by Aaron Strauss In their guide “How to Mobilize Young Voters,” Rock the Vote (a nonprofit that engages and builds the political power of young people) states, “Young adults are more likely than older adults to identify as independent, a commonsense [sic] situation for a group of voters new to politics.” Young Jews, though, seem to have seen enough of politics to know where to stand: In 2008, 62 percent of Jewish voters under the age of 35 identified with the Democratic Party; 22 percent eschewed a major party label; and 16 percent identified with Republicans. This breakdown is virtually identical to the Jewish electorate as a whole: 61 percent Democratic; 22 percent independent; and 17 percent Republican. How will the Jewish vote - especially among young people - trend in the … Continue Reading
Boston’s Jewish Institutions on Alert
from BostonHerald.com: Boston’s Jewish institutions on alert A security alert warning of possible extremist attacks on “soft targets” amid increased tensions between Israel and Iran has Boston police as well as the city’s Israeli consulate on high alert. ... Boston police said they were aware of the possible threat posed to the Back Bay offices of the Israeli government and were responding with extra patrols to that and other prominent Jewish locations in the city. “In light of increased tensions in the Middle East, Boston Police are adding directed patrols and premise checks,” Boston Police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said in a statement. “There is no specific threat locally, but we do maintain close contact and constant communication with the Department of Homeland … Continue Reading
Smaller and Intermediate Communities Need to Get Pricey Toys
Bringing Taglit Birthright Israel to Smaller Communities by Evan Levitt When I was growing up in the suburbs of Baltimore, my parents had picture of a bicycle and a motorcycle on a wall in our basement. The caption read “You can tell the men from the boys, by the price of their toys.” I was always attracted to this picture, most likely because it was hanging near the table where I completed my homework assignments. Twenty years later, I found myself talking to a Major Donor and Board member from the Monmouth County Jewish community. He and I were sharing stories about my recent experience leading a Taglit Birthright Israel trip, and his grandson’s experience on a Taglit Birthright Israel trip. And then he pops the question, which sounded something like this ... “I know that large … Continue Reading
The 80–20 Rule and Israel Activism on Campus
by Isaac Yerushalmi and Tzvi Raviv About one hundred years ago, the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto realized that 80% of Italy’s wealth was owned by 20% of the population. Now known as Pareto’s principle, this concept is universal in nature. For example, in a supermarket, roughly 20% of customers will generate 80% of the income. Building on this principle, is it possible that 20% of the campuses in North America inspire 80% of anti-Israel activity? If we look at patterns of anti-Israel activism, the same campuses appear over and over again. Two campuses from California, two campuses from the northeast area, and two Canadian schools. The pro-Israel network tries to respond to all the anti-Israel activities across the continent, but in reality, only a handful of schools actually serve as … Continue Reading
Top Hadassah Officials Probed Over Use of Funds
In a breaking news story, The Forward is reporting that allegations of mishandling funds have been raised against Hadassah president Marcie Natan and immediate past president Nancy Falchuk: "The allegations came in a letter sent to the organization’s board members on January 12 by Larry Blum, Hadassah’s top staff member. Blum was placed on administrative leave in November amidst separate charges relating to his alleged misuse of his corporate credit card. He declined comment. ... Blum alleged that Natan, who was elected as Hadassah’s national president in July, used Hadassah funds to buy favors for members who supported her candidacy for national president. Those favors allegedly included flight upgrades to business class and the unnecessary extension of trips to Israel made on Hadassah … Continue Reading
Network Lessons from the Pink Ribbon Rebellion
by Seth Cohen Watching the unfolding events related to the Susan B. Komen for the Cure’s decision (and subsequent reversal) to stop funding Planned Parenthood, one couldn’t help but realize that we were watching our own revolution of the masses. Unlike Tahrir Square and the Occupy movement, however, this latest chapter in our era of mass mobilization never really moved from cyberspace to the streets. It didn’t have to. As the nation of pink ribbons turned into a sea of red faces, Komen realized the rebellion in its midst and decided to change course. There is no question that there are many lessons to be learned from Komen’s unplanned Planned Parenthood experience. Politics aside, even while assessing all of the steps and missteps Komen has made (and, we hope, continues to learn … Continue Reading
Seeding the Jewish Future
by Jeremy J. Fingerman One of the hottest topics of today’s Jewish communal conversation has been success of experiential learning experiences, and how synagogues, day schools, and others can transform their programs to embrace this trend and be even more effective. On the eve of Tu B’Shevat, Jewish Arbor Day, it is very appropriate to ask what we as a community can learn from this holiday and Jewish camping. The Gemara in Taanit (23a) teaches that Honi HaMagel was journeying on the road when he saw a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked him, “How long does it take [for this tree] to bear fruit?” The man replied “Seventy years.” Honi then asked him, “Are you certain that you will live another seventy years?” The man replied, “I found carob trees in the world; as my … Continue Reading
CJP Launches New Approach for Teaching Special Learning Needs Students
February 6, 2012 - Boston, MA - Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) announced today that it is the recipient of a $1.89 million grant for serving Jewish day school students with a wide range of special learning needs. CJP will receive $1.69 million from the Jim Joseph Foundation (JJF) and $200,000 from the Ruderman Family Foundation. CJP, partnering with Gateways: Access to Jewish Education, based in Newton, MA, and Yeshiva University’s Institute for University-School Partnership in New York, will work with six Boston-area Jewish day schools to create “whole school” models for serving students with a range of learning needs. The grant will establish professional development and training programs to build the capacity of teachers and school leaders so that they are well-equipped to better … Continue Reading
The Jewish Retail Giant and the Black Community
by Stephen J. Whitfield JointMedia News Service At the very end of December, 2011, when the Sears Holding Company announced that up to 120 of its stores (both Sears Roebuck and Kmart) would be closing due to disappointing sales, the contrast with the spectacular career of Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932) could scarcely have been greater. Born a century and a half ago, he was the most significant figure in the history of what was once the largest retail establishment on the planet. He was also among the nation’s most imaginative philanthropists. Because he was so resourceful in making money, and then because he was so gifted in disbursing it, he deserves to be far better known than he is. Jewishness helps account for the near-oblivion into which Rosenwald’s name has sunk. Though he did not … Continue Reading
Jewish Family Educators Unite Online
by Robyn Faintich While teachers look to inject technology into classrooms and other learning settings, they must not overlook its power to build community among themselves to enhance skills, share and gain new ideas, and collaborate. Aiming to equip Jewish family educators with resources, creative ideas and connections to strengthen their work, passions and outcomes, Shevet: Jewish Family Education Exchange is utilizing digital technology to coalesce the field and empower it. In Digital Habitats: Stewarding Technology for Communities, authors Etienne Wenger, Nancy White and John Smith say that Web 2.0 and 3.0 tools “facilitate the convergence of content and networks of people, creating new possibilities for communities to develop and grow,” and that communities of practice “help us … Continue Reading
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