Martyrdom & resistance, May/June 2021

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD VASHEM MARTYRDOM & RESISTANCE ® Vol. 47-No. 5 | ISSN 0892-1571 May/June 2021 -lyyar/Sivan 5781 LENNY WILF: VISIONARY, LEADER, ROLE MODEL Ten years would be considered an extensive tour of duty for any serv¬ iceman. And as we mark ten years of devoted service on the part of Lenny Wilf, who is stepping down from the chairmanship of the American So¬ ciety for Yad Vashem (ASYV) this month, we acknowledge and salute Lenny for his passionate and tireless service on behalf of Yad Vashem and Holocaust re¬ membrance. Lenny was named chairman of the board of ASYV in 2011 follow¬ ing a 30-year tenure on the part of ASYV founder Eli Zborowski, z”l. Lenny acknowledged that it was a privilege and honor to have been given the trust to lead the organi¬ zation after Eli’s 30-year run. As Lenny put it, “they were big shoes to fill.” Avner Shalev, recently retired chairman of the Yad Vashem Di¬ rectorate, expressed his deep ap¬ preciation to Lenny for his leadership and friendship to Yad Vashem. Shalev acknowledged that during the period of Lenny’s leadership, they partnered to¬ gether to tackle many challenges and also got to plan for and wit¬ ness the growth and development of Yad Vashem. According to Shalev, Lenny was continuing in the legacy of his family by becoming involved in Yad Vashem, out of great appreciation and a sense of deep conviction that it was the right thing to do. As a natural leader, Lenny knew that when the time came for his generation to take over, he would step up and take responsibility for running ASYV. Shaya ben Yehuda, recently retired managing director of the International Relations Division of Yad Vashem, shared that “Lenny’s commitment to ASYV and its support for the work of Yad Vashem was rooted in his identity as a representative of the second-gen¬ eration of survivors. Lenny led that second generation group, who for years stood along¬ side their parents — the founders — long rec¬ ognizing that when the day came, they would be ready to step up and take upon themselves the mantle of leadership and commit to con¬ tinue running ASYV.” In one conversation that Shaya ben Yehuda had with Lenny, he asked him about the continuity of the organization when the day came that the late Eli Zborowski, z”l, would no longer be able to continue in his role. Lenny’s response was “I am here, and when that day comes, I will come in and take on the job.” According to ben Yehuda, Lenny showed up to lead out of his profound sense of com¬ mitment and responsibility, adding, “As was his way, he spoke little and did much, setting an example for all donors to ASYV and Yad Vashem.” Stanley Stone, current executive director of ASYV, noted that many experts on leadership note that true commitment inspires and at¬ tracts people, and that this important quality expertly defined Lenny Wilf’s tenure as chair¬ man of ASYV. Said Stone, “Lenny, in a strong yet quiet and dignified manner, embodied that commitment, attracted like-minded supporters and expertly led ASYV, seeking to always make the best decision in the best interest of Yad Vashem.” he hallmark of Lenny’s service to ASYV was his extraordinary work ethic and expert management style. Stone noted that “the growth of ASYV both financially and pro¬ grammatically can be attributed to Lenny’s leadership style and guiding hand.” He further pointed out that Lenny’s visionary style made him an advocate and role model for the next generation and their inclusion in ASYV. “It is no accident that our Young Leadership Associates have flourished thanks to Lenny’s com¬ mitment and encouragement of this important constituency,” said Stone. “He is their best cheerleader and he urged them to take on their own unique structure and program.” Deciding to step down from the chairmanship at this time was a strategic decision designed to corre¬ spond with a change in leadership at Yad Vashem. When it was an¬ nounced in 2020 that Avner Shalev would be retiring as chairman of the direc¬ torate of Yad Vashem, Lenny decided it was important for ASYV to appoint new leadership as well, so that they could forge a strong work¬ ing relationship with the new chair of the di¬ rectorate, and together build on past successes. Lenny couldn’t have been more pleased when Adina Burian and Mark Moskowitz agreed to step up and become co-chairs of ASYV, effective June 2021. Said Wilf, “They represent the next generation which is so im- portaf^^BJrsw@frPKM8Rif(№Ward to working for the«n, and together, growing and expand¬ ing our pres)4ftpe!3n£Q№ work of Yad Vashem in the Un^s§|f^RSITY TOWSON, MARYLAND 21252