AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
Close to 50 Ruth & Norman Rales JFS Volunteers Participate in Good Deeds Day
Volunteers from Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services participated in International Good Deeds Day, this past Sunday, March 15th. International Good Deeds Day is an annual, global tradition that includes countless good deeds being done all around the world. Last year, over half a million participants in 50 countries worldwide gave over 2 million volunteer hours, making Good Deeds Day the largest and most far- reaching day of good deeds. People from all backgrounds, cultures, and ages have united around the simple idea of Good Deeds Day, and many continue to volunteer all year round. Participants delivered Passover items to clients of the Jacobson Family Food Pantry, a program of JFS, which serves residents in need in the Boca Raton, Highland Beach and Delray Beach areas. The March 15th effort alone impacted over 100 clients. The balance of deliveries to the remainder of Food Pantry clients will be made by JFS over the next 1-2 weeks.  Event Co-Chairs for the Good Deeds Day event were Lisa Goodman, Patti Jacobs and Robin Siegal. Siegal, who delivered packages with her family commented, "As a volunteer I believe you get more than you give. We had memorable experiences with our deliveries and we are grateful for the opportunity we have been given through JFS." "We are very proud to have been part of Good Deeds Day," said Danielle N. Hartman, President and CEO of JFS. "The timing could not have been more perfect. Although we make bi-weekly deliveries to our Food Pantry clients, it was great to have kicked off our period of special Passover deliveries on Good Deeds Day. These packages include many additional items above and beyond the regular allocation that are special for Passover, which begins April 3rd."
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Additional Assistance Available for Cincinnati Holocaust Survivors
Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati is excited to announce that new funding will allow Cincinnati Holocaust survivors to receive significantly more aid in 2015. A true collaborative effort among Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati, and the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education ensures the survivors receive care and that their stories of strength are not forgotten.  In addition, the Claims Conference increased its allocation to Jewish Family Service by nearly 150%, earmarking most of this funding for homecare, the social service priority. Learn more here. Jewish Family Service is hosting an information session on compensation and restitution issues for Jewish Holocaust survivors. Ms. Deborah Kram, the Claims Conference's Client Outreach Manager, will guide a discussion on the Claims Conference's compensation programs from 10:30 am - 12 pm on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the Mayerson JCC, 8485 Ridge Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236. Adult children and grandchildren of survivors are welcome to attend. Learn more here.
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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Lee I. Sherman
President/CEO
Holiness is one of those concepts that has been difficult for me to define. What can make someone or something "holy"? Is holiness an active or passive state? Is holiness attainable for a human or only something we can continually work towards? Am I left with the standard that former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart used in a very different context that "I know it when I see it?"
The Torah is infused with discussions and descriptions of holiness. This week we begin the reading of the Book of Leviticus, Vayikra. This book contains almost half of the 613 commandments in the Torah. There is a focus on sacrifices and other offerings, instructions on the work of the priests, and other rites of purity. And, throughout Leviticus, the concept of holiness is a constant presence.
What we learn from Torah is that holiness is a quality of God and a goal for people. We can move closer to holiness by doing deeds that are ethically and ritually proper. Particularly in the way we treat our fellow human beings, we have the opportunity to follow God's commandments to be holy. These are the commandments that are the foundation of our work for the poor, the elderly, the most vulnerable amongst us. The holy work of our Jewish family service agencies.
Shabbat Shalom.
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JFNA Health & Long-Term Care Summit 
The Jewish Federations of North America will hold its 7th Annual Health & Long-Term Care Summit May 20-21, 2015 in Cleveland, OH. This is the first time the summit will be held outside of Washington, DC and the first time registration is open to a larger audience. Lay and professional leaders from Jewish family service agencies are invited to attend. Click here for the agenda. Register here. |
NHSA Two-Generation Initial Findings Webinar 
The National Assembly needs your help! They are conducting research around the barriers faced by organizations to implement two-generation programming. NHSA is hosting two national practitioners' webinars to outline their initial findings from advocate and practitioner interviews and to hear directly from human services organizations providing two-generation programming. Please join us them one of the sessions below. Learn more here. |
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AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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The Talent Development Pipeline: Putting People First in Social Change Organizations 
Talent Development is all about guiding those rock star staff members who are able to contribute to the organization's impact and success. Research reveals that fewer 60% of nonprofits are implementing Talent Development strategies. And, of concern, of the younger professionals working the nonprofit sector survey, only 34% said they were committed to staying in the sector for the long haul. Learn more here. |
Are You High Performance? Leap of Reason Can Help You Answer "Yes!" 
In 2011, social-sector thought leader Mario Morino released a book entitled Leap of Reason. In essence, Morino argued that the social-sector could be vastly improved by relentlessly measuring results for which organizations held themselves accountable to achieve. Learn more here. |
2015 AJFCA Annual Conference - Early Bird Registration Closes Friday, March 27th 
Click here to REGISTER! Click here to book your room at the Hilton Miami Downtown. Click here
to view a tentative schedule (with dates and times), list of sessions and descriptions, optional Monday luncheons and details surrounding the Sunday evening Host Community Event and CEO Council.
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AJFCA will be offering gentle yoga and a walking group to attendees on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning. If you are interested in leading running group please email Megan.
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Save the Date - Domestic Violence Professionals Meeting
Domestic Violence Professionals Meeting
August 9th & 10th
Chicago, IL
Join AJFCA member agency domestic violence professionals as we gather to share best practices. AJFCA is thrilled to announce the first ever Domestic Violence Professionals Meeting beginning Sunday, August 9th with a casual networking get together. Programming will take place Monday, August 10th and include lunch. Please stay tuned for details (including hotel, cost and rfp).
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"Turn the Tables" with Repair the World this Passove r
Repair the World's second Turn the Tables national campaign is now underway. The new campaign is tied to Passover and will focus on the issues of gentrification and neighborhood change. We had a great deal of momentum around our MLK Day Campaign, and this campaign allows us to continue to grow the Turn the Tables brand and connect it to the important work Repair is doing in our communities. Please get involved by promoting the campaign.
Click here for more information.
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The Changing Landscape of Community and Residential Supports for Persons with Disabilities Webinar Series
Professionals, self-advocates, and family members are invited to this 4-part webinar series presented by the Task Force on Jewish Residential Alternatives for Adults with Disabilities outlining the changing landscape of community and residential supports for persons with disabilities. Spring (March 18th) and summer (June 17th) sessions will provide participants with an understanding of self-advocacy and best practices related to life planning and transitions from school to emerging adulthood. Fall (October 21st) and winter (December 16th) sessions will focus on changing policy impacting the creation of and access to residential services as well as changes to Medicaid and other policies that impact access to an array of support services. The series is offered free of charge to all AJFCA network professionals and available to clients of AJFCA members and professionals and clients at non-member organizations for a fee. Read more and register for each session individually or sign up for the entire series here. Contact Liz with questions.
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Make Your Trustees Champions of Your Nonprofit 
To be effective spokespeople for a nonprofit, board members need to develop a persuasive elevator pitch and practice overcoming objections, among other skills. Learn how by listening to this podcast. |
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Boards Must Champion Long-Term Strategic Planning
Short-term thinking is the bane of the modern business world, and it's up to boards to push back. Effective boards require the right membership, CEO backing and a commitment to putting in the necessary time and periodic review. Read the entire article here. |
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COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
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How is Your Organization's Stewardship? 
If you work with a nonprofit organization, chances are you have to do some fundraising to support your mission. Experience and data suggest that getting more money from an existing donor is always easier than getting even $1 from a new donor. That makes stewarding existing donors your top priority. Read the entire article here. |
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