- Something Excellent. In response to the critical needs facing the Houston Jewish community, JFNA "facilitated" a $300,000 grant from the Jim Joseph and Avi Chai Foundations to support the educational needs of families devastated by the flooding. Kal ha'kavod.
- Corruption and Fiduciary Responsibility: The Forward in an excellent follow-up article authored by reporter Josh Nathan-Kazis on September 30 on the mismanagement and corruption at New York's FEGS-Health and Human Services. Nathan-Kazis' research revealed that while FEGS, an agency affiliated with and supported by the UJA-Federation of New York, was on the cusp of bankruptcy, it was paying huge bonuses to, among others, its soon to be terminated Executive Vice-President of $92,000. Nowhere in the article does one read whether anyone on the Board of FEGS ever asked the question: "Why?" Fiduciary responsibility had literally disappeared...not just with regard to these payouts but with regard to the steady buildup of huge debt. Friends, this is exactly what happens when non-profit or for profit Boards surrender their obligations and responsibilities. You know...like at JFNA.
- BDS: As was predicted on these pages shortly after it was announced that Sheldon Adelson and Haim Saban would joint venture a massive anti-BDS on campus effort, their "partnership" has collapsed, Saban has withdrawn. Adelson will throw his tens of millions at an effort that many fear will be tinged with his political slant risking turning off 1000s of Jewish students in the "process." The organized (I use the term loosely...very loosely) Jewish community is nowhere to be founded except in the feeble unfunded work of the otherwise excellent Israel Action Network and the unfocused approach of campus Hillels. Woe is us.
- Washington Hilton: To spike attendance at the sad GA this year, JFNA has tried the "train is leaving the station" trick -- that is to say, a flier that space at the Washington Hilton is running out. Of course we all know that in D.C. you could easily find better and cheaper accommodations...JFNA in its prior iterations of the Washington D.C. venue has even found a few of them for you, in fact. BTW, the day of the scare tactic, I went to the Washington Hilton website and found 8 different room types available but, admittedly, JFNA's consultants negotiated good reductions on rates for the
closetsrooms. Renee, did this scare tactic work for Aipac? - Winner Gets 1, Loser Gets 2: You are very fortunate if you are among those learning of the GA lottery for the first time. If so, your entry was due on October 14. You could have won a brand new I-Pad Pro. Guess that's JFNA's way to "Think Forward." Of course you would have had to agree to abide by the 5 pages of "rules" -- boilerplate clearly adopted from a contest for something else. The last time the chachams at JFNA tried this "inducement" it was for either "#-ish" or "Community Heroes" or maybe it was a deal for Dockers.
Yeah, Updates...bad.
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The organized Jewish community is "nowhere to be found" on the BDS issue because, truthfully, it's a non-issue. And the attempts of a small number of unrepresentative scaremongers to turn it into another battlefield notwithstanding, we should be thankful that we have a minimal representation -- but anything more significant would be a waste of time, energy and resources. Read the excellent Forward editorial on this subject: http://forward.com/opinion/editorial/309821/how-sheldon-adelson-could-really-fight-bds/
Someone should ask where was the Houston Jewish community in all this debacle. Why could the community not raise funds for itself?
The 8:29 a.m. Comment must have been written by either someone who works at JFNA but doesn't realize it works for us, the federations, be they Houston or any other; or by someone whose community has never suffered a disaster. In any event it was certainly written by a person who doesn't comprehend how much money the Houston Federation raised in response to the continuing disaster it has confronted. Shame on you whoever you are.
The then CEO of UJA NY set the tone for abandoning fiduciary responsibility at ALL their beneficiary agencies. By the time Met Council blew up, things were way to gone at FEGS relative to oversight (more correctly, lack of).
Here I am, 8:29, not at JFNA but living in a community that was hit very hard, thanks very much.
So here's my question to you, 9:11: how many Jews live in Houston? And how much money did they raise for their emergency campaign? Then compare and contrast.
How much DID Houston raise?
Friends, I have rejected another Anonymous Comment from one who believes that he/she can just send a Comment without basis in fact -- this time having failed to read my post on "...Potential Chaos" before sending on his/her screed. I'm sure this person can do better...then, again, probably not.
To 8:29 and others who think Houston should have helped itself first before we took collective responsibility based on the size of the Jewish community, what is the amount per capita that a community has to absorb before we act collectively? How about NY and the Northeast after Hurricane Sandy? How much should they have raised? How much time do we give to a community to raise their per capita share before we act? What about the vulnerable in Israel? Are they fully the responsibility of the less vulnerable based on the number of Jews in the country? How about in your own community? Should the community be raising funds for the day school since public education is available at no cost. How about Jewish nursing homes? After all for-profit nursing homes don't require funds from the community? By your logic (which is illogical) there is no need for a federation or for a national organization that takes collective responsibility for those in need. I know the Houston Jewish community quite well and you should know that when there has never been a time when they aren't among the first communities to step up to act collectively. Look at the response to Katrina for just one example.
I want to thank the most recent Commentator for his/her excellent response with regard to one of the Continent's most responsible and responsive federations.
8:29 here one more time (and then I promise to shut up). I didn't posit that Houston should help itself first. I just happen to have heard from more than one source that Houston's fundraising efforts inside the community were a pale reflection of what was needed, and what was later pitched to the system.
So ... let me repeat the question: how much did they raise (because it's not what you think), and how many Jews live there? Do the math.
That will be the last Comment on Houston on this subject. I am satisfied that the Anonymous Comment above at 11:18 should have been the last word. (Why do I have the sense that the Anonymous critics of a great Federation are housed within JFNA?)
On another matter, I won't be printing any Comments that attempt to tell me what I wrote and what I meant -- especially from someone cloaked in Anonymity.
Anon 8:27 has no clue. And basing his misinformed opinion on an article in the DAILY FORWARD is laughable to say the least. Sounds like s/he may even be a JStreeter.
The organized community is certainly involved in fighting this most distructive attack on Israel. Much of the foundation of the effort set up by Sheldon Adelson comes from the organized community. ADL, AJC, Hillel and the JNF are certainly part of the organized community and they are fighting the BDS attack.
This absurd post reinforces my belief that if people had to attach their names to what they post we would see much less narishkite
"Sounds like s/he may even be a JStreeter" ... is despicable. Is this how you attack everyone else in L.A.?
The BDS attack is nonsense. It barely exists, and it's being used as a Republican litmus test.
Why does every Paul Jeser comment make me wish he stayed anonymous? You don't get points for clownishness.
If people had to attach their names to what they post they'd be attacked by Paul Jeser ad nauseum.
Anon at 8:27 here (and thanks, chevre, for the support these past few minutes but I can defend myself).
I do have a clue. I don't just base my comments on the Forward article (by the way, it's not a daily anymore) - I was giving an accessible example, not an exhaustive review.
The reason I'm anonymous is because Richard defends free speech. Unlike you. I'm grateful to him and his blog for encouraging free debate and discussion. Shame on you for immediately jumping to the attack. If we met, I'm sure you'd accuse me of being a traitor and hater of Israel for daring to question your views. I've seen you do it to people I respect and admire (even when I don't agree with them). You should be ashamed of yourself. But I know you're not.
OK, we know where Paul Jeser and those who responded to Paul stand. That's enough from Paul and those who have expressed themselves with regard to Paul's most recent bromide to go to your corners for the night. Period.
By the way, the Forward is daily on line.
How does the GA get scheduled at the same time as the URJ Biennial? Did the brain trust in NYC not bother to check a calendar? Attendance envy?
Knowing the arrogance at JFNA they no doubt feel the URJ should move its Biennial. "Attendance envy" indeed.
It is a sad state of affairs that the "Tea Party" mentality in current US politics has found its way into this thread. We're really at the point where we want everyone to make Shabbat for themselves? If there's a cry for help, shouldn't we simply help because someone else needs it and because, perhaps the next time there's a cry, we'll be the ones in need?
Came to mind during the recent damage in South Carolina from a hurricane when the local politician was begging the US government for assistance, which it gave. Then this politician was reminded that he was one of those who was refusing to give NY/NJ the aid it needed after Hurricane Sandy.
Are we no better than this?
Yes, we should help. But ... we should also ask the responsible questions, like: how many Jews are there in Houston, and did the Federation there really make an attempt at raising funds?
And how effective were they?
(Houston) This is exactly the role the CJF z"l would have played: Getting the Federation leadership to convene, evaluate, design and act as a national body.
And yet ... This is precisely what JFNA did. There were discussions and consultations. And guess what, Paul and friends? They learned how much Houston is (not) raising and how much it could be doing.
Houston -- we have a problem. We didn't raise any funds and we went back to the system to do what we couldn't figure out how to do ourselves. And guess what? The system took one look at what we didn't do and said thanks but no thanks.
Anon 6:22 - Big difference, CJF, as I wrote would have convened the System, whereas, as I understand it, the JFNA acted without convening the system.
Paul, what do you mean by "convening the system"?
Anon 9:26 - When I was a Fed Exec and an issue came up that needed national attention and possible response, the CJF would convene meetings with/between Federation lay leaders and pros to discuss the issue, develop a consensus and plan - and then the CJF would organize/monitor the action. There were significant side effects in addition to getting a much more inclusive and effective buy-in and plan - Lay leaders became friends to name one.
As I understand this discussion (Houston) - and I could be wrong - this was not the process - it was all JFNA...
This is just one result of the disastrous merger....
As a small-city fed exec, I can tell you that I don't see the contact with JFNA. But, truthfully, I don't find the time that my predecessor seemed to have to go to meetings in NY and go on missions and junkets on a regular basis. And I know that many of my colleagues feel the same way. I believe that the way we work now has changed, the demands on our time are more severe. And I'm not sure that "the system" would make a significant impact in this regard.
I find these comments very interesting and illuminating:
It appears that we have Mr Jeser (and others), who was a leader during the glory days of CJF (and UJA), and I am not being sarcastic in this regard.....those were indeed the golden years of the Jewish Communal COMMUNITY in the North American Diaspora.
And then we have other leaders/contributors to this blog, whose volunteer/professional careers have taken place 'post-merger'.
To paraphrase Richard, 'Friends, you are from two different worlds!'
In order for a meaningful conversation to take place the Mr. Jesers (with all respect due- o.k., I'm in a Yoda-mode) really need to take a step back and not try to solve the 21st Century problems with 20th Century thinking; For the same reason you can't ask a group of 60 year-olds to come up with a strategy to engage Millenials.......you need the Millenials around the table....it's all about 'them', not 'you'.
I am not suggesting that the 'pre-merger' leadership has nothing to offer, however they need to stop lamenting about how things used to get done, and listen to those who now must make decisions in the environment of 2015....otherwise all we will continue to do is talk 'at each other' and not get anywhere.
I hope that we all remember that the opinions expressed on these pages are those of their authors -- mine, yours. In this fractured Jewish communal world, no one speaks for the totality of the Jewish polity even if the authors -- me, you -- believe that we do.
This tread may be one of the most productive of any up to know (thank you Richard)...
I am working on a response to the Anon Small City Exec, for whom I feel sad - but will get to that later.
In terms of Anon 9:23am - I happen to agree 100% - I never said that we can solve 21stC problems with 20thC people - what I think I've tried to get across is that we should be using the successful 20thC process instead of the obviously unsuccessful 21stC process to deal with the issues.
CJF brought lay people together - that process - at least from my perch - still works - rather than JFNA internally making decisions in NY. YES, the people whom should be brought together are not us ALTAKOKKERS, but the Millenials.
I still believe the 'old' YLC process could be very effective. I still believe that the 'old' (and real) PM Missions, etc, could be effective. I still believe that the 'old' GA structure could be very effective.
I have spoken with MANY young leaders here in LA who have absolutely NO contact with young leaders from any other community. Until that thinking is changed, nothing else will change.
While I agree with anon 9:23 that we need multi-generations at the table and 21st not 20th century solutions, I would also suggest that there are strategies and arrangements from our golden age that we were much too quick to abandon and could still be rethought, renewed and refurbished in today's colors: The networking of major donors; lay engagement in FRD; the lay-professional partnership in general; a local community based culture of planning; Israeli nation building as our overseas focus.
The facts about Houston from a reliable source in response to questions above: 40,000 Jews. Community raised $1.2 million for the Memorial Day Flood Recovery.
I would hope that this information will put an end to what I perceive to be an extremely vindictive set of Anonymous Comments about an extremely responsible and responsive Federation that has dealt with an extreme emergency in a responsible and responsive manner.
Dear Anonymous Small-City Exec,
I was truly saddened by your comment.
First, I’d like to respond to your ‘time to go to meetings.’ comment. Please do not think for a moment that small-city execs in the 60s-70s-80s were not as busy as you are. I was one, with two Federations, from 1972 to 1984. I do not think there was a weekday evening without a meeting or program. In those days the Federations played a much more prominent role than they do in many cities today where they are looked at as just another organization. We were involved in just about every aspect of the entire Jewish Community and our days were more than filled.
As a member of the Jewish Communal Service, not only did I work to build my Federation, but was extremely involved in building every traditional Federation Agency (JCC, HDS, JFS, Sr. Citizen facility/pgrm, CRC, Holocaust Center, community education programs, High School in Israel, March of the Living, and many more). AND, as the community professional, I was also asked to become involved in assisting other agencies and programs (‘outside’ fundraising organizations such as AFHU, AJC, Bonds, AIPAC, etc.) which, with the blessing of my leadership, I did. The goal was not to just build the Federation campaign, but to build COMMUNITY!
I am very saddened that you report that many of your colleagues feel the same way. In my day, the meetings, missions and what you call junkets (whatever they were in your mind) were of great value to my community and to the national community. They helped us build every aspect by giving our lay leadership the opportunity of meeting others from other communities whose guidance, support and involvement made a real difference. They gave each other strength. They also learned from each other. They became best friends (friendships which still hold today – 30-40 years later). Our communities benefited from these meetings, trips, relationships.
My greatest sadness is in response to your not feeling missions are important. Maybe the way they are run today by the JFNA, but, back in the day, they were exciting, raised significant dollars, and, actually more importantly, developed top leaders. Be it the KOACH MISSION (1,000 young leaders from EVERY Federation) which ended up being in Israel right after the UN Zionism-is-Racism vote, and during one of the very rare terror attacks (an ice cream parlor in Jerusalem), the annual Prime Minister and President Missions (which had major fundraising components and helped develop relationships between leaders from all over the country) had wonderful and positive effect on our local communities.
I do not know what I can do or say to help other than to offer whatever ideas and guidance requested. The JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE was a great service to the Jewish People – I’m sorry it does not seem that way to you now.
Dear Paul,
I am that Exec. I'm very grateful for this thoughtful reply. Let me clear up a few issues:
(1) I'm sure you worked hard as an Exec. It wasn't an attack on anyone specific. Maybe my generation manages time in a different way. But the truth is that we just don't have the free time our predecessors had. You can disagree, but I'm giving you my opinion based on what I see and what I hear from my colleagues.
(2) I wasn't disparaging about missions (just about junkets). I agree that missions are critical. The reason that missions aren't successful today isn't because of JFNA. It's more because our generation, and those coming after us, don't have the time and the resources to go. Yes, it's lamentable. Yes, we're not as good as you were. But these are the cards we're dealt with. And your solutions and anger won't be as helpful in this dialogue.
(3) The polarization in my community over Iran, Israel, the Peace Process, etc etc all come from you and your friends calling people who are indifferent, or left-wing, or progressive, traitors or J-Streeters or bad Jews. Don't get me wrong -- I'm a republican. But I keep my views to myself because my community deserves dialogue and tolerance. You can disagree with me. That's ok. But people my generation see what our previous leadership have created in their loyalty tests and single-track Israel filters and they don't care. They're not buying your hasbara. Sad, I know. And yes, we have to do better. But please don't think that you're blameless on this. You're not. Do you think you (not just you, Paul, specifically, but you as a representative of a noble generation of leaders-past) can attack, malign, denigrate, and ridicule the views, beliefs, and hopes of so many in our community and then disingenuously look in the mirror with innocence and exclaim, "who, me?"
Yes, you.
Dear Colleague,
I appreciate and accept everyone of your points.
Our 'dialogue' (thanks Richard)sort of proves my point in that if there were a CJF (or the process from those days)our differences (especially in terms of responses to today's major issues), would have been dealt with in a much more effective way. The CJF, through the many meetings it organized (i.e., GA, President's meetings, Small Cities Institutes, etc.) allowed for forums in which we as Fed lay leaders and pros could discuss the best ways for the community to respond.
Responses to Richard's blog, interesting as they may be, won't fix the system.
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