French stepping down as CEO of Nola Jewish Federation
Will become CEO of the Federation in Dallas this fall, Tarr named interim CEO
Robert French, who has been the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans since the beginning of 2023, announced in a community email on July 9 that he is stepping down to become the new CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas in September.
French said he had “very mixed emotions” because “serving this extraordinary community has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life.”
With the move, French is returning to Texas. Before he came to New Orleans, he was executive director of Jewish El Paso and The Jewish Community Foundation of El Paso. When he came to New Orleans, he was told that the New Orleans community “punch above their weight, and they really do.”
He said New Orleans is “a really amazing community, and people really care.” The Federation leadership “is really devoted and cares,” and the staff “really care and are hard-working, devoted professionals.”
The New Orleans community is “blessed” to “live in a place that is so united,” he said. After his announcement, he said he got a slew of emails with many referencing how the Federation has continued to unite the community, especially after October 7.
“We have so many things planned to continue that,” he said, including a 2026 “community unity mission” to Israel.
He said “it is important to me that the transition is strong,” and over the past several years, there has been “a lot of infrastructure built and structures put in place to really propel us forward.”
The past two years have seen increases in the Annual Campaign, and projections are indicating further growth this coming year. This year’s campaign ended on June 30 and reached its goal of $2.8 million, but final numbers are still being calculated.
He said there is “always work to do” and things to improve, but “we have a very present Federation that is involved.”
Along with French’s note to the community, Board Chair Jonny Lake and Board Chair Elect Melinda Mintz said “we thank Robert for his service to our community, and we want to wish him well in all of his future endeavors.”
Sherri Tarr, the Federation’s chief operating officer, will be the interim CEO. In 2017, she served as interim executive director after the departure of Michael Weil, before the Federation selected Arnie Fielkow as CEO.
Lake and Mintz said “We are committed to moving forward and building a stronger Jewish community,” and there will be updates as the transition develops.
In Dallas, French will succeed Igor Alterman, who left Dallas on Feb. 1 to become the CEO of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Rabbi Mordechai Harris has been the interim CEO.
The Dallas area has a Jewish community of roughly 80,000. Between the Annual Campaign and the Israel Emergency Campaign, their Federation raised almost $18 million in 2024.
“Though I’ll be based in a new city, I will always carry this community with me — with pride, affection, and heartfelt appreciation,” French said.
He also hopes to bring the spirit of unity with him to Dallas. The collaboration within the New Orleans Jewish community among agencies and congregations “is phenomenal, I really hope to bring that to the Dallas community.”