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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
What’s the most deadening environment you can think of that can transform a generally happy, outgoing and energetic disposition into a depleted, antisocial being? In two simple words — a conference. With the New Year upon us, do you notice all the new work and volunteer leadership conferences starting to populate your calendar? I am trying to think through how I might cultivate a
Aug 2015
Definitions of peoplehood remain terribly outdated and ineffective precisely when they are more necessary than ever. The recent Pew survey about the changing American religious landscape provided some important news for American Jewish leaders — young Jews are not alone in rejecting religious categories of identity. We now know that the category of “JNR” (“Jews of No Religion”) — an acronym that brought great consternation to the American Jewish community
Aug 2015
The Wexner Foundation mourns the passing of Gerald Bubis, z”l, who died on August 21. As the founding director of the School of Jewish Communal Service at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Jerry, as he was fondly known, pioneered and shaped the field of Jewish communal service. He was an activist for peace in the Middle East. Jerry was a mentor to many professionals, myself included. In the early ‘70s,
The Wexner Graduate Fellowship Summer Institute entitled “God, Spirituality and Belief” took place August 16-21, 2015 in Stowe, VT. The institute was planned by a committee of Wexner Graduate Fellows and Davidson Scholars in a yearlong process around a theme selected by the entire WGF community. Below are reflections from current Graduate Fellows from three different classes. My approach as we headed into Summer Institute this year fluctuated between personal trepidation
Aug 2015
Reposted with thanks to Craig Taubman and Jewels of Elul I was young and earnest with a dream summer internship at the Justice Department, living in dorms crowded with college kids from around the country. My roommate was coming a week late and I anxiously awaited her arrival, certain we’d be best friends forever. Way too early one morning, there was a knock on my door. “Hi. I’m your roommate”
Aug 2015
My husband Bill and I graduated from the Wexner program in Pittsburgh in 1988. Nearly thirty years, nine children and many grandchildren later, well, let’s just say, I care a lot about G-d and Torah. I will always be grateful to the Wexner Foundation for the pivotal role it played in my life! In response to 2013’s Pew Study detailing Jewish America’s distancing from religious observance, I began to write a
Working as a Jewish Chaplain at Rikers Island Correctional Facility comes with a unique set of challenges. For instance, something as simple as sitting down to write this piece involved going through eight metal gates, waiting for an “inmate altercation” to clear and securing one of the few computers in the facility. When I clicked on an old WexnerLEADS article for inspiration, I received the following message: “Content blocked by
Aug 2015
In 2013, the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) voted to close down after 32 years. JESNA Board Chair and Wexner Heritage alum Cass Gottlieb (Baltimore) and Jonathan Woocher (former President and Chief Ideas Officer) thought it would be helpful to the Jewish Community at large to be transparent about how they shut down their organization. Reposted with thanks to ejewishphilanthropy.com. The JESNA Board held its final meeting a
Have you ever “meltzed” (waited/bussed) a table? Gotten a band-aid at the “marp” (infirmary)? Or selected an elective for “Shabboptions” (Shabbat options) or “t’floptions” (tefilliah options)? Then you most likely attended or worked at a North American Jewish overnight summer camp. These words stem from Hebrew (and English) but have developed uniquely in the rustic settings of Jewish camp. Over the past two summers, along with our colleague Sharon Avni,
Aug 2015
During my trip to Israel with the Wexner Heritage Program in 2013, I extended my travels so I could attend the LGBT March in Jerusalem. I was moved to see the diversity of that event. Religious, secular and transgender people marching under a sea of rainbow flags, hand-in-hand, through the ancient city of faith. It was a beautiful experience. I felt safe with the security surrounding us despite knowing that