UPDATES

Just to update you:

~ Our dear friend and great leader, Chicago's Lester Rosenberg (see Post, "Lester"), six months after a devastating auto accident, has returned home where he will continue his therapy as an out-patient. His wonderful friend and professional partner, Chicago's Campaign Director, Beth Cherner, wrote, Lester "...has come back 100% mentally (and was) and inspiration to the staff at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and his visitors." Lester's incredible will, the unbelievable support group that is his family -- especially Norma -- and a great group of doctors, surgeons and therapists, and your prayers, have brought this wonderful news. This week Lester will participate in the Jewish Federation's Board Meeting by phone.

~ In case you missed it, the Wall Street Journal this past Saturday plastered the front page with a monumental story on the relocation of 60 Yemeni Jews to Monsey, New York and environs. $750,000 of federation money allegedly was raised (and spent?) on this stupefying effort. Why "stupefying?" Read the article and think about it; or read the UJC:The Federations of North America Leadership Briefing" on the subject. And, remember, this effort began with no consultation with JAFI (or JDC) and without any governance process. Glad the 60 are here; hope the story didn't jeopardize the remnant Jewish community in Yemen. As one of the leaders I most respect wrote: "This is what we work for??!!"

~ The great thought leader, the brilliant and irascible Michael Steinhardt spoke at a Birthright Conference last week. He excoriated his audience in some impromptu remarks for their laissez-faire approach to Jewish organizational life and closed with the following admonition: "(Be) nice and polite and get nowhere." Yet, as Michael knows, that's exactly where Jewish organizational leaders want their flock to be -- "nice and polite."

Rwexler