JFNA:Weekly Round-Up September 4-8

Dear Colleagues,

This week, Jewish Federations launched a letter-writing campaign to send New Year’s greetings and messages of support to Evan Gershkovich, the wrongly-detained Wall Street Journal reporter who has been in jail in Russia for the last five months. We will compile the greetings into a collective letter that will be sent to Evan in time for Rosh Hashanah and we will also forward the letters to Evan’s family in New Jersey.  

Hundreds of messages have already flooded in from 12 countries and the campaign has garnered coverage in JTA, The Jerusalem Post, the Times of Israel, The Forward, JNS, and eJP.  To read the letter that was sent to the system yesterday, click here. Messages can be sent by going to jfeds.org/shanatovaevan. You can also click here for a toolkit for marketing resources.

President Biden has nominated Jacob J. Lew to be the new US Ambassador to Israel. Lew served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Obama, as well as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (a role that he also held in President Clinton’s cabinet from 1998 to 2001), as well as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources and Chief of Staff for the President.

A bipartisan group of Senators recently introduced the Regional Integration and Normalization (RINA) Act to strengthen US and Israeli national security by building on the Abraham Accords. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), and Senator James Lankford (R-OH) are championing the legislation. Click here for the Action Alert.

With the support of Jewish Federations, JDC is poised to deliver food packages, including apples and honey, to thousands of needy Jews in Ukraine to enable them to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. To read more about this inspiring initiative, as well as about other Rosh Hashanah programs that JDC is sponsoring in Jewish communities throughout the world, click here.

This week, Jewish Federations of North America, JCC Association of North America, and the Union for Reform Judaism announced the launch of ElevatEd (previously Project-412), the groundbreaking collaborative initiative intended to transform the field of early childhood Jewish education (ECJE). You can read more about how the initiative will address the early childhood teacher shortage in eJP, and reach out to Sarah Eisenman for more information.

In response to a scurrilous, unwarranted attack by Twitter/X owner Elon Musk, on the ADL, Jewish Federations released the following statements on Facebook and Twitter/X.

The victims of the terrible wildfires that killed more than 100 people in Hawaii continue to need help. Jewish Federations have allocated $680,000 so far to date from a total of 120 Federations and Network communities. A toolkit of resources is available to assist in fundraising. Click here for information on where to send donations. 

For additional updates and reminders, please see below.

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.

Pre-High Holiday Security Briefing: Jewish Federations are collaborating with SCN, ADL, the OU, and six other major Jewish organizations to educate lawmakers on the security needs of the Jewish community and, in particular, on the need for substantial additional funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). We will gather in the US House Visitors Center in Room 201 on Tuesday, September 12 at 4 pm ET. Register here for this exclusively in-person program. For more information, contact Karen Paikin Barall.

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.

Just Eight Weeks until 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. 

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): Please help spread the word about the upcoming ILR, which will take place from 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.

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.

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