At long last are the Jewish federations of North America prepared to take over the Jewish Federations of North America?What brought this on, you ask? Well, I just saw the GA "Program Highlights" released by JFNA just a couple of weeks ago -- "Highlights" being hyperbole to the extent that I thought this was some form of Purim shpiel. (It wasn't; it is the Program.) It was reported that a week ago lay registration was at 604 (that's based on a "hand count" of 784 total NA registration times 77% [Don't ask; it's Jerry-math.) -- as if this were a good thing.
You can review this thing for yourselves at generalassembly.org -- if you dare.
The Plenaries will contain a mixed bag --the good, Andy Tisch, in his role as Founder of the Tisch Center for Jewish Dialogue, will be on a Plenary Panel; there will be speeches by the Co-Vice-Chairs of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Bougie Herzog will offer his first address to the federations as a whole (or such as may be there) as Chair of the JAFI Executive; and the Prime Minister will address what appears to be the Closing Plenary.
There is the bad: Jerry Silverman will speak (not certain why Richard Sandler has not yet been scheduled); some "outside the box" Israeli entrepreneurs; there is no "scholar in residence" to tie the Plenaries together;; there is no continuity.
There are a whole bunch of Breakouts, Rooftop Raps and Dialogue Dens (again, don't ask), some of which appear to have value, and something called Deep Dives: Dialogue in the Den.
And here is my absolute favorite: The Knesset Event --
"We can't tell you what it is yet, but we promise you won't be disappointed. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting event in Jerusalem!"I'm not making this up -- it just sounds like it. (And, N.B., RSVP Required)
The GA "planners" have scheduled three Prime Minister's Council events from which most, nearly all, will be excluded: "Home Hospitality with "Israeli leaders," A Seminar "with HealthTech Trailblazers" (not to be confused with the Portland Trailblazers); and an Ambassador's Reception at the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem "with Ambassador David Friedman" (have a great bus ride from Tel Aviv).
To paraphrase the Marketing/Communications professionals who appear to be driving this GA -- federations, This is why We Need to Talk. It appears clear that the Program for this GA is driven by nothing more or less than...austerity. It's GA Lite; it's GA On the Cheap except for the Registrants for whom this will be an extraordinarily expensive General Assembly.
I would hope that those of you going to the GA take a Deep Dive together into the swamp that is JFNA and vow to fix it...NOW.
Vayezmir. It just goes from bad to worse.
Rwexler
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On this Yom Kippur, those of us who work on the sinking ship known as JFNA, must say the prayer that best describes what our employer does every other day of the year. I too have a hand in this deceit. It is what the boss demands. Thank gd he is leaving, but you lay leaders who allow him to remain in the building cannot say your Al Chet until you right the wrong by removing him. Then you can begin the teshuva.
He has destroyed everything that was good in CJF and UJA. All that is left that works is Washington Grants, the Bond Fund and UIA
The Al Chet of JFNA
For the sin which we have committed before You under duress or willingly.
And for the sin which we have committed before You by hard-heartedness.
For the sin which we have committed before You inadvertently.
And for the sin which we have committed before You with an utterance of the lips.
For the sin which we have committed before You with immorality.
And for the sin which we have committed before You openly or secretly.
For the sin which we have committed before You with knowledge and with deceit.
And for the sin which we have committed before You through speech.
For the sin which we have committed before You by deceiving a fellowman.
And for the sin which we have committed before You by improper thoughts.
For the sin which we have committed before You by a gathering of lewdness.
And for the sin which we have committed before You by verbal [insincere] confession.
For the sin which we have committed before You by disrespect for parents and teachers.
And for the sin which we have committed before You intentionally or unintentionally.
For the sin which we have committed before You by using coercion.
And for the sin which we have committed before You by desecrating the Divine Name.
For the sin which we have committed before You by impurity of speech.
And for the sin which we have committed before You by foolish talk.
For the sin which we have committed before You with the evil inclination.
And for the sin which we have committed before You knowingly or unknowingly.
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