Local delegates gain insights at JFNA’s FedLab

Every year the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) traditionally held a General Assembly – thousands of professionals attended a conference of learning opportunities, presentations and networking.  This year, JFNA took a different approach and created FedLab.

At FedLab, 850 Jewish leaders gathered together for two and a half days with a focus on three areas: Action for Good in the 21st Century, #Engage Jewish, and Security.  The goal was to use small group, highly interactive sessions to learn, explore and identify new ways to do our work. I was fortunate to attend FedLab with Adam Greenman, Jewish Alliance president and CEO, James Pious, chair of the board, Eric Shorr, board member and Rachel Levy, regional director, Network of Independent Communities for JFNA.

FedLab was filled with vibrant discussions and the sharing of ideas and best practices. It was an opportunity to connect with other communities grappling with similar issues. The overarching theme was that the Federation system’s old way of doing business is not what people are looking for today and the ability to change is the key to success. Each of us had takeaways from the sessions we attended; information that can inform the work we are doing. 

Here are just a few:

•            The traditional Federation outreach model was a hub/spoke model with Federation at the center and the expectation that everyone would come to us. In today’s world the desired model is a network with multiple, easy entry points for people to connect with our work. 

•            The Alliance needs to create “belonging spaces” – places in our building and in the community where people of different backgrounds can feel safe, welcome and comfortable.  This helps to break down barriers to involvement.

•            In the past, Federations tried to be all things to all people. In the new model, the Alliance needs to be a convener. We do not necessarily need to be the provider of a program or service if another organization already has that expertise or is already providing the service well. We need to support high-quality programs and work with agencies and synagogues to develop innovative models to provide services.

•            We have to use our current networks to grow our network.  People are more likely to attend an event if someone invites them. Individuals want to be asked to take on leadership roles on committees and boards. The key is that the right person needs to ask them to get more involved. Finding those “connectors” who can bring in new people is critical to our future.

•            Relationship building has to be at the core of all of our work. We do not want individuals to just have a transactional relationship with us – using the gym or attending one program.  We want people to feel connected to the Alliance and our mission. We want them to feel that we offer something no matter where they are in their lives.

We all made connections with professionals and volunteers in other communities and have a network we can turn to for questions, feedback and information. We learned that all of our communities are facing similar challenges, and we are all working together to find creative and sustainable solutions.

SARA MASRI (smasri@jewishallianceri.org) is chief philanthropy officer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.