Debbie Resnick named next Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh board chair

Debbie Resnick learned several important lessons from her parents.

“We were taught three things,” she said. “Appreciate what you have, help those who can’t help themselves and leave a piece of yourself for others to look back upon.”

That simple advice has helped lead her to a lifetime of service.

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Resnick grew up in Squirrel Hill before attending the University of Pittsburgh for graduate and undergraduate studies. A speech therapist and special education teacher, she worked at the Pittsburgh Mt. Oliver Intermediate Unit for 32 years.

“I dealt with all the non-public schools in the city,” she said. “So, I dealt with all the parochial, all the Jewish, all the private schools.”

As a result, she said, her background is one of inclusiveness.

That’s something Resnick will bring along to her next role: board chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, which she assumes in September.

The position builds on the ongoing contributions Resnick and her family have made to the Jewish community.

Her brother, Lou Plung, chaired both the Jewish Association on Aging and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Her father also was very involved in Federation life.

Resnick is currently vice chair of Federation’s board and serves on the board of Classrooms Without Borders. She previously chaired the Federation’s Community Campaign and, alongside her husband, Joshua, served as chair of Partnership2Gether in Pittsburgh, a Jewish Agency for Israel network focused on fostering ongoing, meaningful engagement rooted in shared Jewish identity and collaboration. She also served as board chair at Community Day School and on key Federation committees overseeing planning and allocations.

Her work doesn’t stop in Pittsburgh, however.

Resnick serves on the Jewish Federations of North America board and is an international Lion of Judah, a philanthropic program that empowers women to make significant contributions to the Jewish community.

If that isn’t enough, Resnick also has participated in more than a dozen Federation missions to Israel, and chaired the most recent Federation Solidarity Mission.

“I’m inspired by my family’s legacy of involvement and Federation,” she said.

And while her family’s legacy may have inspired her involvement, it’s Federation’s work that speaks to her.

“I don’t get involved in a board unless I’m passionate, committed and truly believe in an organization’s mission and its core values,” she said.

Resnick said she hopes to build on the accomplishments of current board chair, Jan Levinson.

“I sort of followed in his footsteps,” she said. “We were both board chairs at Community Day School, we were both chairs at Partnership2Gether and now I’m following him at Federation.”

While their steps might be similar, Resnick said she’s not attempting to mirror Levinson.

“People ask me how I’m going to fill his shoes and all I can say is, I’m not going to try. I’m going to put my shoes next to his and use his as a guide, a model and an inspiration,” she said.

Her desire, she said, is to make a difference and help ensure that Federation’s work continues long after she is gone.

To do that, Resnick believes it’s important to reach out to younger generations who don’t view philanthropy the way her generation did.

She plans on spending plenty of time listening to the next generation and creating pipelines to Federation leadership, which she hopes will inspire engagement.

Additionally, she said she wants to ensure Federation remains inclusive to all members of the Jewish community.

“It’s the conduit for everything that’s Jewish in our community and we need to continue with our partnerships and engagements, and our connections with all the other organizations that do business in the Jewish world and in our community,” she said.

Resnick said she will spend times with those organizations and discuss how Federation can be a better partner and support the community to the best of its ability. Information, she said, is vital to the work of Federation and its board.

While Federation supports many organizations within the Jewish community, Resnick believes participation should be driven by more than philanthropy alone.

“I don’t believe that finances or financial insecurity should be a barrier for anyone that wants to be involved with Federation,” she noted. “I came from a background of inclusivity and I very much think that Federation, being the conduit of everything Jewish, should be from birth to death. If somebody in our community has any kind of issue, the Federation is the first call they should make.”

Federation President and CEO Jeff Finkelstien said Resnick brings the experience, insight and dedication that the role of board chair demands.

“She understands the Federation’s unique role as a connector and catalyst in Jewish life and she is deeply committed to strengthening that impact for the future. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue to build a vibrant and resilient community,” he said.

Resnick is impressed by the work Finkelstein, Levinson and other Jewish leaders have done. She said the organization has developed practices and programs — especially since the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and following Oct. 7 — that have made it a national leader. That’s why its work is so important, she said, as are its collaborations with the Jewish community, organizations, lay leaders and professional staff.

In the end, she said, “It’s not my Federation. It’s not your Federation. It’s our Federation and we have to do what’s best for the community.” PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.