Mia Birk - Incoming OJCF Board Chair

Dear Friends,

As people have been congratulating me on becoming Board Chair, I have to admit that I’ve been a bit confused. Why exactly does one congratulate someone for accepting an unpaid volunteer position that comes with significant responsibility, countless meetings, and the distinct possibility of being blamed for things beyond their control?

Now some people say mazel tov, which I interpret literally. Good luck that the markets cooperate. Good luck that our staff stays healthy. Good luck that antisemitism recedes. Good luck that our community continues to thrive in a world that often feels increasingly uncertain.

But leadership is not just about luck. It is about showing up, taking responsibility, and working together to meet whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead. That is why I want to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to Jonathan Glass for his outstanding leadership, to our dedicated board and committee members, and to the extraordinary OJCF staff whose commitment and professionalism make our work possible every day.

In the last year, OJCF realized market returns of 18%, allowing all of you to donate even more to causes you care about.

My own OJCF journey began after the sale of my business, Alta Bicycle Share, which launched and operated public bike sharing systems including Washington D.C.’s Capital Bike Share, Chicago’s Divvy, and NYC’s Citi Bike. I wanted to make a meaningful charitable gift and was searching for a philanthropic partner that could help me align my resources with my values. OJCF welcomed me, educated me, and showed me firsthand that philanthropy is about far more than money. It is about legacy, community, and turning gratitude into action. 

Years later, OJCF helped me get Eastside Jewish Commons off the ground and invited me to join the board, deepening my appreciation for the vital role OJCF plays in strengthening Jewish life across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

As the great-granddaughter of Jews who fled persecution and pogroms, I often think about the sacrifices made by previous generations. They arrived with little more than courage, determination, and hope, yet they built families, institutions, and communities that continue to sustain us today. We are beneficiaries of their vision and generosity. Because of that, we also inherit a responsibility: to care for one another, to invest in the future, and to ensure that our values endure for generations to come.

That is why OJCF’s mission matters. Every fund begins with a conversation. Every gift reflects a value. Every endowment, scholarship, grant, and legacy commitment helps strengthen our community and extend its impact into the future. As I begin my term as Board Chair, I invite you to join me in that work. Give generously. Consider your long-term philanthropic legacy. Share the OJCF story with your family and friends. The generations before us built something remarkable. Now it is our turn to carry that work forward.

With gratitude,

Mia Birk
Board Chair
Oregon Jewish Community Foundation

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