Episode 11: Mark Gurvis, The Jewish Federations of North America – June 25th, 2017

Mark Gurvis joined The Jewish Federations of North America as its Executive Vice President in September 2013.

Mark has spent much of his life serving the Jewish people, leading initiatives in key communities across North America. In nearly 12 years as CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, he spurred major growth in the Federation’s annual fundraising, from $4.2 million to $7.6 million, despite challenging economic times. During his tenure, the community’s endowment fund also climbed steeply, from $13 million to $34 million. At the same time, Gurvis modernized the Federation’s communications, broadened outreach to young Jews and families and raised Vancouver’s profile in Canada. The Federation’s ties to Israel and the global Jewish community also deepened under Gurvis, strengthening its partnership with the Upper Galilee Panhandle.

Before leading the Vancouver community, Mark was vice president/assistant director of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. He directed their strategic planning process that resulted in a redesign of social planning and research. He also initiated the planning for a multi-project capital campaign for the Federation’s centennial.

Previously, as managing director of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, Gurvis coordinated a merger that created the new agency, and spearheaded a funding campaign that raised a $10 million Fund for the Jewish Future.

Mark earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany, a Master of Arts degree in Jewish Community Service from Hebrew Union College and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California.