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MJF Reimagining moves ahead: transition work begins

November 1st, 2011

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Reimagining Project moved to the next level on October 19 with the first meeting of the newly formed Transition Team, under the leadership of MJF President-Elect Marlene Lauwasser. The Transition Team is charged with the task of taking the input gained over the spring and summer of 2011 through cascading interviews, the Community Summit and the Strategic Action Session (SAS) and using this material to plan and implement transformational change for the Federation. The goal is to re-imagine and reinvent MJF so that it can better support and help to realize the dreams of the Milwaukee Jewish community.

The Transition Team began its work by listing first steps that are already moving MJF in new directions. Examples include: modifications to the physical environment to create a more inviting atmosphere and encourage open communication; plans to strengthen the Jewish Community Foundation through expanded staffing; an admission-free Annual Campaign Kickoff Event held in an informal setting; staff team building to encourage a holistic approach to the Federation’s work; more frequent and more transparent communications; MJF’s role as convener in organizing the new J-Help campaign as a community-wide effort to help our Milwaukee Jewish community; and many other outreach efforts. These initial efforts represent movement toward the greater warmth, inclusivity and authenticity envisioned and encouraged by the community.

A major focus of the October Transition Team meeting was the launch of work groups, which will carry the specific responsibilities of change planning and implementation. Individual groups will focus respectively on: MJF’s organizational model; communications; financial resource development; and MJF focus to meet the vision of the community. In the coming weeks, work groups will recruit additional members, set benchmarks and timelines, and begin first steps. The first report on progress of these work groups will be made in January.

“I am very excited about the focus and energy of the Transition Team meeting,” said Lauwasser. “There is tremendous forward momentum and commitment to change. All of this strengthens my belief in the power and dedication of our amazing community,” she said.

Other members of the transition team, which is an expansion of the original Reimagining Sponsor Team and reinforces a shared leadership model of MJF volunteer leadership and professional staff, include: Autumn Anfang, Dan Bader, Laura Barnard, Jerry Benjamin, Fred Croen, Caren Goldberg, Mark Goldstein, Judy Guten, Sara Hwang, Sheryl Primakow, Andrea Schneider and Susan Lubar Solvang. Jen Vettrus, a young professional with a background in mediation and faith-based initiatives, has been hired as Transition Coordinator.