Alliance announces key staff promotions

Changes will deploy additional resources to Jewish life and learning programming

PROVIDENCE – Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island CEO Jeffrey Savit announced the promotions of several Alliance staff members, all of which will become effectively July 1.

Michelle Cicchitelli, director of Shalom Family and PJ Library, has been named director of Jewish life and Larry Katz, director of education, has been named director of Jewish learning.

As he noted in his speech at the June 10 Alliance annual meeting, Savit spoke of the need to restructure and realign resources, some two years after three agencies merged to become the Alliance.

“We need to direct additional resources to learning and engagement,” said Savit. “After we initiated a national search, we realized that we could most effectively fulfill these critically important roles with current staff members. We are pleased to be able to promote from within and offer career advancement opportunities to our valuable employees.”

Cicchitelli will lead and direct all aspects of Alliance Jewish life initiatives, including interfaith outreach, cultural and arts programming, Shalom Family, PJ Library and the Parenting Resource Center, said Minna Ellison, senior vice president for planning.

Katz will be charged with guiding and leading all educational aspects of Alliance programming, including the Early Childhood Center, special education and teen engagement programs.

“These promotions,” said Ellison, “will allow the Alliance to operate more effectively and efficiently and offer more cross-functional programs and services to our community members.”

Toward that end, Alliance Director of Arts & Culture and NextGen Engagement Erin Moseley will assume additional responsibilities, as well. She will coordinate programming offerings for students of all ages, so that the Alliance can maximize its resources to meet the community’s needs and priorities, said Ellison.

The Alliance is interviewing candidates to fill a new, entry-level position, which Ellison calls “an incredible opportunity to work in the arenas of Jewish life and learning.”

Savit also announced the promotion of Dan Hamel, from controller to chief operating officer. In his new position, Hamel will assume responsibilities for J-Fitness, the membership and business office, building operations, information technology, human resources, accounting, budgeting and financial analysis.

Ellison will focus on planning.

In an email blast to the Alliance staff and board of directors announcing the news, Savit wrote, “It is wonderful … to  grow even stronger with our own family members.”