Lipkin appointed veep of local Jewish federation

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Bruce Lev, president of the board of directors of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, announced the board has appointed Andrew Lipkin to the position of executive vice president.

Lipkin will be the third person in this role in the federation’s 80-year history. The appointment was effective Jan. 1.

Lipkin succeeds the retiring Sam Kooperman, who served the federation for 41 years, 29 of them as executive vice president.

“Sam was a tremendous leader, not only within our community, but also throughout the [Mahoning] Valley,” Lev said. “However, we are very excited about our future. We know that under Andy’s leadership, we will successfully meet any and all challenges ahead of us and continue with our great work moving forward.”

Lipkin joined the federation in November 1985 as the community-relations director and assistant campaign director. He then served as the campaign director and assistant executive vice president before assuming the VP post.

Lipkin began his career in Jewish service more than 32 years ago in 1982 as a fundraiser for the UJA Federation of New York before coming to Youngstown.

Lipkin says that despite the challenges of a diminishing Jewish population, he will work hard to maintain the region’s status as the best small Jewish community in North America.

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding Jewish Community Center with full recreation facilities and programming,” Lipkin said. “Our home for the community’s seniors will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year and is known throughout the state for its superior quality. And our Jewish Community Relations Council has an excellent reputation locally, statewide and nationally.”

A New York native, Lipkin lives in Liberty with his wife, Hilari. They have two adult children: a son, Sean, is a Chicago attorney, and a daughter, Rachel, is a graduate student at Ohio State University.

The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, through its agencies, sustains and enriches the quality of life for Jewish people regionally, in Israel, and worldwide.