

Chief Executive Officer – The Jewish Federation of Madison
The Jewish Federation of Madison
Mission: To inspire, build, and sustain vibrant Jewish life by fostering diverse opportunities to connect at every age and mobilizing our community in common purpose in Madison, Israel, and around the world.
Vision: A flourishing, engaged, inclusive Jewish community in a thriving world – today and always.
The Jewish Federation of Madison (JFM) serves as a central convener and backbone organization for Jewish life in Madison and Dane County. Through philanthropy, education, engagement, and community service, JFM strengthens Jewish identity, ensures care for the most vulnerable, fosters connections to Israel and global Jewry, and enriches the broader Madison community. JFM is part of a network of 140+ local Jewish Federations and 300+ independent communities across North America, united under the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), a cornerstone of Jewish life for generations, supporting communities locally and responding to needs worldwide. JFM raises approximately $950,000 through its annual campaign and manages an endowment of approximately $4 million.
JFM’s Board of Directors includes leaders who represent diverse generations and lived experiences who volunteer extensively across the Madison community and serve on nonprofit boards regionally and nationally. JFM owns a community building and a 154-acre campus that is home to Camp Shalom, including a 5,500-square-foot aquatic center open to the broader community.
For more than 70 years, Camp Shalom has been at the center of JFM’s offerings, serving 1,000 children each summer and employing approximately 170 seasonal staff from across the broader Madison community. A widely recognized community asset, Camp Shalom welcomes campers and families of all backgrounds and abilities. The camp is a source of deep pride, with significant potential to continue evolving and strengthening its impact.
Beyond camp, JFM’s youth engagement spans Gan HaYeled, a regionally recognized Jewish early childhood program that integrates research informed educational practice with Jewish values, reflecting a deep commitment to inclusion and strong community partnerships. Midrasha, a collaborative, city-wide weekly high school program, brings together teens from diverse backgrounds for meaningful Jewish learning and connection; and PJ Library events engage families across multiple stages of Jewish life.
The Madison Jewish community is strengthened by the annual presence of a shaliach, whose work enriches these programs and deepens connections to Israel. Madison is also home to three synagogues, an active community Chabad, Jewish Social Services, UW–Madison Hillel (one of the oldest and most active Hillels in the country), Chabad on campus, and a range of academic and cultural institutions. JFM also plays a central role in convening local Jewish professionals and clergy, fostering a collaborative, well-networked community grounded in partnership and shared purpose.
About Madison, WI
Madison is a uniquely livable and civically engaged capital city, surrounded by five lakes and known for its exceptional public schools, active neighborhoods, and deep culture of participation. Anchored by the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the city combines intellectual energy with a strong economy driven by education, healthcare, technology, and public service. Madison consistently ranks among the best places to live in the country, offering a rare blend of natural beauty, progressive civic life, family-friendly big city amenities, and a high quality of life that attracts people from around the world who want to lead, build, and belong. Madison is a growing city with a population of approximately 285,000 residents (700,000 in the metro area), including an estimated 5,000 Jews, plus over 5,000 Jewish students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dane County Regional Airport is located less than 8 miles from the city center and serves nearly 20 nonstop destinations from coast to coast.
The Opportunity
The Jewish Federation of Madison seeks a dynamic, visionary, and values-driven Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization into its next chapter. Reporting to the Board of Directors and partnering closely with volunteer leadership, the CEO will provide strategic, operational, and communal leadership to advance JFM’s mission, strengthen Jewish life in Madison, deepen philanthropic engagement, and ensure long-term organizational sustainability. The CEO will serve as the organization’s chief fundraiser and a visible ambassador for community relations and partnerships, representing and elevating the Jewish community of Madison.
Core CEO Competencies
The CEO Will
Key Responsibilities
Philanthropy & Resource Development
Strategic & Community Leadership
Organizational & Operational Leadership
Qualifications
Compensation Package
Base Salary Range: 140,000-160,000
The Jewish Federation of Madison offers a robust benefits package, including PTO, medical and dental coverage, retirement contribution, FSA, Long Term Disability, and professional development opportunities.
The Jewish Federation of Madison is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.