AJFCA Blog
Mutual Cultural Engagement
Dalia Margalit-Faircloth
Canadian Director
When is the last time you went to a mainstream Jewish event that left you breathless and inspired, even though the hour was late? For me, the answer is just last night. My local UJA Federation had its 2013 campaign closing event and what a night it was - not because of the speeches, although they were fine, but because of the amazing entertainer who they "imported" from Israel, David Broza. Continue reading here.
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Agency Highlights JFS Seattle's HomeCare Associates Receives National "Best of" Award 
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Home Care Pulse, the leading national quality assurance firm for in-home senior care, has recognized Jewish Family Service of Seattle's HomeCare Associates as one of the top providers in the country based on third party research.  HomeCare Associates, the state licensed in-home care division of JFS, specializes in personal and homemaker services that are tailored to the specific needs of client and family alike. All caregivers are bonded and insured employees of Jewish Family Service. |
Good Grief 
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Jewish Community Services of Baltimore is partnering with the JCC to offer "Good Grief", a project for teens ages 14-19 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Participants will be creating a mosaic while discussing different aspects of grief such as the "woulda, coulda, shoulda's", things friends and family say, when does the pain go away, and how to honor the person who died.  The completed mosaic will be displayed in the Owings Mills JCC as a way to offer comfort and hope to others who have lost a loved one. For more information and to register, call JCS, 410-466-9200.
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JFS Colorado Seeks Donations to Help Bring Passover to Struggling Families 
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Jewish Family Service of Colorado and the Synagogue Council of Greater Denver are partnering again this year to provide foods needed for a complete Passover Seder to families in need in the community. Each Passover basket includes a kosher chicken as well as other necessary kosher-for-Passover items, such as matzo, matzo meal, grape juice, borscht, gefilte fish, macaroons, cake mix, eggs, fresh produce, and candles. Community participation is essential for the success of this project. This Community Passover Program is designed to help those families who would normally prepare a Seder for themselves, but at the present time do not have the resources to do so. It is anticipated that more than 80 households will be served this year. JFS is striving to raise $7,200 to purchase enough kosher-for-Passover food to meet this need in the community. The agency asks people to give the community a "chai five" by donating $90 for this program-the cost to purchase food and nonperishable items needed to make the Seder complete for a family of four. Continue reading here.
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New CEO at JFS Lehigh Valley 
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| Visit AJFCA's Calendar to learn more about free calls and webinars. For more information login to For Our Members on the AJFCA website, followed by Webinars. Contact Megan at 410-843-7327 with questions.
How to Write Faster
March 5th, 11am ET
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The Health Care Law 101 March 7th, 1pm ET
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Conquer 3 Common Fundraising Misconceptions
March 7th, 2pm ET
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Lives on the Line: Why and How Mission-Driven Leaders Are Embracing Performance Management
March 7th, 3pm ET
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Integrating Treatment for Co-occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders
March 12th, 2pm ET
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The Health Care Law 101 (in Spanish)
March 19th, 3pm ET
REGISTER HERE
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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D'Var Torah
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Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
Sometimes, as much as I want to like a character in a book or movie, it just becomes impossible. I have spent my time and emotional energy investing in this person and, now, some action or statement disturbs the balance of our "relationship." These disturbances happen in real life as well, sometimes too frequently. It might be a politician we supported in the election or a trusted family member. Sometimes, we just shake our heads and say "What was he thinking?"
This week's parashah, Ki Tissa, includes one of those "head-shaking moments" for me. This is the week we read the incident of the "golden calf." The Israelites are waiting for Moses to descend from Mt. Sinai and they grow impatient. They complain to Aaron, the brother of their leader and the High Priest, and he asks for their gold to create the molten calf. Aaron does not contest the people and he goes on to develop the framework for the worship of this other "god." What was he thinking?
There is much to admire about Aaron in the Torah. He was a major contributor to his brother's efforts to convince Pharaoh to release the Hebrew slaves. He becomes the leader of the priests, appointed by God, thus demonstrating the deep spiritual commitment he has to the covenantal relationship. But, I just have a difficult time understanding his complicity in this act of rebellion by the Israelites. We can seek explanations, some of which may begin a process of understanding, but, in the end, we just may have to shake our heads and say: "What was he thinking?"
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Senate-Passed VAWA Passes the House, Clearing the Way for the President to Sign it into Law
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 286-138 to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, the pivotal federal law that provides law enforcement, service providers, and federal, state and local government the tools to protect victims and to reduce the incidence of violence in America. Now that both the Senate and House have passed the same bill (S. 47), it goes to the President to be signed into law.  AJFCA has been advocating for the reauthorization to include protections for LGBT individuals, women on tribal reservations, immigrants, and women on college campuses. AJFCA's Legislative Task Force joined with communities around the country in contacting our representatives to let them know we want them to support the bipartisan, Senate-passed VAWA. We recently sent a letter to Capitol Hill expressing our support.
Yesterday's victory required intense advocacy to first defeat the House version of VAWA, which did not include the protections for LGBT individuals, Native American women or immigrants. After the House version (known as the House substitute amendment) failed by a vote of 166-257, the House was able to vote on the bipartisan Senate-passed version.
It is important that we thank those representatives who voted yes to the underlying bill (S. 47). You can find out how your representative voted here. Please contact Shelley if you would like advice on how to contact your representative and what to say. Congratulations on a legislative victory that will benefit our clients and make our communities safer! |
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Innovators in Inclusion of People with Disabilities
The Ruderman Family Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2013 Ruderman Prize in Disability, which will provide $250,000 in funding for innovative programs and services that foster the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the Jewish community.  This exciting initiative will provide $50,000 to five organizations that work in the disability arena, serve those in the Jewish community, and actively champion inclusion in their work. All Jewish organizations from around the world that have an innovative model for inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply.
The application form for the awards is available on the Foundation's website. Submissions are due on March 18th and winners will be announced in May. In June of 2012, the Foundation awarded $200,000 in total to ten organizations in the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Mexico. The Foundation had received over 150 applications. Please follow the Foundation's blog, Zeh Lezeh, to be kept apprised of news relating to the Ruderman Prize. |
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Testing Is Cheaper Than Getting It Wrong!
Testing is cheaper than getting it wrong! Be sure to always be testing to get the absolute best response from your online community.
Year in, year out, nonprofits are using every available online  tactic and tool to make real change. In fact, nonprofits are often on the cutting edge of web technology, using new tools and tactics always looking for new ways to build support for their movements and to cultivate and convert those supporters into donors. But not every new tactic works, and it's critical that nonprofits have short feedback loops to figure out what's working and where to allocate resources. Continue reading here.
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NHSA Advances its First-Ever Comprehensive Human Services Policy Agenda
In a Capitol Hill briefing on February 19, the National Human Services Assembly unveiled an overarching agenda for providing opportunities for all Americans to achieve their full potential at every stage of life, whatever their challenges and abilities.  Investing in Our Future: An Essential Agenda for America's Communities lays out for the 113th Congress a set of interconnected recommendations on how federal investments in human services can maximize outcomes for youth, seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities. Continue reading here.
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Understanding the Different Cultures of Different Generations
Understanding the Different Cultures of Different Generations, February 25, 2013, eJP, by Peter Brinckerhoff  Conflict between generations is as old as parents and teenagers. All of us remember fussing at our parents with the common angst filled complaint "You just don't underSTAND!" Today, more than ever before, a lack of intergenerational understanding has spilled into the workplace throughout society, in for-profits, nonprofits, government and the military. It shows up in a variety of ways, and at some very important, and sometimes unexpected moments. Continue reading here.
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Said It Once? Now Say It 1,000 Times
By taking your multi-channel messaging through the following simple, three-phase approach, you will effectively repurpose your content to reach its audience without adding more hours to your day. Supporters communicate with your nonprofit through multiple channels but engage differently with
content depending on its delivery method. You must not only create a compelling message, but also optimize it so that it is received effectively across multiple channels frequently enough to resonate with your audience. Continue reading here.
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Surprisingly Uncomplicated Path for Developing Leaders
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Searching for Gender Equality
To combat violence against women, mobilize feminist groups.
A new analysis by political scientists Mala Htun of the University of New Mexico and S. Laurel Weldon of Purdue University shows just how great an impact civil society has in this area. In a comprehensive study of policies in 70 countries, they found that mobilization by autonomous feminist movements has the most enduring impact on policies to eliminate violence against women. Continue reading here. |
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Nonprofit Film School Primer: Or, The Idealware School of Video for Nonprofits That Don't Video Good (Part 1)
As a species, we watch a lot of videos on our computers. Heck, being able to share short videos-a disproportionate number involving cats-helped make the internet so popular. You may even have been watching one just a few minutes ago. The rise of YouTube and other video sharing sites has made it possible for anyone to upload and share their own videos, and many nonprofits have jumped on board the video bandwagon without paying much thought to cost, equipment, or the experience needed to make videos worth watching. Continue reading here. |
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Your Quick Guide to Better Nonprofit Financial Management
Developed in partnership between The Wallace Foundation and Fiscal Management Associates, the site contains more than 64 resources for anyone involved in nonprofit financial planning, monitoring, operations or oversight, and particularly nonprofit afterschool program providers. Features range from a nonprofit accounting guide, to an article on sensible growth strategies, to a podcast on how to understand the true costs of programming. Continue reading here. |
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Governance and Accountability: Who Is Responsible?
Who has the responsibility for governance and accountability in the nonprofit organization? What are the functions of a board of directors, a board of governors, or a board of trustees? What is the difference between the bodies, given that the terms are often used interchangeably? What role does an advisory board or professional advisory committee have within the organization? What is the relationship between the board of directors and the advisory board? Continue reading here.
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2013 AJFCA Annual Conference 
REGISTER - Don't forget to book your hotel under the AJFCA group block. |
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