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."

HELLO DARKNESS MY OLD FRIEND

Just remain focused on this number -- $1,300,000. That's all -- $1,300,000. That's it -- $1,300,000. 

Here is a Memo from JFNA's leaders:

 

"I am attaching a memo from Israel and Overseas Chair, David Butler and myself regarding the current situation in Israel.

 

Over the last 48 hours we received many questions about whether JFNA would open a mailbox to respond to this new crisis in Israel.  After talking with our key partners, JFNA’s Israel & Overseas professional team and committee recommended a package of $1.3M in immediate, additional needs.  These are described in the attached materials, and of course we are happy to discuss them with you further.  

 

We have not recommended a “fair share” distribution of these new costs, but rather offer them to you as a chance to engage your Federation networks in this important moment.  We are happy to discuss the needs or levels of giving with any Federation.   

 

We will keep you posted as the donations are received.  Our hope would be to fully subscribe this donation request as soon as possible to both meet the immediate needs on the ground and send an important message of solidarity and support.  If donations exceed the amount, we will inform you and hold them in the mailbox as future needs arise. 

 

We of course do not think this is the last list of needs that will be received related to this crisis.  We will approach this with great caution, knowing that a larger effort may be needed later. 

 

Thank you for your continued support and amazing work."

"Amazing work"? Really? I don't know about David Butler, but Mark Wilf knows far better as a brilliant campaign leader, as National Campaign Chair and as a mega-donor. But, really, presenting $1,300,000 as the base point for a campaign that will, must, be so much more to make an impact on "...the immediate needs on the ground" -- this isn't a campaign kick-off, it's far more like a Purim spiel.

We may not be masters of substance but hyperbole;well, that's a whole different matter: these from JFNA's leaders:

"~ First, we do not wait for a crisis to provide support for our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the globe.

 ~ Second, when Jews are in trouble anywhere in the world, we in the Jewish Federation system do not wait to be asked for help. Instead, we reach out and ask what is needed, and then we deliver that help."

"Deliver" -- what, exactly? $1,300,000??? 

My mentors always taught me to reach for the stars, to set our goals high and recognize that there is no shame in falling short; the shame is in setting the bar low at the outset -- exactly what JFNA has done in its response to Operation Guardian of the Walls First Special Allocation. Trust me, friends, there is nothing "special" about this allocation other than as a reflection of an organization that has lost the ability to even respond to another terrorists' war. Worse, JFNA has become an organization without aspiration, without the courage of the convictions it once had...in a land far, far away, at a time long since past.

And, today, we do almost nothing...and then we brag about doing nothing.

$1,300,000              $1,300,000            $1,300,000

Rwexler 

 

 

JUST QUESTIONS

Watching what is happening at a number of federations, I am reminded of one piece of offered advice that in most places was ignored -- lay leadership must be rotated or bad (or stupid or both) things take place.

An example: one of our system's oldest (in so many ways) and largest communities) has had some of the best and brightest CEOs in its long history. Yet, it has, over the past decade, hired some excellent CEO's. And, now, the community has just hired another. Each of these women and men was quite different from the other; at least two were outstanding leaders...and each ultimately led to the door escorted by the same "leader" who had (1) originally endorsed him/her with the same (almost exact) enthusiasm with which (2) that self-same "leader" bad-mouthed them in the hallways and chat rooms before he/she was hired  (or, inoneinstance, bad-mouthed to assure that leader wouldn't be hired).

One might have thought that the communal leadership would have seen through this person's "act" by now; and, rather than giving this person any responsibility whatsoever in any Search process going forward, would have  given her/him a faux gold watch and certicate of "thanks" but "no thanks."

But...no. Just read the annual embrace of a new CEO in that town -- greatest thing since challah -- and there were the same almost exact words of praise from the same manchig. 

So...wait 'til next year. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Rwexler