JFNA: Weekly Round-Up September 11-15
As we prepare to welcome Rosh Hashana in just a few hours, we wish you, your families, and your communities a happy, healthy, sweet, and successful year ahead. For the leadership message that was sent out this morning, click here.
Jewish Federations' JEDI team has also shared a new High Holiday reader. Click here.
Last Friday’s devastating earthquake near Marrakesh in Morocco killed more than 3,000 people to date, with more than 5,000 people injured. Jewish Federations opened an emergency fund, and developed a digital marketing toolkit. For press coverage, click here. For the message that we sent out to the system this week, click here.
In partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN), the Orthodox Union, and ADL, Jewish Federations held a well-publicized briefing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to call attention to the security needs of the Jewish community as the High Holidays approach. The lawmakers who were in attendance all urged that the Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP) be funded at a higher level. The event was covered in the Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, and other media outlets. To read our blog post, click here.
More than 2,600 messages have already flooded in from 21 countries on behalf of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as part of our “Shana Tova, Evan” campaign. The campaign has garnered coverage across The Jewish Press, the Wall Street Journal, and NPR. Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, and Eric Fingerhut co-authored an op-ed on the Times of Israel blog this week to highlight Gershkovich’s plight. Messages are still being gathered—please send in yours to jfeds.org/shanatovaevan.
Israel’s Supreme Court held a groundbreaking, live, televised hearing this week on whether the High Court can strike down the recent legislation that precludes the Court from overturning government decisions as “extremely unreasonable.” For more, click here. For the explanatory messages that were sent out this week from our Israel office, click here and here.
Yesterday, the IRS announced that it would pause processing new refund claims of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), a refundable tax credit for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that continued to pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The credit allows employers to offset their employment taxes against a percentage of qualified wages paid to employees. If you have already filed for your ERTC, you should not be affected, but please note that you may experience a delay due to additional IRS scrutiny. We will continue to apprise you of any changes to this action. For more, please see the IRS’s press release here and for additional background, please see Jewish Federations’ tax counsel’s summary.
For additional updates and reminders, please see below.
Inaugural Federation Professionals Town Hall: We are thrilled to announce our very first system-wide Town Hall, which will be open to all Jewish Federation professionals. We will give updates on our biggest initiatives, provide insights into what's coming down the pike, delve into the most challenging issues we face, and spotlight some of our local Federations' achievements. We'll also have time for a thorough Q&A to hear what's on your mind and discuss our collective work. The Town Hall will take place virtually on Thursday, September 28 at noon ET. Register here.
Just Seven Weeks until FedPro: Join us, and the 500 Federation professionals registered to date, from Sunday, November 5-Tuesday, November 7 in Chicago! We look forward to bringing together Federation professionals across all job functions for three days of professional development, learning, and celebration. Expect exciting speakers and innovative programs along with unique opportunities to spotlight the incredible work you’re doing. From skill-building workshops to meaningful recognition and networking opportunities, the spotlight is on the pro at FedPro! For a complete program, for more information, or to register visit fedpro.org.
Community Relations Track at FedPro: Calling all community relations professionals! We are very excited to announce a community relations track and extension as part of FedPro. You will have the opportunity to join other Community Relations professionals from across the system to network, discuss best practices, create solutions to shared challenges, and innovate together. Learn from experts and receive practical tools on how you can leverage the power of local community activism to address antisemitism and Israel delegitimization. Registration for this track will be subsidized to $100. For more information, email Adam Teitelbaum.
Ignite: Powering Teen Engagement: Stay in Chicago after FedPro to attend this two-day, network-building experience, which will explore cutting-edge, effective strategies to launch, grow or reimagine Jewish teen engagement in your community. This convening will commence at the Chicago Hilton at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, November 7 and will end at 4 pm on Wednesday, November 8. Learn more and register here. For questions, email Phoebe Chapnick-Sorokin.
CEO-Board Chair Series: JFNA’s Mandel Center, in partnership with the Lay Leadership Development Department, is pleased to announce a new two-part, online series presented by governance expert Nanette Fridman. The program will be offered at no cost. It will take place on Thursday, September 28 from 7 to 9 pm ET and on Monday, October 2 from noon to 2 pm ET. The program is designed to explore the key elements of a strong Board Chair and Executive relationship. Board Chairs (current and incoming) and CEOs/executive directors are highly encouraged to attend together for both sessions. To register, click here. For questions, please contact Jessica Balboni.
Shine A Light 3.0 Community Microgrant Opportunity: Shine A Light draws inspiration from Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, to champion the message that light can dispel darkness and hate. Apply for a community microgrant to create and host a local event. Applications are live as of today, Friday, September 8 and will be due no later than Monday, October 9. Award notifications will be sent on a rolling basis with all notices sent no later than Monday, October 23. Consult our website for grant criteria and examples of previously funded events. For questions, contact microgrants@shinealighton.com.
Cabinet Alumni Reunion: All Cabinet Alumni are invited to the Cabinet Alumni Reunion from Thursday, October 12 to Sunday, October 15, at the Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa Sonoma. This gathering will bring together Alumni in celebration of Cabinet’s 60th year–and for the first time in ten years! Programming will include breakouts based on affinities, a variety of keynote presenters, plenty of time for reconnection, and unique wine-country experiences. This gathering is not open to current Cabinet members or Federation professionals. Registration information can be found here. Please refer to the FAQs with any questions, or contact Jill Kaplan.
2023 International Leadership Reunion (ILR): The upcoming ILR will take place Tuesday, October 24-Thursday, October 26 in Israel and Jordan, with an exciting three-day, high-level program that will include meetings with senior Israeli officials, Israeli philanthropists, and cultural figures. The ILR, a partnership with Keren Hayesod (KH), is intended for donors who give a minimum of $250,000 each year to Federation.To learn more and to register, visit www.ILR2023.com.
Lion of Judah Board Nominations and 2025 Save the Date: National Women’s Philanthropy Board nominations opened on Wednesday, September 13. Women’s Philanthropy professionals received NWP Board Guidelines and Requirements and are encouraged to nominate one or two women for this incredible national leadership opportunity. Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that our next international conference will take place from January 12-14, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia. Please contact Mandy Kaiser-Blueth, Associate Vice President, National Women’s Philanthropy with any questions.
JEDI Learning Circle: During a seven-week immersive educational opportunity on racial identity and Jewish equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI), participants will engage with experts on questions that are relevant to modern Jewish life. The course begins on Monday, October 9. Register here.
Jewish Changemakers Fellowship: The Jewish Changemakers Fellowship engages young Jewish adults ages 20-25 in a six-week, online leadership experience. Participants will meet inspiring professionals and peers in a fellowship designed to expand their networks, hone their leadership skills, and jumpstart their careers. They will leave with a clear path to making a difference in their community. The Fall session begins on Tuesday, October 10. Visit jewishchangemakers.org for more information and for the link to apply.
Eradicate Hate Global Summit: The annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit unites experts and leaders from around the globe, all of whom are dedicated to eradicating all forms of hate-fueled violence. It runs from Wednesday, September 27 to Friday, September 29 in Pittsburgh. To register, click here.
Shana Tova U’Metuka – and Shabbat Shalom,
Shira Hutt
Executive Vice President
Jewish Federations of North America