15 Minutes with Courtney Tessler, CEO of Greenville Jewish Federation

Early Journey and Leadership

Graduating high school and starting college and full-time employment by the age of 15 is an accomplishment reserved for the most ambitious and driven individuals. For Courtney Tessler, the current CEO of Greenville Jewish Federation, it was a matter of curiosity that led her onto this remarkable path. Greenville represents Tessler’s most recent career stop, where she applies her diversified knowledge and experiences to serve the community.

Greenville Jewish Federation, founded in 1946 as part of Greenville’s diversified and thriving non-profit landscape, continues to embody the ideals of its founding members, primarily Max Heller, a former mayor of Greenville hailing from Nazi-invaded Austria in 1938.

Role of Greenville Jewish Federation

The growing population and diversity in ethnicity, culture, and religion in Greenville call for extensive community services to meet the resident’s needs. Greenville Jewish Federation responds to this requirement by leveraging its focus on Jewish values, education, and community support. Serving 11 counties in the Upstate, the Federation extends support to the broader community, providing services irrespective of their religious affiliation.

Primary Programs and Services

The Federation offers primary programs centred around youth and family segments. These include the PJ Library program, inspired by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This initiative offers children tailored books and media every month. Another primary offering is the teen programming that includes philanthropy and intergenerational opportunities.

Greenville’s Jewish Community

Greenville is home to a small Jewish community of 4,000-5,000 people out of 25,000-27,000 residing in South Carolina. Despite the comparatively smaller population in Greenville, the region houses five synagogues, catering to religious needs and providing a sense of community to Jewish residents.

Challenges and the Role of Greenville Jewish Federation

Being a minority community in the region, the need for extensive community services and, primarily, education to promote greater understanding among residents is crucial. As it stands, many Jewish residents routinely meet individuals who have never before encountered a person of Jewish faith.

The Leadership Journey of Courtney Tessler

The route to Courtney Tessler’s leadership at Greenville Jewish Federation was somewhat guided by her drive to get involved with the Jewish community. Her opportunity appeared when the Federation’s board, contingent on being professionally led, approached her for the recruitment of an Executive Director. Leveraging her experiences, she took up the challenge and began her tenure as CEO in May 2023.

Support for Greenville Jewish Federation

Tessler suggests that community support for the Federation’s programs and initiatives is crucial. Residents can support by attending these programs, understanding more about Jewish culture and history, and spreading awareness about the Federation’s activities. These efforts, in addition to financial support, are instrumental to the Federation’s success in community service.

About Courtney Tessler

Apart from being a capable leader, Tessler is an individual driven by curiosity and ambition. Her path to graduate high school and start college at 15 sprang from her desire to learn and explore various subjects. Her diverse academic background, including architecture and design, culinary arts, business, and law, laid a strong foundation for the diverse roles she undertook in her career.

Courtney Tessler’s entrepreneurial spirit, a constant factor throughout her life, is a testament to her love to see things move forward on a strong foundation and be part of success. In her words, “It’s the challenges that keep things interesting.”