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Jewish Community News
JCN: September 2006
Steve Greenberg takes on Jewish Federation presidency
Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley President Steve Greenberg is a no nonsense, straight shooter, tell it like it is kind of guy. And sometimes that means saying nothing.
“Sometimes you’ll see me sitting here, looking like this (chin
rested on fist), and you may think I’m not paying attention,”
Greenberg says, “but I am. I just don’t say something until
I have something to say.”
When he does speak, Greenberg doesn’t waste time or mince words.
“I will do what I believe is the right thing to do, whether it makes
me liked or not,” Greenberg says.
Steve Greenberg began his term as president of the Jewish Federation of
Silicon Valley in July. He brings to the position more than 20 years of
management experience at IBM, nine years launching a start-up business
in Silicon Valley, and two years as the president of Temple Emanu-El,
San Jose’s oldest Reform synagogue.
“Each president brings something different,” said Emanu-El’s
Rabbi Dana Magat. “For Steve, he was very focused on the business
end of the synagogue, financial health. I think he took us to a new place.”
Bob Krandel, current president of Temple Emanu-El, has worked with Greenberg
on the temple board for many years. Krandel says Greenberg’s integrity
stands out to him more than anything else. “Steve is a very sincere
and honest person,” said Krandel.
At the Federation, Greenberg has three specific goals. He wants to get
all community organizations involved with Federation as voting members
of the board. He wants to cultivate young leaders in the community and
he wants to return the Jewish Community News to a monthly publication
cycle.
Why has he taken on the position? “If somebody before me hadn’t
done this, we’d never have gotten to here. So now it’s my
job to see that it goes on,” said Greenberg. “I’d be
irresponsible if I have the time and I don’t do it.”
He adds, “My getting involved only means that I have to give up
one more day of golf a week.”
“We are privileged to have such an experienced businessman and dedicated
volunteer heading up the Federation,” said Federation CEO Jyl Jurman.
News