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A Shabbat Message: Hurricanes and Community Response
Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
I spent much of the weekend preparing for Hurricane Sandy's approach to the Mid-Atlantic. We cleaned the gutters, raked leaves, stuffed a little added protection down basement window wells, and stocked up necessary non-perishables. And late Sunday night, the rain began in earnest and the wind picked up considerably. Over the next twenty-four hours, we took on more rain than our house could handle and the wind finally won out and our power shut off. As I write this, almost forty-eight hours later, we still do not have power (finally came back late Wednesday), but, thankfully, most of the brunt of the storm missed us here in Baltimore.
Our friends and colleagues a bit to the north were not so lucky. All along the coast and far inland in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and more, Sandy caused extensive damage to property and injury and death to those in her path. It is still too early to know the extent of the damage and the physical, emotional, and financial effect on individuals and families, but the photos we have all seen suggest the recovery period will be long and significant.
Which is why we are so fortunate to be part of the Jewish community. I heard from friends in Israel and across the globe concerned about our safety and wishing us well. On a larger scale, as it does for all disasters around the world, the Jewish community has responded to Sandy with an outpouring of financial support. We are early in the process of assessing damage in individual communities, but knowing that Jewish communities throughout North America are helping to support disaster relief gives hope and more to those in the affected areas.
I don't believe that there is any community anywhere that is more responsive than the Jewish people. Time and again we have all seen it - as donors and recipients, the cycle continues. The member agencies of AJFCA are at the forefront of our community's response, providing both services and financial support. It is hard work. It can be difficult. It is the Jewish response to critical needs that is the core of what we do at AJFCA and who we are as Jewish agencies and individuals. It is what makes me so proud of the work of our member agencies, their professionals and volunteers, in response to this disaster and what they do each and every day.
May you have a peaceful Shabbat.
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Hurricane Relief FundAs you all are aware, Hurricane Sandy, a storm of unprecedented magnitude, struck the Eastern portion of the United States earlier this week. Seeing the response of communities across the region to the devastating storm, we are awed by the strength of the American people. Our member agencies worked with their clients before, during, and after the storm to ensure their safety and well-being. Even at this point, we do not know the extent of the damage, but as mental health providers, we know that the effects of Hurricane Sandy will continue well beyond the immediate cleanup. We have been working with a number of national agencies to coordinate relief efforts , and AJFCA member agencies have been noted for their amazing efforts in their local communities. The Jewish Federations of North America has opened the JFNA Hurricane Relief Fund to contribute to recovery and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. AJFCA urges the Jewish community to contribute using the online donation form. Donors may also send checks to JFNA at: The Jewish Federations of North America, Wall Street Station, PO Box 148, New York, NY 10268. Please indicate "JFNA Hurricane Relief Fund" on all checks or in the designation box online. AJFCA sends our support and prayers to those affected by the hurricane, and we will stand beside them during the recovery and rebuilding.
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Hurricane Recovery Information & Additional Resources
For those seeking recovery information, additional resources can be found here:
Those interested in volunteering can find a list of opportunities from the following Jewish organizations:
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NCOA Webinar Series: Ensuring the Economic Security of Older Adults
The first webinar in this three part series, Making Wise Decisions With Home Equity: New Tools for a New Retirement Reality was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 30th. This webinar is now rescheduled, due to Hurricane Sandy, for Tuesday, November 27th at 3:00pm ET. Benefits Access for Older Adults: Helping Clients Find Programs to Boost Their Economic Security will be held on Tuesday, November 13th at 3:00pm ET. See below for registration and more detailed information on all three webinars.
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International Volunteer Managers Day
November 5th is International Volunteer Managers Day. Universally, people recognize the contribution of volunteers - however, volunteering does not succeed in a vacuum. Behind this world's army of volunteers lies an equally dedicated group of individuals who are responsible for the coordination, support, training, administration, and recruitment of volunteers - skilled professionals who are adept at taking singular passion and turning it into effective action. That is why we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day every year on November 5th.
AJFCA urges you to mark your calendar and, whether you are an administrator, a volunteer, a community leader or someone who receives the benefit of volunteer help, to make sure the people who act as leaders and catalysts get the recognition they deserve.
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Innovation to What End?
In just a few weeks, the eighth volume of Slingshot will be shipped to thousands of not-for-profit leaders, community volunteers, Jewish community institutions, and funders of all ages. Slingshot is a Zagat-style guide to Jewish life. Each year, through a rigorous evaluation process, we select the 50 most innovative projects and organizations in Jewish life across North America. The selected organizations often receive increased funding, press, and volunteer attention. Click here to read the entire article.
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Timelines
Elizabeth Leinman Kraiem, Executive Director of the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women has noticed recently that many organizations, especially in the Jewish world, are putting timelines on their websites. Timelines are decidedly old media, yet a combination of technology and chronology has made them new again. What else might explain their current popularity? What organizational and social needs do timelines address? Here are some observations about the role of timelines in organizations and short reflections on why this is a time for timelines. Review the observations and reflections here.
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Monitoring and Improving Leadership Development Practices
To succeed at leadership development, you need to know whether your efforts are producing the leaders you will need. Use these four steps to determine what's working and what's not to ensure your efforts are getting results. Continue reading here.
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2012 Consumers Guide to Low Cost Content Management Systems
Idealware has released the Consumers Guide to Low Cost Content Management Systems, p ublished in partnership with Beaconfire Consulting.This report reviews 11 Content Management Systems, which allow organizations to build and update their websites. Targeted at nonprofits looking to replace an existing Content Management System or implement one for the first time, this report is relatively easy for someone with a non-technical background to understand- but not so basic that it won't be of value for the technically savvy. Idealware has also included a directory of consultants with experience helping nonprofits install and implement the systems covered in this report.
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Seeds of Resiliency
Why are some men and women able to rise above the most difficult life-crushing challenges? How do they survive and, in some cases, turn their personal tragedies into effective ways to help others? Filmaker Susan Polis Schutz set out to answer those questions by interviewing people who have overcome the odds through their own hope and indomitable strength of will, as well as by personally helping other people to overcome their traumas. The result is "Seeds of Resiliency," a thoroughly engrossing, moving and uplifting series of twelve portraits of amazing individuals whose stories are hauntingly memorable. We are pleased to announce that Susan Polis Schutz will donate a portion of the proceeds from NYC screenings of her film to AJFCA, in support of our work in the area of Holocaust survivor services.
Polis Schutz produced and directed this inspiring one-hour documentary that will have its New York premiere at 7:30pm at the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. Tickets for all screenings are $5.00. Learn more here or contact Pamela Wadler at 212-966-0024.
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JWI's Domestic Violence Survey
Please take a few minutes of your time to complete Jewish Women International's annual survey of Jewish domestic violence organizations. Each year, the results of this survey play a key role in guiding JWI's work as they develop new resources to address domestic violence in the community. AJFCA also uses this crucial information as we work closely with Members of Congress, their staffs, and other national organizations to advocate for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and funding for VAWA programs.
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Baltimore General Assembly
The General Assembly is right around the corner. Stay tuned for breaking news and updates. Lee Sherman, AJFCA CEO/President, Shelley Rood, AJFCA Washington Director, and Jennie Gates Beckman, AJFCA Manager of Civic Engagement & Repair the World Programming will be on site. Email Sandy to let AJFCA know if you're coming. AJFCA will provide you with a list of those attending within our network.
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Opening Abraham's Tent: The Disability Inclusion Initiative
The Jewish Federations of North America, the Mizrahi Family Charitable Fund, the Jewish Funders Network, and the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes are pleased to announce the creation of a conference dedicated to a discussion of how to build Jewish communities that are more inclusive of individuals with disabilities and their families.
Opening Abraham's Tent: The Disability Inclusion Initiative
Tuesday, November 13th, 6:45pm-10:00pm
Wednesday, November 14th, 7:45am-3:00pm
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards
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Access New National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Video Courses Through The Essential Learning Library
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Taking Control of Your Financial Health: NYC Roundtable Discussion
Sharsheret is holding a live roundtable discussion for Jewish women and families affected by a health crisis. Learn how to navigate the complicated world of financial health, including insurance coverage, social security and disability rights, and financial planning. Live question and answer session following the presentations. A light kosher dinner will be served. This program is made possible with generous support from the Jewish Women's Foundation of New York. For more information call 866-474-2774.
Taking Control of Your Financial HealthWednesday, November 7th, 7:00pm - REGISTER HERE |
SafeLink Survey
SafeLink is always looking to improve the service it provides to both their social services agency partners and the clients they serve, but to do this they need your help. Please take a few minutes to take this quick survey. The SafeLink Team will review the responses and use them to make enhancements to the program.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey, your input is important to us. If you have any questions please email [email protected].
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Jewish Family Service of Colorado announced that Reel Hope, the agency's annual film be nefit on Monday, December 10th, will feature a private early screening of Emperor. The movie opens nationally to the public in March 2013. Reel Hope will be held at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at 14th and Curtis in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The event will begin at 5:30pm. with heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, followed by an awards program and film screening at 7:00pm. Tickets for this event are $180 and sponsorship packages start at $1,500. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets or contact Lisa Mehl at 720.248.4633.
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Jewish Family Service of San Diego launched a new homepage design. The new design focuses on making it very clear for clients, volunteers and donors to navigate their way directly to the program or web feature they are trying to reach. View it at www.jfssd.org.
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Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh has partnered with North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) and South Hills Interfaith Ministry (SHIM) to create WorkAble, a county-wide employment and critical needs service for financially struggling adults.
Generously supported by the United Way of Allegheny County, WorkAble is designed to serve unemployed and underemployed individuals throughout Allegheny County-especially those newly struggling, those who are one event away from crisis and struggling single female households.
Click here to learn more about WorkAble. |
2012 Webinar Series for AJFCA: Ensuring the Economic Securi ty of Older Adults
The National Council On Aging is hosting a complimentary webinar series exclusively for AJFCA member agencies focused on ensuring the economic security of older adults. Please email Megan fo r additional details including registration information.
Benefits Access for Older Adults: Helping Clients Find Programs to Boost Their Economic Security
Tuesday, November 13th, 3:00pm ET Making Wise Decisions With Home Equity: New Tools for a New Retirement RealityTuesday, November 27th, 3:00pm ET(Previously scheduled for October 30th. Rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy.)
Savvy Saving Seniors - A Toolkit for Money Management from NCOA
Tuesday, December 18th, 3:00pm ET
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What It Takes to Be an Executive Director
Many nonprofit workers could succeed as leaders of their organizations, but they often need to improve their people skills or learn how to raise money. How can you judge if you are ready to become chief executive? How should employers screen candidates for the top job?
What It Takes to Be an Executive Director
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The Three R's of Communication Planning
Creating a solid multi-channel communication plan is the foundation to ensuring your organization meets your fundraising goals and builds enduring relationships with your supporters.
Learn the three R's of communication planning through:
- Getting to know your audience and their preferences
- Developing solid messaging that will earn their response
- Determining messaging frequency and channel mix
- Leveraging content across channels
- Constructing a communications plan that enables fundraising success
The Three R's of Communication Planning: Right Message + Right Person + Right TimeTuesday, November 6th, 2:00pm ET - REGISTER HERE
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Secrets of Successful Fundraising for Small Nonprofits
When you work in a small nonprofit, you wear many hats. If the burden of fundraising falls on your shoulders alone, it can be difficult to juggle the many activities required to raise money for your mission. Join WealthEngine to hear about how to leverage your time and talent to focus on donor-based f undraising and get the most return for your efforts. Learn what you need to focus on and what needs to be let go. You'll walk away with a sense of how to manage your resources to get the results you want.
Secrets of Successful Fundraising for Small Nonprofits
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How to Increase Leads and Awareness with Webinar and Video
Webinars and videos are increasingly being used to address key issues for B2B marketers. Can a content marketing strategy that is relevant across all levels of the funnel be created in a suitable time frame? How can it be encouraged for viewers to share the content with their community? Learn how rich media is changing the content marketing landscape and how these top marketers are executing strategies to prove ROI.
5 Demand Generation Strategies Using Webinars
B2B Video: How to Drive Audiences, Engagement & Insight
The Five Things You Must Know About Webinar Audio
Video Marketing Strategies, Tactics, Tips and Case Studies in Social Media
Presentations Online: How to Get More from Your Webinars
Marketing With Video for B2B
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