AFHU News

PAGE 10
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
AFHU NEWS VOL. 22 PAGE 11
Introducing Jane Larkin
Director for New Dallas Office
This August, AFHU appointed Jane Larkin,
former Director for Small Groups and Community
Engagement at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas,
as Director for its new office serving the Dallas/
Fort Worth Metroplex. Jane expressed her delight in
joining AFHU and working on behalf of the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem.
“I come from a corporate background, having spent
two decades working for GE in finance, public
relations, and other capacities. By becoming a
development professional in the nonprofit sphere,
I found I could practice tikun olam. The Hebrew
University is an academic and research powerhouse,
embodying excellence in a spectrum of fields. I am
excited to connect individuals and organizations in
Dallas-Fort Worth to the cutting-edge work that is
changing people’s lives for the better.”
A longtime resident of Dallas, Jane grew up in New
Jersey. She received an M.B.A. from Fordham
University and her undergraduate degree from
Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public
Communications. Her first visit to Hebrew University
occurred at age 10: Jane participated in a NFTY
teen tour to Israel, where two group members had
bat mitzvah ceremonies on Mount Scopus. This
experience gave Jane a glimpse into a special, rather
magical new world. She said: “Years later, I feel as if I
am reconnecting with Hebrew University in a deeper
way. It’s interesting how life comes around.”
While serving as Community Engagement Director
for Temple Emanu-El, Jane promoted inclusivity and
relationship-building, initiating the formation of new
groups, developing new ways to connect unaffiliated
people to Jewish life, and reaching out to interfaith
Jane Larkin
households. Drawing upon her personal experience,
she authored From Generation to Generation: A
Story of Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity (2014),
dedicating the thoughtful memoir to her husband
Cameron, and son Sammy.
Nature lovers, Jane, Cameron, and Sammy are avid
hikers and skiers. The family has hiked in Vermont,
New Mexico, Washington, Alaska, and Romania,
among other locales. Jane added: “Texas is a great
place for vacationing outdoors.”
Jane also embraces volunteerism, currently serving
on the boards of the Jewish National Fund in Dallas
as well as the National Council of Jewish Women.
She and Sammy volunteer at Volgel Alcove, which
provides free early childhood education services to
homeless children.
During her career, Jane has learned lessons that
guide her approach to many aspects of life. “I’m
often reminded that how you get things done is as
important as what you accomplish,” she shares. “And
relationships drive us forward—it’s people working
together that propels progress.”