Weekly Round-up May 20-24
Dear Colleagues,
This week, we spoke out on the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider issuing arrest warrants for the leaders of both Israel and Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that the court lacks jurisdiction in this case and that it was “extremely wrongheaded” for the prosecutor to equate the victims of Hamas terror with its perpetrators. Click here for some talking points. For more, please read this week’s Israel update and Community Mobilization Dispatch.
More than 85 Federation leaders from 35 communities gathered in Washington, DC this week to review and consider our system’s community relations strategies to safeguard Jewish life in the wake of the precipitous rise of antisemitism and anti-Zionism since October 7. The group heard from Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Hen Mazzig, Federation leaders, and representatives of partner organizations, among others.
The idea of conscripting Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population into the IDF has been hotly debated for years. Join Jewish Federations of North America and the IDI - Israel Democracy Institute for an in-depth webinar on this issue on Tuesday, May 28 at noon ET.
Join Sheryl Sandberg, director of Screams Before Silence, for a virtual program on Tuesday, May 28 at 8:15 pm ET, as she discusses the importance of bearing witness, lifting up the silenced voices of the October 7 attack, and demanding justice. Use the hashtag #screamsbeforesilence to help spread the word.
A new survey by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish (CMJ) Studies at Brandeis University, in collaboration with the Jewish Federations of North America and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, has found that a surprisingly high percentage—almost 20%—of Jewish families struggle to make ends meet. The Cohen Center analyzed data from more than 53,000 respondents in 25 communities from 2015 to 2023. The survey results were covered in eJP.
The National Association of Jewish Legislators (NAJL) is joining the Federation system as part of our Government Affairs efforts. Founded in 1977, NAJL is a national, nonpartisan network and forum for Jewish state legislators that represents more than 240 Jewish state legislators from more than three dozen states. As antisemitism and anti-Zionism are spreading virally to statehouses, city councils, and other governmental entities, this partnership will serve a crucial role.
As we announced last week, registration has launched for the 2024 General Assembly and we hope to see you there! It will take place from Sunday, November 10 to Tuesday, November 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. This year’s General Assembly will include a special Evening of Unity event on the first night of the conference at Nationals Park Stadium. To learn more, visit generalassembly.org or check out the FAQs.
For additional updates and reminders, please see below.
Executive Accelerator Cohort II: Nominations are open for the second cohort of the Executive Accelerator. The deadline is Friday, June 14 at 5 pm ET. This year-long experience combines professional development, applied learning, and coaching to equip mid and senior career professionals whom Federations have identified as demonstrating potential for executive leadership. To nominate a colleague or supervisee, click here. To learn more, email Rebecca Ruberg.
Third Annual Active Aging Convening: Join a virtual convening on Thursday, June 6 from noon-4 pm ET to learn about active aging in Jewish life. We will explore new program models that offer opportunities to find purpose, connection, and community. Jewish Federations are proud to partner with B3 The Jewish Boomer Platform and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan/Wechsler Center for Modern Aging. Read the conference agenda and reach out to Sophie Hearne with any questions.
BeWell’s National Research on Jewish Teen Well-Being: BeWell, Jewish Federations’ youth mental health and wellness initiative, is partnering with Stanford University to study American Jewish teens’ well-being in this pivotal moment. Amplify this important researchby sharing this brief, mobile-friendly, and anonymous survey with the 7th-12th graders in your life.
Jewish Education: Israel and Jewish Education Series for Lay Leaders: Join us for a three-part series to unpack Israel’s history and to gain a better understanding of the key features of Israel and Zionism. The workshops are open to all Federation lay leaders, board chairs, and community members with no prior knowledge required. The sessions will take place on three Tuesdays–June 4, June 18, and June 25–from 4 to 5 pm ET. For questions, please contact Rebecca Gerbert, Managing Director of Lay Leadership Training and Development.
Also, on two consecutive Thursdays– June 20 and 27–from 3 to 4:30 pm ET, Rabbi Uram will give a workshop on how to develop and deliver a d’var Torah in both written and oral formats. He will suggest ways to structure a compelling message and introduce resources to help interpret the text. No prior knowledge is needed. Click here to learn more.
Creating a Culture of Candor and Safety: This two-part series, which is open to all Federation pros, will take place virtually on Wednesday, June 26, and Tuesday, July 23 from 1-2:30 pm ET (there will be a separate session for Senior and C-Suite Leaders on Tuesday, August 20). Taught by workplace climate expert Fran Sepler, this workshop will include both practical guidance and Federation-focused case studies. Register here and contact Jessica Balboni with any questions.
Shabbat Shalom,
Shira Hutt
Executive Vice President
Jewish Federations of North America