Dana Post Adler Appointed ENP's New North American Chair
August 31, 2020
Dana Post Adler has been appointed as the new North American Co-Chairman of the Ethiopian National Project (ENP), replacing Bobby Goldberg, former Chair of the United Jewish Communities (UJC). The Ethiopian National Project (ENP) is a shared initiative between the Government of Israel, global supporters and the Ethiopian-Israeli community, forged into creation by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) as the Jewish communities’ arm to address the needs of the Ethiopian-Israeli community.
“Adler is an outstanding and passionate leader who has been actively involved in Jewish philanthropic life for decades. Her recognition of the critical need for ENP’s work is palpable,” says Dr. Itzick Sharir, an Israeli philanthropist and business leader who serves as her Co-Chairman in Israel. Adler has already begun to take action to advance ENP’s work: “Through ENP we can both change individual lives for the better as well as create exciting new connections with Israel,” she says. “I plan to help expand and fortify ENP and its projects, which are so critically needed, especially today.”
JFNA’s Chairman Mark Wilf acknowledged the appointment and its importance, noting that Adler takes the helm of the organization during a challenging time: “I am confident that under (Dana’s) leadership… (she) will continue to ensure the strength and well-being of the Ethiopian-Israeli community through the educational success of their children and young adults.”
Adler recently completed a Master of Arts degree in Human Rights Studies at Columbia University with a concentration on the Middle East. Her masters’ thesis explores the changing relationship between young American Jews and Israel. “The powerful story of Ethiopian Jewry serves as an inspiration, especially at a time when we are seeking portals to strengthen and support our Jewish communities,” she says, adding: “Many young Jewish Americans hold progressive values of liberalism, human rights and egalitarianism as paramount, and at the same time are searching for impactful ways to connect with Israel. The rise of racism and anti-Semitism highlights a variety of societal needs. ENP’s highly successful educational SPACE program lifts young Ethiopian-Israelis and enables them to take an equal role within Israeli society. Leading ENP at this crucial time is very exciting, and I believe that young Jewish Americans will be proud to become involved with ENP.”
Adler, who recently moved from Northern New Jersey, played numerous leadership roles in her former hometown’s Jewish Federation, as well as in JFNA’s National Women’s Philanthropy and National Young Leadership Cabinet. “I’ve always had a love for the Ethiopian Jewish community. In fact, it was my first visit to Ethiopia with the National Young Leadership Cabinet in 2007 that solidified my passion.” Adler’s new residence near the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, a long-time avid supporter of the Ethiopian National Project, serves as a perfect home base to coordinate a national response that will help Ethiopian-Israelis thrive through ENP.
“What makes ENP exceptionally successful is that it is primarily a grassroots organization that works hand in hand with the Ethiopian-Israeli community and is led by its members,” Adler says. “Israeli philanthropists are increasingly involved, and the Government of Israel is so impressed by ENP’s success that it has asked to include non-Ethiopian-Israelis in its after-school educational programs. ENP participants even surpass the performance of their other Israeli peers.”
Adler adds: “North American Jewry still has a critical role to play in this extraordinary story. It is not only the Ethiopian-Israeli community that will benefit from our involvement—every one of us who plays a part in this work will be rewarded many times over.”
Roni Dessie Akale, ENP’s Director-General, expressed his gratitude and excitement for this new appointment: “There is so much to be done. From education to employment to empowerment, and we are honored and excited to have Dana as our new Chair. We have been blessed with extraordinary lay leadership, from Art Naparstek z”l who helped to forge ENP, to Lee Kohrman and Bobby Goldberg who tirelessly advocated on ENP’s behalf. The possibilities are limitless with Dana.”
Adler recognizes the great responsibility of the task ahead: “Our greatest challenge today is to ensure that ENP has the support to lift up every Ethiopian-Israeli child. I will work tirelessly to realize this goal.”