From the Executive Vice-President
• Nearly 100 years after its establishment, United
Jewish Charities has become the United Jewish Founda-
tion, signaling a new dimension and role for Federation's
venerable partner in the preservation and enhancement of
our community resources.
• As we struggle to meet the many problems our
people face in this time of economic hardship, the
involvement of more men and women as volunteers and
contributors is both heartening and energizing to all of
us. They bring fresh talents, skills and support to our
enterprise.
• Next year, hundreds of us will depart on
Michigan's Miracle Mission to Israel. This extraordinary
trip, which will take our statewide Jewish community to
Israel in unprecedented numbers, will renew our spirit of
solidarity with Israel's people.
• How we are going to deliver Jewish education
and nurture a sense of Jewish commitment among our
young people is a perplexing question for which we are
seeking creative answers. Federation is determined to
pursue through study and action those programs, educa-
tional experiences and communal activities which will
further our children's understanding of and respect for
their heritage.
D
evelopment of the Strategic Plan was a risk-taking
adventure. We began with an understanding that every
aspect of Federation and the United Jewish Foundation
would be examined and there would be no "sacred
cows."
On its surface, the plan may not seem remark-
able. It does not suggest which community need is more
important than another. What it does is reshape and
restructure the Federation and the Foundation into more
effective organizations. It calls for modifications in a
system that has served our community well but which
must now respond to -- and anticipate -- the needs of a
changing population.
For the professional staff of Federation, imple-
mentation of the Strategic Plan will be the number one
priority for the coming year. This document and its
blueprint for action provide an opportunity to bring new
excitement and a sense of renewal to our communal
enterprise.
We look forward to the challenge!
Robert P. Aronson
In that way, the unbroken chain of Jewish life will
be preserved within the fabric of American society.
As we head toward the 21st Century, Federation
will act with integrity and courage, with imagination and
effectiveness to preserve the values passed down from
generation to generation.
It has been my personal privilege to have served
this community as president of Federation during these
past three momentous years.
When a man is made leader of the community,
he becomes rich.
-- Talmud Yoma
The wealth of memories I take with me from this
experience will serve me for a lifetime.
Mark E. Schlussel
Mark Schlussel (left) and Robert Aronson