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D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
This week's Torah reading is a prime example of "what they didn't teach us in Hebrew School." Sure, we learned about the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau, and about Jacob's famous wrestling match and his new name of Israel. But if they taught us about the horrific account of Dinah and Shechem, I must have been absent that day.
In these passages of the parashah, Dinah, the only named daughter of Jacob, is sexually violated by Shechem. Shechem then expresses his love for Dinah and wants to marry her, which only further complicates events. When Jacob is told of the incident, he is silent, in itself quite troubling. His sons then negotiate a deal with Shechem's father which is more political than familial, agreeing to Dinah's marriage if all of the males of the land are circumcised, thus, apparently, joining the two peoples. Once Shechem and the other males are weakened from their circumcisions, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's full brothers, enter the land and slay them all. The other brothers then plunder the town, so that Jacob's family is now monetarily enriched by Dinah's rape.
This story is troubling on so many levels. Sexual violence should be subject to condemnation, but was the violent reaction of Jacob's sons necessary or justified? Why is Jacob silent when he hears of the rape? Can he not reach out and comfort his daughter? How does a terrifying domestic issue get blown into a full scale massacre and political upheaval? And, why do we never hear Dinah's voice?
There are no simple answers to these questions. Like our own lives, and the lives of the clients who come to our agencies for help, there are more complexities than solutions. Sometimes a response is not an answer, but only raises more issues and uncertainties. No wonder they didn't teach this in Hebrew School.
Shabbat Shalom
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AJFCA and Repair the World Partner; New Employment Opportunity
AJFCA signed an agreement confirming the terms of a partnership between AJFCA and Repair the World. The purpose o f the partnership is to:
- Elevate the role of, and increase the impact of, volunteering in AJFCA member agencies
- Expand outreach to young adults and opportunities for young adult volunteering
- Implement models of Jewish service-learning where feasible and app
 ropriate
The two organizations are currently seeking an AJFCA Manager of Civic Engagement & Repair the World Programming. For a detailed job description please click here.
"We are truly excited about the opportunity to work with Repair the World, which does such creative and innovative work. We believe that our agencies are a terrific gateway into the Jewish community for young adults, and that the young adult volunteers will bring many resources to our agencies," wrote Lee Sherman in a recent email.
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Claims Conference Negotiates $650 Million in Pensions for Additional 16,000 Survivors; German Government Criteria Changes Largely Affect Child Survivors
More than 16,000 Holocaust survivors who have been denied German compensation pensions will  now be eligible to receive them as a result of Claims Conference negotiations with the German government. The agreement will result in at least $650 million in additional Claims Conference payments over the next decade.
Prior to the negotiations, certain survivors were only eligible for pensions from the Claims Conference Article 2 Fund and the Central and Eastern European Fund (CEEF) if they had been in a ghetto, in hiding, or living under false identity for at least 18 months during the Nazi era. This minimum time period of persecution was part of the eligibility criteria established by the German government, and which the Claims Conference for years has been working to change.
For more information visit the Claims Conference website. |
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National Assembly's Bridging the Gap Initiative
The National Human Services Assembly's Bridging the Gap Initiative is designed to ensure that front line, direct service workers know about and have access to income supports that can help them create safe, thriving homes for their families.  NHSA has conducted a series of webinars for human service organizations with a goal that they will take this information to their front line staff as well as their clients and ensure they are taking advantage of these supports. This week's webinar focused on federal supports for family success. The list of programs reviewed included:
1) Energy Assistance through HEAP (Home Energy and Assistance Program), which helps low income families with the cost of heating, cooling, weatherization and home repairs;
2) Foreclosure Assistance through HAMP (Home Assistance Modification Program) and HARP (Home Assistance Refinance Program), which can help reduce mortage payments for low income families and has an easy-to-use online screening tool for eligibility;
3) Rental Assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, through which families can rent housing of their choice at a low rate; and
4) Child Care Subsidies, which provide effective care for a child while the parent is working or in school.
Learn more about the National Assembly's Bridging the Gap Initiative.
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| Questions to Ask Prospective Board Members
Questions To Ask Prospective Board Members, Blue Avocado-Board Cafe, December 5, 2011, by Jan Masaoka
A coffee date isn't a good idea only for beginning, tentative romances. A coffee or lunch date is an easy way to meet with individuals who may be good candidates for your nonprofit board. If you spend a few minutes ahead of time thinking about what to ask, you'll end up having a much better idea of whether it's a good match.
Frequently a first meeting with a prospective board member is set up as a lunch or coffee with a current board member and the executive director. It's a good idea to state clearly at the beginning that this is a "get-to-know-you" meeting and that no decisions need to be made before the meeting ends. Say that you'll follow up with a phone call to see if the individual is still interested and whether the board's nominating committee is still interested. If so, there may be another step or the nomination may go to the full board for a vote.
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As 2011 Ends, What's on Tap in Congress?
As 2011 Ends, What's on Tap in Congress? NCOA, December 2, 2011
Congress is working to wrap up a number of bills before leaving for its annual holiday recess that is expected to begin December 16th or 23rd and run through January 16th.
Below are the topics the National Council on Again has been following related to older adults and the aging network:
FY12 Appropriations
December 16th is the deadline for Congress to approve an omnibus bill to fund government programs through FY12, or else extend current funding through a Continuing Resolution (CR). Before Thanksgiving, lawmakers enacted appropriations for the Departments of Agriculture and Housing & Urban Development.
Still to be decided is funding for Older Americans Act programs such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and falls prevention programs.
This fall, NCOA mobilized grassroots advocates to urge Congress to protect falls and CDSMP funding. The Senate Appropriations Committee has recommended that each receive $10 million next year. However, the House did not include this recommendation.
To get involved and learn more, click here.
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Jewish Organization Equality Index
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization is conducting a survey of large Jewish nonprofit organizations to assess their inc lusivity of the LGBT community in their policies, practices, materials and programming. The project, the Jewish Organization Equality Index (JOEI), is designed to bring a greater understanding of what each of us can do, both nationally and within our own agencies, to be more inclusive of our LGBT employees and community members.
The HRC Foundation will be holding two webinars discussing the 2012 Jewish Organization Equality Index survey.
Understanding the 2012 JOEI - FREE Webinar
Wednesday, December 14th, 2:00pm EST
Thursday, December 15th, 11:00am EST
To participate, please:
- Sign into the Live Meeting webinar by clicking here . Enter Meeting ID: JOEI2012 and Entry Code: 16402012
- For the audio portion, please call 888-315-1021 and enter Participant Code: 2022161540
For additional information, please contact HRC Foundation.
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Micro-Grants Up to $500 Available to Support J-Serve Projects for April 22, 2012!
J-Serve is the International Day of Jewish Youth Service. Through the generosity of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (CLSFF) and in an effort to empower communities around the world to participate and grow their J-Serve effort, grants are available for J-Serve 2012 - April 22, 2012.
A limited number of micro-grants of up to $500 will be awarded to community projects committed to creating service opportunities that bring Jewish teens together to participate in a J-Serve project. Projects that are creative and innovative, especially those that will be first time events in a community, as well as projects which are conceived and planned by teens (with adequate adult supervision), will receive preferential reviews.
Micro-grants will be accepted on a rolling basis, and grants will continue to be awarded as long as funding remains available.
For more details about the application process please click here.
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Choosing the Right Communications Mix
It doesn't make sense to communicate through only one channel. These days, it often makes sense to not only consider email, direct mail, and websites as potential channels, but also social networking sites, blogs, online communities, and more. Which channels make sense to communicate what kind of messages, or to encourage action? What's actually working in what situations? Idealware will provide a decision making structure to help you define what makes sense for you.
By the end of the session, you will understand: - The strengths and weaknesses of particular communication channels - Strategic communication mixes for common goals like fundraising, awareness building, and event publicity
- Key considerations in choosing the right mix for you Choosing the Right Communications Mix - FREE Webinar
Thursday, December 15th, 1:00pm-2:00pm EST
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 Jewish Family Service Agency of Las Vegas is excited to announce the installation of their Light of Life Menorah in Opportunity Village's Magical Forest. 
The Light of Life Menorah stands alongside the Magical Forest's decorated holiday trees and installations making Hanukkah and Jewish tradition an integral part of the enormously successful community holiday event that attracts over 150,000 people annually. 
The Light of Life Menorah will share the culture and values of Jewish life with children and families of all faiths and also enlighten people about the mission and work of JFSA. The placement of meaningful Jewish iconography in the Magical Forest is intended to promote recognition and greater participation in Jewish community causes while engendering greater tolerance for diversity and respect for all faiths. Hanukkah means "dedication" and the Light of Life Menorah will project the splendor of Jewish traditions and remind everyone of the dedication it takes to sustain the everyday miracles that occur at JFSA. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Jewish Family Services of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties has received a grant in the amount of $15,000 from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. This grant will fund JFS to provide screenings and treatment for depression for older adults in Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties. 
"This grant from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey will enable us to continue our work with older adults to help improve their overall quality of life, improve medication adherence, encourage and educate seniors and their caregivers on their care needs to remain independent in the community," said Ruth Edelman, JFS Coordinator for Community Based Support Services. |
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