Jewish Federation of Cincinnati announces new Director of Community Building

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati is pleased to announce the promotion of Barbara Miller to Director of Community Building. She will take over the position when current director Sharon Stern retires in October. Miller currently holds the position of Director of Planning & Allocations.

“Anyone who has worked with Barb knows of her uncommon passion and professionalism,” said Jewish Federation of Cincinnati CEO Shep Englander. “The Federation is fortunate to have her take on this new role.”

Throughout most of her 13 years with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Miller has had a strong focus on connecting Cincinnati to Israel. In 2000, along with other professionals, lay leaders, teens, parents, rabbis and educators, she helped establish and develop requirements for The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati’s Israel Travel Grant Program. Working closely with various community shlichim (emissaries) from Israel, Miller has led several community missions to Israel, including one for women in 2005 and a 2008 Poland-Israel mission. She also helped shape the March of the Living program and has chaperoned many teen trips to Israel.

Additionally, Miller has been a lead staff member of the steering committee of Cincinnati’s partnership with Netanya, Israel, through Partnership2Gether (P2G), formerly known as Partnership2000 (P2K). In 2008, she worked with the community shaliach and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) to plan a year-long celebration of Israel’s 60 birthday, which culminated in a multi-cultural festival and a performance by Idan Raichel on Fountain Square.

She also helped staff the Jewish Federation’s Phillips Leadership program, under the leadership of Rabbi Sam Joseph.

Most recently, Miller transformed the Jewish Federation’s Planning & Allocations process, engaging 83 volunteers on three local councils to ensure that the community’s dollars are invested transparently and efficiently. Together, they have worked closely with the Federation’s partner agencies (Cincinnati Hebrew Day School, Cincinnati Hillel, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Vocational Service, the Mayerson JCC and Rockwern Academy), offering expertise, experience and creative solutions to foster stability and growth.

“Barb Miller’s commitment to, and compassion for, the Jewish community is amazing,” said Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Vice President Suzette Fisher. “While working with Barb as Chair of Planning & Allocations, I knew I could depend on her 100% to get any job done. She is one of the most hard working and productive people I know. And, in addition to all of that, Barb thinks ‘out of the box’ constantly. She often comes up with a creative solution to the many daily, as well as long-term, challenges we face. I know she will bring all her talent to these new responsibilities and I am looking forward to the great work she will continue to achieve with the rest of our Jewish Federation team.”

As part of her new role, Miller will lead both Cincinnati 2020—the community’s long-term strategic plan—and the Jewish Federation’s Board development. In preparation, she has been participating in Cincinnati 2020 steering committee and team meetings. She will continue to oversee the planning & allocations process (with the help of a new position, Planning Associate) and the Israel Center.

Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Planning & Allocations Chair Marcie Bachrach said, “Mazal tov to Barb in her new role! She is extremely knowledgeable about our community and has insight into our agencies.” Bachrach continued, “Aside from her drive and wealth of experience, it’s her passion for our community that is most impressive. Barb cares deeply about the people and agencies in our community. She is the perfect professional to lead Cincinnati 2020, guiding the community to reach our goals for the future and enabling us to become a desirable destination city.”