Convening and Connecting

By Jacob Solomon on 01/17/2011 @ 05:56 PM

When many people think about their local Jewish Federation, the first thing that comes to mind is fundraising (and a seemingly endless supply of UJA fundraiser jokes!). And it’s true: arguably more people participate in the annual Federation/UJA Appeal than almost any other single Jewish behavior. For the year that just ended, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation raised over $21.6 million in its Annual Campaign from over 10,000 donors, and that does not include millions of dollars that are raised through Supplemental Gifts or by The Foundation, Federation’s endowment arm. I am constantly inspired by the generosity and sense of responsibility exhibited by our people.

And yet, without in any way diminishing the life-saving services that are made possible as a result of these fundraising efforts, of equal importance is the role that Federation plays in building our local community. What does that mean?

On the day before Christmas, while our non-Jewish neighbors were preparing for their holiday, the Jewish Volunteer Center brought together 500 members of our community to engage in a variety of volunteer activities, providing assistance to thousands of people; demonstrating our commitment to tikkun olam; and connecting people of all ages and denominations to our community in a meaningful way. We know that these kinds of experiences can be an important gateway for further engagement in Jewish community life.

Furthermore, on January 16, Federation and its public affairs division, the Jewish Community Relations Council, led a broad and inclusive coalition of Jewish organizations and synagogues in sponsoring a Summit to Combat the Campaign to Delegitimize Israel. An amazing line-up of speakers energized over 1,200 people in attendance and gave them the tools to play an active role in counteracting the pernicious wave of misinformation and distortions designed to undermine the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign Jewish and democratic state. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren, famed refusenik Natan Sharansky, members of Congress, religious leaders and scholars reminded us of the vital role that we play in counteracting the cynical and dangerous campaign of calumny against the State of Israel.

Each time the community comes together like this, the energy that is created makes an impact in two directions: it makes a statement about our values, our traditions and our sense of responsibility, and it also deepens the connection of each participant to one another and to the community. Sometimes those connections are local; sometimes they extend to all of k’lal Yisrael, all of Jewish peoplehood.

So the next time you hear another bad Jewish fundraiser joke, have a good laugh . . . but don’t forget the pride you feel at the kind of community we build together.