National conference invigorating for local leaders

The G.A. app.Building community and attracting the next generation of leaders. Local representatives who attended the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly Nov. 9-11 agree on the main takeaway for Rhode Island.

“The messaging was crisp and clear,” says Jeffrey Savit, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. “If our communities do not bond together as a collective and work together as one, and indeed listen to the myriad of voices and opinions across our Jewish landscape, then each of us will lose our power to stay relevant and engage our millennials and next generation of leaders.”

Savit called the conference the best he’d ever attended. “I was thrilled I was able to share this year’s experience with Rabbis Mack, Dolinger, Babchuck and Franklin, let alone Minna Ellison, Erin Moseley and Terry Smily, president of the Jewish Federation of Cape Cod.”

Erin Moseley said she was inspired by the overall feeling of the conference. As director of Arts & Culture and NextGen Engagement, she went with the (401)j team that included Rabbis Mack, Babchuck and Dolinger, to make a presentation. “The atmosphere and attitude of everyone was in support of everything I believe we are trying to do,” she said.

The (401)j  presentation, part of the “Fedovation” TED-style breakout sessions highlighting how federations are pioneering change, was well received. “The response was overwhelming,” said Moseley. “To know that we are cutting edge and people want to know more about what we are doing and how we are doing it is amazing.”

Rabbi Elan Babchuck, of Temple Emanu-El, said he’s already fielded phone calls from people who were at the presentation or who had heard buzz about it. “People were excited about the possibility of an entire state thinking collaboratively and efficiently.”

Rabbi Barry Dolinger, of Congregation Beth Sholom, agreed. “This kind of open institutional cooperation is a key to building community across many areas. People even posted about our presentation on the GA app.”

“It’s reassuring, motivating and exciting to know that we are moving in the right direction and doing the right things, Moseley said of her experience at the GA. “It was the perfect boost of positive energy we need to continue moving forward.”

As for how Rhode Island compares with others?

Babchuck observed, “We were definitely on the cutting edge. Being able to talk about what we do in Rhode Island while talking to others from different cities gave me a great sense of pride for our little state.”

Savit summed it all up: “Working together as a community provides the best mechanism to achieve success, innovation and engagement.”

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.