Mark Freedman Joins AFTAU as Southeast Region's Vice President
Monday, August 4, 2008

Returning to South Florida, development executive brings major gifts expertise

For the past 13 years, Freedman has been Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, where he led an $18.5 million capital campaign to build the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Campus, increased endowment fund assets by 333 percent, and increased Annual Campaign fundraising year after year.  During his tenure, he revamped the Federation Allocations process, and reinvigorated a program of community missions to Israel.

Prior to the San Antonio Federation, Freedman was Executive Director, Southeast Region, of the American Jewish Congress, where his responsibilities included community relations, fundraising, and legislative advocacy.  He played a pivotal role in drafting and lobbying two Florida laws of note -- the Private Club Anti-discrimination Law (1992) and the Holocaust Education Law (1994).

Academia, Media, and Donor Cultivation

Freedman holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, an M.A. from the University of North Carolina, and a B.A. from Bard College, and was a member of the faculty of Rutgers University.  He has appeared frequently on television and radio public affairs programs, and his op-ed pieces have been published in the secular and Jewish press across the country.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University President Roni Krinsky called Freedman's unique combination of skills and experience a substantial asset.  "Mark’s major gifts expertise and strategic cultivation skills, combined with his Jewish communal involvement, academic experience, and familiarity with Israel make him uniquely suited to lead our development efforts in AFTAU's Southeast Region," she said.

AFTAU raises funds in support of Tel Aviv University and sponsors educational, cultural and social events throughout the United States. The organization's Southeast office is located at 2201 NW Corporate Boulevard in Boca Raton, Florida.

Freedman is married to Leslie Klein, a noted feminist artist whose work deals with Judaism, Biblical history and the Holocaust.