Rebuilding Our Global Jewish Family

As 5771 approaches, some thoughts from Dan Brown, eJewish Philanthropy’s founder: The face of Jewish philanthropy is continually changing and only time will tell if we are in the midst of evolution or a revolution. Philanthropy, which has always been a powerful force in the Jewish community, is – once again – witnessing a significant shift in both perception and management. Today’s philanthropists are more proactive, draw on a wide range of resources and seek greater efficiency and effectiveness. They also appear to be taking a longer-range view of their individual, or institutional, giving. Our Jewish organizational world is changing. Storied organizations as diverse as the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Jewish Theological Seminary and the World Jewish Congress are just three... Continue Reading

Limmud FSU Goes Boldly Where No Limmud Has Gone Before

The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming … no wait, they’re here. Or more specifically were there – at the Hampton Synagogue (Long Island) this past Sunday for Limmud FSU’s second U.S. event. 800 strong, up from last year’s 500, participated in more than 60 sessions facilitated by over 100 panelists – they came to collectively explore their Jewish identities, renew friendships, form connections, develop leadership skills and enhance community engagement. In the words of co-chair Yigal Kotler, they wanted to explore “real Jewish Peoplehood”. Typical was Roman Sidler, a young Ukrainian native living in Brighton Beach, who came to find even more connection to his Russian-Jewish community than he could find in his own neighborhood. “I am trying to find something... Continue Reading

Limmud FSU Hamptons NY: First Look

They came from Brooklyn and Philadelphia; Jerusalem and Kiev – gathering yesterday morning at the Hampton Synagogue in WestHampton, New York, for Limmud FSU’s second event in the U.S. The synagogue campus was over-run as 800 strong, up from last year’s 500, participated in more than 60 sessions facilitated by over 100 panelists, experiencing what co-chair Yigal Kotler termed “real Jewish Peoplehood”. It was a mix of cultures – American-Jewish, Israeli and Russian-Jewish – as was evidenced by the choice of program, and the constant back and forth between Russian and English in many sessions. Bel Kaufman, Shalom Aleichem’s 99 year old grand-daughter and the hit speaker of last year’s Taste of Limmud, participated through video declaring “my soul... Continue Reading

Limmud FSU: Facilitating Identity Around the Russian-Jewish World

They came from twenty-three towns and cities around Israel and from five additional countries. 98 volunteers worked tirelessly for months; 250 presenters led 200 sessions, including 15 round-table discussions. There was clearly glitz and glitter; and there was serious discussion. There was learning around the theme of Jewish Noble Prize laureates. And there was ceremony along with the spontaneous and joyful singing and dancing by 300 IDF soldiers, all new immigrants brought through Nativ, at an event in celebration of 20 years of Russian-speaking immigration. Total attendance: 1890! Such was  just a glimpse of what you would have caught had you been at Limmud FSU’s recent multi-day gathering in Jerusalem. This, Limmud FSU’s third event in Israel, was clearly a place to see, and be seen.... Continue Reading

Chief Rabbi Takes On American Jews

Israel’s Haredi parties are apparently getting nervous over the conversion bill. Why else would they take the unprecedented step of having the Chief Rabbi write a letter to The New York Times accusing Diaspora Jews of “coercing the Israeli government”: … The bill provision you discuss seeks no changes; it seeks only to retain the situation as it has existed for 62 years. If these non-Israeli movements believe in democratic principles, why have they intervened in a matter that affects only Israelis and does not affect American Jews at all? Even more puzzling, how do they justify asking 12 American senators to pressure the Israeli government on this internal matter? Israeli laws should be determined by residents of Israel who defend its security and bear its burdens… Diaspora Jews... Continue Reading

Lapid: Now 27 Organizations and Growing

Last Thursday, Lapid, the Coalition for High School Programs in Israel, celebrated Lapid Day. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Herzl’s birth, the events were put together by Lapid member organizations in conjunction with Israel Experience, and support from Masa and The Jewish Agency, Israel Phones, Harel and private sponsors. During the day, the 1st Lapid World Jewish Teens Council, held at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel campus in Hod Hasharon, featured workshops and discussion panels led by program alumni and staff. In the evening, the 2010 Israel Experience and Lapid Youth Festival took place at Park Herzliya with the participation of over 4,000 high school age teens from all over the world and Israel. Participating in the festivities was Natan Janner Klausner, 16 years old, a... Continue Reading

Meet the Future Today: Skilled Volunteers for Israel

Baby Boomers represent the largest, most educated and financially secure generation in history. They see the stage after retirement as a time for meaningful work and service which includes volunteering. In the United States, the secular community has set up programs to tap the skills of boomer volunteers. However, nothing comparable exists today to attract, recruit or match Jewish baby boomers with the needs of Israel’s nonprofit organizations. That’s about to change. Skilled Volunteers for Israel has launched to help fill the gap. At the same time, the venture will enable the Israeli nonprofit sector to harness the talents of this abundant Jewish communal resource. Skilled Volunteers for Israel was conceived by Marla Gamoran of Madison, Wisconsin. Marla, whose motivation to begin this venture... Continue Reading

Limmud FSU Jersualem Opens to Huge Acclaim

If there were any nay-sayers remaining about the vitality, and viability, of Limmud FSU, they would have been dispelled last night. For here in Jerusalem, at the opening program for Limmud Nobel, it was more who wasn’t here. Featuring an on-stage conversation with Israel’s popular President, and Nobel Prize winner, Shimon Peres, there was clear acknowledgment that Limmud FSU has come of age. The Jewish Agency’s Kiryat Moriah campus was bustling all day; participants ranged from infant on up – with the greatest numbers clearly under 40. In traditional Limmud style, there was a vast array of programming continually taking place, from the light to the serious, entertaining and educational. Hebrew, English and Russian were heard throughout – often in the same conversation.... Continue Reading

Introducing Asian Jewish Life

It’s not every day that we have the opportunity to meet individuals involved in new, innovative projects in the Pacific Rim. One such person is Erica Lyons – a New York trained attorney who, along with her family, now makes her home in Hong Kong. This past winter, Erica launched Asian Jewish Life: a Journal of Spirit, Society and Culture. The magazine, a quarterly printed publication, reflects the diversity of the Jewish experience in the region, while simultaneously building community ties. Reflecting recently on the vision behind Asian Jewish Life, Erica tells us, I realized that the attack on Mumbai played a significant role behind my drive to see this project get off the ground. The attack unified Jews in Hong Kong and Jews in other communities in a way that had rarely been seen before. In... Continue Reading

Heftziba: A Ray of Light Appears

There are small cracks in the wall, but they are growing. Consider, the professional head of an influential American-based foundation speaks about the importance of reaching out to Russian-speaking Jews worldwide. Young adult programs, from multiple organizations, catering to the same audience are flourishing on multiple continents. Discussions on funding Jewish education in the countries of the FSU are discussed not only at the table of global Jewish organizations, but at the highest levels of the Government of Israel. Perhaps, worldwide Jewry is beginning to internalize that the story of FSU Jewry is not over. Some think that with the opening of borders those who have wanted to leave have left, and therefore why support those remaining? Yet, there are approximately 1.1 million Jews (as defined by... Continue Reading

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