Rob, since you joined UJC in the year 2000, you have carried out some of UJC’s highest profile public policy and government affairs activities with the greatest professionalism. Your work with Congress and the Executive Branch has enabled UJC and the Federations of North America, as well as other Jewish organizations, to secure tens of millions of dollars for our system. You have been praised by your clients for never failing to return a phone call or an email, for always being accessible, responsive, and keeping individuals informed; for bringing opportunities to the attention of the field; and for answering all questions with knowledge, insight, and courtesy.
Howard M. Rieger President & CEO, United Jewish CommunitiesTo me, Rob Goldberg is the ‘father’ of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Rob founded a broad coalition to lobby Congress to provide funding for the target-hardening of at-risk nonprofits. Rob is our eyes and ears in Washington and regularly sends information (often time-sensitive and complex) and guidance that helps us serve our institutions during the application process. Through his efforts, a security infrastructure of nonprofit organizations was created. His work facilitates the interactions between local police, and emergency managers and community leaders. His work created a sophisticated partnership between Congress, the US Department of Homeland Security, state administrative agencies, police departments and emergency managers. All of those involved (including the hundreds of grant recipients who do not even know Rob’s work), appreciate his role. All are in his debt.
David M. Pollock Associate Executive Director, Director of Public Policy & Chair, Community Security Initiative, Jewish Community Relations Council of New YorkMr. Goldberg, concerning the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, your continued partnership in the establishment of this program has been invaluable, and, as always, I welcome the opportunity to work with you as DHS moves forward to implement this important initiative.
George W. Foresman Under Secretary for Preparedness, US Department of Homeland SecurityRob, on behalf of the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation, we want to thank you for your leadership, guidance, and assistance in the process of applying for the Family Caregivers Assistance Grant. Your expertise has been instrumental in helping our organization accomplish what we know will serve an important need in our community.
Orit Ramler Executive Director, Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation and Debbie Zoller, Director, Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Family ServicesRob, thank you for your extraordinary services as Deputy Policy Director. Our policy team was the best thanks in large part to your exhaustive research, persuasive analysis, and fast writing. You enabled me to go forth and speak all manner of things expertly. Thank you.
Donald S. Beyer, Jr. Lieutenant Governor of VirginiaRob, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the fantastic job you did in helping CHAI secure a $1 million appropriations to support innovative program for older adults. All of the agencies in the Baltimore Federation are extremely grateful and impressed by the effort you mounted.
Kenneth N. Gelula Executive Director, Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.Just a note of special commendation and appreciation concerning the efforts of Robert Goldberg. In thirty years in the field, I have never come across anyone that beats Robert in his unique blend of dedication, patience, flexibility, and effectiveness. I have discovered all these traits in receiving his grant assistance.
Michael A. Bernstein President and CEO, Gulf Coast Jewish Family ServicesRob, thank you for taking the time to accompany me to meetings on Capitol Hill. I appreciated your insight, background, analysis, and strategy prior to each meeting, and you contributed greatly to the discussion as well. Your grasp of the subject matter and understanding of the complex workings of Congress were invaluable. I was extremely satisfied with the tenor and productivity of the meetings.
John R. Fishel President, Jewish Federation of Greater Los AngelesRob regularly provides his agency clients with information on the latest events within the realm of homeland security. He is an excellent coordinator and communicator ensuring that respective constituencies and partners are communicating with their elected officials about the program. I have personally been in meetings with him and high-ranking staffers and he has been essential to assuring productive discussions. In fact, these discussions and connections helped lead to our senior Senator championing the program.
Cailey Locklair Director of Government Relations, Baltimore Jewish CouncilRob, in these turbulent times in our nation’s capital, we don’t know exactly how you were able to maintain our presence on the homeland security agenda. It is truly remarkable that you were able to lead our process in gaining access to another $19 million for the Jewish community. We appreciate all the effort and commitment and can’t thank you enough for delivering once again. This effort makes such a difference to our communities.
Jerry Silverman President & CEO, The Jewish Federations of North AmericaRob Goldberg is the creator of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP. His work since 2005 on the NSGP has facilitated a stronger connection between the NYC Office of Emergency Management and our nonprofit community. Through Rob’s program I have seen New York City’s non-profit community become more prepared for emergencies and a greater asset to assist with our nation’s core capabilities. Hundreds. His programs have helped organizations mitigate the impact of disasters and to respond quickly to save lives, protect property, and the environment in the event of a catastrophic incident. We appreciate forward thinkers like Mr. Goldberg.
Herman Schaffer Director of Community Outreach, New York City Office of Emergency ManagementRob, I and the whole Technical Assistance Team of the US Administration on Aging Community Innovations for Aging in Place program (CIAIP) would like to thank you for being a member of our National Advisory Committee. You have done a tremendous amount to advance the concepts of aging in place and naturally occurring retirement communities, to the point where these have become part of the aging network’s everyday lexicon. We really appreciate all you have done in this regard ad trust that you will continues championing this cause, educating elected officials, the aging network and the public about it.
Mia Oberlink M.A., Project Director, CIAIP Technical Assistance Center, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Center for Home Care Policy & ResearchRob, as always, I appreciate the thoroughness and professionalism of your representation of our interests.
Ron Soloway Managing Director for External and Governmental Relations, UJA-Federation of New YorkAfter nearly 22 years ably serving as Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for Jewish Federations of North America, Rob Goldberg has left JFNA to pursue work in the private sector as a consultant. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Rob and benefitting from his fine work and experience as a client of his consulting practice. Rob was particularly involved in JFNA's advocacy for nonprofit security grants, a cornerstone of our system’s community-based security strategy. Extending warm congratulations to Rob along with appreciation for the many ways he has added to our community.
Eric D. Fingerhut President & Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Federations of North AmericaI had the pleasure of working with Rob for more than 15 years and in that time knew him to be an accomplished advocacy tactician and strategist, who was able to leverage and create opportunities for our many nonprofit clients, especially in the areas of community security and human services appropriations. His aptitude for the legislative process and his personal approach led to substantial results.
William C. Daroff CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish OrganizationsWith the passage of the FY 2022 Federal Appropriations for FEMA’s Emergency Food & Shelter Program’s homelessness and humanitarian assistance, amounting to $280 million in total, puts the program on a renewed course. I want to thank Rob Goldberg who had been instrumental in this process, working with Congressional Appropriations staff to help convey the message of our mission and address their questions and concerns.
Michael Lee Chief, Office of Strategy and Innovation, Individual Assistance Division, Recovery Directorate, Federal Emergency Management AgencyRob, securing $250 million for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program is great progress and we would not be here without your constant vision, tenacity, coaching and strategy. On behalf of UJA THANK YOU!
Louisa Chafee Senior Vice President for Public Policy and External Affairs, UJA-Federation of New YorkRob, thank you for all of your assistance with the Federal Earmark process. Your advice and updates were valuable to us. This is the first time in the 48-year history of our agency that we attempted to receive an earmark. We are so pleased that we were successful. This funding will allow us to build out the Alpert Jewish Family Service Enrichment Center in the southwest portion of our catchment area.
Marc D. Hopin Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Family Service, Palm Beach County, FloridaRob, you genuinely care about the work of EFSP and the program’s reputation, and those affiliated with it at the local level. You have left your mark on the program, from the funding level increases over the years to the new humanitarian program; none of it would have been possible without your efforts. Thank you for your many years of service on EFSPs National Board!
Yvonne Walker-Tolson Vice President, Emergency Food and Shelter Program, United Way WorldwideRob, I am pleased to inform you that eight Houston institutions were successful in their nonprofit security grant applications, totaling $1.1 million. Thank you so much for being an incredible resource during this process. Your updates, technical assistance, and webinars were so helpful. Again, many thanks!
Jackie Fisherman Director of Public Affairs, Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Houston, TXRob, I want to thank you for your participation in our security awareness program. I have gotten nothing but rave reviews for the session, especially on your grant guidance.
Robin Schatz Director, Government Affairs, Jewish Federation of Greater PhiladelphiaRob, thank you for your generosity with your time and expertise throughout the grant season. You really helped me learn enough about the grant to assist my camps and camps nationwide. I know that will make a real difference in the safety of kids attending camp in the future.
Jonathan Lacey Camp Security Advisor, Secure Community NetworkThank you for all of the time and energy you spent educating us all about the grant. You were responsive and informative, and our camp relied heavily on your advice and recommendations. Thank you!
Marcy Kornreich Director, Camp Young Judaea, Amherst, NHRob, thank you for all of your guidance throughout the grant submission process. You are WONDERFUL. Congregation EC did receive the full award -- the result of your guidance and presence throughout the grant application guidance. Very grateful for your clarity, experience, and commitment to this work.
Alison Forns Grant Writer, Lombard, IL