Today we are proud to cast our spotlight on the Federation’s incoming CEO Miriam Abramovich. The first woman to hold the role in Federation’s storied 120-year history, Miriam has been a part of Federation’s professional team for over 10 years, most recently serving as Chief Operations Officer. “I am honored to succeed Rob Goldberg in the role of our Federation’s CEO,” she shared, emphasizing the vital role of stewarding the Buffalo Jewish community during this moment in time. “I’m humbled by Federation’s mission to ensure a thriving Jewish Buffalo and feel blessed to be given the responsibility of helping to lead and secure a community I have grown to love.” “I’m thrilled that Miriam will be succeeding Rob,” emphasizes Federation Board Member Blaine Schwartz. “The challenges facing Miriam and our Jewish community are tremendous. Fortunately, Miriam has shown an uncanny ability to personally engage in a positive manner to help address and resolve, sometimes very quietly, many of the issues facing our community.”
Born in St. Louis and raised in New Jersey, Miriam launched her career as a Jewish professional at JCC Association of North America and subsequently earned her master’s degree in Jewish Professional Leadership from Brandeis University’s Hornstein Program. In the ensuing decade, Miriam worked in the JCC movement in Boston, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Miriam, her husband Sam and their two children, Zelda and Oz, moved to Buffalo in the summer of 2013.
In the ensuing months, Miriam joined the Federation and led key initiatives to reach audiences beyond its legacy base. Some examples include leading the integration of the former Bureau of Jewish Education (now LiNK Jewish Buffalo) into Federation as well as the Made in Buffalo, Buffalo Israel Experience, and KOLOT initiatives (with the late Leslie Shuman Kramer, Z”L), which leverage immersive experiences to build community and identity. In 2022, she was appointed as Chief Operating Officer.
Ms. Abramovich’s promotion builds on her professional development during her decade at Federation and was seen by the Board of Trustees, in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America leaders as an ideal fit for the role. “Being a CEO of a Jewish Federation is a unique role central to the Jewish community,” notes Elizabeth Fisher, Chief Talent Officer at JFNA’s Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence. “We have seen that those with previous Federation experience bring both the skills and the networks to succeed in the position and make local Federations flourish.” In a way that reflects the rising role of female leaders across society, Ms. Fisher also notes that a 2023 study shows that 46% of the Federation CEOs were women at Intermediate-sized communities like Buffalo.
“We are blessed to have Miriam taking the reins at Federation,” reflects outgoing CEO Rob Goldberg, who will be remaining on as a senior advisor in the months ahead. “She is a talented and caring professional who knows this work, understands our organization, and loves this community. Above all, she is mission-driven and skilled, and I know will take Federation to new heights.”
Please join the community as we Kick Off the 2025 Campaign for Jewish Buffalo on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at UB Center for the Arts, which will feature Ms. Abramovich articulating her vision for our community at this critical time.
You can register for the Kick Off HERE.
We are grateful to Ezra N. Rich, a member of the Federation Board of Governors, for contributing parts of today’s spotlight.
