Weekly Round-up August 26-30
Dear Colleagues,
Israel launched a major pre-emptive strike in Southern Lebanon on Sunday morning, destroying thousands of Hezbollah’s rocket launchers that were pointed toward the Jewish State, whereupon the terrorist group fired hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation. One Israeli naval soldier was killed. Also this week, Kaid Farhan Elkadi, 52, a Bedouin father of 11 who had been held hostage in Gaza since October 7, was miraculously freed this week from a tunnel complex in Gaza. For more, read yesterday’s Israel Update and Tuesday’s Community Mobilization Center Dispatch.
Applications for the new microgrant opportunity to support campus or community October 7 commemorations are due on Monday, September 9. Click here to apply for a microgrant of up to $10,000 and here for our toolkit with resources to support your planning. Over 75 upcoming Federation-led community-wide commemorations are already featured on our website, October 7th: Marking One Year. Also, see this eJewishPhilanthropy piece on how organizations are commemorating October 7. Click hereto submit your event.
Our new Serve Israel initiative, featured here, offers funding and logistical support for Federations and partner organizations to organize volunteer trips to Israel. We are eager to work with every Federation and its partners to develop meaningful volunteer experiences. Please contact Sophie Hearne for more information. Click on this updated FAQ document for a list of this and many other volunteer opportunities.
Yesterday, The Forward ran a challenging article on Jewish Federations’ Israel Emergency Funds. In case you get questions about this, you can find talking points and background information here. Feel free to contact Niv Elis for additional support.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) disbursed an unprecedented level of funds this year, giving $454 million in grants to protect houses of worship. This amount is an increase of almost $150 million as compared to last year and represents a major win for Jewish Federations, which advocated intensively for additional NSGP funds in the security supplemental bill that passed in April. Even so, there is more work to do. The program was only able to cover only 47% of funding requested, and just 43% of all applications.
Federations should begin both state and local advocacy efforts to either establish state NSGP programs or secure funding to fill the remaining financial gaps. For questions, contact Rachel Dembo.
Jewish Federations are sponsoring a webinar, “Navigating the New College Year: Addressing Antisemitism on Campus,” on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 4 pm ET. Recall that we have urged universities to adopt these comprehensive standards. We are also still offering weekly webinars on Thursdays from 2 to 2:30 pm ET on how to deal with anti-Israel protests on campus. Registration is required and you are welcome to share the links. These programs complement the leadership briefings that have taken place on Mondays at 2 pm ET since October 7. For more information on the Monday calls, contact Hindy Garfinkel.
Early bird registration for the 2024 General Assembly ends a week from today, Friday, September 6. Register now at www.GeneralAssembly.org. General Assembly attendees will also receive premium access to the exciting Unity event on Sunday, November 10—you won’t want to miss it! Click here for a preliminary descriptions of the featured sessions and workshops.
For additional updates and reminders, please see below.
Showing Sensitivity Toward Survivors: I Believe Israeli Women, a global organization that combats the denial of and disinformation about the sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, is hosting a webinar, “Treating Survivors with Sensitivity: How to Host Thoughtful Events About the Sexual Violence of October 7,” on Monday, September 9 at 1 pm ET. Jewish Federations are cosponsoring the webinar. Shelley Rood Wernick, the managing director of our Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, will speak, along with Anat Stalinsky, the director of Screams Before Silence, and Dr. Guila Benchimol, Senior Advisor of Research & Learning at SRE Network.
Sullam Israel Residency: Taglit Birthright Israel Onward, in partnership with M², brings you the Sullam Israel Residency, a new professional development opportunity for Jewish community professionals in the early stages of their careers. The program is a month-long, immersive program in Tel Aviv. Register for the Jewish Federation Professional Information Session on Thursday, September 5 at 1 pm ET.
Overview of Professional Development Opportunities: We offer Jewish Federation professionals across North America opportunities to learn and grow. Please review our robust schedule of upcoming programs. Bookmark the page and check back often as new ones are added weekly! Newly added this week: the first installment of Fundraising Institute’s Monthly Drop-In sessions about Effective Federation Communications taking place on Tuesday, September 10 at noon ET. Register here.
Fundraising Institute Learning Session: Join us virtually on Wednesday, September 25 from 1 pm – 2:30 pm ET for a session on The Art of the Ask. Perfect for new and seasoned fundraisers, this session will provide tools and tips to have easy, comfortable, and successful conversations. Click here to register. For more information, contact Leslie Pomerantz with any questions.
Rosh Hashanah Toolkit: Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner! Inspire your community to imagine a brighter future together with our marketing toolkit, including engaging social media posts, a stirring video that celebrates unity and hope, and a direct mail letter to spark meaningful conversations and drive donations.
Judaism 101: Learn about the multitude of cultures, traditions, practices, and customs that make up the Jewish tradition – especially those you might encounter in your job! Join us every Thursday in September at 1 pm ET. Click here to learn more and register.
Repair the World Microgrants: Repair the World is offering microgrants of up to $1,000 for Federations and other Jewish organizations to host service programs in the US between September 15 and October 15. The goal is to engage 3,000 volunteers in acts of service and Jewish learning in conjunction with the anniversary of October 7th.
Ensuring Safety During the High Holidays: The Security Community Network (SCN) is continuing its annual series on how to keep your community safe during the High Holidays. Please sign up for the upcoming webinars.
Jewish Belonging Professional Working Group: This is a monthly convening of Jewish communal professionals from across religious and faith backgrounds to collaborate to increase a sense of belonging for all Jews and their loved ones. We will develop, test, and support best practices to support field professionals; we will also explore how to use data to inform decision-making and implementation of strategies to expand belonging. Our first meeting is on Thursday, September 12 at noon ET. For questions, contact Stacey Aviva Flint.
Save a Life, Save a Whole World: BeWell’s September Resiliency Roundtable, which will take place on Wednesday, September 18 from 2-3:30pm ET, is dedicated to Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Begin the year with the wisdom and foresight of effective prevention and intervention models to save young lives in our communities. If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach a trained counselor within the lifeline network. This communication is confidential and free.
PCTI Workshop: This webinar by Alana Knoppow, Project Manager at our Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care, will take place on Tuesday, September 24 from 1 to 2:30 pm ET. During this session, Federation professionals will learn about the prevalence of trauma among employees and volunteers, and how the person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) approach can help minimize re-traumatization in our workplaces and allow for greater likelihood of achieving our goals. Through demonstrations, case studies, and facilitated group discussion, participants will gain resources to apply their learning in practical and actionable ways.
Quarterly Virtual Orientation for New Hires in Federations: Jewish Federations are running quarterly virtual orientations, to which all new hires are invited. The next orientation will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, October 30 at 1 pm ET. The orientations provide an opportunity for newly-hired professionals to learn about the Jewish Federations of North America, ask questions, connect with colleagues in other Federations, and access additional support and resources from JFNA. Please share this link with your team and with all new hires. Contact Sari Kreines with questions.
Shabbat Shalom and Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend,
Shira Hutt
Executive Vice President
Jewish Federations of North America