QUESTIONS -- HAVE YOU ANSWERS?

 1.    An Anonymous Commentator, perspicacious to a fault, offered us some analysis and some questions:

"While I have no scientific data I do have observational data over about 40 years of involvement in the federation world. It appears to me that some of the same comments can be applied to dozens of the local federations. Doesn't this emphasis on re-cycling of leadership, not promoting from within, staying insular explain a good part of the reason that individual donors have declined by at least 2/3rds in the past 20+ years? Doesn't it also explain to some degree the reason that individual federations look outward for professional leadership rather than to cultivate upcoming professionals? Exactly what is the relationship today to YLC and the board of directors/board of trustees of JFNA? How are the local cabinet members being engaged in their local communities to assume leadership roles? Or are they? And what about the role of the GA? It seems to me that the LOJ biennial conference now plays a much greater role in developing leadership than the GA."

2.      So, my friends, isn't it time to do a true forensic audit of some of our favorite organizations. David Harris is retiring from his incredible decades of leadership  of the American Jewish Committee. Mort Klein must be nearing retirement at the ZOA, mustn't he? Does the United Israel Appeal even exist any longer? What does KH  -- as in Keren Ha'Yesod -- even do (and clearly one thing it doesn't do is raise money)? And, of course...JFNA. Over the decades we often repeated the mantra: "If ____didn't exist, we'd have to create it." Not any more.

3.   While certain institutional leadership speaks out against anti-semitism as if to really do so directly will offend someone, on Sunday July 25, Ron Lauder, in his role as President of the World Jewish Congress implored President Biden to exercise his moral strength and leadership. The question: why has Biden yet to do so?

I'm pretty exhausted. I'm taking a mental health day.  

Rwexler

 

 

 

BEN & JERRY'S

 JFNA's response to Ben & Jerry's announced boycott in support of BDS:

"Boycotts do not advance the peace process. Jewish Federations call on Ben & Jerry's and Unilever to reconsider this decision."

This courageous declaration took the form of a Tweet. OK, to its credit JFNA announced that it is working behind the scenes to assure that states with anti-BDS legislation enforce these laws and regulations against the ice cream company's idiotic position. And is all that we want a "reconsideration?"  And all that the constituency got....a Tweet? Who did JFNA fear at Unilever?

I have written my local groceries demanding that they discontinue the sale of Ben and Jerry's. I have written the conglomerate owner of Ben & Jerry's, Unilever, urging action to reverse this perverse stance. I urge you to do the same. (I  imagine there is someone in management at Unilever wondering "did we  get into this mess for ice cream?") As Gristedes owner observed: "They politicized  ice cream."

Jewish Federations have laid claim (or want to) that they/we are leading the battle against the scourge of rising anti-semitism. Great for them but, if true, then they/we must let our umbrella organization, JFNA,  and its leaders know that this...Tweet...was totally inadequate and unworthy.

Rwexler

A FOB suggested this message from Endowment for Middle East Truth as a counterpint to Ben & Jerry's assault on Israel and truth:

ACTION ALERT: How to Respond to Ben and Jerry’s and Unilever Endowment for Middle East Truth  Date: July 26, 2021  Contact: Sarah Stern  (202) 601-7422  Ben and Jerry’s, an ice cream company that prides itself on its “woke,” progressive politics announced last week that it intends on cancelling its distribution and sale in eastern Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, or the West Bank.   This comes after 11 days of the terrorist group, Hamas, raining rockets down on Israeli cities and residential communities and Israel’s highly successful attempt to protect its civilian population, while attempting to avoid collateral damage within Hamas-controlled Gaza.   Hamas cynically places its military production facilities and its operational bases near civilian areas.  It should be made clear that an element of Hamas’ strategy has always been to use “human shields,” to intentionally maximize civilian deaths of their own population in order to demonize Israel with the claim of “disproportionality."  Israel has gone out of its way to avoid the loss of civilian life. In fact, even according to Mathius Schmale, the Director of UNRWA’s mission in Gaza (an organization not known for its profound love of Israel), Israel’s airstrikes were “very precise,” and they “didn’t hit, with some exceptions, civilian targets.” This was a statement for which he had to resign from his position and quickly get out of Gaza for fear of his life.  According to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, every nation has the responsibility to protect its civilian population. We know that if a terrorist group rained rockets on the United States from Canada or Mexico, we would not hesitate to respond in a manner similar, if not more aggressive, as Israel did. Yet, according to the progressive agenda, what Israel did was considered “disproportionate."   This reeks of a duplicitous double standard used to judge Israel, which would never be used against any other nation. It is meant to demonize and delegitimize the state of Israel. This is what lies at the very core of anti-Semitism. Ben and Jerry’s is a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, who, despite the rather anodyne comments of CEO Alan Jope, both the parent company and subsidiary are open to legal action because of laws already on our books.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Anti-Boycott compliance, within the Bureau of Industry Compliance, Part II of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, as well as certain anti-boycott provisions set forth in part 760 of the Export Administration Regulations, “These authorities discourage, and in some circumstances, prohibit U.S. companies from taking certain actions in furtherance or support of a boycott maintained by a foreign country against a country friendly to the United States (unsanctioned foreign boycott).”  As they write on their own website, “The anti-boycott provisions of the EAR encourage, and in specific cases, require US persons to refuse to participate in unsanctioned foreign boycotts. They have the effect of preventing U.S. persons from advancing foreign policies of other nations that run counter to U.S. policy.”  It is vital that your representatives and senator understand that what Ben and Jerry’s is doing, and what its parent company, Unilever, is feebly trying to distance itself from, is a violation of  federal US Anti-Boycott Act.   Unfortunately, Palestinian Legal has made this into a First Amendment issue. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech or the ability to express one’s ideas. This has everything to do with the discriminatory boycott of a product to one designated place on the globe, the state of Israel.  There also have been 33 states that have signed their own anti-BDS laws. If your state is one of them, please call your Governor’s office, thank them for doing so, and politely inform them that now is the time to begin legal proceedings. If they have not, please call your Governor and politely insist that they sign state anti-BDS legislation. For a list of which states have signed the anti-BDS laws and your Governor’s phone number, please contact us at EMET at (202) 601-7422.  And on the federal level, it is time that every member of Congress understands that this is not a free speech issue, but a boycott of a product against one specific country. Please call your member of Congress at (202) 224-3121 and let them know that what Ben and Jerry’s and Unilever are attempting to do may be in violation of US law and that immediate action, including a thorough investigation of the origin’s of this boycott and any Palestinian influence and/or involvement in the policy, is called for to eradicate this mission of hate towards Israel and the Jewish people."

THE OFFER

 Last week I offered these pages to a Los Angeleno to discuss the community's growth over the past decade+.

No takers. Silence.

Rwexler

THE KOTEL ERUPTS...AGAIN

It's a curious paradox is it not that Ultra-Orthodox punks attacked Jews of other Movements who were observing Tisha B'Av at the "egalitarian space" set aside (far aside) for non-Orthodox worship at the Kotel while Muslim worshippers were physically challenging Israeli  police only a few hundr4ed yards away? Or maybe not paradoxical at all?

I remember decades ago when I was in Israel for a meeting (!) and  got a call from a Large City Exec asking me to meet with Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, then (and maybe now)  the Chief Rabbi of Israel and seek his intervention to put a stop to what were then the continuing assaults on Women of the Wall. It was an ugly time; you know, like now. I had attended a number of shivas in Jerusalem that week for victims of a series of terrorist bus bombings; Rabbi Lau was at most of them as well without regard for the Judaism practiced by the victims. This compassion did no stop Lau from publicly regarding Reform Jews as some form of treif.

I knew I was on a fool's errand. Yet, I also knew that there would be an opportunity to approach Lau -- I had been asked to be the MC at a  wonderful event: Chicago's great philanthropist, our friend Manny Steinfeld, z'l, was dedicating a research library at Ammunition Hill in memory of his brother who had died in the memorable battle there. Rabbi Lau would offering his blessing.

The day came and the dedication ceremony was beautiful and meaningful. At its end I reached out to Rabbi Lau and shook his hand, reintroducing myself. Still holding Rabbi Lau's hand, I expressed my purpose with respect. I still remember Lau almost levitating out of my grasp as he said, "this is not my jurisdiction." I replied that I was sure that the Interior Minister "...would listen to the Chief Rabbi." Rabbi Lau finally agreed to an intervention of sorts.

And, today, a quarter-century later, yeshiva bochers set upon Jewish worshipers in violent ways on a site set aside  for egaliarian prayer. THIS IS INTOLERABLE. To his great credit, the CEO of the Jewish Federation Metro West Federation, Dov Ben-Shimon, perfectly and publicly expressed his/our outrage. Kal ha'kavod.

Rabbi Lau, where are you?

Rwexler

AN OFFER

The most significant leader in Los Angeles has taken issue with you and with me. 

In a VmailHe has confronted me and rejected all statements in the recent Posts that refute LA's leaders' assertions that is is at the forefront of communal fundraising among all federations. Further, Los Angeles' leaders want you to know that in their opinion, the community made no Dues Deal with JFNA and paid all Dues owed just as, e.g., Chicago does.

Here's the offer I made (and reiterate here) directly to this LA leader: write a Post; I will publish it as you write it. Sounds fair, right?

Do we have a deal?

Rwexler

SO EASY TO FORGET

I am certain that some....most...of us remember that frigid day in  December 1987 when, in brilliant sunlight an estmated 250,000 of us came to the Capitol Mall, marched, sang, cried and rallied together for freedom for our mishpacha imprisoned by an Iron Curtain. What an event it was. It was unforgettable. We kvelled. It was a high point for our system; all of our communal institutions -- local, national, overseas -- coming together as one...inspired and inspiring. And building from there our Movement supported the Aliyah of over 1,000,000 and another 150,000 to the United States.

I am equally certain that few would choose to remember the total breakdown of our sclerotic system was reflected in 3,200 -- 3,200 is not a typo friends -- participants in that national "rally" against anti-semitism in D.C. last Sunday. This was abject failure. This was the NO FEAR Rally BTW; and "no fear" apparently applies to failure among other things. The sponsoring organizations included JFNA, ADL, B'nai B'rith International, American Jewish Committee, the ZOA and the Jewish Agency and the major religious Movements.  Individuals leading this effort included Elisha Wiesel and Meghan McCain. This roster and the Rally's further support for Israel apparently inflamed the folks at J-Street and left wing organizations which declined support. 

Look, this thing was poorly planned and executed...even worse. 3,200 Jews, friends, to protest the horrific outbreak of this apparently eternal disease. The commentator, Vincent Tobin, framed the question: after looking at the results Are Jews Rally United Against Anti-Semitism? Tobin's conclusion: don't be discouraged by the abysmal turnout. Sorry, does any reader believe that had this Rally been organized by communal professionals, those very numbers would have been exceeded by 1000's? In 1986, I watched as Federation leadership built an incredible achievement over 2 months; here, in 2021, I watched only failure-- well-intentioned failure.

We have reached the point where we are no longer even embarrassed by our failures; we are now without shame. A Terrorists' War on Israel, our "system" sends (did JFNA even send it??) $1,300,000 as a "rapid response" to hundreds of millions in needs across Israel. National agencies -- those which execute federations' programs -- are now living on fumes or worse. The JAFI and JDC have less support today for their core programs than at any time in their history. But...a Rally at our Capitol, no leadership, no planning ("just put it on the Calendar and surely 50,000 will show")...3,200. JFNA, as you may have read, is practically out of the FRD business (I wish I could forget that Mark Wilf's predecessor as Board Chair preached a message with almost evangelical fervor, that JFNA is not in the fund raising "business" but is something he called a "community organization" -- you know, convening, talking, talking and...talking.)

Meanwhile, those on the right ascribe failure to attack anti-semitisism to those on the "left." This means they are too busy themselves to support a "Rally." Priorities, anyone? Anyone?

If our organizations don't get back to basics with new-found enthusiasm they will be done; spending their time bragging about non-existent accomplishments and, like me, writing about the "good old days."

Rwexler

REALLY??

 One of you, clearly an Angeleno, wrote the following endorsement of the selection of Julie Platt as incoming JFNA National Campaign Chair as a Comment to my most recent Post:

"Best possible choice! Already a success leading national livesecure campaign to assist federations with their growing security needs. LA once out of the national picture now leads the way. Maybe a post about why how you think this dramatic change(sic) happened?"

Let's not get carried away. (For example, when the Chicago Jewish community led the way in programming for domestic security, I don't remember the cracking sound of arms breaking from patting ourselves on the back. But...that was then and this is...)

I recall when I was a young lay leader in Chicago, I would commute to work with my dear friend, the late Joel Shinsky, our federation's campaign director. Early on in each Campaign, I would read the federation weekly/monthly data from UJA and harass Joel: "LA data are showing huge annual campaign increases -- 25-30% -- and we're mired at 4%. What's our problem and what's their secret?" Joel,  dragging on his perpetual cigarette, would calmly reply: "Patience. We have no problem and their 'secret" is they are making these numbers up." 

And, yes, year after year, at campaign's-end, Chicago's numbers were up; LA's flat or down. Eventually, as the system did away with the UJA, so too did the weekly/monthly data disappear. Don't confuse us with the facts 

I take pride in the fact that I can claim friendship of a sort, albeit fleeting, with a succession of Los Angeles Federation professionals and professional leaders: Feinstein, Fishel, Sanderson, among them. I grew to understand the challenges they and their leadership faced, daily and annually, and the strengths it took to leading let alone succeeding under these circumstances.

When I served UJA and the  system in the mid-90's as National Campaign Chair, I convened a meeting with the heads of the religious streams to see how we might help them. With the leadership of the great Rabbi Richard Hirsch, who would become my dear friend, weembarked on a quiet, special campaign to raise funds for stream projects in Israel. I called on the best fund raiser I knew or know -- an Angeleno. The evening of the appointment, I received a call from the LA CEO: "Call of your guy, he's destroying our campaign (he wasn't); he's killing my biggest donors." (he wasn't) The Campaign was a success; I attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for mutiple facilities. LA donors made an impact; the community didn't directly participate.

When JFNA kicked off, Los Angeles engaged two of its lay leaders to serve on the Budget Committee. As I sat with them at meetings, these fellows told me that they were appointed to vote down the Budget -- and they dutifully cast no votes time and again. In addition, the community wasn't paying its Dues; further protests? Perhaps. After all, LA leaders pushed hard to reduce the overseas allocations and some of its leaders publicly derided the Jewish Agency.

I'll end this brief history when Richard Sandler became JFNA Chair after LA cut a deal on its JFNA Dues. A charming and very smart lawyer, a serious Jew, Richard was a person who strongly believed in some basic unsupportable and unsupported "truths" -- e.g., total, unquestioning support of the CEO. These beliefs made the job so simple. Richard's beliefs became JFNA Torah. Valid or not. Over the decades the LA Federation has yet to fulfill its promise. It continues, at a time of great and growing needs, to underperform as a fund raising body while...here is how one Commentator put it

"I enjoy reading your blog and seldom comment, but anon 11:15 inspired me to do so. LA leading the way?? Let’s be honest. I live up the road and know the real story. Federations used to, some still can claim, to be central to Jewish life in their respective cities. LA can claim some good work, but they are not central or a critical player. Federation was also a magnet for the leaders in philanthropy. LA can claim some good, caring people but far from the powerhouse influencers who should be around the table in that resource reach city. The components which comprise meaningful, influential Federations are absent in LA. LA leading the way? If that Federation is one to aspire, the JFNA needs to hire more consultants to teach what it means to be a community organization of reach, depth and quality. 

A prior post of yours spoke to lay and professional leaders and qualifications. Federation leaders should possess an eclectic range of skills and experiences. Those skills and experiences are nurtured over time. People gravitate to what they know. Jerry Silverman was a marketing retailer so you got “ish” and Tribefest. Richard Sandler, good guy and fabulous Jew, admitted that he knew very little about Federation when taking on a National role. And, it showed. The national system was rudderless. Jay Sanderson comes from Jewish media and promotions. So, you got what you asked for. And, now this powerhouse Federation will be led by another good individual with zero experience in the real work of Federation. It doesn’t do any good for LA, the JFNA system or the poor guy who is being thrown into the deep end of the pool."

 

Richard, you often speak of the good old days. The good old days were not as good as you claim. However, those days stood for something. Fluff was not a go to."

 Well said.

Rwexler 

 

COMMUNICATIONS -- JFNA STYLE

 JFNA, as anyone of you has read on these pages, has always been opaque -- frequently unnecessarily so. So the recent "investigation" detailed below will come as no surprise.

Like many of you I received an invitation to The Cabinet Activation:  Together Against Anti-Semitism a D.C. Fly-in on July 20. The invite I received was addressed to all Cabinet members and alums from Chicago JFNA Leaders Andy Hochberg and David Brown. David's signature interested me as it recited;

David Brown, Immediate Past JFNA National Campaign Chair

 HUH? Had I missed some formal announcement? After all, I was, once, in that position myself where we proudly announced my successor, Carole Solomon, not hidden it in the close to an irrelevant correspondence.

So, I asked around among those dwindling few whom I know to remain relevant at JFNA (and who still speak to me!!). After 4 friends who knew nothing ("was Brown Campaign Chair?" "When did he resign?"), I got the answer -- David has been succeeded by the indefatigable, irrepressible Julie Platt. A superb choice -- her L.A. leadership, GA leadership and her many roles locally (she just chaired the Los Angeles CEO Search), positioned her perfectly for this role.

Now, it will be up to Julie Platt to lead. And for others to allow her to.

Friends, if you received some formal announcement of Julie's succession, let me know. I love my mea culpas.

Rwexler

 

THE NEW CRITERIA FOR CONTINENTAL LEADERSHIP

It's pretty easy these days to identify the criteria for continental leadership. First let's review what used to be and then we'll take a look at what is.

In the halcyon days of yore. continental leadership arose from a group of leaders who had demonstrated an almost lifelong commitment of time, energy and, yes, dollars, to the organization. Some -- and I included myself among the fortunate -- mentored, fed into roles where we could exercise our leadership in demonstrable ways. At the incredible United Jewish Appeal, z'l, the men and women, lay and professional, felt a bond, a camaraderie,  growing out of a sense of mission, movement and real commitment. Those of us who demonstrated the mentality of team players moved on from Young Leadership Cabinets to Campaign Cabinet, from Women's Campaign to International Lion of Judah. For the best of these leaders, their roles were not about "what's next for me," but, rether, "what's next for the Jewish People." We were about finding leadership roles for the "next," not, "what's next for me?" And, to a point, UJA  thrived.

JFNA has been fortunate -- at times over the 2+ decades, a Mark Wilf, incredible philanthropist, great leader. passionate Zionist, from a great Federation emerges to take on leadership. In today's world Mark is a rare leader of grace, leading by example. 

In today's world, we observe, at least at JFNA, an oligarchy in its truest form -- a small group of people controlling the organization periodically "allowing" one or two new faces to enter while no one leaves -- practically ever. The seminal criterion for leadership today: who do you know? 

Then we observe a transparent public sycophancy that appears to be a requirement for moving up the leadership food chain. To paraphrase the directive for a brilliant Rodeo Drive shopping spree in Pretty Woman: "You're in the right organization, in the right City for the maximum amount of sucking up.' Yes, indeed.

So, leaders, good people all, recirculate through from position to position, careful not to offend, apparently never pausing to contemplate that new faces might do the job as well, or, perish the thought, better. Does anyone really believe, other than he/she holding the title, that someone other than ______ ___________ might do a worse job than he who currently serves -- in any capacity? Or that _____ _______ is the only person who could possibly serve as Chair of X? As some sport once screamed: "You've got to be kidding me."

So, you ask, what's the point? Yeah, what's the point in expanding the numbers of those in leadership? Well, for one, it broadens the base; more leaders equal more debate, and ultimately, a braoder consensus. Oligarchy's don't last -- except, apparently, in Jewish communal life.

More's the pity.

Rwexler

THERE THEY GO AGAIN

I received this Comment from a member  of the Los Angeles Jewish community and thought it worthy of  reflection and discussion.

"There they go again.

The Los Angeles Jewish Federation announced the selection of Rabbi Noah Farkas (Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, CA) as its new President and CEO: https://jewishla.org/announcing-our-new-president-ceo/

I don’t know Rabbi Farkas. He might be a wonderful person and a successful Synagogue and Community Rabbi. But, is he ready for the number one position of one of the largest Jewish Federations in the country?

David Suissa, the Publisher of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal, in his column about this appointment ( https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/columnist/editors-note/338279/as-new-leader-of-l-a-federation-rabbi-farkas-will-expand-his-leadership-horizon/), writes: “Since he will now be a leader of the whole community, he’ll have to wrestle with a new category of challenges: the intense political divisions within our community; the heated and polarized arguments over Israel; the balance between particularity (helping Jews) and universalism (helping the world); the many religious differences among denominations; the priorities in allocating limited funds and resources; the alarming rise in antisemitism; the fraying of Jewish identity among the new generation; and so on.”

Does Rabbi Farkas have the experience and ability to handle these issues?

What I do know is that there are many experienced and successful Jewish Communal professionals serving other large city and intermediate city Jewish Federations who have experience in dealing with these issues. Were any of these professionals looked at, and where was the JFNA in this process?

Another nail in the coffin of the Jewish Federation system and its hard-working community of professionals."