Jason Sandler takes the helm at JewishCare
After twelve years on the Board of JewishCare and more recently eight as President, Allan Vidor is stepping down from the Board.
Jason Sandler and Alan Vidor
“I have been honoured to have served on the JewishCare Board and one of our greatest achievements has been to ensure that each current Director has come on the Board in my time as President including the appointment of the next President Jason Sandler who has the full support of all Directors and management. That has meant a full renewal of the Board which I believe is critical to the success of any community managed organisation” said Allan Vidor
This renewal has been the result of a robust process including a Nominations Committee and a steady change over time to minimize disruption and ensure stability. The JewishCare Constitution was amended to ensure limited terms for Directors and office holders.
In the past two years five new Directors have come on to the Board including Ilana Atlas, Michele Goldman, Michael Hirschowitz, Ben Bolot and Jeremy Samuel.
“Our Board has a clear understanding of our roles and the need to wear two hats, balancing our governance obligations with respect to JewishCare whilst always recognising the overall needs of the community and the vital role Jewish Communal Appeal (JCA) plays in planning and allocating the limited resources available,” said Allan
During the past eight years, JewishCare relocated to the new modern community centre and offices in Saber St Bondi Junction with the new building being used to host so many events held by other community organisations.
Other achievements of the current Board and executive management team include a successful transition to individual funding under Consumer Directed Care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme with many members of the community now benefitting from increased support. During this period the Chai Foundation came under the administration of JewishCare, the Youth Services and Mental Health teams expanded and JewishCare entered a number of agreements with other organisations such as HeadSpace Bondi Junction.
The JewishCare budget has grown from $9 million in 2010 to $16 million in 2018 with significantly expanded services while the allocation request from JCA has decreased from $2.2m to $1.8m.
The JewishCare Foundation Trust and JewishCare Mental Health Foundation which were reconstituted in 2010 with a separate and highly competent Board of Directors all with significant funds management experience has also grown significantly and is now providing around $1.3m in funding annually to support the work of JewishCare. “The successful growth in the corpus of our Foundation is a testimony to the decision to separate the governance and management from the JewishCare Board which has allowed JewishCare to continue its objective to ultimately be self- funding”
“I have been privileged to have worked with Claire Vernon our CEO who has transformed JewishCare to a professionally managed social services organisation which is here for anyone and everyone who needs that extra help to get through tough times”
Jason Sandler has been appointed President following his role as Treasurer since 2016 :
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve the Board, the organisation and the community. I have enormous shoes to fill as Allan has built a remarkable and lasting legacy” said Jason
Allan’s time as President will be celebrated at the JewishCare Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 28thNovember at 4pm.
