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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
Aug 2017
Shmuly Yanklowitz (WGF Alum, Class 19) and Asher Lopatin (WGF Alum, Class 5). We have just signed on to this statement, written by long-time Wexner faculty, Rabbi Dr. “Yitz” Greenberg, initiated by the Orthodox Rabbinic Group Torat Chayim and signed by many Wexner alumni: The central teaching of the Bible is that every human being is created in the image of God.This means that every individual and group is unique and
Aug 2017
Reposted with thanks to Malkah Binah’s Blog, Thriving Spirit. I spent this past Shabbat in Charlottesville with a small group of rabbis as part of a delegation from T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. The rabbis and other spiritual leaders who went to Charlottesville fulfilled many roles, some on the front lines of the protests, some as witnesses, and some as protectors and nurturers. There is much for us
Aug 2017
It is 30 days since Jonathan Woocher‘s passing. We didn’t talk regularly, but I am struck at the number of times I have thought of him — almost daily. Simply, that’s how profound the impact of his work is on the daily life of Jewish educational organizations. One of the things to admire about Jon is that he never let any of us off the hook. This work — the strengthening
Most Israelis are not concerned with the Western Wall issue — a sad truth that a group of WIF alumni, of varied Jewish denominations, decided to tackle. Deeply worried about the Israeli public’s lack of engagement with the collapse of the Western Wall Compromise and the Conversion Law, a spontaneous interest group — initiated by WIF Alum Einat Hurvitz (Class 26) — formed during our recent 2017 Summer Institute, hoping
Reposted with thanks to the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” The all-too-familiar opening of Charles Dickens’ nineteenth-century classic A Tale of Two Cities could not have better encapsulated the current state of the Jewish world. As the international community is rocked by political and economic turbulence, the Jewish People—an international people if ever there was one—has not been
In Photo: Collective Impact leadership meeting with President Reuven Rivlin, July 2017 Emerging from a year of intensive work by Wexner Israel and Graduate Fellowship Alumni, Wexner Heritage Alumni and Wexner Senior Leaders all working together through the Summit “Stronger Together: (Re)Imagining the North American Israeli Relationship”, a three-pronged project has emerged to improve civil society in Israel and to strengthen leadership and business relationships with North American groups. Our Summit project, entitled
Aug 2017
Reposted with thanks to Larry’s Blog, Life and a Little Liturgy A Protestant pastor remembers preaching a sermon on loving God and being interrupted by a congregant who blurted out, “Love God? Look at the problems God causes: devastating illness, hurricanes. earthquakes. And look at the problems God doesn’t prevent: wars, cruelty, persecution. Sure, this is stuff human beings bring about, but God just lets them happen. Love God you
Aug 2017
On Monday, my friend, Ben Grossman, died. He was 37. Ben taught everyone around him many lessons in the way he lived and in the way he responded to getting sick. I’ve been reflecting the last couple days in particular on what I will remember most. Ben had a calm, patient energy. He had an easy smile. Living across the street, seeing him throughout the week, the memories I will hold
Aug 2017
The Wexner Field Fellowship pre-application is now open for up to 15 exceptional professionals, who will be selected for a three-year program with a cohort of lifelong professional learners that is focused on enriching their ability to exercise leadership as Jewish professionals. Wexner Field Fellows are matched one-on-one with a coach, as well as a Jewish educator to expand their leadership skills and Jewish knowledge respectively based on their individual
Jul 2017
Photograph by Zion Ozeri, NYC, 2017 In October of 2016 I was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer called leiomyosarcoma. There are fewer than 300 cases per year in the US. The prognosis is questionable at best. During the past 9 months I have kept a journal that I shared with many friends, most part of my Jewish world: National Young Leadership Cabinet, Wexner classmates, my weekly minyan, UJA, the