In the worst U.S. economy since the 1930s, most human service organizations are facing a very tough time as private sources of funding, including individuals and foundations, have cut back on giving. In the Jewish community, it’s been a disaster, compounded by the Madoff fraud scandal. Jewish organizations have had to contend with monthly projections of income and expenses that are soaked in red ink, while their endowments have been ravaged. In this environment, the question arises: How can you access the resources being made available by the public sector, specifically the federal government? One way is to pay high-priced Washington-based lobbyists who are eagerly steering much of the national economic recovery stimulus money, as well as other federal funds in appropriations bills, to their … Continue Reading
Rethinking Our ‘Human’ Communal Investment
Waves of cutbacks and layoffs during the past few months by local and national Jewish communal organizations seem prudent in the face of declining philanthropic dollars and reduced budgets. Hundreds of Jewish communal professionals - fundraisers, social workers, rabbis, planners, programmers, communicators and marketers, along with administrators and support staff - with years of expertise and collective wisdom - have hit the pavement. Sure, it’s easy to proclaim to board members and donors: “We’ve trimmed our budget and cut back our expenses.” Unfortunately, these decisions belie aggressive outreach during the past three decades to recruit and train Jewish communal professionals. The loss of so many dedicated workers translates into a huge waste of communal investment. Where’s the … Continue Reading
Limmud FSU Celebrates Sholem Aleichem’s 150th Birthday
Limmud FSU Kicks-Off the ‘Year of Sholem Aleichem’ with Events in Ukraine, Tel Aviv and New York Elegant, humble, and gracious, 97-year-old Bel Kaufman regaled congregants at New York Synagogue this week with poignant stories and remembrances of her grandfather, Sholem Aleichem, famed Russian-Jewish humorist and author of Yiddish literature. “I remember him with humor and warmth," she said of her grandfather, 150 years after his birth. "He wanted us to enjoy life despite his own difficulties. He taught us to walk on our hands. He played games, and he made us laugh." At the special Shabbat event March 7 honoring Aleichem, universally known as the “Jewish Mark Twain,” Congressman Jerrold Nadler paid special tribute. He explained that Sholem Aleichem stories were part of his … Continue Reading
Limmud FSU – The Last Day
The learning adventure continues – Limmud FSU first timers have found their rhythm, made new friends, begun to express themselves with more confidence, and reflect inward, too. "One of the most wonderful byproducts of the Limmud experience is that everyone finds their own place in their own particular Jewish journey," said Sandra Cahn, Limmud FSU's co-founder. "There's a comfort level where no matter how much Jewish background you've had, you feel you belong, no one is judging you and by the end of the process you feel part of a collective Jewish community and proud about being Jewish." … Continue Reading
Limmud FSU – Day Two
Starting the day with a jog on the edge of the Black Sea, it was on to serious sessions, i.e., discussions about Modern Zionism, the Medical Aspects of Jewish Philosophy and Psychology, or Torah - many choices for Limmudniks. Young Jews across the FSU want to know about their Jewish identity, and attending this Conference in Yalta represents a way back to their Jewish roots. In the former Soviet Union, religious identity was considered an ethnic or cultural affiliation more than a religious one. This explains the inherent tendency in Limmud FSU's programming to include the influence of Jewish themes in the arts, music and, of course, literature woven through today's sessions. Israeli dancing and hand-on art workshops sparkled with creativity and individual expression. Picking up the thread … Continue Reading
Limmud Yalta: Day One
Arriving full of anticipation, over 1,000 Russian-speaking Jews from the 13 countries of the former Soviet Union, international Jewish leaders and guests, and presenters were ready to experience the 2nd mega-Limmud FSU Conference in Yalta, October 27-30, 2008. From the kickoff this afternoon, the halls of the hotel were silent – everyone found their way to one of the many meeting rooms for stimulating presentations. The choices – 171 sessions and panels with roughly 150 presenters offered over the four days of intense programming. Limmudniks could select a presentation from a broad range of topics, including sessions on the plight of Holocaust survivors, Jewish politics, Diaspora Jewry, traditional Jewish handcrafts, Torah study, and much more. "Why Major Philanthropists Give?" a packed … Continue Reading
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