It took a reader to review the inane waste that is FedWorld (JFNA in microcosm) and report:
"Richard -- on a separate note...if you look at today's (5/2/2016) FedWorld email....under the JEWISH EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT section...you will find the following.Of course we know that there is no shame at all at 25 Broadway (and, apparently, none where JFNA's officers reside, either). There's not just a lack of embarrassment, there seems to be pride in the lack of accountability on all matters, FedWorld being the least of it. For in an accountable organization -- one where the professionals are accountable to not just themselves (for that would be nice, wouldn't it) but to the lay leadership of the organization for which they work -- we would already have seen change at the top.
Marketing guru Seth Godin argues that the internet has replaced mass marketing with individual ‘tribes.’ Two articles review a new book that stresses the importance of relationship building over programming. Hillel outlines best practices for engaging young adults and creating a stronger Jewish community. Leading Jewish professionals offer one-line definitions of 'Jewish Engagement.'
• TED—Seth Godin on the Tribes We Lead
• Jewish Journal—The key to building community is social interaction, not ‘social networks’
• eJewish Philanthropy—Relational Judaism: The only experience left for Jewish community
• Hillel—The Hillel Model for Jewish Engagement
• Gina Schmeling—The zone of Jewish engagement
ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THESE ARTICLES IS OVER A YEAR OLD...THE TED TALK GOES BACK TO 2009...THE JEWISH JOURNAL ARTICLE IS FROM 2013...THE eJew ARTICLE FROM THREE MONTHS AGO...HILLEL MODEL HAS BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS...AND GINA'S ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN FEBRUARY 2015.
I GUESS THEY HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT TODAY WORTHWHILE!!! AMAZING. AND THEY PUT THIS OUT THERE LIKE SOMETHING NEW. SHAME ON THEM."
But, not at JFNA. Apparently, accountability is unheard of or the lay leaders are just too damn busy. Uh huh...sure.
Rwexler
This reminds me of people who claim to be abducted by UFO's. After telling the story so many times, you start to believe it yourself.
ReplyDeleteHaving never been held accountable by anyone -- not by the lay leadership, not by other professionals, and never by themselves -- those at the top of the 25 Broadway food chain feel empowered to do anything, no matter how irresponsible. When will leadership WAKE UP? EVER?
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how much some of the more outrageous functions being performed by JFNA cost.
ReplyDeleteHow much are we paying to produce FedWorld with all those great links to mostly old news? It's a good thing that we live in an online world. Think of how much more we could waste if we had to print it and not just waste staff time this!
What does "Global Operations" in Israel actually cost us? Money well spent?
How much did we invest in attempting to conquer the United Nations? Is that over or are we planning some more battles?
And then there are also lots of "savings" that it would be interesting to know about.
How much of the emergency funds raised during the last Gaza war in Israel still haven't been spent?
How much is JFNA "saving" by not having any serious operation for campaign and allocations advocacy?
How much are we saving by the decision to cut back on the GA and not holding it every year? I know that no such decision has been made but maybe we can start a rumor that will catch on and save some resources (for now I guess this belongs under "waste" rather than "savings").
In short, we are "wasting" resources by doing what we should not be doing and "saving" by not doing what we should be doing. How's that for a solid strategic plan?