- Solidarity Missions. As we have written, Solidarity Missions have been part of the Continental communal response at times like these wherever Jewish lives have been at risk. At the beginning of the Terrorists' War CEO Silverman was with the Campaign Chairs/Directors Mission in Greece (??!!) and when he arrived in Israel he quickly began to report on his experiences and joined the first JFNA Solidarity Mission in the South where he embarrassed us all with his creation of the "circle of the15 second club." That Solidarity Mission was so small that it was joined by select members of the Campaign Chairs. Steven Donshik is a long-time very respected senior communal professional holding a number of positions with New York UJA-Federation before his retirement. His insights are always well thought-through as was his recent commentary in e-jewishphilanthropy on the Diaspora response to this crisis:
Sending
“solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to
demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response.
Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however,
such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and
appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group
of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that
were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a
tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What
message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli
politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership
group met during their few days in the country?
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.6AJPijqn.dpuf
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.6AJPijqn.dpuf
- "Sending “solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response. Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however, such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership group met during their few days in the country?
- Steve continued: "I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis." ...What Steve Donshik was referencing was the reality that with institutional memory obliterated, this is one result. It's a sad reality that there is no one on the FRD professional staff or in the office of the CEO at JFNA who knows what the hell he or she is doing under these critical circumstances (or very many others either).
- And then there is the FRD attendant to the crisis. One would think from the chaotic manner in which JFNA is parsing out information on fund-raising "goals" (while not calling them that) piecemeal -- first $10 million (without explanation as to how this figure was arrived at) then an additional $20 million (with no explanation as to how that figure was arrived at other than to advise the federations that the first $10 million was only a two-week goal, explained after two weeks had passed) and just what ultimately? And, as one observer wrote me in disgust, the purposes for which the funds are being allocated "are contrived" -- i.e., with JNF already committing $3.5 million to the construction of shelters, just where will JFNA allocations deploy our dollars for the same purposes? Or were the 25 staff members of JFNA-Israel out looking for sites? Does War mean, for the first time, that our partners are not being asked for budgets that a real Federation Committee could quickly vet and establish a "campaign goal?" Here are some of the shameful results of the lack of direction coming from our Continental organization:
- Communities were given a fund raising number based on a $10 million "goal" but without any JFNA instructions that might have aided them in reaching out to donors -- one community with a $315,000 goal quickly raised $356,000; now it will have to go back to its donors; another, as we have written, with a totally inexperienced CEO (but with plenty of national leadership who should have known better) convened its major donors to raise $250,000 against the $10,000,000...now what?
- Other federations have not only allocated (with some advancing large dollars against a campaign to come) toward the $10,000,000 but have also allocated and transmitted additional large amounts directly to beneficiaries in Israel. Again, our continental chachams have offered no guidance or discipline.
- Here is what has been offered -- as you will read, Silverman/JFNA offers no specificity (other than the two hospitals in the South) whatsoever: "Following are suggested areas of focus where the Federation system can bring relevant expertise and resources, working with established and new partners on the ground. More detailed information will be forthcoming very shortly on these categories, or possibly others, based on the research.1. Ongoing trauma counseling - the trauma experienced by very large segments of the Israeli population touches the entire State but is most intensively felt by those in the south. There are tens of thousands living in daily terror, and many will need extensive assistance in returning to their lives when a cease fire occurs.2. Strengthening local communities - Israel has made enormous strides in reinforcing the home front as evidenced in the extraordinary resiliency of the southern cities. The breadth of communities now in range of more frequent rocket attacks and the intensity of attacks have grown. More communities now need such strengthening, which could include upgrading of shelters, portable shelters, situation rooms, communications equipment, etc.3. Investing in volunteer frameworks that strengthen the resiliency of communities - throughout the South thousands of volunteers - youth, university students, and other young adults are bolstering the work of local communities and NGOs. This has become a widely recognized and critically important facet of Israel's civic response to the war.4. Respite for frontline professionals and volunteers - there are thousands of people - municipal workers, health care and social service workers, and volunteers, many of them traumatized themselves, who are working round the clock for weeks. After the war concludes these individuals will need assistance.5. Emergency preparedness - planning and training for front-line responders.6. Emergency health care - two hospitals in the south - Barzilai in Ashkelon, and Soroka in Beersheva - have borne the brunt of responding to those injured or severely traumatized by the war. These hospitals also care for the most seriously wounded soldiers.
What we are seeing, at a time that cries out for leadership, is anti-leadership. What is needed, what will be needed, will be far, far more than $30,000,000. There is no national initiative -- just reporting, and, to these old eyes, it appears that our partners have been muzzled -- that JFNA has demanded that neither JAFI, nor the JDC nor World ORT is any longer able to communicate directly to us about its work on the ground. All information must be funneled through the prism of JFNA for distribution -- for otherwise JFNA would be doing nothing.. I hope that I am wrong; but I think I am not.
Friends, it's a mess. At the worst possible time. But, then again, it's JFNA after all...and it's chaos and it's shameful.
Rwexler
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.FkPgJ6Se.dpufSending
“solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to
demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response.
Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however,
such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and
appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group
of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that
were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a
tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What
message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli
politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership
group met during their few days in the country?
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/#sthash.tW8oOs6L.dpuf
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/#sthash.tW8oOs6L.dpuf
Sending
“solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to
demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response.
Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however,
such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and
appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group
of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that
were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a
tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What
message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli
politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership
group met during their few days in the country?
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.zu88rStw.dpuf
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.zu88rStw.dpuf
Sending
“solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to
demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response.
Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however,
such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and
appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group
of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that
were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a
tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What
message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli
politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership
group met during their few days in the country?
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.6AJPijqn.dpuf
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.6AJPijqn.dpuf
Sending
“solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to
demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response.
Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however,
such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and
appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group
of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that
were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a
tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What
message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli
politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership
group met during their few days in the country?
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.EalkhdmV.dpuf
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.EalkhdmV.dpuf
Sending
“solidarity missions” – groups of community leaders who want to
demonstrate their support – to Israel is almost a knee-jerk response.
Yes, this is an important sign of identification with Israel; however,
such missions must be organized and implemented in a respectful and
appropriate way. In the week following the incursion into Gaza, a group
of American Jewish leaders arrived in Israel and toured the areas that
were under missile attack. One key leader was described as wearing a
tee-shirt and shorts much like a tourist on vacation would wear. What
message did this give both to the Israeli public and to the Israeli
politicians, military leaders, and opinion makers that the leadership
group met during their few days in the country?
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.EalkhdmV.dpuf
I would speculate that this person would not have worn the same attire when making a site visit to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina or to New York after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. There is a strong lack of respect evident in the way that some North American Jews rally to support Israel. Coming to the country is not in and of itself sufficient: there has to be a modicum of respect when coming to show solidarity and meet with influential Israelis.
In addition, there is always an expectation among the participants in these solidarity delegations that they will have access to the higher echelon of political and military leaders. Interesting, no? The country is in the middle of a war, and yet people who come from abroad in a desire to support the country still expect to meet with its leaders – those deeply involved in a crisis situation and making life-and-death decisions.
- See more at: http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/israel-war-and-the-diaspora/?utm_source=Thurs+July+24&utm_campaign=Thurs+July+24&utm_medium=email#sthash.EalkhdmV.dpuf
Posts
6 comments:
It is clear that JFNA is so in love with itself that the marketing forces which have taken total control believe that they can transmit the message of need with Jerry Silverman's daily recap of activities (there's more emotion in the letters we receive from our Israeli family and friends) -- which could be transmitted by every and any Israeli-based organization.
Our People are under assault and in pain andc we are not responding as we have time and again.
What does this JFNA do? Send a request for money and then just wait for it to come in so that it can dole it out and take credit? Where is the engagement, the passion. Where is the understanding that our People are under siege while our organization "allocates?"
No, they do more...they coin phrases like "Stop the Sirens" and they create "clubs" as in "The Circle of the 15 Second Club" and they provide "Updates" of what others are doing -- that's what passes for doing something when your organization is bankrupt.
Why is JAFI even in the crisis response business? Why would we think the current needs in Israel are needs that our historic partners should meet? Maybe it's time we think about needs/people first and not focus on JAFI/JDC/ORT?
I had thought that JAFI has historically been a First Responder in all Israeli crises pre-State, State and today. If there are agencies which may do the crisis response better, they should be funded -- which would you suggest?
I would hope that in all things we all think of "needs/people first."
You have misread the $10 million - $30 million -- these are not "goals," they are, in the written words of the Board Chair, than "targets." Apparently, if you miss, so what! No cojones.
Post a Comment