Jewish Long Beach is proud to announce they have hired Kevin Giser as Chief Operating and Development Officer. The need for the position was identified through the integration of Jewish Long Beach with the Barbara and Ray Alpert Jewish Community Center (Alpert JCC) earlier this month.
Giser most recently served as the associate director of the Jewish Federation of the Desert, and for two years before that as the organization’s director of community impact. Giser worked with the CEO and Board of Directors to reimagine their strategic impact areas and development plan to adapt to COVID restrictions and update their development and grantmaking processes. Reinvigorating donor relationships by connecting the supporters to their impact both locally and in Israel. He successfully transitioned the group’s fundraising efforts to virtual platforms and through collaboration with partner agencies. Members were appreciated with visits from celebrities Mayim Bialik and Jason Alexander.
Working with multiple audiences, Giser strengthened communications and outreach overall, ensuring that the Jewish Federation of the Desert’s e-newsletter was senior-friendly, and combining local stories with Israeli innovation in their self-published Jewish Community Newspaper. His work includes creating and promoting the Center Against Hate and Intolerance housed in their building, focusing on Antisemitism with unique (live and virtual) opportunities with all three local school districts.
In many ways, this is a homecoming for the Long Beach native. Giser started out as a toddler in Alpert Jewish Community Center’s (AJCC) early childhood education program. He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Israel, is a former camp counselor at AJCC’s Camp Komaroff, and a participant at Beach Hillel.
“I am grateful to step into this new role at Jewish Long Beach,” Giser said. “The COVID-19 Public Health Crisis has brought clarity to my professional career and a return to Long Beach is my priority.”
Giser holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies from UC Riverside, and a Master of Business Administration in Nonprofit Management from Touro University Worldwide.
The Alpert JCC and Jewish Long Beach provide programming for all ages and stages of life. Known as “Your Center for Life,” The Alpert JCC provides a gathering space in which all are welcome to pursue early childhood education, after-school programs, fitness programs, aquatics activities, and summer camp, as well as to engage in Jewish life, culture, and education.
