This Week

Facing Uncertainty

Jewish federations are concerned about economy, war, peace and the UJC.

JULIE WIENER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Washington

here is a sense of uncertainty and transi-
tion facing the Jewish federation system.
It is unclear how global forces like the
U.S. war in Afghanistan, the U.S. econo-
my and the situation in Israel will affect the federa-
tions, both in terms of the needs they will be asked
to support and their ability to raise funds.
Echoing these external concerns at the United
Jewish Communities' General Assembly (G.A.) in
Washington this week was the fact that the UJC
itself is at something of a crossroads. Its top found-
ing lay leaders are handing over the reins to new
people, and it recently installed a new CEO and
president.
The pioduct of the merger of three Jewish groups
two years ago, the UJC has been hammering out
issues related to governance and confronting internal
conflicts, both among the players in the different
groups that formed it, as well as among the 189
Jewish federations across North America which are
its "owners." The merger has a few final steps left,
most importantly developing a new budget and clar-
ifying priorities — amid pressure from many large
federations that would like to see serious cuts in
spending. The organization will be undergoing a
rigorous budget review" in the coming months,
said Stephen Hoffman, UJC's new president and
CEO.
Neither he nor the top UJC lay leaders indicated
where any cuts would come.

Changes At UJC

Discussions at the G.A. reflected "the transition
going on in the American Jewish community right
now," said Howard Ross, executive director of the
North Louisiana Jewish Federation in Shreveport.
"We have new leadership in the UJC, both profes-
sional and lay, and we don't know where they're
going to take us," he said.
In addition, Ross said, federations are awaiting the
results of the 2000 National Jewish Population
Survey to help determine domestic priorities.
Findings of the UJC-sponsored study — the first
comprehensive survey of American Jewry in 10 years
— are expected to be released next summer.
Most large federations are reporting their cam-
paigns are unaffected by the recession so far — and
in some cases, they are enjoying campaign increases,
at least in kickoff events with lead donors.
Many have also raised new funds for Israel, as part
of an Israel solidarity campaign launched this sum-
mer aimed at helping Israel as it faces an ongoing
Palestinian intifada (uprising). That campaign has

11/16
2001

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raised almost $86 million.
Leaders of many federations, including Cleveland
and MetroWest, N.J., say the Israel fund-raising
campaign has actually boosted contributions to the
general campaign as well.
However, it is too early to tell the long-term
impact of the recession, and many are nervous.
"We're all waiting to see how things shake out,"
said Mark Lainer, a member of the executive com-
mittee of the Los Angeles Jewish
Federation.
Robert Aronson, CEO of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, said
the economic uncertainty means "federa-
tions are taking hard looks at their
expenditures. This is not an easy year."
Many federations, like the United
Jewish Federation of San Diego County,
are making special appeals to their top-
tier donors, asking them to significantly
increase giving this year because the
recession "could mean the average donor
may not be as generous as previously
anticipated," said Michael Hirsh, the
federation's director of planning, budget-
ing and administration.

a board member of the MetroWest federation.
"People give in times of crisis," Loman said. "And
this is definitely a crisis."
Joe Brodecki, a board member of the Jewish
Federation of Greater Washington and a former
fund-raising director for the U.S. Holocaust
Memorial Museum, said, "Sometimes when things
get tough, people pull together and do things they
never thought they could have accomplished."
It is not clear precisely what role the UJC will play
in the coming years. Many saw the Israel NOW
rally, scheduled for Sept. 23, as the group's first deci-
sive act of leadership.
However, the rally was canceled in the aftermath
of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The UJC's new leaders, James Tisch of New
York, chairman of the board, and Robert Goldberg
of Cleveland, chairman of the executive committee,
are promising an expanded role for UJC and a

Downturn Experience

But many UJC officials are downplaying
the recession. "We've been through eco-
Shimon Peres
nomic tightenings in the past. There's no
reason to believe this will be worse,"
Hoffman said.
Washington/JTA — Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres
Carole Solomon, chair of the UJC's
downplayed any tensions between the United States and Israel.
Campaign and Financial Resource
Addressing
the General Assembly of the United Jewish
Development Pillar, said campaigns are
Communities
in Washington on Sunday night, Peres said
"doing very well so far," although
Israel
is
on
America's
side. "There is no other side, this is the
"potential uncertainties in the economy
only side," he said.
may manifest themselves later."
In a videotaped message from Israel, Prime Minister Ariel
However, she said, over the past eight
Sharon
expressed solidarity with the United States and asked
years, many donors "have made tremen-
for American Jews to visit Israel.
dous sums of money," and market losses
are not wiping out their fortunes..
In a speech to the UJC's Delegate Assembly,
smaller budget.
Solomon said, "We can worry, or we can redouble
Tisch said doing both is possible. "Just because we
our efforts." Some are hopeful that the difficult
cut the budget doesn't mean we're cutting services
times — at least the events of Sept. 11 and the crisis
and doesn't mean we're not growing," he said.
in Israel — will actually spur giving.
It is also not entirely clear what Jewish federa-
"A lot of people may want to be more involved
tions want the UJC to be or do, although a variety
and are looking for meaning," Lainer said.
of federation executives and lay leaders said they
Others hoped the Jewish community's visibility
want it to be a combination of organizer, visionary,
after Sept. 11 — particularly the work of Jewish
disseminator of best practices and a forum for col-
social service agencies in the New York area — will
lective action.
draw in new donors.
"We need an organization to coordinate our
"Social service agencies no one ever knew of are
efforts," said Elaine Berke, a board member of the
being talked about now," said Helaine Loman, a
Los Angeles federation. "And it keeps us together
member of the UJC's Young Leadership Cabinet and like a mom and a dad keep a family together."

Peres: No U.S.-Israel Tensions

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For related editorial: page 35

