After 10 years of leadership and service to Santa Barbara’s Jewish community as executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara (JFGSB), Michael S. Rassler has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31.

Rassler has been involved with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) for more than 35 years, including 23 years as a CEO/executive director. Before taking his position in Santa Barbara, he worked for Jewish Federations in Miami, South Palm Beach (Boca Raton), Long Beach & West Orange County, and San Diego.

Over the course of his career at the federation, Rassler has led or participated in 34 missions to Israel, Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, and Europe to meet and better understand the needs of impacted Jews and Jewish communities, and to work with JFNA’s international partners to meet those needs.

Collectively, he has participated in or led annual, capital, endowment, Israel emergency, and other special campaigns that have generated $360 million in support of Jewish communities and agencies, Israel, disaster relief, and other critical causes.

In Santa Barbara, Rassler stewarded the complete refurbishment of the Federation’s Bronfman Family JCC in downtown Santa Barbara, including installation of security and safety measures that are, unfortunately, so necessary today.

He helped reestablish the Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival as one of the community’s finest cultural offerings, and created a Sister City partnership with Mitzpe Ramon in Israel.

He helped create the Jewish community relations committee, which engages and advocates on behalf of the federation and the Jewish community on issues of import to both the Jewish and general community.

Rassler said he is particularly proud of the federation’s proactive and impactful response to the tragic Thomas Fire and debris flow that devastated so many lives.

“It has been a tremendous privilege and source of personal fulfillment to serve and represent the federation, and to pursue my passions for the Jewish people, Israel, and the incredible federation communities where I have worked,” Rassler said.

“I have had the good fortune to work and partner throughout my gederation career with many, many outstanding lay leaders, gederation and Jewish communal colleagues, spiritual leaders, elected and appointed officials, emergency responders, and generous philanthropists locally, regionally, nationally and internationally,” he said.

“I have greatly enjoyed the challenge of building community (sometimes literally), and to strengthening our collective ability to serve those in need,” he said. “It has been a profound honor to lead an outstanding team of dedicated, creative and passionate professionals, and I am truly humbled to have played even a small role in helping to advance the Federation’s vital mission of protecting and enhancing the well-being of Jews here at home, in Israel, and around the world.”

“During Michael’s tenure, there have been great successes which include stabilizing the federation’s operation following the 2008-09 economic downturn, securing significant grants to fully revitalize and secure the Federation’s Bronfman Family JCC, establishing the federation’s Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival as a premier cultural event, and creating our Sister City partnership with Mitzpe Ramon in Israel,” said Dr. Alan Levy, president of JFGSB’s Board of Trustees.

“Our programs and services are highly utilized, and in many cases are at capacity. Under Michael’s leadership, we have continually sought to explore new and impactful opportunities in all areas,” he said.
 
There will be a special recognition of Rassler’s leadership and achievements at this year’s Alan J. Wyner Annual Men’s Event, Sunday, Nov. 3. For more information and to RSVP for the event, visit www.jewishsantabarbara.org.

For more information, visit www.jewishsantabarbara.org or call 805-957-1115.

— Briana Tivey for Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.