INSIGHT ON PRIORITIES

One correspondent, an astute observer of all things federation and the impact that JFNA could and should have on our system, but who must remain Anonymous because of his/her continuing engagement with both federation and the national organization, wrote in response to Priorities:


"The disconnect between the leaders of JFNA and the federations is due in large part to the fact that most of the leaders, both professional (not just the new CEO but in many of the senior positions) and lay have little experience with the communities and people in Large Cities, Large Intermediate cities and even Intermediate cities that comprise the vast majority of the North American Jewish population. Unfortunately, these very cities (I am speaking about the federations that have a good track record, a history of leadership, and quality professional leadership) have chosen to focus on their own priorities and let JFNA with its leadership void of this history and experience 'run with this ball.' This situation will not change until there is a leadership back in place that can bring the federation priorities and JFNA priorities back in sync."


I agree with much of the above. Jerry Silverman has learned from his federation visits, but even as quick a study as he is can only learn so much in a short time. And history has proven that great lay leaders can emerge form Small Cities and terrible ones from among the largest. But,. where the critical components of leadership -- which include the ability to listen, to inspire, consensus building and the experience to accomplish these, among others are missing, the organization -- whether it be a federation, a JCC or a national organization, it makes no difference -- suffers terribly.

Better minds than mine must start thinking about how to change the JFNA leadership cycle and they must do so now. Rather than more of the "Lunches with a Legend," our system needs to find a way to engage the "Legends" themselves for the long term. And it is Jerry who must do the "engaging." We need a national organization that will be taken seriously; and to get to that place we need leaders who are themselves taken seriously, engaged with serious priorities, who know and understand JFNA's owners, the federations...and we need to engage on this and with them immediately.

So, where are we today? Closer to where we need to be? Or farther away?

Rwexler