As president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Adam Greenman leads an organization focused on creating a vibrant, inclusive community for all Jewish Rhode Islanders and enriching the quality of life for Jews here at home, in Israel and around the world.
Prior to joining the Alliance in August 2017, Greenman spent eight years at United Way of Rhode Island in various leadership roles – most recently he served as executive vice president for community investment. He holds a doctorate in education from Northeastern University, a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree in political communication from George Washington University.
PBN: What interests you about leading the nonprofit Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island?
GREENMAN: I see the primary role of the Alliance as building a strong Jewish community in Rhode Island where everyone feels welcome. The opportunity to lead an organization focused on that goal, and to introduce the organization to more Rhode Islanders who may be looking to be a part of the community but are unaware we exist, is very exciting to me.
PBN: You started this position on Aug. 1, what are your first priorities during the initial months of your tenure?
GREENMAN: My first priority is letting Rhode Islanders know the Alliance is here, and it is a place where they are welcome. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff, the community and learning more about what people are looking for from the Alliance. I’m a big believer a new CEO should not come in with all the answers. Over the next months I look forward to listening to ideas from the community, observing our programs and researching what others around the country do that might work here as well.
PBN: As the second person to hold this position, how do you feel you will differ from the leadership style that came before you?
GREENMAN: Organizations need different leaders for different times. My predecessor was the perfect leader to guide the organization at the beginning when we were working to merge three organizations into one. I’m looking forward to building on that foundation and focusing on how the Alliance best serves the Jewish community in Rhode Island now and into the future.
PBN: What are the greatest hurdles facing the community reliant on the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island?
GREENMAN: The hurdles facing Rhode Island’s Jewish community are, for the most part, no different than those facing any other group of people. There are economic challenges, an aging population and a feeling of disconnectedness among the next generation, but we look at these challenges as opportunities. I plan to continue our Living on the Edge anti-poverty initiative, which works with partner agencies to create and strengthen our network of services for the vulnerable among us. And we’ll let younger Jews know that there’s a place for them at the table – no matter how they define what being Jewish means to them.
PBN: What does the future hold for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island?
GREENMAN: I hope in five years people look at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and see an organization where every member of the Jewish community feels welcome, where there are plenty of opportunities for Jewish and non-Jewish Rhode Islanders alike to come together and have fun, learn, celebrate or contribute to the community and where we are having a positive impact for all Rhode Islanders.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
