The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) announced Monday that its Board of Trustees has elected Detroit philanthropist and business leader Gary Torgow as its next chair. Torgow will begin his term on July 1, taking over from outgoing chair Julie Platt, who held the role for the past three years.
“I am appreciative and honored to be elected chair,” Torgow said in a statement. “The North American Jewish community is at an inflection point, and looking to its Federation leadership to ensure that we not only overcome the challenges we face, but thrive.”
Torgow previously served as JFNA’s National Campaign Chair and led the organization’s 2024 General Assembly. He currently chairs the Jewish Federation of Detroit.
In his new role, he said, he intends to focus on Jewish security, support for rebuilding Israel, and strengthening Jewish education. “As chair, I will work with the broad Jewish Federations leadership to fight for our community’s security, work together to rebuild Israel, and deepen Jewish education so that our communities can flourish.”
A powerful business and civic leader
Torgow is chairman of Huntington Bank, the 16th largest bank in the US, and leads Business Leaders for Michigan, a roundtable of the state’s top CEOs and board chairs. He serves on the boards of DTE Energy and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and is a trustee of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
He was recently named chair of the 2025 NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner and has received numerous accolades, including the NAACP’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Urban League’s Distinguished Warrior Award.
He is also the author of two books — Raising the Bar and Holy Warrior — and has received honorary doctorates from Alma College and Eastern Michigan University, where he served as commencement speaker.
A transition at a dramatic period in time
Outgoing chair Julie Platt will remain active in JFNA leadership as immediate past chair. She praised Torgow’s appointment and said the transition comes at a critical time for North American Jewry.
“While we have done so much in the past three years, the work is not yet done,” Platt said. “Jewish Federations of North America are so fortunate to have Gary as our next chair, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that, even in these difficult times, our vital work will continue to provide leadership, resources, and hope.”
JFNA President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut said, “Our system could not be more fortunate to have Gary Torgow taking the helm during this critical period, in which we are battling an unprecedented spike in antisemitism and working to meet the moment offered by the recent surge in Jewish engagement.”
He also thanked Platt for her leadership, saying, “She helped our system overcome some of the most daunting and historic challenges we have faced in our modern history with ability, kindness, and determination.”
New officers elected
Alongside Torgow, the JFNA board also elected a new slate of officers:
Jeffrey Schoenfeld, Vice Chair
J. David Heller, National Campaign Chair
Dena B. Rashes, Treasurer
David Golder, Secretary
Julie Platt, Immediate Past Chair
JFNA represents 146 Jewish federations and over 300 network communities across North America, supporting a wide range of programs related to social services, Jewish education, security, and Israel advocacy.