St. Louis, November 20, 2024 — Jewish Federation of St. Louis, the Jewish community’s central philanthropic, planning, and community-building organization, is pleased to announce Todd Siwak will serve as its new Board Chair, starting in January 2025. Siwak succeeds Bob Newmark, who, during his two-year term chairing the board, provided dedicated leadership to the Federation.

Siwak brings extensive experience as an entrepreneur, leader, and philanthropist. He is a founding partner of The Encore Group, a private equity fund focused on consumer services. Previously, he has been President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America, CEO of Ferrara Candy Co., Operating Partner at L Catterton, and co-founder of TRG Accessories. A native Missourian, Siwak earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He co-chaired the Federation’s most recent strategic plan; his other community involvements have included serving as Board Chair for The J, and he is currently a board member of Forest Park Forever.

Siwak noted, “It is a testament to St. Louis that my predecessor, Bob Newmark, and I both have parents who also served as Board Chairs of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. That says a lot about our community’s values, its commitment to L’dor v’dor, and the importance of family involvement in our Jewish community. I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the many lay and professional leaders that have built and sustained this organization for 123 years.”

Newmark will remain actively involved as an Officer on the Board and will continue to support the organization’s work. Under Newmark’s leadership, the Federation responded swiftly and effectively to the brutal attack on Israel. He helped to lead the development of the Israel Emergency Campaign, raising $4.3 million locally, bringing together many community partners in solidarity, and strengthening the fight against antisemitism. Federation also conducted a community study (co-chaired by Dalia Oppenheimer and John Greenberg) to be released in early 2025, engaged in a strategic planning process (co-chaired by Siwak and Stephanie Gross), evaluated the community relations environment in our community (chaired by Mont Levy), and managed a CEO search following the departure of Brian Herstig earlier this year (co-chaired by Abby Goldstein and Craig Rosenthal). Newmark, along with Todd Siwak, Felicia Malter, who has been designated as Siwak’s successor as Board Chair in 2027, and the leadership team, are serving as interim leaders during the absence of a CEO.

Newmark said “The last two years have been the most challenging for our community in at least a generation. It has been truly gratifying to see our community come together to support one another through these times, and in many ways we have emerged stronger and more connected. Our lay and professional team at the Federation has been fully engaged and dedicated to serving the community, ensuring that our community is safe, that our response to rising antisemitism is coordinated and effective, and that basic human needs are met here in St. Louis, in Israel, and around the world. Siwak and the incoming lay leadership team is an extraordinarily involved and committed group of leaders reflecting the diversity of our community. I could not have more confidence in my successor and the entire leadership of Federation as we go forward.”

2025 Jewish Federation of St. Louis Board Officers
Board Chair – Todd Siwak
Vice Chair At-Large – Craig Rosenthal
Vice Chair of Communications – Patty Bloom
Vice Chair of Community Impact – Dalia Oppenheimer
Vice Chair of Community Leadership & Engagement – Abby Goldstein
Vice Chair of Development – Toby Warticovschi
Vice Chair of Finance – Felicia Malter (designated Next Chair)
Vice Chair of Governance & Board Engagement – John Greenberg
Past Chair – Bob Newmark
Newest At-Large Members: Elliott Kleiman, Michael Laycob, Galia Movitz, Janie Roodman Weiss Nominated for Rabbinic Seat: Rabbi Amy Feder (Temple Israel)
Continuing At-Large Board Members: Amy Bender-Levy, Shira Berkowitz, Ben Cherry, Jim Deutsch, Dan Friedman, Burt Garland, Cathy Goldsticker, Mont Levy, Joe Pereles, Sue Schlichter, Sherry Shuman, Rob Wasserman, Aviva Raskas, Dafna Revah, Tim Stern, Rachel Thimangu, Leslie Yoffie.
The Jewish Federation would like to thank those whose Board terms are ending this year: Jonathan Deutsch,