News from AJFCA for December 10, 2010

Jewish Family Service Calgary recently published Voices of Resilience, a book of Holocaust survivor stories from the former Soviet Union. The book may be one of the first of its kind to document the Soviet Holocaust survivor experience as well as be undertaken almost entirely by volunteers. The Russian-speaking volunteers conducted and transcribed the interviews from seniors living in Calgary as well as translated the stories into English. Voices of Resilience is published both in Russian and English. It's available by donation by calling JFSC at (403) 287-3510 or emailing Irena Karshenbaum, Special Projects Coordinator, Jewish Family Service Calgary at irenak@jfsc.org.

D'Var Torah

D'var Torah

Lee I. Sherman

President & CEO

I am always impressed when watching a television or film lawyer make a compelling and winning jury argument in one to three minutes. It makes me think that I could have used a better script writer back when I was a litigator. It had been my experience that most lawyers went on for too long and likely lost the jury along the way.

This week's parashah, Va-yiggash, opens with Judah's plea to Joseph to spare Benjamin. It gives a succinct history of the importance of Benjamin to his father Jacob, appeals to the emotions, and offers the alternative of offering himself to serve Benjamin's punishment. Joseph is so moved by Judah's speech that he sends his servants from the room so they will not see this powerful man so affected. Joseph, after having tested his brothers over an extended period, has now reached the point where he reveals himself and the family can be reunited. It is certainly one of the most powerful and poignant moments in Torah. Judah has made the winning argument and it did not take him hours to do so.

We would all like to be as successful as Judah when it is our turn to be convincing. We can learn from Judah the power of passion, the worth of honesty, and the value of stripping your point to its essence. In return, we can only hope we have a judge as sage as Joseph to hear our plea.

Shabbat Shalom.

2011 AJFCA Annual Conference

by Ann Zeller

Director, Meetings and Conferences

Visit the Candian Rockies this May!

If roaring waterfalls, emerald lakes, alpine meadows and snowcapped peaks are on your list of things to see, then a visit to the Canadian Rockies is a must. Take a sightseeing tour or visit the attractions on your own, before or after the Conference. You will come across the most exceptional locations for photos, wildlife viewing and nature walks. Explore and see the sights in Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore and/or Jasper. Information on these spectacular sightseeing spots will be included in upcoming AJFCA newsletters. Click here for more information on beautiful Banff and visit http://www.canadianrockies.net to help you plan your trip.

Program Update

by Lisa Budlow

Director of Programs

2011 Awards Program is Launched!

Every year, at AJFCA's Annual Conference, we have an opportunity to recognize the excellence of our member agencies through our Awards program. This week, guidelines were sent to all agency CEO's for the awards that will be presented at the 2011 AJFCA Annual Conference in Calgary. All submissions will be due electronically to Lisa Budlow by January 28, 2011.

This year, there will be three categories of KOVOD Awards: agency website, marketing/promotional material and promotional video. We know that many of our agencies have been working on unique and innovative approaches to marketing and look forward to the excellent submissions we are sure to receive. In addition, 2011 is a Goodman Award year and we look forward to honoring a creative, sustainable and replicable program of one of our agencies. Guidelines were also distributed for our annual Distinguished Service Award to honor the continued service of some of our long-term execs. And finally, we will soon be announcing a new and exciting award category for this year - the Renegade Award. Look for details on this new honor, including how you will be able to participate in choosing the winner, some time in Febrary 2011.

Special Projects Update

by David Levinsky

Director of Special Projects

A Trusted Method for Helping Clients

While reading Jonathan Franzen's new book, Freedom, I was struck by the speech of a just graduated college character criticizing a twenty-seven year old for being out of touch with the way college students communicate electronically. Her cutting remark was that email is hardly used anymore. Considerably older than the accused electronically challenged rising executive, I could only imagine what would have been said to me regarding my role as AJFCA's Director of Special Projects. After all, our list serves are essentially individual emails grouped together to form "threads" on a variety of topics. True, texting, Facebook, Twitter and You Tube have their place; however, through list serves, AJFCA offers a service that eventually filters down to help clients throughout the United States and Canada. Read more...

2010 AJFCA Friends' Fund Campaign

by James R. Kahn, AJFCA Vice Chair

2010 Friends' Fund Campaign

Please Support AJFCA in a Meaningful Way

Please become a Friend of AJFCA.

We are sure that you appreciate reading our weekly newsletter and all AJFCA does for its member agencies, their lay leaders and professionals.

Please show your support with a financial contribution to our 2010 Friends' Fund Campaign. Your donation, whether large or small, will be meaningful.

Many of our donors choose to honor or commemorate a loved one.

To donate online or for information on how to submit by mail, click on the link in the left column of this Newsletter that reads: JOIN THE FRIENDS' FUND CAMPAIGN & HELP SUPPORT THE WORK OF AJFCA.

A contribution to AJFCA is fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Thank you in advance for your support.