New Director Assumes Key Federation Leadership Role

Brian Gralnick

Brian Gralnick, newly appointed director of Federation's Center for Social Responsibility, is deeply rooted in the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community. Although college and career provided brief detours to Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg, Gralnick has spent much of his life in Elkins Park. In fact, his residence is just four doors away from his childhood home.

Gralnick expressed confidence that his life-long residency in this region combined with his passionate participation in local civic and community affairs prepares him for this opportunity at Federation. "I have an intimate knowledge of this region's social-service needs, our current capacity to meet them, and the challenges that lie ahead," he said.

Gralnick's foundation for his solid ethical values and a strong sense of social consciousness stem from his family, his education in the Cheltenham Township public schools and at Congregation Rodeph Shalom, whose suburban campus, now closed, was within walking distance of his home.

He earned his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from George Washington University. He said that an internship with D.C. Prisoners Legal Services "opened my eyes to the pervasiveness of our criminal-justice system and its impact on urban communities."

Gralnick said that working with inmates on a daily basis enhanced his understanding of the connection between drug involvement and criminal activity, and led to his co-founding of the G.W. chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. In college, Gralnick served as a national co-director and board chair of this international grass-roots network of students concerned about drug abuse and drug policies.

His involvement included work with Congress, public-policy research, media relations, coalition-building -- skills that served him well in his post-college career as a legislative aide to Pennsylvania Representative Lawrence Curry -- skills that he noted he still utilizes.

While Gralnick expressed enjoyment with the chance to learn about the role of state and local government and help make a difference through constituent services, he said he also felt a need to develop fundraising skills. When Jim Eisenhower announced his 2004 bid for Pennsylvania Attorney General, Gralnick worked on the campaign.

Although his candidate was defeated, Gralnick himself scored a win, and started a new area of expertise with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

He began his career there in the press office and quickly advanced to serve as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, where his responsibilities included preparing materials for budget hearings; policy research, writing speeches and talking points; and making site visits to department-funded programs and agencies. One of Gralnick's fondest memories with the department was his appointment as state delegate coordinator to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. Among other responsibilities, he served on the Secretary's Task Force on the Implementation of Medicare Part D.

This work prompted his decision to continue his education. He entered the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy Practice, focusing on Medicare Part D, the largest entitlement expansion since Medicare was created in 1965. He earned his MSSP degree, and expanded his career and personal involvement in aging issues.

Prior to joining Federation in early January, Gralnick served as a manager in the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's Community Impact Department. There, he oversaw and refined the Healthy Aging agenda, as well as helped coordinate the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Philadelphia.

"Last year, EFSP allocated $1.5 million to homeless shelters, food cupboards, rent, mortgage and utility-assistance services," Gralnick explained, adding that the program provided funding to Federation's Mitzvah Food Project, which will now be under his purview as director of the Center for Social Responsibility.

Gralnick continues his involvement in EFSP through his service as a board member. He is also a founding member of Generation Appreciation Philadelphia, a group committed to cultivating and supporting the next generation of leaders in aging and related fields, and promoting what he termed an "age-friendly Philadelphia" -- defined as "making this city a place that embraces people of ages and enables them to live their entire lives here."

He invites all to the free event "Golden Years and Furry Ears" on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Philadelphia Senior Center at 509 S. Broad St. Researchers and practitioners will talk about the linkage of older adults and pets.

Gralnick said that he looks forward to a meaningful and productive career at Federation: "I'm eager for this opportunity to make a long and lasting impact on the Greater Philadelphia region."

To learn more, call him at 215-832-0816 or e-mail: bgralnick@jfgp.org.