Jewish Federation Of Cleveland Hires New Development Officer

BEACHWOOD, OH — The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has named Rachel Lappen its new chief development officer. Lappen will begin work on March 1.

“I am so honored and humbled for the opportunity to serve the Jewish community in this capacity,” said Lappen. “I look forward to working with Federation leadership and the talented professional staff to help ensure we have the resources needed to address the community’s immediate needs, as well as appropriately plan for its future.”

Lappen is currently the senior director of development for the Cleveland Orchestra. She was also briefly the interim chief development officer for the orchestra. During her tenure, she oversaw the annual raising of $30 million.

Besides the orchestra, Lappen was also the director of institutional advancement for the Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike, the executive director of Chagrin Arts and she began her career in New York City as an executive assistant to Phillip Glass, the composer and pianist.

“I had the pleasure of meeting with numerous, highly qualified individuals through our national search for this position. Rachel’s breadth of experience, combined with her deep knowledge of Cleveland and the Jewish community, made it an easy decision,” said Erika B. Rudin-Luria, president of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. “I have no doubt that she is the right person to lead the Federation’s development efforts.”

Lappen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a degree in music from Barnard College in 2000. She earned her Master of Arts Administration from Columbia University in 2005. She and her husband live in Beachwood with their two sons.