CANADA CONFERENCEJewish Communal Service in the 21st Century: Challenges & Opportunities in Canada Sunday, October 20th, 7pm
 This conference will host a unique blend of Jewish communal professionals and leaders, and will focus on the 'Big Questions' pertaining to poverty in the Jewish community, as well as address specific issues such as the challenges of the Elderly, Housing & Food Security and living with Mental Illness. There will be an exciting array of opening and closing speakers as well as panels of experts in their fields, and discussions of best practices, advocacy and planning for the future. An early bird registration of $195 is being offered.
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Agency Highlights
Michael E. Blimes Joins JFCS as Vice President for Philanthropy
 Michael E. Blimes recently was named Vice President for Philanthropy for Jewish Family & Children's Services of Southern Arizona. Blimes brings four decades in the fundraising profession to his new position. He has held executive fundraising positions at major public universities, private colleges, symphony orchestras, as well as healthcare and a national association for the protection of children and animals.  Blimes most recently served as Vice President for Philanthropy with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. His tenure at JFCS began September 9th.
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A Taste of Goodness
 Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service's Meals on Wheels program was featured in the Palm Beach Sun Sentinel on September 24th. Frail seniors who no longer cook can get nutritious meals delivered to their homes, courtesy of a new service that seeks to alleviate cuts to government food programs. Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, has started its own Meals On Wheels program, targeted at the homebound elderly who lack the strength to make their own food.  The new service has16 clients but can accommodate about 50, said Danielle Hartman, family service president. Seniors whose incomes are at 150 percent of poverty level or below can get the meals for free, while others pay $3.50 or $7 per meal, depending on their incomes. Continue reading here.
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Counseling Services at JFCS Atlanta
 October is both National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta's Tools for Life is proud to recognize these causes by partnering on two community programs:  Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse (H.A.M.S.A.), is partnering with the Atlanta Rabbinical Association for the first Community-Wide Substance Abuse Awareness Shabbat, October 4th-6th. This Shabbat weekend is designed to educate and inform our community about substance abuse and to show understanding toward and help advocate for those in our community who are in recovery.  Shalom Bayit is proud to partner with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta's Women & Philanthropy Division to present a women's community event to educate Jewish women about domestic violence in the home on November 12th at the Greenfield Hebrew Academy's Performing Arts Center.
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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.
New Roles for Case Managers in Integrated Health Systems
(This is a 2-part webinar. Each webinar requires separate registration.) Developments Demand Changes in Traditional Case ManagementOct., 10th, 2:30pm ET REGISTER HERE
Strategies for Building Strong Partnerships with Primary Care
Oct., 30th, 2pm ET REGISTER HERE 
Have You Been Sequestered? Developing Diverse Sources of RevenueOct., 16th, 3pm ET REGISTER HERE |
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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D'Var TorahLee I. Sherman
President/CEOI suppose in many ways, we have grown accustomed to the antagonism and hyperbole of public discourse. Here in the U.S., the level of contentiousness by our elected officials is constantly reaching new heights. This week, we are experiencing a shutdown of much of the Federal government due to the failure of Congress to agree to legislation that would continue funding government programs. In Washington, in Baltimore, and across the nation, friends and family have been told not to come to work because their agencies do not have the money to pay them. The effect on our economy is difficult to determine, not to mention the effect on children, families, and the elderly who depend on government programs to subsidize their economic, food, and educational security.
When did we become so divisive that we fail to see a greater good because our own egos and agendas get in the way? This week's parashah, Noach, provides a glimpse of the origins of societal discord. In chapter 11, verse 4 of Genesis, we learn that the people of Shinar determined to build a tower into the sky, "to make a name for ourselves." This affront to God resulted in the "confounding" of their language, so the people would not be able to understand one another's speech. The beginning of "noise," rather than communication.
The noise continues today. And, this failure to truly listen to and understand one another can have dire outcomes. There is nothing wrong with asserting our individual views. In fact, these varying perspectives are what make the common ground ultimately reached that much stronger. We know from our work at Jewish family service agencies that recognizing that not all people are the same is the foundation for celebrating their differences. This requires listening to one another and finding the places we can come together, thus strengthening our whole society. Otherwise, we continue to just "Babel" on.
Enjoy a peaceful Shabbat.
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Affordable Care Act Enrollment Has Begun 
While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains hyper-political, as you know, enrollment has begun. This memo provides information regarding the opening of the marketplaces in the event you should receive queries regarding enrollment. |
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AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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Pew Research Study: Changing American Jewish Identity 
The Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project has published the findings of a comprehensive survey that examines changing Jewish Identity in the U.S. American Jews overwhelmingly say they are proud to be Jewish and have a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people, but their identity is also changing: 22% of American Jews now say they have no religion. View the findings of the comprehensive survey here. |
U.S. Jewish Population Substa ntially Larger Than Previously Estimated
The Steinhardt Social Reseach Institute (SSRI) and Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University have released new estimates of the American Jewish population. Learn more here. |
Pew/Knight Session Finds Nonprofit News Enterprise Models Still in Formation 
Changes in the market and in technology have had a dramatic impact on traditional journalism. The Knight Foundation and the Pew Research Center collected nonprofit-based news sites from around the country for a discussion of plans for sustainability and reader engagement. The resulting conversation was thought-provoking and insightful, even without any earth-shaking conclusions. Continue reading here. |
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D&O Insurance Now Available Through PurchasingPoint
AJFCA's Purchasing Program, a complimentary member benefit, is excited to announce the addition of Aon Association Services, offering Directors' and Officers' insurance through PurchasingPoint.
Policies offer specialized protection to officers, board members, employees and volunteers against mismanagement claims. Coverage also includes employment practices liability, for claims below as well fiduciary liability and crime coverage.  - Discrimination
- Retaliation
- Wrongful dismissal
- Employee-related mental anguish
- Sexual harassment
- Emotional distress
To obtain a no-obligation quote, click here, and an account representative will contact you to discuss final steps. |
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PEPS Update
AJFCA is  thrilled to announce that the 13 agencies listed below will be the initial groups to sign onto the PEPS system, a new benefit offered by AJFCA. The first group will join between October-December. The second group will join between January-March. A third and fourth group to sign on in April-June and July-October, respectively, will be determined next month. In order to introduce this exciting new benefit to more of our agencies, we will be holding a second web demo of the PEPS system on Thursday, October 10th at 2pm ET. Register here to help  familiarize you with the PEPS Software System and its capabilities. Following the webinar, you will be asked to respond to a survey if you are interested in bringing PEPS to your agency. Please login to the Member Resources section of the AJFCA website to view the list of 13 agencies. |
Development Professionals Call - Planned Giving & Bequests 
AJFCA is pleased to offer the second development professionals call. Join Pia Eisenberg, Vice President of Development & Communications at JFCS Philadelphia and Miriam Friedman, Director of Development at JFCS Atlanta on Wednesday, October 16th at 3pm to discuss Planned Giving & Bequests. Register today and join the conversation. A more detailed agenda of the call will be available next week. |
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CEO Council of AJFCA
The CEO Council is a peer group within AJFCA that promotes networking and professional development among CEOs/EDs of AJFCA member agencies. In the past, the CEO Council has been open only to those AJFCA agency executives who paid a minimal dues fee. After extensive discussion and a positive vote, L. Louis Albert, Chair of the CEO Council and Lee Sherman, CEO of AJFCA announced that as of September 1, 2013, the CEO Council has determined to formally integrate its activities into AJFCA. This will eliminate dues, thereby making participation in CEO Council activities open to all AJFCA member agency CEOs/EDs. AJFCA and the CEO Council are thrilled to partner with the mutual goal of bringing valuable opportunities for learning, support and sharing of information to all of our member agency executives.  Conference Call: Implementing Social Enterprise at your Agency
Facilitator: Aryeh Sherman, President & CEO, JFCS Pittsburgh
Wednesday, October 23rd, 2pm ET
Mark your calendars for the next two CEO Council Conference Calls:
Tuesday, December 17th, 1pm ET
Thursday, March 13th, 2pm ET
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COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
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When a Scarf Should Be a Scarf: Organizations and Network-Weaving 
Increasing buzz around networks and their power to influence people, draw out passion and excitement, and spread ideas has left numerous Jewish organizations wondering: What bearing do these concepts have for us? And if this is relevant - what should we do? Learn more here. |
Check the Calendar to Plan Marketing and PR Activity 
Marketing and Public Relations professionals often look at the calendar to latch onto a timely news hook that will juice up a campaign or a story idea. This tactic may increase the likelihood of reader, reporter and editor interest. Here are a few ways to get started. |
Expand Generosity Through Transparency and Vulnerability 
In The Generosity Network, philanthropist Jeffrey Walker and fundraising expert Jennifer McCrea team up to show how a shift from transactional to transformational philanthropy can help your nonprofit accomplish even bigger goals. The book is a deeply inspirational instruction manual for forging connections that can move your mission forward. Continue reading here. |
What's Jewish About Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer? 
Learn about the unique issues of Jewish women and families facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, how your organization can offer cancer support services at no cost, collaborative opportunities, and how Sharsheret helps.
What's Jewish About Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer?
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From Black & White to Color: Interoperability as the New Norm 
What if all the specialists involved in your client's care were connected? What if you could see a complete record of your client's history across the spectrum of providers in your community? This vision is now a reality, and interoperability is the key. In five years it will be standard for all providers to share data electronically, but today, many of us are still in the dark about data exchange, figuring out how it will work and how issues like confidentiality will be addressed. How can a provider be expected to decipher the giant cluster of constantly changing regulations on compliance and interoperability?
Interoperability as the New Norm
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National Council for Behavioral Health Partners with DATIS, a Human Capital Management Software Company for Non-Profit Agencies
The World Health Organization asserts that healthcare workforce shortages have replaced system financing as "the most serious obstacle" to realizing the right to health within countries. Coverage expansion and parity intensify an already critical U.S. workforce challenge. There is an urgent need to support recruiting, training, and retaining the right talent. The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is intensifying its commitment to ensuring servi  ce capacity through a partnership with DATIS, a 2013 AJFCA Annual Conference Sponsor. Read more here. |
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