(Courtesy of FIDF) Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) recently announced the appointment of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) veteran Orna Sheena to the position of Women’s Campaign tri-state director, and Robert Katz to executive director, New York chapter and affinity groups.
Sheena joins FIDF with over 25 years of experience working in the tri-state Jewish philanthropic community. For the past 13 years, she has worked as senior director at UJA-Federation of New York. There, she developed and executed some of the largest and most popular programs on Long Island, including fundraising events, mitzvah projects and educational sessions. She has been the director of education of a synagogue on Long Island for 23 years. Sheena lives in Woodbury, and is the proud mother of three children.
“As a former IDF soldier, I am very excited to embark on this new role and to lead the FIDF’s women’s campaign,” said Sheena. “I look forward to working with the committed women of tri-state and collaborating with them on expanding their voice and impact within the FIDF community. Together we will raise much-needed funds for the well-being of the women and men of our IDF, and secure the future of Israel.”
Robert Katz comes to FIDF with over 25 years of nonprofit fundraising, management and strategic planning experience with strong leadership focused on Israel and the Jewish world. He most recently worked as the chief development officer for Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services, with an annual operating budget of $70 million. Additionally, he served as vice president for development at American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, executive director at American Friends for Migdal Ohr, and director of development in New York for International Hillel.
Katz is a frequent lecturer and mentor on matters of strategic fundraising, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, a former board member of the UJA of Northern New Jersey’s Campus Outreach Committee, and a trustee and member of the grants committee of the Maks and Leah Rothstein Charitable Youth Trust. He lives in Fair Lawn and with his wife, Susie, with four sons.
“As the son of Holocaust survivors and a Zionist from birth, I want to share my passion for Israel and its incredible soldiers with the rest of the world, especially in my hometown of New York,” said Katz. “I went to high school in Israel but returned before my senior year while all my friends went on to serve proudly in the IDF. It’s time to pay it forward. It’s truly an honor to have been chosen by the board, our National Director and CEO Steven Weil, and my colleague Galit Brichta to assume this new position. We have an amazing story to tell.”
“The FIDF is thrilled to have Robert and Orna join our new team of seasoned, trusted professionals,” said FIDF National Director and CEO Steven Weil. “With their great passion, they will play an integral role in telling the story of our amazing soldiers to business and community leaders, as well as caring citizens, throughout the tri-state area.”
“I am thrilled to work closely going forward with Orna and Robert,” said Galit Brichta, FIDF northeast executive director. “Their careers and personal lives up to this point demonstrate a lifelong appreciation for Judaism and Israel. Their joining our team is crucial to our efforts to expand our fundraising capabilities and deliver transformational solutions for the soldiers of the IDF. I am sure you will see our organization and the Women’s Campaign grow under their leadership.”
