"I can't leave Harry by
himself. He's just not safe."
"Jewish peoplehood" with Jewish ritu-
al and Jewish knowledge. And work-
ing relationships should be pursued
with non-Jewish organizations and
any other Jewish group that "supports
our mission," including private phil-
anthropies often viewed as competi-
tion for donor dollars.
Many of these
points emerged in dis-
cussions among the
federation representa-
tives as they reviewed
the results of a survey
that had been taken of
about 400 people from
among their ranks.
The survey found the
trend that "major donors
are increasingly choosing
philanthropic alterna-
tives to federated giving"
to be a particular con-
cern. Among the "critical
barriers" to be overcome
were "the impacts of conflicts related
to pluralism, both locally and globally"
and "old ways of decision-making"
that left some federations feeling they
"did not have a voice."
"Ideals to strive for," in the view of
those surveyed, included strengthening
Jewish communities in North
America; finding "visionary and artic-
ulate" leadership; and building a
dynamic and responsive organization.
Originally planned as a regular
quarterly meeting of the CJF, the
meetings here, termed the "Founders
Forum," gave federations an initial
opportunity to "take responsibility for
telling the national entity what they
expect from it," said Joel Tauber of
Detroit. Tauber was appointed the
organization's chairman of the execu-
tive committee in February.
"That's far different from what's
been done before," he said, alluding to
a driving force behind the merger —
the demand by local federations for a
greater voice in the whole system.
The ballot vote for the new entity's
name — for the past year it had been
referred to as "UJA Federations of
North America" and "Newco," a legal
term for new, unnamed organizations
— was intended as a first step toward
greater democracy.
Asked to choose between "United
Jewish Federations: Creating
Communities that Care" and "United
Jewish Communities: Serving
Federations Across North America,"
most of the lay and professional leaders
in attendance favored the former
option going into the vote on Monday.
But market research conducted
The Jewish Community
Adult Day Care Program can help.
months in advance indicated that
"United Jewish Communities" would
have greater appeal among philan-
thropically active younger Jews.
"To the generation under 50,"
Bronfman explained in introducing the
subject Monday morning, "when you
say 'federation,' they think 'Star Trek.'"
Older adults with Alzheimer's disease
and related disorders will benefit from:
• A safe, caring environment
• Therapeutic activities and socializing
• Personal care and health monitoring
• Kosher meals and snacks
Family members will receive respite
"To the generation
under 50, when you
say 'federation,' they
think 'Star Trek.'"
Charles Bronfinan
and support.
For information, call Peter Ostrow, (248) 559-5000
Locations: Opening soon: Rose and Sidney Diem Building,Jewish Vocational Service,
29699 Southfield Rcad,Southfield.Opening late 1999: Peter and Dorothy Brown
Center, Jewish Home and Aging Services,6710VV. Maple Road,West Bloomfield
A program of the Jewish Home and Aging Services and Jewish Vocational Service, in
collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association-DetroitArea Chapter.
li jj
U
LJ
UNITED
JEWISH HOME AND AGING SERVICES
C
= '' ES
CQ'd
During the floor debate that preced-
ed the ballot vote later that day, several
speakers passionately pointed out that
"United Jewish Communities" did not
accurately represent a federation-
owned national system.
"We spent years and years trying to
get across the idea of ourselves as 'fed-
eration'. To take 'federation' out of the
name completely would be a huge
mistake," said Donald Lefton, a past
president of the Greater Miami Jewish
Federation, to hearty applause.
But Jon Friedenberg, executive
director of the Jewish Federation of
Greater San Jose, Calif, and a member
of the naming committee, said that he
had been swayed by the market data.
"We, as a system, have experienced
a net loss of 130,000 donors over the
last five years alone," he said. "The
question to think about is: Who are
we naming this organization for?"
Jennifer Laszlo of Washington, a
member of the UJA's Young
Leadership Cabinet — and, at 34,
perhaps the youngest attendee in the
room, spoke with excitement in sup-
port of the new name.
"Quite frankly, my generation
sees this organization as alte kakers'
with lots of money," she told the
group, using a humorous Yiddish
term for "old people.
"Let's change the name, change the
logo, but not the commitment to
making a difference in people's lives."
In the end, a vote of 73-59 raised
the banner of innovation over the new
entity. The name still must be
approved by the as-yet-unformed
board of trustees. I 1
ilewis he%
W it ti
JVS
E EDE:9
T h is is .Peeleration
Arlen Jewish Campaign
Our Exclusive Service Offers:
i smitt, • Home Space Planning • Packing •
• Unpacking •
• Deluxe Move Packages •
"Everything In Place
The Day You Move"
i)
Makes Your Life Easy.
Ruth Schwartz
7
,........t.:-.:,
0.Fx:::titt .
CEO
al
CEO
BEB
Iii
EBEI
House To House
EZ Move
Space & Home Planner
ASID - IFDA
(248)
352-2264
Professional Interior Designer,
30 years' experience
Call for a detailed brochure!
Run Your Errands
• Harvard Row
Kosher Meat
• The Alteration Spot
• Cobo Cleaners
Reward Yourself
• TCBY Treats
ACCENTS
IN NEEDLEPOINT
Contemporary
Designs
626-3042
Orchard Lake Rd. • West Bloomfield
IN THE ORCHARD MALL
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Detroit Jewish News
4/16
1999
25