[by Shiela Steinman Wallace]
Jewish Community of Louisville Board Chair David Klein announced that for a second year, Ralph Green will chair the Federation Annual Campaign. “As a community, we are very fortunate to have Ralph leading our Campaign. He is a role model for all of us. He’s committed to strengthening our Jewish community and making it a better place.
“Ralph leads by example,” Klein continued. “I hold him in very high regard, and, in fact, he’s the reason I’m involved in the Jewish community today.”
“I’m honored to be asked to chair the Campaign for the second consecutive year,” Green said. “After giving it a great deal of thought, I realized that we have some very positive momentum, both in the Campaign and the community, and I want to continue building on that momentum.”
Throughout the last Campaign, he continued, “I had tremendous support from the professional staff and the many volunteers did an outstanding job this year.”
Green plans to draw on his experience from the 2011 Campaign as he goes forward. “I got a lot of good feedback – both positive and negative – all of which will translate into making changes for our Jewish community. I’m looking for continued and increased support across the community.
“Everyone is important to the Campaign,” he added, “no matter at what level they give. We welcome and encourage everyone’s support.”
One change the community can anticipate is the timing of the Campaign. “I’m declaring my chairmanship at this point,” Green stated, “because we plan to start the Campaign much earlier this year than last to enable us to take full advantage of Campaign opportunities as they arise.” The Campaign leadership also hopes to be able to complete the Campaign by the end of April.
Green has been a leader in the Louisville Jewish community for many years. He is a steadfast supporter of Israel who has always supported the Campaign in many ways and worked hard to ensure that the Jewish community would have committed, skilled leadership for the future.
In the 1980’s and 90’s, Green held several leadership positions with the Jewish Community Federation and the Jewish Community Center, the predecessors of the Jewish Community of Louisville. He co-chaired the Young Adult Division (YAD) for the Annual Campaign and chaired the two-year Young Leadership Development program. He has been to Israel several times, leading the YLD Mission and several other groups.
Nationally, both Green and his wife, Shellie Branson, have served on the United Jewish Appeal’s (UJA) Young Leadership Cabinet.
In addition, he’s been a member of both the Federation and JCC Boards.
More recently, he served as Louisville’s chair of Partnership with Israel and participated in the ERG emergency response training program at Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, Israel. He’s also a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which advocates for Israel.
Other Jewish organizations in Louisville have benefited from Green’s leadership as well. He has served as president of the Louisville Hebrew School and Congregation Adath Jeshurun, where he continues to be a member. In the past, he was also a member of B’nai B’rith.
For 28 years, Green has maintained a private practice in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and he is a part-time member of the faculty in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Louisville.
Green attended Purdue University, then received early acceptance into the University of Louisville’s School of Dentistry. He earned his DMD in 1979 and earned certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery in 1983. He is Board Certified.
Branson shares Green’s commitment to the JCL. A Lion of Judah, she, too has been a Campaign leader and has been involved with many different activities in the Jewish community.
Green and Branson have three children, Jordan, Alex and Eric.
