THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
AJFCA sees each Member Agency as a Thought Leader. You are the informed opinion leaders and the go-to people in our fields of expertise. You are trusted sources who move and inspire people with innovative ideas. You turn ideas into reality, and know and show how to replicate your success.
During the month of September AJFCA will share your reflections with the network as we work together to raise awareness surrounding National Recovery and Hunger Awareness
month. Click here to learn more about National Recovery and Hunger Awareness months from the AJFCA Network.
If your agency has a piece to share with the network please email Megan.
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Click here to access Senior Resource Connect and stay current on the latest trends in older adult services.
AJFCA launched our new older adult services website, Senior Resource Connect this summer. The website aims to leverage the expertise of Jewish family services agencies assisting older adults in the community, increase referrals to member agency programs, streamline referrals between agencies, and act as an information hub on all matters of senior services.
Share this great news with your community.
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AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
Gay Leader Marks a Decade at East Bay Jewish Agency
Avi Rose, CEO of Jewish Family & Children's Services of East Bay was recognized in The Bay Area Reporter this week.
Ten years ago Andrew "Avi" Rose, an outspoken leader in the fight against AIDS during the epidemic's early years, was a stay-at-home dad raising two children with his husband and working part-time as a consultant when he was recruited to be the interim executive director at the Jewish Family and Children's Services of the East Bay. 
Initially hired on a temporary basis, Rose, a licensed clinical social worker, and the agency clicked. A decade later the 61-year-old continues to oversee the 138-year-old provider of services not only to the East Bay's Jewish community but a wide array of clients, both LGBT and straight, from children and minority families to seniors and refugees. Continue reading here.
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Linda Meisel Announces Retirement from JFCS Mercer County
This is obviously a bittersweet moment for the board. Due in part to Linda's extraordinary leadership over the past 18 years, the Agency has increased annual budget from $500,000 to $1.8 million, has expanded into new and renovated space from which to deliver the Agency's critical services, and, most importantly, has increased the services that JFCS provides to the community. Continue reading here.
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Stay updated on AJFCA offerings, agency news & current trends . . .
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D'Var Torah
Lee I. Sherman
During our Rosh Hashanah service, the Rabbi asked the congregation to think of memories during the past year that evoked a sense of connection to the spiritual. Three recent memories came to my mind. The first was in early February when I welcomed Shabbat at the Kotel in Jerusalem and then had an amazing Shabbat dinner with my wife, son, niece and four twenty-something young friends. We were very much in the moment as we celebrated the joy and beauty of Shabbat in the home of the Jewish people.
The second was in late May when I visited the Theresienstadt concentration camp. This was a journey to a horrible past in a place where over 120,000 either perished on those grounds or were sent to the death camps in the east.
The third memory was from a time just a few weeks before I went to the Czech Republic. It was in Miami at the AJFCA Annual Conference when our hundreds of attendees, our friends and colleagues, gathered around the pool for a lovely Havdalah as we welcomed in the new week and the potential of the learning and sharing we would do together over the next few days. While all together in one place, we were very much leaning into our future and the work we had yet to do, but knew it was our responsibility to undertake.
In all of these moments, I felt a deep sense of belonging to community. From the ashes of a past that we must continue to build upon, to the energy of each moment as we share a Shabbat experience, to the hope and determination that drive tasks yet to be accomplished, we are not alone as we face these challenges and opportunities. On Yom Kippur it is crucial that we gather as a community. We may be alone in our thoughts, but it is with a unified voice that we seek forgiveness and pray for our prospects for the coming year.
Shabbat Shalom and G'mar Chatima Tova.
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Child Nutrition Reauthorization: What You Won't See on the Nightly News 
As Congress begins its post summer work, the debate and consideration of the reauthorization of our nation's child nutrition programs has also begun. Not surprisingly, their process seems both confusing and a bit secretive. Learn more here.
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Aging Life Care Webinar: Why You? Why Now?
AJFCA is excited to partner with The Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) to offer a special opportunity for AJFCA member agencies serving aging adults and their families. Learn more about the profession  and how membership with ALCA can strengthen your agency's offerings. This live, one-hour conversation will include AJFCA's President/ CEO Lee Sherman and Liz Woodward, Director of Older Adult and Disabilities Services, as well as key ALCA staff and current members.
Aging Life Care: Why You? Why Now?
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Webinar Series: The Changing Landscape of Community and Residential Supports for Persons with Disabilities
Professionals, self-advocates, and family members are invited to this 4-part webinar series hosted by AJFCA and 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. 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. Learn more here. 
Join this discussion with Steven Eidelman, H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Human Services, Policy and Leadership at the University of Delaware and former Executive Director of The Arc of the United States, to learn about best practices for residential programming and the philosophy of funding residential programs in the future.
Residential Programming
Wednesday, October 21st, 1pm EST - REGISTER HERE
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AGENCY PROGRAMMING/OPERATIONS
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The Myth of Mediocrity: Celebrating Talent in the Jewish Sector 
For years, we have all heard that the "sky is falling" when it comes to Jewish professional talent. The prevailing mindset seems to be that our sector lacks for any qualified, committed individuals and addressing that challenge will take significant time and effort. This narrative perpetuates a harmful myth that there is a pervasive dearth of talent in the Jewish community, which is simply not true. Continue reading 2015 AJFCA Annual Conference presenter, Adam Simon's narrative here.
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Smarter Together: Build Your Team of Brainstorming Partners 
Learning engages the mind, heart, and creativity. There's no better resource out there than fellow fundraisers and nonprofit communicators who are doing, learning, and returning the same type of campaigns, techniques, and messages you are. Click here to learn how you can build your team of brainstorming partners.
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2016 AJFCA Annual Conference
Request for Proposals -
DATE EXTENDED - DUE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH
We've received requests to extend the proposal due date and know you are busy with the Jewish holidays. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of the AJFCA Annual Conference!
AJFCA is seeking workshop proposals that present new and innovative information directly related to the operation of a Jewish human service agency. Successful proposals will be interactive, clear, and well-organized, with concrete take-aways for attendees. Sessions shou  ld examine challenges and present lessons learned measurable positive impact, and strategies for excellence. Replicable and engaging program ideas are preferred in the follow tracks.
- Executive Team Leadership
- Agency Services
- Fund Development & Marketing
- Board Leadership
- Volunteer/Young Adult Engagement
Prior to submitting, please carefully review the RFP Guidelines. This document contains important information on the Conference and detailed guidelines for each of the areas of focus. WORKSHOP PROPOSAL FORM. PROPOSAL DEADLINE EXTENDED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2015. Please email Zahava with questions.
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Advocacy Day  The 2015 AJFCA Advocacy Day will take place on Tuesday, October 27th in Washington, DC. Learn about public policies affecting your work, and advocate for your priorities at meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill (lunch included). Register here. HOTEL
Reserve your room at the Renaissance Washington, DC Dupont Circle Hotel (via the link) by calling 888-803-1298. Please identify yourself as part of the AJFCA group when making your reservation. The group rate is $219.00 per night, plus tax. Reservations must be made by October 3rd. Please contact Zahava at 410-843-7487 with questions.
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Scouting Millennials in Their Own Habitat: More on Generational Differences in Giving 
When it comes to giving, millennials have their typical haunts and habits. A propensity for constant contact and self-documentary have made them known as the "Uber-Me" generation, yet data and advice on how to engage them counters the idea that they think they're special. All the talk about how to scout out millennials in their online habitats through involvement can hide truths about how to engage with people in general. Click here to read a few main schools of thought about millennial engagement. |
Webinar: SafeLink - A Lifeline for Your Clients  Join the SafeLink team for a webinar during which you will learn more about the program including how you can enroll your clients. Along with providing background information this webinar will be an opportunity to ask questions. SafeLink Wireless provides your eligible clients the opportunity to apply for a free cell phone with free monthly minutes through the Federal Lifeline program.
Webinar: SafeLink - A Lifeline for Your Clients
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Insurance Needs Webinar 
AJFCA has partnered with Brown & Brown Insurance Agency. Brown & Brown understands the diverse insurance needs of family and social service organizations and offers one of the most comprehensive product selections available in the marketplace. Join Shari Pataky for a webinar discussing your insurance needs as family service agency including your own property insurance, errors & omissions, abuse and molestation, workers compensation to your own employee benefits / health insurance needs.
Insurance Needs
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