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
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5 comments:
Yes, but what difference does it make?
There may be a new National Campaign Chair but there is still no National Campaign and hasn't been one for ages.
Maybe the title should be changed to National Postmaster since the most that we can hope for is maybe an occasional mailbox once in a while when the level of embarrassment over doing nothing at all becomes a threat.
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 changed happened?
I enjoy reading your blog and seldom comment, but anom 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.
Anon 12:52: PERFECT!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
Facts a bit off about LA. I am a donor by every metric. LA has been leading the system. Campaigns have been up. Covid and fire response outstanding and a deep and powerful donor base. Ask the keadership of every major agency and synagogue. Ask Steve Nasatir or Steve Hoffman. Ask anyone who matters not folks who “live up the road”. Factless and honestly more of a character assault on outstanding lay leaders and pros. Sad.
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