Howard Charish Retires as Third Institutional Advancement Officer Departs YU

Howard Charish retired from his position as YU’s senior philanthropic advisor on February 28. Mr. Charish is the third member of the Office of Institutional Advancement to leave YU in the recent months.

Mr. Charish, who has worked as a Jewish community professional for over 40 years, joined Yeshiva University in March 2016 after serving as chief development officer at American Friends of Bar-Ilan University.

“It has been a privilege to be associated with Yeshiva University and to have interacted with numerous individuals of talent, commitment and goodness,” Mr Charish said. “ I have been blessed to have spent my entire career working in the Jewish community.”

When Mr. Charish joined Yeshiva, then-Vice President of Institutional Advancement Seth Moskowitz said that Mr. Charish “is a gifted fundraiser, and his tenure in all his positions was marked by strong campaign and community growth.”

With Mr. Charish’s departure, YU will lose yet another critical leader of its fundraising team. On December 12th, Mr. Moskowitz, the chief administrator of YU’s fundraising office, abruptly vacated his position. His departure came the morning after the Hanukkah Dinner and Convocation, YU’s biggest annual fundraising event. Alan Secter, Executive Director of Annual Giving and Major Gifts, stepped down on February 24. He joined OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services as their Chief Development Officer.

The university has yet to replace Mr. Moskowitz; for the time being, President Richard Joel is personally overseeing Institutional Advancement until he steps down on July 1.

Photo Credit: YU Blogs