Yesterday, we received the very sad news of the passing of Miriam May, former CEO of the Friends of the Arava Institute (FAI), a good friend of the Arava Institute, and a good friend of mine. I first met Miriam in Boston, when Howie Rodenstein and I interviewed her for the job of CEO in July 2016. At the time, Miriam was the head of development for Harvard University Hillel, and had been headhunted by an executive search firm hired by FAI. I wrote in my trip report after the interview: The candidate seems highly qualified, had done her homework on the Institute and had given some strategic thought to how to raise money for the Institute. One of Miriam’s most important contributions to the Institute over her seven-year tenure was the transformation of FAI into a strong professional fundraising organization which has the capacity to support the Arava Institute without leaning on other organizations.
Miriam and I worked closely together for many years. When Miriam became CEO of FAI in September 2016, I had already been Executive Director of the Arava Institute for 15 years. Initially, there was tension between us as Miriam wanted to assert herself in her new role as CEO, and I had to get used to the idea that I had an experienced partner in fundraising strategy. It took us a little while to get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses but in a short amount of time, our partnership grew, as did our personal friendship. We had many adventures together on fundraising trips. We would often finish a successful day of fundraising by going out to dinner somewhere in Tampa, Denver, or Chicago. Miriam would order a salad or some other kosher-friendly dish in a non-kosher restaurant, and I would order a plate of shrimp and mussels. Most of our trips were filled with donor meetings resulting in continued or new support for the Institute. Our most successful donor meeting ended with a pledge of 9 million dollars. We had wine with dinner that night.
Miriam had not heard of the Arava Institute before she was approached by the executive search firm suggesting she apply for the position of CEO of FAI. When she learned about what the Institute does, she became passionate about our work. Miriam would often say that she works for the Arava Institute because ‘this is an organization that would make her children proud’. We are deeply indebted to Miriam for her passion, commitment, and drive which has helped transform the Arava Institute into the leading environmental and peace-building institution in the Middle East. During these dark times, the Institute remains a light unto the nations, unto our peoples, and unto the next generation.
Miriam, we will miss you. Baruch Dayan Emet.
David Lehrer
Center for Applied Environmental Diplomacy Director, and former Executive Director
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
