HANGING IN THERE

Pam Zaltsman has been a professional in and then leading the JFNA financial services operation. She has been the most loyal of professionals since she joined the United Jewish Appeal and UIA accounting staff in the 1990's. While her professional roles expanded over the decades, her loyalty did not. She always acted consistent with her professional responsibilities; loyal to a fault. She was an important support professional to Lee Twersky, the ultimate non-profit CFO. As Pam matriculated up the field of UJA's and then JFNA's organizational tree, Pam was careful to be always supportive of those in power. And, within JFNA she was a trusted resource.

So it came as a surprise to me to read of her "lateral move" from CFO to something called Senior Advisor to Israel and Overseas -- it's not clear from the turgid paragraph in the JFNA Release whether Pam has retired or continues in a reduced role or something else. But she will be "coordinating and supporting Federations in the fiscal operations involved in this important area of our work" whatever that means. 

Add another body to those who work under Becky Caspi. This time, Pam Zaltsman, whose brief job description sounds like one given a Chicago Alderman as a ghost payroller. (I can only speculate that as financial support for the communities' overseas work continues to crater to new lows annually, the I & O staff will soon make its allocation payments in packets of $100 bills. Give 'em something to do.) 

We wish the new CFO great success. I continue to hope that someday JFNA will undertake the forensic audit of the entire I & O operation that has been overdue for over a decade. 

The waste.

Rwexler

RABBI RICHARD HIRSCH, Z'L

The outpouring of praise, always insufficient, memorializing the passing of one of the great leaders of Reform, of progressive, of World Jewry -- Rabbi Richard Hirsch -- has been heart-warming. I cherished my friendship with Richard, with Dick, as one of the things of great value from my work within  the Jewish Agency and the United Jewish Appeal.

When I became UJA National Chair in 1996, I convened a meeting of the leaders of the main Diaspora religious movements -- at Chicago's Hyatt Regency. I asked them what UJA could do to enhance their work. Richard didn't hesitate: "We want help with our capital fund raising." 

And Rabbi Hirsch didn't wait, he embarked on a campaign to raise the tens of millions to build an International Educational Center for Progressive Judaism -- he and the World Union already envisioned the site, the grounds, the building and in the vortex created by his enthusiasm I was right there with Richard. In 1971, the specifics of the Center were laid out and, now, finally, a quarter-century later, the WUPJ was moving forward with UJA. Hirsch's enthusiasm moved all of us forward. You should visit the Center. It's a beautiful achievement.

Richard's enthusiasm for this work was part and parcel of his vision of modern Zionism -- an inclusive, embracing Zionism. Breakfasts and lunches with Dick, often with the wonderful Bella, z"l, were like attending an educational seminar. I was blessed. I engaged with their son, Ammiel, now the Rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. Over the years. I learned so much.

For a brilliant tribute to Rabbi Hirsch's life and legacy, read his friend, the brilliant journalist, Gil Troy's, tribute in: https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/339825/rabbi-dick-hirsch-a-liberal-and-zionist-hero/ My friendship with Richard was a constant joy. 

May his memory be for a blessing.

Rwexler

1500 RABBIS AGREE?

The Press Release from some organization titled The Coalition for Jewish Values landed in an email from a friend who often captures the bizarre and unlikely. This one was titled:

"1,500+ rabbis say ADL 'no longer competent' to identify, let alone combat, anti-semitism." 

Perhaps you share my sense that 1,500 + (don't forget the +) Rabbis couldn't agree on anything. But somehow Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the President, of this "Coalition" has mystical powers.

The Press Release continued that the Coalition "took renewed aim at the Anti-Defamation League." And, why: well the ADL annonced a partnership with Hillel International to do battle against the worst of anti-semitism on college campuses. And, why "renewed?" Is ADL or Hillel viewed as "competition?"

And, what was wrong with that emerging "coalition?" An ADL "spokesman" stated that "anti-Israel activism is not in and of itself is not anti-semitism" citing BDS support as requing investigation. While I disagree (and, perhaps 1,500+ do as well) I don't believe that this statement disqualifies the ADL as "incompetent."

If you go beyond the Release you will discover that The Coalition for Jewish Values must have a power of attorney from 1,500+ Rabbis because that same "number" supported the CFJV Resolution in support of Yeshiva U's opposition to an LGBTQ Club at that University.

Congratulations to Rabbi Lerner and his 1500+ of followers -- all Rabbis? Expect to hear more from them.

Rwexler

QUESTIONS

Recent correspondence and news has inspired a bunch of questions:

-- Of the 1000s of Jewish organizations, which one most closely mirrors Spirit Airlines?

-- Which Jewish organization should cease to exist? 

-- Which Jewish organization should change its name?

-- Does "Jewish Federation" continue to define your community umbrella organization? 

Your answers, please..... 

Rwexler

 

NOT TO BE CYNICAL

I can picture the balabatim sitting around their Zoom boxes and collectively breathing a sigh of relief: "we can safely cancel the GA again -- COVID, you know." Now I am admitting to my own cynicism and I'm certain this meeting never happened. Nonetheless, this was a GA that should not have happened even were COVID not the threat that it remains. 

Eric and Mark should have held the funeral, said Kaddish and given the General Assembly the burial it deserved after year-after-year of failure, announced annual registration of a fictitious 3,000, and a general attitude by federation lay leadership of .... meh. But, up until the announcement, unbelievably, the GA in DC again(!!) was going ahead -- I have a feeling that the pre-Registration wasn't going well.

Before COVID struck and overwhelmed, dominated in 2020, JFNA leadership you will recall committed to a comprehensive look at the annual conference. That is a promise, like so many, that remains unfulfilled. I have reached out to many past GA Chairs, to learn if they had been consulted -- not one (including yours truly). Surprised? I'd be surprised if they knew whom any of the Chairs were -- they can call me.

This might have been a useful exercise. But JFNA is busy with other things. 

Rwexler

A SCURRILOUS ATTACK

Zionist Organization of America President-for-Life, Morton Klein, could not be expected to hold back his vituperation for more than a week or two. So it was no surprise that he would issue a statement regardless of its inaccuracies; just surprising the lengths he would go on August 1 to attack Deborah Lipstadt, an American hero and a Jewish one.  Here is the Statement:

"The ZOA opposes the expected nomination of Emory University lecturer Deborah Lipstadt to be the U.S. Combating Antisemitism Envoy, because of her statements displaying partisan left wing bias. Lipstadt obscenely and falsely likened President Trump to Nazi murderers and propagandists; helped promote a video that wrongly did the same; promoted the Charlottesville Hoax (despite President Trump’s clear condemnation of neo-Nazis and white supremacists); and falsely called President Trump (the grandfather of Orthodox Jewish children) an “antisemitic enabler.” Lipstadt’s abuse of false Nazi and antisemitism charges against those with whom she disagrees politically should disqualify her from serving as the U.S. Combating Antisemitism Envoy.  

 

Lipstadt’s primary focus is antisemitism on the right (both real and imagined), at a time when the major threat is Islamist and far-left antisemitism. We are concerned that Lipstadt will ignore and/or give far too little attention to antisemitism from groups such as the Black Lives Matter organization, and leftist and Islamist BDS groups and Israel-bashing NGOs.

 

President Biden promised to heal and bring all Americans together when he assumed office. Nominating and confirming Lipstadt would increase partisan divides. The Combating Antisemitism Envoy is a sensitive position that requires someone non-partisan, who will honestly and strongly address all real forms of antisemitism, from the left wing to the right wing, and who will not make inaccurate charges of antisemitism to defame political adversaries. Lipstadt is a bad choice."

There was no "Charlottesville Hoax." Trump "decisively" proclaimed there were  "good prople on both sides" in Charlottesville. As American Jews we are fully capable of reaching our own conclusions about former President  Trump's statements providing comfort to Neo-Nazi anti-semites. It was shameful that Trump decided to support the Tiki-flamers who chanted their way through  Charlottesville: "They shall not replace us" as they marched on a Synagogue.

The position of Combating Antisemitism Ambassador is in excellent hands; the presidency of the ZOA, not so much.

Rwexler