Comments for eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource http://ejewishphilanthropy.com Connect. Educate. Innovate. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:40:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Belief and Bewilderment by Rabbi Avi Winokur http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/belief-and-bewilderment/comment-page-1/#comment-105557 Rabbi Avi Winokur Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:40:55 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=39818#comment-105557 Knowing Suzanne Stone's affinity for Robert Cover's Nomos & Narrative I can't help hearing its echoes here with respect to analyzing the influence of Americanism on Judaism in America. Extending Cover to Israel: The original Ashkenazic israeli narrative was more sympatico American Judaism, deeply rooted as it was in the Enlightenment, but it has been overtaken by a new Middle Eastern based narrative much less friendly to liberalism (in the broadest sense not in the partisan political sense), and therefore more alien to non-Orthodox American Judaism and non-Orthodox American Jews. Knowing Suzanne Stone’s affinity for Robert Cover’s Nomos & Narrative I can’t help hearing its echoes here with respect to analyzing the influence of Americanism on Judaism in America. Extending Cover to Israel: The original Ashkenazic israeli narrative was more sympatico American Judaism, deeply rooted as it was in the Enlightenment, but it has been overtaken by a new Middle Eastern based narrative much less friendly to liberalism (in the broadest sense not in the partisan political sense), and therefore more alien to non-Orthodox American Judaism and non-Orthodox American Jews.

]]> Comment on Jubuntu: Innovation Comes to South Africa by Barry Barkan http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/jubuntu-innovation-comes-to-south-africa/comment-page-1/#comment-105555 Barry Barkan Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:32:56 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40170#comment-105555 Thank you Michalya for your wise and powerful insights. Love and blessings, barry Thank you Michalya for your wise and powerful insights. Love and blessings, barry

]]> Comment on Defending the Jewish Agency: A Conundrum by Beth Steinberg http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/defending-the-jewish-agency-a-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-105554 Beth Steinberg Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:28:28 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40006#comment-105554 Good article Dan. I did wonder at the rancor in the Haaretz article - as usual it detracted from the story. As well, it makes me think of the writings of Dan Palotta who's book Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential talks about these such matters - that is, paying NPO people what they'd make in the corporate world and expecting success. Now, whether or not JAFI should continue to pay as if they're successful is another story but it's what people on that level are paid. Of course, as the co-founder of a small NPO here, just a bit of funding from JDC and JAFI would mean that Shutaf could provide more necessary services for kids and teens with special needs - but that's another story. Sigh. Good article Dan. I did wonder at the rancor in the Haaretz article – as usual it detracted from the story. As well, it makes me think of the writings of Dan Palotta who’s book Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential talks about these such matters – that is, paying NPO people what they’d make in the corporate world and expecting success. Now, whether or not JAFI should continue to pay as if they’re successful is another story but it’s what people on that level are paid. Of course, as the co-founder of a small NPO here, just a bit of funding from JDC and JAFI would mean that Shutaf could provide more necessary services for kids and teens with special needs – but that’s another story. Sigh.

]]> Comment on View from the Inside: Building Today’s URJ by David Bravo http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/view-from-the-inside-building-todays-urj/comment-page-1/#comment-105553 David Bravo Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:18:18 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=39953#comment-105553 "There may be no female rabbis in leadership roles currently, but this is not an organization that denies or ignores the critical role women can, should, and do have as leaders in our beloved Movement." The above is a quote from the writers of this piece and that is and was the point of Rabbi Bravo's original piece, that there are NO Female Rabbi's at the top level of the URJ leadership in 2012 and nor has there been before with the original "old boys club". No one is diminishing the roles that these two women play in what they do at the URJ or other women in senior position at facebook or other organizations BUT if the URJ is to quote them " not an organization that that denies or ignores the critical role woman,should, and have as leaders in our beloved movement" then why after all these years are there still no woman Rabbi's at the top levels of the movement . I feel this article is trying to steer us away from the real problem that exists and was just written for PR sake and not to really address the real problem and inequality that exists in the URJ today. “There may be no female rabbis in leadership roles currently, but this is not an organization that denies or ignores the critical role women can, should, and do have as leaders in our beloved Movement.”
The above is a quote from the writers of this piece and that is and was the point of Rabbi Bravo’s original piece, that there are NO Female Rabbi’s at the top level of the URJ leadership in 2012 and nor has there been before with the original “old boys club”.
No one is diminishing the roles that these two women play in what they do at the URJ or other women in senior position at facebook or other organizations BUT if the URJ is to quote them ” not an organization that that denies or ignores the critical role woman,should, and have as leaders in our beloved movement” then why after all these years are there still no woman Rabbi’s at the top levels of the movement . I feel this article is trying to steer us away from the real problem that exists and was just written for PR sake and not to really address the real problem and inequality that exists in the URJ today.

]]> Comment on Implementing a Strategic Plan by Kirsten’s Fundraising Headlines – February 21, 2012 | Growing Your Donors http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/implementing-a-strategic-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-105552 Kirsten’s Fundraising Headlines – February 21, 2012 | Growing Your Donors Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:58:25 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=39896#comment-105552 [...] a Strategic Plan | http://ow.ly/99kPs eJewish [...] [...] a Strategic Plan | http://ow.ly/99kPs eJewish [...]

]]> Comment on Defending the Jewish Agency: A Conundrum by Israel http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/defending-the-jewish-agency-a-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-105551 Israel Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:23:18 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40006#comment-105551 1. Your argument that the salary is according to the market, and according to the people who manage ("Good People"), is right in a BUSINESS MARKET - not in Non-Profit organization or under government salaries. The highest government salary in Israel is the head of Supreme Court in Israel 61,000 shekel a month (or 16,000$ , 192,000$ a year) before Tax. I'm sure that salaries like that is a "Joke" in US or UK standard, where they cost of living is high. But they are high and enough to attract good people in Israel - especially in a NON-PROFIT organization. 2. According to you, 25% of Jewish agency workers terminated, and no project was canceled. Well let me tell you a secret: most of the people who stayed got the work of the worker that was fired. In some cases people got the work of more the one - simply because they were the last person left in the unit… where's there few people, work is slow and the product is low. So, saying no "project" was canceled - is right, but it producing less… 3. Some of the fired workers returned to JAFI from the "back door" , and now they are earning more than 2-3 times the salary they got as workers - that raise the question if the board of governors want to see bottom line cancelation of jobs , or really what was the money saving from that process. 4. Nobody talks about the PERSONAL CONTRACTS with low and medium level managers: there are getting a fat salary, with no connection to the real world In Israel or in the Jewish agency. Most of the salary expenses are there. The pyramid is now starting to shift: there are more managers per workers at JAFI, most of them on personal contract and benefits - that costs this organization million. 5. Nepotism: some of the high and medium level managers are " friend of-" or "relative of" - with no real talent .if you want really functioning organization - start by cleaning there. 6. Last thing: The focus of the Jewish agency is now abroad, and its fine. You the people who contribute, You deserve to spend the money as you wish… But you must understand that Israelis see that Jewish agency as a corrupt dinosaur. When organization is spending a lot of money on salaries and projects that not effect an OLD Israeli - the sympathy is going to founds that give something to the old and weak in this country. Found like "Hakern Le'Yedidot" (ifcj.org) - where the Christians are doing more to Israelis than Jewish Agency... 1. Your argument that the salary is according to the market, and according to the people who manage (“Good People”), is right in a BUSINESS MARKET – not in Non-Profit organization or under government salaries.
The highest government salary in Israel is the head of Supreme Court in Israel 61,000 shekel a month (or 16,000$ , 192,000$ a year) before Tax.
I’m sure that salaries like that is a “Joke” in US or UK standard, where they cost of living is high.
But they are high and enough to attract good people in Israel – especially in a NON-PROFIT organization.
2. According to you, 25% of Jewish agency workers terminated, and no project was canceled. Well let me tell you a secret: most of the people who stayed got the work of the worker that was fired. In some cases people got the work of more the one – simply because they were the last person left in the unit… where’s there few people, work is slow and the product is low. So, saying no “project” was canceled – is right, but it producing less…
3. Some of the fired workers returned to JAFI from the “back door” , and now they are earning more than 2-3 times the salary they got as workers – that raise the question if the board of governors want to see bottom line cancelation of jobs , or really what was the money saving from that process.
4. Nobody talks about the PERSONAL CONTRACTS with low and medium level managers: there are getting a fat salary, with no connection to the real world In Israel or in the Jewish agency. Most of the salary expenses are there.
The pyramid is now starting to shift: there are more managers per workers at JAFI, most of them on personal contract and benefits – that costs this organization million.
5. Nepotism: some of the high and medium level managers are ” friend of-” or “relative of” – with no real talent .if you want really functioning organization – start by cleaning there.
6. Last thing: The focus of the Jewish agency is now abroad, and its fine.
You the people who contribute, You deserve to spend the money as you wish…
But you must understand that Israelis see that Jewish agency as a corrupt dinosaur. When organization is spending a lot of money on salaries and projects that not effect an OLD Israeli – the sympathy is going to founds that give something to the old and weak in this country. Found like “Hakern Le’Yedidot” (ifcj.org) – where the Christians are doing more to Israelis than Jewish Agency…

]]> Comment on Defending the Jewish Agency: A Conundrum by Howard W http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/defending-the-jewish-agency-a-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-105549 Howard W Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:10:22 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40006#comment-105549 Facts are not simply facts; they need to be seen in context. If I pay an employee $10,000 and get nothing in return am I better off paying someone $100,000 to get something? Since almost all of these charitable organizations provide some service and do not make the proverbial widgets their outcomes are highly dependent on the quality of their staff. Even metrics can be misleading as quantity and quality are not equal. Sadly, we somehow expect Jewish professionals to take a haircut when working for the Community. Shame on us! How do you expect anyone to want to work for an ungrateful community that knows only what things cost, not what value they have. Facts are not simply facts; they need to be seen in context. If I pay an employee $10,000 and get nothing in return am I better off paying someone $100,000 to get something? Since almost all of these charitable organizations provide some service and do not make the proverbial widgets their outcomes are highly dependent on the quality of their staff. Even metrics can be misleading as quantity and quality are not equal. Sadly, we somehow expect Jewish professionals to take a haircut when working for the Community. Shame on us! How do you expect anyone to want to work for an ungrateful community that knows only what things cost, not what value they have.

]]> Comment on Defending the Jewish Agency: A Conundrum by arnie draiman http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/defending-the-jewish-agency-a-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-105548 arnie draiman Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:32:03 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40006#comment-105548 ben, i tried to find both heritage house and young jewish conservatives in guidestar israel, guidestar usa and israeltoremet, but i couldn't. do you have a non-profit registration number for each of them? otherwise, hard to know much about them..... thanks. arnie ben,

i tried to find both heritage house and young jewish conservatives in guidestar israel, guidestar usa and israeltoremet, but i couldn’t. do you have a non-profit registration number for each of them? otherwise, hard to know much about them….. thanks.

arnie

]]> Comment on Defending the Jewish Agency: A Conundrum by Ben Packer http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/defending-the-jewish-agency-a-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-105547 Ben Packer Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:42:56 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40006#comment-105547 It seems to me that in this day and age, its best to go with small efficient charities that concentrate on their missions through specific and easily-indentifiable methods and programs. Great examples would be the Heritage House in the Old City (www.heritage.org.il) and Young Jewish Conservatives (https://sites.google.com/site/yjconservatives/) - support their great work! Get the best bang for your buck and make a difference today!! It seems to me that in this day and age, its best to go with small efficient charities that concentrate on their missions through specific and easily-indentifiable methods and programs. Great examples would be the Heritage House in the Old City (www.heritage.org.il) and Young Jewish Conservatives (https://sites.google.com/site/yjconservatives/) – support their great work! Get the best bang for your buck and make a difference today!!

]]> Comment on Defending the Jewish Agency: A Conundrum by Natan Golan http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/defending-the-jewish-agency-a-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-105546 Natan Golan Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:30:26 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=40006#comment-105546 Kudos to Dan for placing the "issues" in context and, more important, in proportion. Yes, the Agency still has some fault-lines, yet they do earnestly try to put things right. It seems that no matter how hard they try to make amends, somehow, they always get caught out and blasted disproportionately. The sad truth is that this only serves as a smokescreen on the outstanding work they do on behalf of the Jewish people - all over the world. Indeed, their diligence and determination to help the Jewish nation in places where the Israeli government are not too involved, is a lasting tribute to them. It's okay to point out deficiencies and for the Agency to respond by repairing what needs to be repaired, but, for heavens sakes, let it not distract us from the real issues and from the honest work performed daily by thousands of caring employees at the Agency. Aft all, they are doing what they do - for all of us. Kudos to Dan for placing the “issues” in context and, more important, in proportion. Yes, the Agency still has some fault-lines, yet they do earnestly try to put things right. It seems that no matter how hard they try to make amends, somehow, they always get caught out and blasted disproportionately. The sad truth is that this only serves as a smokescreen on the outstanding work they do on behalf of the Jewish people – all over the world. Indeed, their diligence and determination to help the Jewish nation in places where the Israeli government are not too involved, is a lasting tribute to them. It’s okay to point out deficiencies and for the Agency to respond by repairing what needs to be repaired, but, for heavens sakes, let it not distract us from the real issues and from the honest work performed daily by thousands of caring employees at the Agency. Aft all, they are doing what they do – for all of us.

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