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Despite the continuing costs associated with aliyah and absorption, the absolute decline in the number of peo- ple coming to Israel made the agency's case less compelling for many in the federation system. Jewish Agency officials say their new strategy provides a tool for the federa- dons as they struggle both to increase overseas dollars and to connect with Jewish youth, their own future donors. "What the agency is going to pro- vide is a platform for reinvigorating the Israel and overseas agenda in partner- ship with UJC, making it a far more accessible and relevant platform," said Jay Sarver of St. Louis, the budget and finance chairman of the Jewish Agency. "The focus on the next generation is the critical issue that every community is facing," said Sarver, a past president of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. By paying attention to that age group, "we're going to sow the seeds of federation involvement," he said. Grounded in the philosophy that an Israel experience roots a Jew in his or her Zionist identity — and may beget aliyah — over the next five years the Jewish Agency aims to bring 50,000 diaspora youth to Israel on a short- term program and another 20,000 on a year-long one. To that end, the group partnered last year with the Israeli gov- ernment to fund such long-term pro- grams to the tune of $10 million each year for the next five years. Many North American federation leaders were closely involved in map- ping out the Jewish Agency's strategic plan, ensuring that the goals of both partners align, Sarver said. "I think the report has broad sup- port," said John Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York. ❑ UJC ASSESSED from page 27 including through the Jewish Funders Network, and the tendency of a new generation of Jewish philanthropists to give to secular causes, such as uni- versities and hospitals. Some of the most acerbic com- ments by the study respondents, who are not identified by name, is reserved for the new UJC structure itself, which some say "was preor- dained to fail" and "produced anar- chy in the name of unity." However, Windmueller, in an inter- view, noted that the study represents "a snapshot in time," dealing with the functionality of the UJC structure, rather than its recent performance and reforms. The study concludes with 11 rec- ommendations to the UJC leadership. They include: • Restore the traditional role of rab- bis and intellectuals, now largely excluded, as one of the pillars of com- munal governance; • Provide opportunities to discuss and react to Israel's policies and encourage full airing of diverse opin- ions on the challenges facing Jewish life in this country, now often sup- pressed in the name of unity; • Expand the "old boys" network of the wealthy in Jewish life by including more women and young people; • Appoint an ombudsperson to examine and report on the steward- ship of UJC funds; • Underwrite and use think tanks; • Restore the household "brand" name of UJA in one form or another; and • Balance the division of power between lay and professional leader- ship. Rieger, as head of UJC, noted that the study's interviews concluded in December 2003, and since then UJC had stabilized itself and moved forward. ❑ Israel Insight WIRELESS C4,II`SLINICAT10.3 r . ; I I 2005 28 I Bloomfield Hills • (248) 335-3345 4276 Orchard Lake Rd. @ Lone Pine 43183 Woodward Ave @ Square Lake ... ... --- ...-------- ... 1 Bring in This Coupon. and Receive 0/0 off i *; . MSRP7 hillside On Anything in The Showroom! 1 URNI URE 111 T C 2/24 West Bloomfield • (248) 681-7200 TIIE ISSUE Israel's parliament and ruling coalition government both voted in the past week to give final approval to disengage from the entire Gaza Strip and four Jewish settlements in the northern West Bank. The withdrawal will test the ability of Gazan Palestinians to govern themselves. It will also provide an opportunity on the West Bank. 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