Mark Charendoff, president of the Jewish Funders Network, writing in The Jewish Week:

The Case For Term Limits In Jewish Life

Perhaps its time to have a conversation about term limits in Jewish organizations.

… Term limits for heads of Jewish communal agencies (public charities) would offer several benefits. First, it would breathe new creativity and vibrancy into our agencies. It’s far too easy to fall into a rut, into a certain way of doing things, of thinking, of acting, after being in any job for too long. Where is the passion and where is the motivation for risk- taking if CEOs knows that they are retiring in the job that they are holding, even though that retirement may be 20 years away? Where is the fear, the tension, the lack of comfort that breeds edginess?

… Ultimately, CEOs serve as stewards for the Jewish people – accountable to them. It is sometimes hard to feel that accountability if there is no longer any danger of being held accountable.

… one of the most neglected sectors in Jewish professional life is middle management. They work hard. They are creative, passionate and hungry. We don’t invest in them, we don’t train them and we put them on a career ladder that abruptly stops in mid ascent. Too often their ambitions are thwarted by a lack of mobility and a lack of vacancy in the executive suite. By clearing out that office we may see that some of these cloaked stars can really shine. And we may find more opportunities for women to fill what have traditionally been male dominated roles.

Be sure to read the complete article, The Case For Term Limits In Jewish Life.