Glenn Triest, Benyas-Kaufman
Giles also hopes to re-assess how
to see moved into "proper agency
Federation money is spent on Jewish
structure."
He hopes that in time the
education and to explore whether
Jewish
Community
Council might be
more funding for informal educa-
the
right
agency
to
take over the
tional programs may not be more
Neighborhood Project, though he
productive. We should be looking at
says such plans are incomplete and
programs that provide six weeks in
subject to change. And though he
Israel for teenagers, for example, be-
would like to see the Jewish Infor-
cause Israel is still an under-utilized
mation
Service transferred as well,
resource in terms of Jewish educa-
he is not sure at this point which
tion, and spending time in Israel is
existing agency would be the best to
the single best way to increase one's
house
it. But the point is that Fed,
own Jewish education."
eration is best when it doesn't pro-
Which leads to the subject of
vide direct service — when it gets
aliyah, once a dirty word in Federa-
projects started and then
tion circles. But Giles noted that the
mainstreams them into existing
Detroit Federation was among the
agencies."
first in the country to make a
Conrad Giles is at his best when
philosophical statement supporting
he
is
motivated, and he is clearly
aliyah in principle. He said the Fed-
motivated
by the challenges and
eration will continue to look at ways
prospects
he
faces as president of the
to help olim, or new immigrants,
Federation.
"There
is an element of
"because it is clear that without the
impatience I have in looking ahead,"
help of home communities, aliyah is
a very difficult road." He wants to
encourage projects that will help
people in practical ways, like provid-
ing low-interest loans, rather than
just providing philosophical support
for those seeking to live in Israel.
Giles is anxious to move ahead
with his plans, but intends to spend
the first year of his term concentrat-
ing on some of the major projects
begun under Avern Cohen and Joel
Tauber's tenure, like the task force
on identity and affiliation, the task
force -on the non-institutionalized el-
derly (which Giles chaired) and the
Neighborhood Project, which seeks
to enhance and strengthen
neighborhoods within Oak Park and
Southfield. "Our hope is to either
finalize these projects or at least
plug them into mainstream organ-
izations," he explained, noting that
"conceptually, Federation is a con-
venor, not a service provider."
There are three areas where
Federation now provides service, he
said. One is providing transportation
for the United Hebrew Schools, in
which Federation was welcomed; the
other two — the Neighborhood Proj-
ect and the Jewish Information Serv-
ice — are programs Giles would like
he said. "I want these three years to
last a long time because there is so
much I want to get done." (Federa-
tion presidents normally serve three
one-year terms.)
Having chaired the task force on
dealing with care for the elderly, he
characterized the problem as "ex-
traordinarily difficult" in terms of
the increased costs and decreased fi-
nancial aid from the state for such
care. About 300 people are now
served at the Jewish Home for the
Aged, at a $1.6 million deficit this
year, and more facilities are needed.
Giles said that a decision would be
made with the Jewish Home for the
Aged in concert with the Federation
regarding how to increase service for
those who require it.
"The reality of Federation work
is that we cannot meet all the needs
that are out there, but we are com-
mitted to help everyone and to give
first priority to those unable to take
care of themselves."
In order to do that, Giles hopes
to continue the expansion of the
endowment program begun several
years ago. "That's our life insurance
policy," he said, noting that Federa-
tion needs more than yearly contri-
butions to sustain itself and grow.
"We're looking for $100 million in
new endowments, and we're well
over 25 percent there. That will be
our big push." He said that De-
troiters have deep roots in their
community and are committed to
ensuring its growth.
As a pragmatist, Giles would
like to see Federation draw up and
put into place a "true strategic • plan
for the future," as have 16 of the
other 18 leading Federations around
Continued on next page
On Call
Joel Tauber, Giles' close
which institutions can best meet
friend and predecessor as Federa-
those needs, an outlook that
tion president, agrees that the
dovetails with Giles' comments. It
human element is the key to suc-
sounds simple and logical, but
cess -- "that's been the beauty of
Tauber notes that some people are
this community, first come the
used to viewing an agency's his-
people and then come the pro-
torical role and are reluctant to
grams." He said that during his
adapt to changing needs. "It's a
tenure he tried to "broaden the
delicate area because there are is-
base" of Federation, improve
sues of turfism and institutional
agency relations, bring more new
politics," says Tauber, "but it's an
people into communities, and help
evolutionary process, not a revolu-
modernize and restructure Feder-
tionary one, a matter of
ation. He is proud of his accom
familiarizing people with new ap-
plishments and plans to stay in-
proaches. Change can be very
volved in his current role as
threatening to people."
chairman of the executive com-
But the transition at the
mittee of the Federation.
helm of Federation` has been a
According to Tauber, the fu-
smooth one
ture success of Jewish federations
"Connie knows that I'll be
depends on adjusting to a new
there if he needs me," says
way of looking at the community.
Tauber with a smile, "ready to
First you determine what services
offer as much or as little advice as
are needed and then worry about
he wants to hear."
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