JFNA: Weekly Round-Up August 28-September 1
Dear Colleagues,
We are deeply shocked and saddened by the hate crime that took place this week in Jacksonville, Florida, in which a gunman targeted black people with a swastika-decorated weapon. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of those whose lives were senselessly lost.
An off-duty Israeli soldier, Maxim Molchanov z’’l, who made aliyah from Ukraine and graduated from The Jewish Agency’s Hadassah Neurim Youth Village, was killed yesterday morning in a terrorist attack. A Palestinian truck driver ran over him and six others, including other soldiers, at a checkpoint near Modiin in the West Bank. We send deep condolences to the families of the murdered soldiers and we pray for a full recovery for all those who were hurt in the attack.
The death toll from the catastrophic wildfires in Hawaii still stands at 115, with hundreds of people still missing. Jewish Federations have raised more than $650,000 to date from a total of 120 Federations and Network communities and from our Emergency Fund. A toolkit of resources is available to assist in fundraising. Click here for information on where to send additional donations.
Jewish Federations is launching a system-wide project on Wednesday, September 6 to collect Rosh Hashana messages of support for jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. In March, Gershkovich was arrested in Russia and charged--without a scrap of evidence--with spying for the US. We will compile the greetings into a collective letter that will be sent to him in prison in time for the holidays. Click here for the toolkit. Keep an eye out for further details next week!
On Capitol Hill, Jewish Federations are organizing a pre-High Holy Day security briefing to educate lawmakers on the security needs of the Jewish community. The event, which will be held in conjunction with SCN, ADL, the OU, and six other major Jewish organizations, will take place at the US Capitol Visitors Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 4 pm ET. Register here for this exclusively in-person program. For more information, contact Karen Paikin Barall.
SCN’s ongoing series of 90-minute webinars is ramping up as the High Holidays approach. There is a final trio of webinars scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday of next week, all of which will take place at 2 pm ET. For the full schedule of programs and links to register, click here.
Jewish Federations, in partnership with other Jewish institutions, are exploring what educational options Jewish communal professionals choose for their own children and the factors they consider in making these decisions. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and send it to others who are eligible to complete the survey. Contact research@jewishfederations.org with any questions.
We are thrilled to announce that the latest episode of our podcast The Glue has taken us into the top 10% of podcasts! Thank you for helping make the podcast a success, and if you haven’t yet, please subscribe and review the podcast (on Apple and Spotify), which helps others find it. If you have an idea for a guest or topic on what holds communities together, please e-mail Niv Elis.
Eric Fingerhut also appeared on the latest episode of the popular podcast Identity/Crisis, where he discussed criticism of the Jewish “establishment,” the Jewish Federations approach toward Israel, and what makes Jewish Federations stand out from the “alphabet soup” of Jewish organizations.
For more updates and reminders, please see below.
Inaugural 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.
Register Now for FedPro: Join us 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.
Register Now for 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.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Judaism But Were Afraid To Ask: Join Rabbi Mike Uram to explore the history, culture, religion, and traditions of Judaism with curious professionals from across the Federation system. All Federation professionals regardless of background are invited to join a fun, educational four-part series on Thursdays at noon ET in September. All questions and ideas are encouraged; our aim is to help professionals from different backgrounds feel more confident and relaxed working in a Jewish organization. To learn more and register, click here. For more information, please reach out to Rebecca Zuck Sowers.
Antisemitism in Canada: Face It, Fight It: Jews are just one percent of the Canadian population but are ten times more likely than any other religious minority to report being the target of a hate crime. The largest gathering of Canadian Jews and allies in years will take on this growing hate; the conference will take place in Ottawa on Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17. Sign up today at www.fightit.ca.
Jewish Fertility Foundation Support Group: In Partnership with Jewish Federations, Keshet, and JQ International, the Jewish Fertility Foundation is hosting a virtual peer-to-peer support group for those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are going through a fertility journey. The virtual program will take place on Tuesday, September 5 at 7 pm ET. To learn more and to register, click here. To view the flyer for the program, click here.
Eradicate Hate: 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.
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. Please help spread the word! Apply through jewishchangemakers.org.
Shabbat Shalom,
Shira Hutt
Executive Vice President
Jewish Federations of North America