[This post was originally published October 20, 2009 in PresenTense Magazines' Philanthropy issue. As a part of our continuing discussion on Jewish philanthropy, we are reprinting.] by Josh Buchin For many young Jews, the subject of philanthropy for the sake of Israel does not occupy much of their time. Whether it's because the issue is too political or too overwhelming, the topic often gets pushed aside in favor of other forms of philanthropy. But for some young Jewish philanthropists, Israel is an area that truly speaks to them. PT sat down with young philanthropists to discuss why giving to Israel can be an important and relevant issue in our day-to-day lives. “Theodor” wishes to remain anonymous. He is an active lay leader in the Jewish community of Luxembourg. Tell us a little … Continue Reading
Time Over Money
[This post was originally published October 18, 2009 in PresenTense Magazines' Philanthropy issue. As a part of our continuing discussion on Jewish philanthropy, we are reprinting.] The Elders of Zion had it right - money and Jews go hand in hand. Philanthropy runs through the Jewish world like veins run though our bodies. You can put your multiples of chai towards Jews in plight, gentiles in plight, volunteering in a third world country, your local Jewish Federation, disadvantaged communities in Israel, or strengthening the Jewish voice on Capitol Hill. Limited time and, even more, limited funds are dwarfed by the seemingly unlimited causes vying for our attention. As the economy shrinks, and with it the cash flow in the Jewish world, this question is more poignant than ever. With this in mind, … Continue Reading
Every Little Bit Counts: Microfinancing in the Jewish Tradition
[This post was originally published October 25, 2009 in PresenTense Magazines' Philanthropy issue. As a part of our continuing discussion on Jewish philanthropy, we are reprinting.] by Talia Cottrell Furleiter Maimonides, writing in 12th-century Egypt, could not have imagined the extension of loans beyond the limits of one’s own community and immediate surroundings. Even 25 years ago, if a Jew living in New York wanted to personally help the people living in the poorest reaches of the globe through loans, partnerships, or helping them find jobs, it would have required intense personal and financial commitment and international travel. One who couldn’t make that type of commitment could give money to a larger charitable organization, but he would lose control and knowledge over how the … Continue Reading
Start Playing Around
by Daniel Bloom and Ariel Beery The movie Moneyball sets a scene that could be easily adapted for a gathering of educators in the teacher’s lounge. Around a paper-packed table, older, more experienced individuals are trying to dissuade a new up-and-coming manager that his approach using technology to determine what the right composition of the baseball team was not going to work. “We’ve been doing this a long time,” one of the more wizened coaches told Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt. But Billy pushes back, “You don’t even understand the problem.” What Billy realized is that his experienced advisers were looking at the world as it was yesterday, as opposed to what it could be tomorrow. Experience, in times of rapid change, can bring as many challenges as it brings solutions. New … Continue Reading
Leading by Design: New Lesson Plans
by Maya Bernstein At the core of leadership is the ability to assess a situation, name its challenges, imagine new possibilities, and attempt to implement those imagined new paths. It is necessary for those who care about the future of the Jewish community to apply this approach to our own educational systems. What is and isn’t working in our spaces of Jewish education? How can we educate today’s Jewish children to be excited about Judaism, nourished by it, and use its teachings to contribute meaningfully to society? There has been much recent debate about the best ways to achieve a Jewish day school’s vision: to instill a grounding in Jewish values and a deep sense of Jewish identity, a love of learning and a rigorous overall education, and the imperative to make a positive, mending … Continue Reading
Gender and Leadership
Gender and Leadership: a murky relationship by Charlie Schwartz Gazing back at my job search this past spring, I’m now able to notice the subtle trends and patterns that only time and distance can bring into relief, in particular the lack of women in the highest levels of leadership in the organizations I encountered. Time and time again, I found myself interviewing at organizations where charismatic, visionary men occupy the upper echelons of leadership. As a man who hopes to be a leader and visionary in the Jewish world, the question emerges: How can I address issues of gender inequality in Jewish organizational life? In hindsight, the gender inequality I anecdotally experienced shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Jewish demographers have clearly documented the absence of women from the … Continue Reading
Transferring Leadership: a Multigenerational Enterprise
by Rachel Ain I was 10 years old when my parents took me to the National Mall in Washington, DC, to march for the freedom of Soviet Jewry. I remember feeling connected to the Jewish people as a whole. Walking with my parents, I felt their passion, and it placed in me a personal commitment to “kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh” (“All of Israel is responsible for one another.”) Participating and leading in the Jewish community was something I learned from my parents at a young age. As the Jewish community develops new leaders, funders, professionals, and volunteers, we must examine different ways to transfer knowledge and leadership. The knowledge goes beyond book knowledge. It includes the skills, stories, traditions, and values that come with being Jewish. The following approaches all use a … Continue Reading
Innovation and the Arts
Innovation and the Arts: cultural change agents speak out by Anne Hromadka The Jewish cultural renaissance in North America has led to an explosion of Jewish art initiatives and cultural projects, independent spiritual groups, and alternative educational programs. Since 2008, due in part to the economic downturn, several major Jewish culture initiatives faced serious challenges, evidenced by the closure of JDub Records and the discontinuation of the printed editions of Heeb and Zeek magazines. These changes have shown how Jewish culture initiatives attract funders and the need for increased second-stage or mezzanine funding to help organizations mature past their start-up phases. On August 29th, 2011, a panel of key young Jewish culture professionals participated in a conference call about … Continue Reading
Ethiopian Jewry: Challenges and Journeys
by Alex Kadis How did people decide to pack up everything they own, their families, their entire lives, and walk a hazardous journey of more than 1,000 miles towards Jerusalem? Israel was but a land of myth, flowing with milk and honey. Even though these Ethiopian refugees had never seen it, they knew Jerusalem so well. Their entire lives they had heard the stories that had been passed down for generations, and with those stories came the yearning for “Next Year in Jerusalem.” A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to Ethiopia and see firsthand the origins of Ethiopian-Israeli Jewry. I learned about the strife that they overcame to live in Israel, and the great challenges that lie ahead for their community, and the Jewish community as a whole. I was told incredible stories … Continue Reading
Leadership Rising Up
Leadership Rising Up: visions for the future by Shirlee Harel The young generation in Israel has spoken. For too long, young Israelis returned from their post-army travels with a sense of indifference and complacency. Recent outbursts of public protests around Israel have created an opportunity for a new generation to discover their voice, and many have taken to the challenge. There is a sense of pride and arousal on the streets throughout Israel, with protestors demanding from their leaders social justice and a new approach to leadership. All the faces of Israeli society have joined the protests. However, it is the young generation that has taken the leading role and is recognizing the importance of planning for the future and demanding long-term change. These protests are doing more for the … Continue Reading
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