by Jon Levisohn Jewish service-learning is a hot topic, and rightly so. Funders, policy makers and academics have noticed a groundswell of activism and energy in the Jewish world, especially among young people, and have hopped on board. This has led to an expansion of service-learning opportunities for young Jews. This is a good thing. But what are the goals of service-learning? Service-learning is, obviously, related to service, and dependent on it, but they are not the same thing. The goal of service is to benefit the person or community served. The goal of service-learning is, in addition to the service performed, some kind of learning from the experience. The person who is doing the service ought to undergo some growth or beneficial development. What can we say about that growth? To … Continue Reading
Update: Do You Run a Jewish Organization?
About two months back we posted an article, Do you run a Jewish Organization, in which we noted launch of a new and very timely survey research study, "CEO-Level" Transitioning and Leadership Continuity in Jewish Nonprofits. The initial projections assumed 150-200 total respondents (top level execs) from all fields. When the data collection concluded Dec 31st, a total of 438 execs completed the survey with large numbers from synagogues (100), JCCs (56), Camps (55), Family/Children’s Services (54), Federations (51), Day Schools (37) as well as strong cohort groups from Hillels, national agencies, and advocacy groups, among others. Clearly, the topic and focus has resonated loudly with execs over the age of 55. Full release of the findings is planned for early April and will include … Continue Reading
Do You Run a Jewish Organization?
Within the next 3-5 years there is projected to be a huge and rather ominous transfer of professional leadership at the very top level in virtually all fields of Jewish Communal Service in North America. How are these “CEOs”, (title used generically for executive directors, presidents, EVPs, Heads of Schools, etc.) viewing and proactively planning for their “stepping down” period? How are their boards and organizations anticipating it, as well? That is the focus of a current, timely research project under the auspices of JCSA (Jewish Communal Service Association (JCSA) and funded principally by a partnership of five foundations (Andrea & Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, Avi Chai, Meyerhoff Family Foundation, Pearlstone Family Fund and Schusterman Family Foundation) along with eleven … Continue Reading
2011 Young Professional Award Winners Announced
Sarah Y. Eisenman and Shauna Waltman have been honored with the 2011 Young Professional Award of the Jewish Communal Service Association. The Award, the most prestigious for young professionals in Jewish community service, will be presented during the upcoming Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Denver. Eisenman, Director of Next Generation and Service Initiatives, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and Waltman, Director of UJA’s Community Connect, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, were chosen by a distinguished panel from a large and varied group of candidates nominated by their colleagues from scores of organizations throughout North America. Established in 1972, the Award is given to dedicated young professionals who have demonstrated exemplary service, … Continue Reading
Young Funders: To Innovate or Not to Innovate: That Is the Question
by Erica Schacter Schwartz Is funding innovation economy-sensitive? Does it flourish during good times and wane during an economic downturn? Has the relationship between young funders and innovation been a mere fling that is likely to unravel from the pressures of a new economic reality? Based on conversations with some young funders and professional staff from across the Jewish philanthropic landscape, the answer appears to be “no.” The interest of young funders in innovation seems to be stronger and more long term than a fling. Through collective philanthropic funds, family foundations, and as individual donors, young funders who have pursued innovation during periods of economic growth have continued to pursue innovative projects and organizations during today’s more challenging … Continue Reading
Federations and Foundations Take on Innovating and Sustaining
A Dialogue with Jeffrey Solomon and John Ruskay Interviewed by Noel Rubinton Two years ago in this journal, Jeffrey Solomon, president of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies (ACBP), and John Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, had a dialogue about the relationship between federations and foundations. Both men are veterans of the Jewish scene - Solomon was a top UJA-Federation executive before going to ACBP in 1997; Ruskay worked in a number of organizations before joining UJA-Federation and becoming the top professional in 1999. In this article, Solomon and Ruskay continue their conversation about federations and foundations, this time focusing on their efforts on behalf of both innovation and sustainability. And in an era of heightened attention … Continue Reading
Helping Innovations Survive, Thrive, and Go to Scale
by Aliza Mazor Bikkurim: An Incubator for New Jewish Ideas has been the proud home of 26 innovative start-ups over the past decade. We have served as a laboratory for new ideas, giving them physical space, start-up capital, skills training, coaching, consulting, a peer community, visibility, and more. Our goal has been to nurture the growth of these ideas, help them become effective organizations, and enable them to achieve lasting impact. This article highlights some of what we have learned in the “lab” over the past decade and our understanding of what enables innovators to gain credibility, attract investors, and bring projects to scale. Of the 26 organizations we have helped incubate since our founding, 5 have ceased operations, 9 have created high-quality small or local programs, and … Continue Reading
Funding Innovation: What Will It Take to Grow Impact?
The Journal of Jewish Communal Service has a long, distinguished history. Among their many goals is to be “the journal of record and authority for Jewish communal leaders” that “documents the development of new trends and methodologies…”. They do this extraordinarily well. The current issue is titled, A Tradition of Innovation, and includes essays on the history, funders, values and more as relates to the field of innovation. Following is the first of several articles The Journal is sharing with the eJP community. The index for the issue can be found here. by Adene Sacks The Jewish philanthropic community is engaged in significant discussions about the health of the innovation ecosystem and funders’ ability to grow and support creative enterprise. These discussions are … Continue Reading
Those Who Serve
When there’s an elephant in the room, it takes courage to be the one to call attention to it. This past Tuesday, in a webinar presented by the Jewish Communal Service Association, St. Louis Federation head Barry Rosenberg said it out loud: “I sense a real crisis in Jewish communal service.” He gave several reasons, including the difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified people, and the “dissonance” between Jewish communal workers and amcha, the rank and file of the Jewish people, in relation to peoplehood and Israel. Most surprisingly, he articulated a problem that is usually discussed behind closed doors. “We need to be very clear,” he commented, “that in great measure the conditions, policies, and attitudes under which we work are in the control of our lay leadership, … Continue Reading
Portrait of a Jewish Communal Professional
Study highlights disturbing trends including gender pay inequality and a decline in the commitment to the Jewish collective The comprehensive results of a wide-ranging survey of Jewish communal professionals was released at a seminar concluding the first day of the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). “Jewish Communal Professionals in North American: A Profile” is an unprecedented study of 2,435 Jewish communal professionals surveyed throughout the United States and Canada, and conducted in 2009 and 2010 by The Jewish Communal Service Association (JCSA). Our community has a vast array of communal institutions, whose functions and domains are varied and diverse - encompassing religious life, culture, education, health, social services and community … Continue Reading
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