JCSA Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Connecting & Enhancing Professional Leadership

May 2014 Volume 12, Issue 9

Inside this issue:

Work Above the Bull: Recalculating: Are we heading in the right direction?

Brenda Gevertz, JCSA Executive Director

If you have ever driven while using a GPS, you know how disconcert-

ing it can be to hear that voice that lets you know you’re not following the

right path….RECALCULATING. Sometimes you’ve opted to take your own

route, other times you may have missed a turn or taken the wrong ramp…

We are working at a fast pace and perhaps in unfamiliar territory.

Yesterday’s road signs may not get us where we need to go. The Jewish

community is at a pivotal time when large numbers of senior executives are

retiring, social media and technology are changing the way we connect and

communicate, the nature of identity has few boundaries and we are creating

programs and services in Beta Mode while being asked to conscientiously report data. Familiar paths may no longer

take us to our desired destination. The theme of our Annual Conference, Recalculating: Generating Professional

Success, recognizes that we may all need some “road side” assistance.

In our opening plenary, Rabbi David Ellenson, Chancellor of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of

Religion, will explore Judaism’s rich tradition of adapting to change and Rabbi Joy Levitt, CEO of the Manhattan JCC,

will discuss how she is helping her staff and agency adapt to the many changes they are encountering. A large number

of workshops and breakout sessions will cover a wide range of adaptive strategies and skills, presented by many of the

leading professionals in our field. During lunch, we’re eager to hear Jane Eisner, Editor of The Forward, interview

“retiring” UJA-Federation CEO John Ruskay in a transitioning interview. Did John’s career stay on course—did he miss

any road signs, did he reach his desired destination?

North American Jewry’s relationship with Israel is certainly changing and we’ll have workshops on this topic,

as well as some thought-provoking comments from Israel’s Consul for Media Affairs, Shahar Azani. American Jewish

Committee’s esteemed CEO, David Harris, will close the day’s program with an inspiring message on our relationship to

the Jewish People.

Throughout the day you’ll have the opportunity to schmooze with colleagues, get career advice from leading

experts, and build your knowledge and skills. Whether you’re considering your next career move, seeking skills to help

you navigate or just needing a rest stop on your journey, you’ll generate professional success at this year’s annual

conference. See you there!

JCSA Annual Conference 2

JCSA Local Group Events 3

Giving Purpose to Our Work; Events & Updates

4

Graduate Schools; Events Continued;

Grant Award/Application Mazal Tovs

5

Employment Opportunities; Mazal Tovs Continued

6

JCSA Benefit Plans 7

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Deadline for news you would like to share in the June issue of the eNews is Monday, June 2, 2014.

www.JCSANA.org Page 2

REGISTER HERE: www.jcsana.org

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The Darrell Friedman Institute for Professional Development

Active Listening & Observation: Non-Verbal Communication to Improve Networking Skills

Lynda Katz Wilner, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech Coach

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Time: 8:30 -10:00 AM EDT

Location: Jewish Community Services Building

Leadership and Language

Dr. Erica Brown, Jewish Educator

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Time: 11:30 -1:30 PM, EDT

Location: Weinberg Park Heights JCC

Emotional Aspects of Financial Management

Patrick Cassidy, B.A. in Psychology, MBA in Finance

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Time: 12:00 -1:00 PM, EDT

Location: Weinberg Park Heights JCC

Professional Leadership Summit

Collaboration: Building Communities, Building Connections

Date: Tuesday, May 22, 2014

Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM, EDT

Location: Baltimore Hebrew Congregation

Please go to www.thedfi.org to register and for more information on the above workshops.

JCSA Local Group Events

Advancing Jewish Professionals of NYC

Presents

Giving and Getting: A Discussion with Today’s Jewish

Philanthropists

with

Alisa Robbins Doctoroff, Marc Chodock and Adrienne

Bavar

Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM, EDT

at UJA-Federation of New York

Light kosher refreshments will be served.

Register today at

http://tinyurl.com/odsvr6y

Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California Announces

RECHARGE, REVIEW AND RENEW Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2014

This full day conference will take place at American Jewish University

Reserve your spot today! http://jcpsocal.org/programs/

JPRO NJ Annual Meeting Details:

Date: May 30, 2014

Time: 8:45 AM, EDT

Location: JCC on the Palisades

Topic: Attracting and Keeping young Jewish Communal

Professionals in our Organizations.

For more information email jmehlman@jfedgmw.org.

Events & Updates

www.JCSANA.org

Bend the Arc hosts a conference call to discuss support of a new VRA (Voting Rights Act) and how to get involved with the campaign.

Presented by: Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Thursday, May 8, 2014; 3 PM, EDT

Call in number: 1-857-232-0156; Access code: 869673

Visit bendthearc.us for more information.

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Join American Jewish World Service for the AJWS Policy Summit on Capital Hill

May 11-13, 2014

Washington Court Hotel in Washington D.C.

Participants will hone their advocacy skills and meet with congressional representatives

to urge them to use their power as policymakers to bring about change.

For more information about the conference, including registration, transportation, lodging, and scholarships, please visit www.ajws.org/summit or contact summit@ajws.org.

Jewish Home Lifecare invites you to the 2nd Annual Himan Brown Symposium

THE ECONOMICS OF AN AGING SOCIETY May 12th, 5:30 - 8:30 PM EDT

Featuring Jason Furman, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors

Questions? Contact Andrea Fram Plotkin, aplotkin@jewishhome.org, 212.870.5053 or visit www.jewishhome.org

Save the Date for a Community Conversation on LGBTQ Engagement on Friday, June 20, 2014 9:00 - 2:00 PM, EST at UJA-Federation of New York. Contact Melanie Schneider, schneiderm@ujafedny.org, for more information

Don’t miss out on The Weiner Center at UJA-Federation of New York’s exciting May workshops!

♦ Strength Based Problem Solving for Teams on Thursday, May 8th, 9:00 AM- 12:30 PM, EDT ♦ Greening Seminar: How to Make Lasting Behavior Change on Monday, May 12th, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM, EDT

♦ Working Effectively with Different Communication Styles on Thursday, May 15th, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, EDT ♦ The Emotionally Intelligent Leader on Monday, May 19th, 9:00 - 4:00 PM, EDT

Visit www.ujafedny.org/workshops/ for full details or contact wienercenter@ujafedny.org

Giving Purpose to Our Work By Arthur Sandman, Jewish Agency for Israel, Executive Vice President

Life doesn’t stop. Lives can end. But life does not stop.

It was Yom HaShoah. And I was on the campus of Tel Aviv University crossing a plaza when the siren sounded. And the stillness began. Dozens of people as in a cinematic freeze-frame, suddenly still in happenstance stance. But life did not stop, even for those two minutes. In moments strangely quiet despite the blare of the sirens, the exuberant chirps of the birds—that I neither heard nor noticed as I walked along in conversation—prevailed, reminding me that, though six million lives could end, life does not stop.

And then there was the woman walking with purpose amid the artificial stillness. Was there an emergency? Was she oblivious? Was it some lone act of protest? Against what—memory? Or was it just another reminder that, though six million lives could end, life does not stop?

And then, one by one in rapid succession, the sirens ceased. Amid the silence, the birds could no longer be heard. Because movement and conversation resumed. Because, though six million lives could end, life does not stop.

And so I, with my colleagues, proceeded across the plaza into a building. To listen to Masa students at the university share with us why they had chosen to come to this place—from Los Angeles, from Paris. Because, though six million lives could end, life does not stop. And for them, that means that Jewish life does not stop.

And we, who work to inspire Jews to live Jewishly amid our fear that Jewish life might stop, were reminded that, though six million lives could end, life does not stop.

And if life does not stop, neither can our work.

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The Ralph I. Goldman Fellowship Applications are open for the Ralph I. Goldman (RIG) Fellowship in International Jewish Services, JDC’s premier leadership opportunity for the world’s top Jewish young professionals. The award is a leadership award that exposes, confronts, and enriches a talented rising leader through direct exposure and access to multiple communities and key challenges confronting the Jewish people. RIF Fellows receive a stipend and benefits. Applications are due May 30, 2014. Please email globalservice@jdcny.org or go to http://jdcentwine.org/ralph for more information.

Grant Award/Application

My Jewish Coach

Presents with

Deborah Grayson Riegel, coach, speaker and facilitator

Webinar: Working Well with Any Generation

Date: Monday, May 19, 2014

Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT

&

Seminar: Present with Chutzpah!

Public Speaking Workshop

Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Time: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, EDT

Location: Phillips Nizer LLP, NY, NY

For more info go to myjewishcoach.com

Mazal Tovs Mazel Tov to Michael Friedman, Senior Vice President, Legacy and Endowment, The ASSOCIATED: Jewish Commu-nity Federation of Baltimore, for his recent recognition as the Daniel Thursz Distinguished Jewish Communal Service Award Winner at the Professional Leadership Summit.

Mazel Tov to Gila Irene Haor, Coordinator of Professional Development SHEMESH, for her recent recognition as the Outstanding Jewish Communal Professional Award Winner at the Professional Leadership Summit.

Mazel Tov to Craig Neuman, Director of Programming at the St. Louis JCC and past president of JPro St. Louis who will be performing in the New Jewish Theater’s production of Old Jews Telling Jokes at the JCC.

Mazel Tov to Batya Abramson-Goldstein, Executive Director of St. Louis JCRC who was honored by the JCRC for her 25 years of distinguished professional leadership at the agency’s 75th anniversary celebration on April 30th.

Mazel Tov to Nancy Weigley on her recent appointment as Executive Director of Central Reform Congregation. Nancy most recently was Program Director at NCJW St. Louis Section.

Mazel Tov to Max Kleinman, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, with the Saul Schwarz Distinguished Service Award at the JProNJ Annual Meeting and Jackie Kott, Stein Assisted Living of the Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus, with the Nachshon Achievement Award.

Mazel Tov to Jed Snerson, UJA-Federation, on his recent engagement to Vivian Zybersztejn and to Marci Mayer Eisen and Susan Kohn for the shidduch.

Mazel Tov to Judith Rosenbaum on her selection as Executive Director of the Jewish Women’s Archives.

Obtain your graduate degree at

The Jewish Theological Seminary

New and Expanded MA Programs in

• MA in Jewish Ethics

• MA Jewish Professional Leadership Program Dual Pro-

gram with Columbia University

• MA in Modern Jewish Studies - Israel Track

Visit www.jtsprograms.com for more information

Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education

• MA in Jewish Education

Online and In-Residence

Visit www.jtsa.edu/The_Davidson_School.xml for more in-

formation

Questions? Contact Abby Eisenberg, Director of Admissions,

at abeisenberg@jtsa.edu

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Employment Opportunities

Hillel is looking for top executives, educators and engagers that want to make an impact on the future of the Jewish people. Positions are available around the county. Please check out www.jobs.hillel.org or contact Aviva Zucker Snyder, Talent Recruiter at asnyder@hillel.org, to find out more!

The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is significantly expanding its professional staff and seeking a Senior Development Officer, a Director of Community Planning and Engagement, a NEXTGen Director, and a Director of Women’s Philanthropy. Successful candidates will be passionate, innovative and dedicated to working with a growing and dynamic Jewish community, with strong lay leaders and be a team player who is an independent thinker. Please send re-sumes and cover letters to careers@jfgi.org.

American Jewish Committee seeks a Director of Alumni Engagement and an Impact & Performance Analyst. The Director of Alumni engagement candidate will support the expansion of Project Interchange’s alumni program. Project Interchange is an educational institute of AJC dedicated to connecting worldwide leaders with Israel. The Impact & Perfor-mance Analyst is a one-year contract based position in which they will research and manage data aspects for their programs and donations. For more information, contact Janet Becker, Director, Strategic Implementation & HR at beckerj@ajc.org.

Hillel International announces their Engage2Education (E2E) Fellowship supported by the Maimonides Fund. The E2E Fellowship is geared to expand the number of Jewish educators throughout the Hillel network over the next 3-5 years. The goal is to attract 10-15 budding Jewish educators to Hillel each year for the next three years, providing Jewish college students in North America with access to great Jewish knowledge and richer Jewish experiences. For more information about this initiative, please contact E2EFellowship@hillel.org.

Mazal Tovs Continued... Mazel Tov to Jean Cavender, outgoing president of JPro and others concluding their terms including, Andrew Goldfeder of the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center, Marcia Mermelstein of Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Mindi Mintz of Torah Prep School, Craig Neuman of the JCC and Andrew Schwebel of Congregation B’nai Amoona.

JProStl has announced the new board for 2014- 2015. This year marks the 10th anniversary for JPro, the association for staff who work in Jewish organizations throughout St. Louis. Officers are president, Rabbi Levi Landa of Chabad and vice presidents, Michelle Almengor of the JCC and Amy Stone of United Hebrew Congregation. Jean Cavender of the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center will transition to past-president.

Committee chairs are Shannon Rohlman of Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, Rabbi Ari Kaiman of Congregation B’nai Amoona, Amanda Radman of Temple Israel, Emilie Docter of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Rori Picker Neiss of Bais Abraham Congregation and Randi Schenberg of the Crown Center for Senior Liv-ing.

At-Large board members are Tabari Coleman of the ADL’s A World of Difference Institute, Robert Colton of Shaare Emeth, Kimmi Levinson of the JCC, Marissa Rosen of NCJW, Phil Ruben of the JCC, Rabbi Yitz Staum of JSU, Emily Thal of Shaare Emeth and Shirley Wise of CAJE. The new board will be installed at the annual JProStl end of year event on Wednesday, June 7 at 3 pm CST at the Staenberg Family JCC.

One Voice seeks a Director of Development of OneVoice Movement. The position will be a dynamic, experienced execu-tive responsible for overseeing fundraising and donor outreach efforts. The position will report directly to the CEO and will work closely with the President of Peace Works and OneVoice’s boards to manage outreach to the existing support base and expand the donor base. Check out www.vettedsolutions.com for more information. If you have questions, contact Jim Zaniello at jim.zaniello@vettedsolutions.com or Shelley Ann Hainer at shelley@vettedsolutions.com.

www.JCSANA.org

Marc B. Terrill, President Brenda Gevertz, Executive Director

Visit our website: www.jcsana.org

JCSA Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Connecting & Enhancing Professional Leadership

25 Broadway | Suite 1700 | New York, NY 10004

Phone: 212.284.6945 | Fax: 212.284.6566 | info@jcsana.org

May 2014 Volume 12, Issue 9

Mission The Jewish Communal Service Association of North America supports the enhancement of professional Jewish communal leadership, uniting a broad spectrum of individuals, entities and disciplines sharing a commitment to advancing their communities guided by Jewish values.

Newsletter Staff — Emily Welikson, Editor

To subscribe directly to this newsletter simply go to www.jcsana.org, enter your email address in the space provided and click “go”.

Your e-mail will be automatically added to our listserv through Constant Contact. It is free, fast and easy!

JCSA Benefit Plans

Call for further information!

Contact our administrators for JCSA Benefit Plans, Brian and Irving Silberberg at: Telephone: 1-800-597-9245 E-mail: bsilberberg@ceteraadvisors.com Website: www.jcsabenefitplans.com

JCSA Benefit Plans offers the following plans and services to our members on an individual and agency basis:

♦ Fixed Annuities

♦ Fixed Index Annuities

♦ 529 College Fund Plan ♦ IRA Plans

♦ Long Term Care Plans ♦ 24 Hour Accident Plan ♦ Agency Pension

Planning

♦ Long Term Disability ♦ Tax Sheltered Annuities ♦ Retirement Disability Plan ♦ Life Insurance Plan

FUTURE FUNDING OF YOUR RETIREMENT PLANS

MAY BE AT RISK!

Have YOU insured future deposits to your retirement accounts as many of your colleagues have?

You insure your car and home but has the protection of future deposits to your retirement accounts fallen

through the cracks, subjecting you and your loved ones to a potentially devastating exposure due to the

inability to work as a result of an unexpected disability?

Hopefully you have secured Long Term Disability Insurance in order to protect your income from

unexpectedly being unable to work but this DOES NOT cover and protect your ongoing deposits to your

Tax Sheltered Annuity or IRA to continue if you are unable to work.

JCSA Benefit Plans has developed a most unique program which will continue your annual deposits into

your retirement plan if you should suddenly be unable to work due to an accident or illness.

If you have never thought of what shape your retirement plans would be in if you became disabled, that time

is NOW!

Please contact our Administrators for further information and details on our upcoming open enrollment

period so you too can comfortably insure that your retirement will stay on course in the face of the

unexpected.

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