Jewish Federations’ General Assembly goes virtual for first time

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This year’s Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly, held virtually Oct. 25-27, was unlike any national Jewish gathering I have ever attended.  Over 10,000 people registered from around the globe for three days of singing, exploring and wrestling with a wide variety of challenges in today’s Jewish community. 

In previous conferences, we had the opportunity to dream big and imagine how we could work more collaboratively across generations and religious spectrums. But this year’s conference was overshadowed by the tremendous impact the pandemic has had on our communities in the 70 countries where Jews live. 

Based on conversations with Jewish leaders in Ukraine, Italy and Argentina, it seems that we are all in the same storm, but we are not in the same boat. 

This year, my friends and family in Providence have complained that they could not find toilet paper for a few weeks, struggled to find Kosher chicken and beef, and did not know if summer camps would be open.  These are First World problems. 

During the conference, we learned about the 80,000 seniors across the former Soviet Union who are homebound and have no one to help change their soiled clothes.  They go to sleep praying that a volunteer from the Jewish community will put on a mask and gloves, go shopping and bring them a bag of food for the week. 

In the U.S., we lament about how slow our Internet is; they are completely socially isolated, without access to computers or Wi-Fi.  

The Jewish Federations have responded to problems caused by the pandemic with new programs that have connected nursing homes with personal protective equipment (PPE), children with online summer camps and people with disabilities with online friends and jobs. 

When I think about the scope of the problem in America compared to the challenges of the most vulnerable populations around the world, I am moved to act.  The more I learn, the more I feel compelled to teach others and to share what I have with those who are less fortunate.

As part of the GA, we were able to go inside Jewish homes from Morocco to the United Arab Emirates to Belarus.  We Zoomed into their homes, and they Zoomed into our homes.

On Sunday night, we joined together for a plenary with a creative roll call of all 146 Federations, including 35 delegates from Rhode Island.  In addition to music, inspiration and a look at how the Federation system has responded locally and globally to the pandemic, we were able to meet with many world leaders because the conference was virtual. Among those “attending” were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister Benjamin Ganz and opposition leader Yair Lapid.

One of the highlights of the GA for me was an interview with Robert Putnam about the 20-year anniversary of his book, “Bowling Alone.”  I have quoted from that book countless times, and it was fascinating to hear him speak about Facebook and TikTok replacing the bowling leagues of my parents’ generation.

Susan Froehlich, a member of the board of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, was part of the RI delegation for the first time.  She enjoyed two workshops on philanthropy.  Based on her experience, she suggested that the GA should always have a virtual option to enable more people to participate.  She said she felt strengthened and supported by the workshops and believes that they will give a boost to fundraising plans.  Froehlich said that fundraising has to look different and the GA can provide an infusion of energy.  She is looking forward to creating new ways to integrate the endowment based on what she learned.

On Monday afternoon, we gathered together for performances by the Maccabeats, Idan Raichel and Neshama Carlbach. And since we were all learning from our homes, we were able to join together with women from around the world, including Pati Jinich, a Jewish-Mexican chef and host of the popular PBS series “Pati’s Mexican Table,” for a fun and delicious interactive cooking segment.

On Tuesday, I spent the entire day in a workshop titled “If I Forget Thee: Maintaining Connection with Israel Through the COVID Crisis.”  Our group included delegates from Tacoma, Washington, to Charlottesville, Virginia.  We shared creative ways to organize a virtual walk for Israel, a virtual mission to Israel and virtual Israeli wine tastings.  We also learned ways to teach English to Israeli youth through ORT America’s Virtual Volunteers program.

It is amazing how many friends I saw in Zoom workshops at this year’s conference.  I missed sitting in the hotel’s lobby and running into old friends.  But I did not miss wearing high heels in a large convention center and sitting in meetings for 10+ hours each day. 

On Tuesday afternoon, at the conclusion of the virtual GA, I turned off my laptop feeling invigorated and ready to roll up my sleeves to strengthen our Jewish community.

RACHEL ALEXANDER LEVY is the interim director of the Network of Independent Communities, Jewish Federations of North America. She has attended nearly a dozen GAs.

Alliance, JFNA, GA