Abe Vinik, former General Director of the Jewish Community Center of Chicago, has passed away. He was 94.

Vinik’s career with JCC began in 1948, and he served as General Director from 1966 to 1980. Even after retiring, he continued to serve as a volunteer for many years.

“The JCCs in Chicago saw great growth and development under his direction,” said JUF President Dr. Steven B. Nasatir. “He was a man of great commitment and passion for Jewish communal work.”

A World War II Army veteran, Vinik studied social group work at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University in the 1940s. He wrote papers for the Journal of Jewish Communal Service on Jewish community centers, and co-authored the 1992 book Social Action in Group Work. He also taught group process at the University of Chicago and other schools of social work.

Vinik held board leadership positions at the National Association of Social Workers and other professional organizations and institutions, and was honored by the Association for the Advancement of Social Work with Groups at their 1988 symposium. Additionally, Vinik served as consultant for the State Department in Europe and Israel.

His areas of specialty included group work theory, board and staff development, agency planning and administration, and he consulted on issues of executive development, evaluation of agency structures and programs, and continuing education for professional staff.

Vinik is survived by his wife Maiga, his children Karen (Anthony), Martin (Nancy), and Nina (Ross Bricker), and five grandchildren.

A memorial service was held; the funeral and burial were private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions may be made to the Lake Forest Place Scholarship Fund or the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago.