Wednesday, October 28, 2015

THE FINE ART OF HYPERBOLE

Even seemingly great news from JFNA always appears to be infused with hyperbolic overstatement -- unnecessary hyperbolic overstatement. Thus, last year the organization announced a multi-million dollar Holocaust Survivor Initiative. Clearly, this was an Initiative driven by the often remarkable federal grants work of William Daroff, the leader of JFNA-Washington, who also staffs the effort. On October 1, JFNA announced success:

"The National Holocaust Survivor Initiative (NHSI), spearheaded by renowned philanthropist Mark Wilf and co-chair Todd Morgan from Los Angeles, links support from Federations, foundations, private citizens, and federal, state and local governments to help aging Holocaust survivors live their final years with dignity and security in the comfort of their communities. To date Federations have raised $22 million for NHSI."
Then you look at the realities. JFNA needs to raise millions to match a $12,000,000 federal grant that will be meted out at a meagre rate of $2,500.000 per year. The Survivor community worldwide is facing the end of days and those in the United States so many of whom are living below any standard are being offered...well, not very much. And, that $2.5 million per year: "...pending the availability of federal funds." If those fed funds are available, they need be matched to total $4.1 million (I don't get the match math either)...or $4.1 million total for Holocaust Survivors nationwide. It is better than nothing.

The Initiative is potentially a terrific effort; JFNA's FRD for it mainly hyperbole and bloviation -- federations doing the heavy lifting, JFNA's pursuit of individual contributions beyond those from the Wilf Family's own generosity...not so much.   JFNA, ostensibly a fund raising entity, has convinced itself that grants from the federal and state government and the Claims Conference, and federations constitute financial resource development...and, even then, the stated FRD goal of the National Holocaust Survivor Initiative of $45,000,000 is nowhere near achievement. This doesn't stop JFNA from heralding that "[T]o date Federations have raised $22 million..." 

Yes, JFNA our leader in hyperbole and bloviation even when doing good.

It just can't help itself anymore.

Rwexler

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

They hired a full time consultant -- a former LCE --- on this. What was he doing?

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for jerry's speech at this year's GA.what problems will the system be taking on??......ISIS? World hunger? Universal preK? Should be entertaining. Help!

Anonymous said...

The consultant came to our community. Not helpful.

Anonymous said...

Can you let the rest of us know just whom this "consultant" is?

Anonymous said...

MetroWesf's Max Kleinman. Are the rumors true about the Exec in LA?

Anonymous said...

I would welcome a rumor that LA's CEO is leaving there and taking over as JFNA CEO/President

Anonymous said...

Trust me - the LA Exec has no clue - he is as bad as the JFNA Exec.

Anonymous said...

OMG - please no!

RWEX said...

This Post was not about the CEO of the JFLGA; and neither should Anonymous Commentators build rumor upon rumor. From what I have observed first hand, Jay Sanderson has done and is doing an exemplary job of effecting change in partnership with the community's lay leadership within a difficult environment. Let's move back to the subject of this Post if we can.

Anonymous said...

Since someone mentioned Jerry's speech at the upcoming GA, I have always wondered how he insists on accountability and measured outcomes from his staff, yet when it comes to evaluating his performance, there don't appear to be any metrics.
Then again, maybe it isn't Jerry, but instead the search committee initially, and now the compensation committee who should be asked those questions

Anonymous said...

You do understand, don't you, that in hiring Kleinman Silverman is telling the Large City Executives "don't worry, if after your service you need a son landing I'LL working something out for you here at JFNA." This is Silverman's supposed safety net. It has nothing to do with JFNA. This has nothing to do with JFNA; this has nothing to do with the federations; this is all about "protecting Jerry." Like most things Silverman who has confused helping himself with helping JFNA. It stinks.

RWEX said...

These last two Comments are welcome and very insightful. Had there been or if there were metrics to measure Jerry Silverman's "performance," as CEO does anyone believe that he would still have a job?

A business -- even a non-profit -- must build a great staff to become a great company, a great non-profit. A great business, a great company is not built with the engagement of consultants. Ultimately, consultants contribute nothing to an organization's continuity or strength. In the case of JFNA, they are either order takers or placebos.

Anonymous said...

The level of vitriol and lashon hara in your blog comments is appalling. Richard -- YOU bear responsibility for what you publish and allow to print. To allow an attack on Max, one of the finest Execs in the system, is frankly a sign that your blog is irresponsible and a disgrace. Shame on you.

Anonymous said...

I guess to some who use any excuse to accuse you of "vitriol and lashon hara," the mere mention of, for example, a friend like Max is "irresponsible and a disgrace." What's irresponsible and a disgrace is a Comment that so twists what has been written here. Any fair reading will not find an "attack" on Max anywhere in your Post or in the Comments to it.

Anonymous said...

I didn't accuse Richard of vitriol and lashon hara. I accused him of allowing it to happen. Read what I wrote.

Blog writers bear responsibility for the comments on their blog.

Would you say that Amazon, Facebook, YouTube et al are blameless if offensive comments appear in comments on their sites? No, you would not. You would say that the site bears responsibility for editing content.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree, Richard. I am a strong supporter of your blog and what you are trying to achieve. But permitting attacks on long-serving individuals like Max are not reflecting well on your blog.

Paul Jeser said...

Comments about anyone, pro or lay, are appropriate as long as they are not anonymous

Anonymous said...

Richard, you and your commentators would do well to heed the advice of Thumper, in "Bambi." If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.

RWEX said...

Great!! Haven't had a good quote from "Bambi" before. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

No they're not, Paul. Vile and evil comments aren't appropriate