A Message from Eric S. Goldstein, CEO
Dear Friends,
I became the CEO of UJA-Federation of New York on July 1, 2014, exactly 11 years ago, leaving behind a long and fulfilling legal career and stepping down as UJA’s then vice chair of the board. In all candor, it wasn’t an easy decision. I recall entering this new chapter with excitement and a healthy dose of uncertainty.
If only I’d known then what I know now — that this role would become the greatest privilege of my life. That I’d be surrounded by the most dedicated, mission-driven lay leaders and colleagues. That I’d have the honor of traveling across the city and around the world to see the needs firsthand and to meet the people whose lives have been profoundly uplifted by our work.
And so, it is with a mix of gratitude for what we’ve accomplished and anticipation for what lies ahead that I informed UJA’s board this afternoon of my intention to step down as CEO at the end of the 2026 fiscal year, on June 30, 2026.
I remember well my plans for that first summer of 2014. I expected to learn the ropes and ease into the job. History, tragically, had other plans. On June 30, 2014, the bodies of three yeshiva boys kidnapped by Hamas were discovered — and a 50-day war followed. My first public role was speaking at a heartbreaking memorial service.
I learned by doing, witnessing in real time the power of UJA to respond in crisis. I also saw how, in moments like these, our community — so often divided — would come together, finding strength and solace in one another.
These lessons would serve me well again and again in the years to come. From the pandemic, to war in Ukraine, to October 7, to Israel’s recent war with Iran, the word unprecedented has become overused, and for good reason. And UJA has been at the forefront of responding to each of these crises, often more than one at a time, drawing on unparalleled relationships, resources, and reach.
During this same period, antisemitism, once viewed as a largely European problem, metastasized into a fast-growing cancer here in America. In 2014, UJA did not have a single line item in its budget for confronting domestic antisemitism or Jewish communal security. Today, UJA is leading the charge in responding to this growing threat in New York — including through the creation in 2019 of the Community Security Initiative, now a vital 20+ person team responsible for helping secure over 3,400 Jewish institutions in New York and beyond.
We’ve also helped significantly bolster our core partners so that UJA’s agency network — the backbone of everything we do — remains in a position of readiness and strength for whatever challenges come next.
In 2017, celebrating UJA’s centennial year, we launched $100 million in capital projects to set the course for our second century. We can now say that we’ve transformed the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds, the largest Jewish day camping program in the world. We’ve built two groundbreaking one-stop social service hubs in Queens and Brooklyn, and pioneered an online food pantry system that reduces waste and puts a premium on client dignity. And we built the Jerusalem Campus for the Arts, a leading cultural campus in the center of Israel’s capital that models inclusivity for all.
More broadly, during these last 11 years, our community’s incredible generosity has solidified UJA as the premier address for collective giving and impact, as we’ve philanthropically raised over $2.8 billion. We’ve also significantly grown our annual grants portfolio; this past year alone, we provided $336 million for grants and programs.
But the true impact of these dollars is seen in the many hundreds of thousands of people we serve every day: the Holocaust survivors dancing at our coffeehouses. College students finding belonging at Hillel. Children singing Shabbat songs at Jewish summer camps. Communities in Israel devastated by October 7 rebuilding better. A warm meal and a warm smile delivered to an isolated senior.
When I started at UJA, my four children were single and all lived at home or a few subway stops away. Now, two are married, two are living in Israel, and we have four grandkids — two in New York and two in Israel. After 30-plus years at Paul Weiss and what will be 12 at UJA, I look forward to taking on new projects of consequence to our community and, please God, to spending more time with my wife, kids, and grandkids.
A search committee led by our president, Linda Mirels, is underway. I’m confident that a highly qualified candidate will be selected, someone ready to lead UJA to even greater heights. I’m so grateful to the extraordinary John Ruskay, my predecessor, who was instrumental in my decision to step into this role, and I hope to be as accessible to my successor as John has always been to me.
Some might ask: What core value has animated our work these past years? To answer, I refer back to my remarks from that very first day on the job, 11 years ago today, at the memorial for the three slain Israeli teens. I said then:
“In their names, let us stand stronger.
Let us work harder to care for one another.
Let us always remember that the fate of Jews around the world is deeply interconnected.”
Those words carry the same urgency and call to action today. We are a tiny people. And nothing — nothing — is more essential to the Jewish story or the Jewish future than our pursuit of greater unity.
And so, with June 2026 still a year away, let us continue working together every day with renewed focus and commitment to building an even stronger, more united Jewish community.
With enormous gratitude,
Eric
A Message from Linda Mirels, President, and Marc Rowan, Chair of the Board
Dear UJA Community,
Following Eric Goldstein’s announcement of his decision to step down as CEO of UJA-Federation of New York at the end of the 2026 fiscal year, on June 30, 2026, we would like to express our deep appreciation for Eric’s extraordinary leadership and for the lasting impact he has made on our organization and community.
Since assuming the role in 2014, Eric’s tenure has been transformational. From the outset, he demonstrated visionary leadership marked by compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the Jewish people and the greater New York community.
Eric’s deep understanding of Jewish tradition — his Yiddishkeit — and sensitivity to the diversity of Jewish life enabled him to lead with authenticity and clarity. He has uniquely connected with the full spectrum of our community, forging bonds of unity and shared purpose.
In an era of growing polarization, Eric has been a unifying force — bridging divides across religious, political, and ideological lines with empathy and wisdom. His steady judgment guided UJA through some of the most challenging periods in recent history, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, and Israel’s just-concluded 12-day war with Iran.
Under his leadership, UJA has emerged as a global leader — deeply committed to strengthening Israel while responding to a surge in Jewish engagement in New York. This past year alone, UJA distributed $336 million for grants and programs, including approximately $134 million for Israel.
Eric has been a driving force in the fight against antisemitism, strengthening security for Jewish communities and cultivating key partnerships with civic and government leaders to meet this growing threat.
He has expanded UJA’s investment in Jewish education, day schools, camping, and programs that nurture Jewish identity and belonging, while remaining dedicated to combating poverty and supporting vulnerable New Yorkers.
Through thoughtful relationship-building with public leaders, Eric has elevated UJA’s voice and impact in New York’s civic life.
Beyond his public accomplishments, Eric’s leadership has been a daily source of inspiration. His collaborative spirit, mentorship, and ability to bring out the best in others have fostered a culture of purpose and pride across the organization.
Thanks to Eric’s vision and guidance, UJA stands in a position of strength — financially secure, programmatically dynamic, and mission-driven. His legacy will be one of resilience, unity, and compassion.
While we will miss Eric’s daily presence, we are filled with gratitude for all he has accomplished. In the year ahead, we look forward to honoring his exceptional leadership and ensuring a smooth and purposeful transition.
On behalf of the entire board, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Eric for his service. We personally cherish Eric’s warmth, wisdom, and friendship. He is a once-in-a-generation leader, and it is our honor to serve alongside him.
With gratitude,
Linda Mirels
President
Marc Rowan
Chair of the Board