campaign related positions” at UJC, he said, including chairing Super Sunday for the last two years. His wife, Mimi, is the former president of the women’s department. They have two children, Jeff and Jennifer, and one grandson.

Looking ahead, he said, “A lot of my focus will be to continue to make sure we evolve as a community. The Jewish community is constantly changing, and its needs, locally and overseas are constantly changing. We need to make sure that as it evolves, so do we. I’m excited!”

Johanna Ginsberg can be reached at jginsberg@njjewishnews.com.