Almost two years ago, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation convened hundreds of individuals from all parts of the local Jewish community in a ground breaking initiative called Reimagining.
Together, we examined the demographic, cultural and economic changes occurring in our community. We came away with three clear goals and an action plan.
• We will secure our community’s future. Because the Federation is the only local agency to raise money for the entire Jewish community, we are in a unique position to raise and allocate funds in a manner that will help ensure a vibrant and healthy Jewish community well into the future.
This means sustaining the programs, agencies, facilities and infrastructure that help create a lasting connection among Jews across generations.
• We will champion inclusivity. From individuals who were uninvolved in the MJF to veteran volunteers, the thinking was the same: The Milwaukee Jewish Federation must actively listen to and represent all members of the community.
• We will convene our community around issues of importance. The MJF brings together all parts of our community to address local issues like changing demographics, lobbying and security.
We also serve as the public voice of the local community, responding to issues like anti-Semitism that affect Jews locally, in Israel and around the world.
And we are first responders during times of crisis. As we responded to support local Jews in need through J-Help, we remain poised to act when future emergencies occur.
Leading the charge:Hannah Rosenthal was hired six months ago as the new president and CEO of the Federation. The selection committee chose Hannah because of her national and international experience in steering organizations in new directions, building consensus, inspiring community action and focusing on a single goal: securing a strong Jewish community.
Reaching beyond the periphery: Rabbi Hannah Greenstein, MJF’s new outreach coordinator, has recruited and trained a team of volunteer ambassadors. Together they connect with new faces across the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area and build relationships with community partners and people who are actively engaged in Jewish life.
Sharing our community’s story: Along with her talented staff, Stephanie Wagner, the Federation’s new director of marketing and communications, is getting the word out about the work of the Federation.
A new website is being planned that is more user-friendly and easier to navigate. And the content and format of the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle are being revised based on a survey of readers (See the survey results at JewishChronicle.org).
Stephanie and her team are also assisting our agencies and synagogues in promoting their activities through shared advertising, social media, public relations support, greater coverage in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle and a community calendar being planned for the new Federation website.
• Responding to change The Jewish Community Study of Greater Milwaukee 2011 identified two trends: the growing senior population and the shrinking young adult population.
The impact of these two trends may be profound, as the former creates greater needs while the latter creates fewer resources to meet those needs. The Federation is convening planning commissions to address both of these challenges.
• Supporting inclusivity by opposing hate. For the first time on this side of the Atlantic, the internationally-successful Hours Against Hate initiative has found its home at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. See page 1 for details or visit HoursAgainstHate.org.
• Enhancing security. Security of community properties and other Jewish organizations statewide has always been a priority for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. In light of the events at the Sikh temple, Newtown and the Boston Marathon, safety and security have become more of a focus than ever.
The Federation, along with agencies that occupy the Federation’s Karl Community Campus, is working extensively with local and national government, as well as private security consultants, to optimize campus security. The Federation has also been a resource for local Jewish agencies that are reviewing institutional security.
• Creating transparency. The MJF will share more operational and financial details with the community, particularly the sources, amounts and types of support provided to agencies. We are also examining our board structure with a goal of creating a smaller, more agile board that can better advise and direct Federation operations.
• Rightsizing our annual campaign. The annual fundraising campaign will be shortened to four months of the year (January through April) so we can spend the remaining months on other aspects of fundraising: endowment, legacy gifts, corporate support and grants. This approach will enable the Federation to build a permanent legacy of support for agencies, synagogues, schools and Jewish community life.
• Magnifying our impact. The Federation operates several programs and services that support our local community: Jewish Museum Milwaukee, the Coalition for Jewish Learning, the Holocaust Education Resource Center, the Israel Center and the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. All of the Federation’s outreach programs are now working together creating a greater impact while operating more efficiently.
• Everyone can be a philanthropist. Whether it’s $5 or $500, the MJF remains the only place where one gift benefits our entire Jewish community.
• Give time to build our community. See something in this article that speaks to you? Your time is a valuable resource. Consider volunteering to help make our community a stronger and more inclusive place
• Make your voice heard. Reimagining is an ongoing dialogue between the MJF and the community. Tell us your thoughts about our role in the Milwaukee community.
• Dedicate an hour to combatting hate. For a list of ideas of how to spend your hour, visit HoursAgainstHate.org.
This snapshot is only the first effort to share the concrete results of the reimagining process.
Federation staff, board members and reimagining participants will engage in community conversations over the next months. These conversations will provide an opportunity to discuss this information and more.
Details about the conversations, as well as an opportunity to ask questions in advance of the meetings, can be found on the Federation’s website (MilwaukeeJewish.org/talk). We hope you will join us so we can continue to share, to listen and to change.
Sheryl Primakow is the chief operating officer of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. She served as interim chief executive officer during the reimagining process and the search for a permanent CEO.
Schedule of Community Conversations
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