He Quit Big Law to Lead the World's Largest Nonprofit | Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA
Sun Dec 28 2025
Eric Goldstein spent 31 years as a partner at Paul Weiss before walking away to lead UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local nonprofit in the world, raising $2.8 billion under his leadership.
In this episode, Eric shares why he left elite Big Law, what leadership really looks like in moments of crisis, and the lessons he learned when he realized he wasn’t as indispensable as he once thought.
Support UJA's mission: https://www.ujafedny.org/donate
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SPONSORS:
Kosher Media: The premiere advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. koshermedia.comLife Vault Films: Capture the story of your loved one, forever. To inquire, email victor@topnotchvisuals.com
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🎙️ Momentum brings you the stories, advice, and wisdom of business visionaries, designed to inspire and guide you on your path to success. Be sure to subscribe on all platforms:
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(00:00) Coming up...
(02:38) Who Is Eric Goldstein?
(05:54) Eric’s Early Years
(07:05) Graduating Law School
(10:51) Representing JP Morgan Chase
(13:39) Representing Billion-Dollar Institutions
(15:07) Lessons Learned From Behemoth Clients
(16:40) Eric's Plan Before Leaving Law
(18:27) Serving on UJA’s Committee to Find a New CEO
(20:27) The Most Important Lesson When Leaving the Legal Field
(22:04) First Day on the Job as CEO
(25:44) CSI: The Need for Security Forces Amid Rising Antisemitism
(27:38) Ad: Kosher Media
(28:27) Learning to Be an Effective Leader
(31:57) The Struggles of COVID and Giving Up His Salary
(35:13) “UJA Saved My Life”
(36:20) A Brief History of UJA
(38:18) UJA’s Impact on the Sephardic Community
(40:19) The Moment He’s Most Proud of at UJA
(45:46) Ad: Life Vault Films
(47:03) Work-Life Balance (or Lack Thereof)
(49:43) The Most Difficult Period: Laying Off Staff During COVID
(52:23) Key Success Principles Learned Over His Career
(53:37) Leading UJA Alongside Elite Business Leaders
(55:07) What Comes Next?
(56:12) Momentum Moment
(60:09) UJA: Uniting Jewish Communities
(61:06) Outro and 3 Key Takeaways
More
Eric Goldstein spent 31 years as a partner at Paul Weiss before walking away to lead UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local nonprofit in the world, raising $2.8 billion under his leadership. In this episode, Eric shares why he left elite Big Law, what leadership really looks like in moments of crisis, and the lessons he learned when he realized he wasn’t as indispensable as he once thought. Support UJA's mission: https://www.ujafedny.org/donate __________ Check out Impact by Momentum __________ SPONSORS: Kosher Media: The premiere advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. koshermedia.comLife Vault Films: Capture the story of your loved one, forever. To inquire, email victor@topnotchvisuals.com __________ ABOUT MOMENTUM: 🎙️ Momentum brings you the stories, advice, and wisdom of business visionaries, designed to inspire and guide you on your path to success. Be sure to subscribe on all platforms: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram __________ GEAR: • Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o • Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv • Clip-on Mics: https://amzn.to/3H52iwo • Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL • Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up • Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI __________ (00:00) Coming up... (02:38) Who Is Eric Goldstein? (05:54) Eric’s Early Years (07:05) Graduating Law School (10:51) Representing JP Morgan Chase (13:39) Representing Billion-Dollar Institutions (15:07) Lessons Learned From Behemoth Clients (16:40) Eric's Plan Before Leaving Law (18:27) Serving on UJA’s Committee to Find a New CEO (20:27) The Most Important Lesson When Leaving the Legal Field (22:04) First Day on the Job as CEO (25:44) CSI: The Need for Security Forces Amid Rising Antisemitism (27:38) Ad: Kosher Media (28:27) Learning to Be an Effective Leader (31:57) The Struggles of COVID and Giving Up His Salary (35:13) “UJA Saved My Life” (36:20) A Brief History of UJA (38:18) UJA’s Impact on the Sephardic Community (40:19) The Moment He’s Most Proud of at UJA (45:46) Ad: Life Vault Films (47:03) Work-Life Balance (or Lack Thereof) (49:43) The Most Difficult Period: Laying Off Staff During COVID (52:23) Key Success Principles Learned Over His Career (53:37) Leading UJA Alongside Elite Business Leaders (55:07) What Comes Next? (56:12) Momentum Moment (60:09) UJA: Uniting Jewish Communities (61:06) Outro and 3 Key Takeaways