For Jim Joseph Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy Group, assisting families access Jewish education following Hurricane Sandy is a priority Two foundations, the San Francisco-based Jim Joseph Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy Group have stepped in to aid families impacted by Hurricane Sandy defray some of the costs associated with Jewish education. As Sandy recovery continues to stretch out over months, the financial blow to many families has been significant, forcing many to choose relocation and restoration expenses over continued Jewish education opportunities for their children. To assist these families, Jim Joseph Foundation yesterday announced a $1,000,000 grant to UJA-Federation of New York that will provide additional assistance for educational purposes such as tuition/enrollment … [Read more...]
Jewish Education Importance Not Forgotten Following Hurricane Sandy
Let’s get Serious about Relationship Weaving and Increase the Potential for Communal Change in Family Engagement
by Shellie Dickstein While research today is pointing to the power of social networks and relationships to influence behavior, many of our Jewish educational professionals, including those in the field of early family engagement, have not yet shifted their thinking and approach. … [Read more...]
Innovative App Facilitates Jewish Connections
by Hindy Poupko The New York Jewish community is the largest and most diverse Jewish community in America, boasting an array of programming and events catering to every possible niche in our community. Whether you’re interested in a Jewish comic book night in Brooklyn or joining hundreds of thousands of Jewish to support Israel at the annual Celebrate Israel Parade, we’ve got it. The sheer number and diversity of New York’s Jewish engagement opportunities is, at once, inspiring and overwhelming. … [Read more...]
Funders Exert Positive Influence on Jewish Communal Agenda
by Ramie Arian Looking back at the Jewish landscape of the year just concluded, I am struck by how deeply and positively the Jewish communal agenda has changed. Once motivated mainly by important but dark imperatives - to save Jewish communities in danger and to remember the Holocaust - today’s Jewish agenda is dominated by creativity dedicated to revitalizing American Jewish life. It is remarkable how much of this shift has been shaped by the strategic investments of philanthropists. The just-concluded Weinstein Institute for Staff Training, a four-day seminar sponsored by the National Ramah Commission (NRC), is a case in point. Ramah, the camping arm of Conservative Judaism, has become a remarkably attractive target for philanthropic investment, according to Rabbi Mitchell … [Read more...]
Introducing: The Jewish Day School Collaboration Network
by Maya Bernstein and Rabbi Ed Harwitz In his eJewish Philanthropy post last month, Toward Creativity: A Theological Goal for Jewish Education, Rabbi Daniel Lehmann raises the question of the overarching purpose of Jewish life. He argues, “Judaism calls on the human being, and the Jew in particular, to emulate God’s creative nature and to become a creative being.” He then explains that “if we take this theological proposition as a fundamental goal of Jewish living,” it becomes a “necessary focus of Jewish education.” Meaning, our institutions of Jewish education need to foster and train individuals to achieve the ultimate purpose of Jewish life, in this case, they must help train people to “tap into and unleash individual and communal creativity.” While we are not convinced … [Read more...]
Candy, Content and Competition – Why the UJA-Federation of New York Keeps Breaking Fundraising Records
The New York federation just broke another fundraising record, announcing Tuesday that its Wall Street division had raised $23 million in 2012. How does it do it? eJewish Philanthropy asked the federation’s head of financial resource development Mark Medin. by Haviv Rettig Gur Poker chips stacked neatly on green felt, a line at the open bar that never shrinks, a colorful candy buffet and gourmet corn dogs served by tuxedoed waiters. It’s how the UJA-Federation of New York does business. … [Read more...]
