AJOP Update: The Disconnect Between the Rabbinic Leadership and the Jewish Population

December 8, 2011 - 12 Kislev 5772

Register Here for AJOP Convention January 15-17, 2012

Market or Die: A 2 Part Marketing Workshop at the 2012 AJOP Convention

Full Day Counseling Training Seminar at the AJOP Convention

Tough Times Fundraising? Rabbi Yitz Greenman Says Maybe You're Doing This Wrong

Eye-Opening AJOP Study by Dr. David Pelcovitz Debunks Major Misconceptions About Baalei Teshuva

Hanukkah: Rock of Ages -A New Video from Aish.com

Hands On How To's for the Home and the Heart

OUTREACH

Search On for 'Big Idea' for Teens

Catalyzing Jewish Networks: How Can Jewish Schools and Camps Join In?

Campus Civil Rights Survey

PHILANTHROPY/FUNDRAISING

Myths of Jews, Jewish Nonprofits and Giving

Jewish Community Foundation (LA) Awards $1 Million in Grants to Five Israel Based Organizations

Jewish Federation of Seattle Unveils New Philanthropic Model

Foundation Source Launches Access 2.0

NORTH AMERICA

A Crisis Deeper Than Just Tuition

An Administration Ready to Blame Israel for Everything...Including Antisemitism

At Reform Biennial, Changes at the Top But Focus on the Grassroots

In Detroit, Jewish Resurgence by the Young Aims to Transform City

ISRAEL

Are Jews Better Off in Israel?

Jewish, Arab Teens Stone Buses

Israelis Who Choose Life Without Children

INTERNATIONAL

American Style Jewish Fraternities Cross Atlantic to Britain

Nazi Terror Gang Marketed Anti-Jewish Board Game

Denmark's Foreign Minister Shuns Israel

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The Disconnect Between the Rabbinic Leadership the Jewish Population

Wallet That Saved Professor Weissberg's Life Now at Yad Vashem

Glenn Beck: It's 1939

The Miracle of Jewish Survival After the Holocaust-The DP Camp Story

To View Our Archives of Past Newsletters

AJOP Board

RABBINIC AUTHORITIES

HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky

HaRav Yaakov Perlow

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rabbi Ilan Feldman

Atlanta, GA

Rabbi Yaacov Haber

Jerusalem, Israel

Mr. Richard Horowitz

Los Angeles, CA

Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh

Northbrook, IL

Dr. David Lieberman

Lakewood, NJ

Rabbi Yitzchok Lowenbraun

National Director

Rabbi Shlomo Porter

Baltimore, MD

Mr. Jeff Schachter Esq.

Passaic, NJ

Mr. Frank Storch

Baltimore, MD

HaRav Michel Twerski

Milwaukee, WI

Mr. Jerry Wolasky

Baltimore, MD

ADVISORY BOARD

Mr. Mark Bane

Lawrence, NY

Mr. Jonathan Beren

Denver, CO

Dr. Robert Edelman

Baltimore, MD

Rabbi Avraham Edelstein

Jerusalem, Israel

Dr. Michael J Elman

Baltimore, MD
Rabbi David Felsenthal
New York, NY

Mr. Howard Tzvi Friedman

Baltimore, MD

Mr. Joseph Friedman

Olney, MD
Mr. Harvey Hecker

Toronto, ONT

Mr. Stephen Rosedale

Cincinnatti, OH

Rabbi Simcha Scholar

Brooklyn, NY

Rabbi Dovid Refson

Jerusalem, Israel

Mr Gary Torgow

Detroit, MI

Rabbi Abraham Twerski, MD

Teaneck, NJ

Market or Die: A 2 Part Marketing Workshop at the 2012 AJOP Convention

In today's outreach world, there's no room for weak, ineffective marketing. Join this two-part workshop and discover the 3M's of Marketing: the right Market, the right Medium, and the right Message. This 2-part program will focus on both time-tested marketing fundamentals and innovative marketing strategies.

Marketing veteran Yaakov (Jon) Goldman will share 10 1/2 secrets to recruiting more participants and raising more money. Among the eye-opening case studies you will discover in this workshop series are:

How his company increased pre-registration 10X for a nonprofit event
How he helped The Atlanta Hawks score a 50% response rate with new season ticket holders
How one strategy boosted a referral campaign from 120 to 1,111
How he helped the Direct Marketing Association of Washington DC with new member recruitment
How one company achieved a 97% response rate and $60 million in sales
How he helped Häagen-Dazs achieve a 37% response rate

If you are in the trenches of the kiruv world, then you are in the communications business - so learn how to do it right. Mark Twain said The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. Don't miss this entertaining two-part workshop featuring real-world examples, interactive training, and bottom-line recommendations on strategies for use with program participants, donors, referral sources, partners, and volunteers.

Full Day Counseling Training Seminar Featuring Rabbi Mordecai Twerski, Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, and Dr. David Pelcovitz

This session will deal with the issues and challenges that present themselves on a regular basis in your work. You will have the opportunity to learn from and ask questions of some of the leading experts in the field.

Monday January 16, 2012 at the Annual International AJOP Convention Stamford Plaza Hotel, Stamford CT.

No Charge for Convention Attendees

$150 for Non-Convention Attendees, lunch included

Eye-Opening AJOP Study by Dr. David Pelcovitz Debunks Major Misconceptions about Baalei Teshuva

Don't let anyone tell you Baalei Teshuva parents have more kids "at risk." A new study by Dr. David Pelcovitz shows that the rate of kids "at risk" is consistent across frum families of all backgrounds. This comprehensive study of over five hundred families confirmed what many of us knew or suspected already: the children of Baalei Teshuva are as likely to succeed in Jewish life as their peers overall.

Dr. Pelcovitz's study also identified four key risk factors for youth "at risk." Not a single one is specific to Baalei Teshuva. However, all are areas that Baalei Teshuva might find especially challenging.

In short: Baalei Teshuva parents may face some special challenges...but they may not be what everybody thinks they are. (It is noteworthy that an unrelated study was conducted simultaneously in Israel and found substantially similar results.)

At the 2012 AJOP Convention on January 15-17 at the Stamford Plaza Hotel (Stamford, CT), Dr. David Pelcovitz will present his findings in detail from this study of five hundred Torah observant families, and he will offer practical suggestions for helping Baal Teshuva parents and their children. The presentation will include:

Understanding and recognizing the four key risk factors for kids at risk

A simple (but underused) tactic to help Baalei Teshuva succeed in the long term

What Baal Teshuva parents need to know about raising FFB kids

A special heads-up for campus Mekarvim

Tough Times Fundraising? Rabbi Yitz Greenman Says Maybe You're Doing This Wrong...

Fundraising is hard enough. A simple change in focus might make it five times easier.

Rabbi Yitz Greenman of Aish NY knows fundraising is no easy task. But he's also seen that successful fundraisers typically have a few traits in common. Most important, they stick to it no matter what. They're also highly motivated because they recognize the importance of the work they are doing.

Another key factor is as simple as where they focus their efforts. Rabbi Greenman refers to this as the 80/20 rule of fundraising: "Eighty percent of your donations come from 20 percent of your donors," he explains. "Focus on knowing who your critical 20 percent are. Focus on them." This trims your pool of donors down to the one-fifth where your efforts are most likely to pay off.

Rabbi Yitz Greenman shares more of his knowledge and experience about fundraising during a one-day seminar on January 15 at the 2012 AJOP Convention at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in Stamford, CT.

Hanukkah: Rock of Ages

Aish.com presents its newest video on the theme of Hanukkah. In this musical parody of 8 hit songs, hear the story of Hanukkah through the ages.

Click Here to Watch the Video

Hands On How To's for the Home and the Heart

The book "Hands-on How-to's for the Home and Heart" is an incredible handbook that includes both the hashkafa as well as practical tips to run a Jewish Household. It is currently available at "Jewish-e-books.com" only as a digital book. During any 30 day period, you can purchase it for $4.00 instead of $4.99 using the code AJOP20.

Click Here to See the Book

Search On for 'Big Idea' for Teens

An Article by The Jewish Week

With even highly affiliated Jewish teens - and their parents -ranking Judaism at the bottom of their priorities, communal institutions are seeking a "big idea" to reach out to this demographic. Continue Reading

Catalyzing Jewish Networks: How Can Jewish Schools and Camps Join In?

An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

"Jewish geography" is a favorite game among Jews who meet up anywhere - conferences, social gatherings, work meetings, street corners. Continue Reading

Campus Civil Rights Survey

We are conducting a nation-wide survey of campus civil rights for pro Israel activists. Please encourage students to visit the link below and take the survey. This will provide invaluable information as we poll campuses across the states. Please post the link to your social media, and share widely. Take the Survey

Outreacharticle4

Myths of Jews, Jewish Nonprofits and Giving
An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

For more than two decades, we have had the privilege of working with hundreds of nonprofits across the globe. Throughout our close partnership with these organizations, we have learned that the public images of organizations may vary from the perceptions that donors and others may hold. Continue Reading

Jewish Community Foundation (LA) Awards $1 Million in Grants to Five Israel Based Organizations
An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) announced it has awarded a total of $1 million in grants to five Israel-based organizations whose programs support and encourage Jewish identity, Israel's economic development and self-sufficiency.
Continue Reading

Jewish Federation of Seattle Unveils News Philanthropic Model
An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

Beginning with the new campaign year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle will enable donors to either give to the Sustaining Our Community Fund, or to designate their annual contributions to one or more specific areas of impact or community priorities. Continue Reading

Foundation Source Launches Access 2.0
An Article from eJewish Philanthropy

Foundation Source, a provider of support services for private foundations, today released version 2.0 of its philanthropic marketplace, Foundation Source Access. Continue Reading

A Crisis Deeper Than Just Tuition
An Article from Kol Hamevaser

It's hard to be a Jew. This classic refrain has spilled off the lips of Jews throughout the ages as they struggled through the worst of predicaments.

An Administration Ready to Blame Israel for Everything...Including Antisemitism
An Article from Commentary Magazine

The ground is fast sinking beneath the feet of President Obama's Jewish defenders.

At Reform Biennial, Changes at the Top, But Focus on the Grassroots
An Article from JTA

When more than 5,500 people gather at a massive hotel just outside Washington next week for what is slated to be the biggest-ever biennial convention of the Union for Reform Judaism, they will be taking part in a transformative moment for the organization. Continue Reading

In Detroit, Jewish Resurgence by the Young Aims to Transform City
An Article from JTA

Blair Nosan grew up in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield, attended the University of Michigan and then, like thousands of other young Jews from the beleaguered state, moved away.
Continue Reading

Are Jews Better Off in Israel?
An Article from Asia Times Online

Israel's immigration ministry stopped running television ads exhorting Israelis living in America to come home after American Jewish organizations complained, the New York Times reported on December 2.

Jewish, Arab Teens Stone Buses
An Article from Ynet News

Police arrested 10 Jewish and Arab teens aged 13-16 on Monday on suspicion of hurling stones at city buses in Jaffa. Continue Reading

Israelis Who Choose Life Without Children
An Article from Haaretz

"Are you allowed to publish books like this in Israel?" was the biting comment of S., an Israeli relative and friend who lives in London, who like Orna Donath and the subjects of her pioneering study, has chosen not to become a parent. Continue Reading

American Style Jewish Fraternities Cross Atlantic to Britain
An Article from JTA

Historically Jewish fraternities are leading the introduction of American Greek culture to the United Kingdom, but not everyone is throwing a toga party for England's latest import.

Nazi Terror Gang Marketed Anti-Jewish Board Game
An Article from Lost in Berlin

Games are a preparation for real-life situations. According to a report in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung yesterday, the German neo-Nazi terror trio calling itself the National Socialist Underground designed and marketed an anti-Jewish board game called "Pogromly" as a fundraiser in the late 1990s. Continue Reading

Denmark's Foreign Minister Shuns Israel
An Article from Ynet News

Denmark's new Foreign Minister, Villy Sovndal, has refused to meet Israel's ambassador in Copenhagen for two months now, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday. Continue Reading


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The Disconnect Between the Rabbinic Leadership and the Jewish Population
An Article from The Jerusalem Post

I think that one of the more difficult situations that exists in the Jewish world of today, especially, in my humble opinion, in the Diaspora, is the widening disconnect between the vast bulk of the population and the rabbinic leadership. Continue Reading

Wallet That Saved Professor Weissberg's Life Now at Yad Vashem
An Article from Israel Hayom

Professor Dov Weissberg, who hid from the Nazis during the Holocaust, owes his life to a wallet and some documents that were in his back pocket, which stopped a bullet that was fired at him. Continue Reading

Glenn Beck: It's 1939
An Article from The Forward

It's 1939 for the Jews all over again. That, at least, would seem to be the case according to Glenn Beck, who was the keynote speaker at Sunday's annual gala of the Zionist Organization of America. Continue Reading

The Miracle of Jewish Survival After the Holocaust-The DP Camp Story
An Article from The Algemeiner

Since 1994, Steven Spielberg's Shoah Visual History Foundation has collected more than 50,000 videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors. Continue Reading

Please note: The views expressed in the articles featured in this newsletter reflect the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the thinking of the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals. AJOP serves to disseminate pertinent news to its subscribers.

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