Linda S. Haase, masterful communicator, retires

To reflect the light of Jewish life; to illuminate human needs; to inform and inspire; to highlight Jewish and broader priorities locally, nationally, and globally. All this Linda S. Haase has done with rare mastery on behalf of JUF for nearly three decades.

After an award-studded career in public affairs, corporate communications, marketing, editorial services, and video production, Linda is retiring this month as JUF’s Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

“Linda has given voice to JUF’s mission, shaping how we share our story through countless campaigns, events, and speeches. Her creativity, high standards, and devotion to our community have left an indelible mark,” said Lonnie Nasatir, JUF President, publicly thanking Linda for her “extraordinary service” during his remarks at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

“Her brilliance comes with a sharp eye and an unwavering voice,” said Joy Schwartz, JUF Chief Marketing Officer “That fierce clarity has protected the JUF brand for decades and reflects a deep commitment to excellence, truth, and the mission we all share. We wouldn’t be who we are without Linda’s high standards – and we’re better for them.”

To raise hundreds of millions of dollars and to serve hundreds of thousands of people annually requires strong leadership, clear objectives, demonstrable results, collaboration, and the ability to communicate across all media in ways that are clear, concise, and compelling. These are all prodigious traits of Linda’s.

Linda herself succinctly stated her value proposition when she first came to work at JUF in 1996: “I’m the kind of Jew you want to reach,” she said, heralding a new era in JUF’s relationship with the community.

Already a seasoned nonprofit communications pro (she worked previously for Illinois Department of Public Health and American Cancer Society and volunteered on behalf of HIV/AIDS education, later for Knox College, and elsewhere), she brought a quality that JUF would value especially-a Jewish neshamah

(soul).

“Linda always understood that the underlying value of any JUF response to almost any issue had to be intrinsically Jewish. That perspective positively impacted our communication strategy,” said Steven B. Nasatir, JUF’s Executive Vice Chairman. “I often looked to Linda for assistance and ideas as I valued her skill and perspective.”

Linda identified the critical importance not only of reaching progressive Jews like herself, but also of attracting the unaffiliated, the young, and the marginalized. In increasingly atomized Jewish and broader societies, she showed uncanny skill in opening the JUF tent while respecting those who were older, more traditional, or more observant.

In part she accomplished this by helping to bring JUF into the digital age. She grasped the significance and quickly learned to tap the power of the Internet, social media, and online video to reach and empower various audiences.

In addition to creating superb media content, Linda’s contribution to JUF stemmed from her keen ability to inspire trust and confidence among key donors and volunteer leaders. She became their sounding board, their advocate, and their instrument for expressing their passion and making their case for sustaining and building Jewish community.

“I love and respect her and her work and will miss her dearly,” said Lisa Jericho, chair of JUF’s Marketing and Communications Committee. ”She has always been able to convey complex ideas in a clear manner, and always with heart and compassion.” 

“She understood how to capture the voice of our community during perilous times and joyous times,” Lonnie Nasair said. “Her love of being Jewish shone all the time; using her incredible skill set, she advanced the cause of the Jewish people.”

Aaron B. Cohen, a freelance writer living in Evanston, is the former Vice President of Communications at JUF. He was a longtime colleague of Linda’s, and is a longtime friend of hers.