The Jewish Week - New York

An excerpt from The Jewish Week - New York...

"Madoff With The Money" could be the headline for much of our coverage this week as our community continues to reel from the shocking news of the alleged $50 billion investment fraud. Washington Correspondent Jim Besser explores the factors that led to what some are calling a "Jewish Atom Bomb,"

Staff Writer Stewart Ain catalogues the litany of Jewish organizations hurt by the alleged Ponzi scheme, and reports on those at Yeshiva University and elsewhere who feel betrayed by Ezra Merkin, a financial and communal leader who funneled his fund's monies into Madoff's, apparently without telling investors.

Read more at: http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c36_a14327/News/New_York.html

Orthodox Synagogues Reach Out To Unaffiliated Jews

December 8, 2008

For decades, Reform and Conservative synagogues across the Hudson Valley have strategized, plotted and prayed over how to connect with some of the many unaffiliated suburban Jews who have few ties to Jewish life other than Philip Roth books.

Now the smaller but fast-growing modern Orthodox community is joining the expedition.
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The Orthodox Union, the influential representative of more than 1,000 Orthodox congregations, is working with three New York synagogues on novel ways to reach disconnected Jews — starting with small steps and a non-judgmental approach.

View the remainder of the article at:

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812080350

A SUMMARY CHECKLIST FOR SYNAGOGUE CAMPAIGNS

1. Do we know what is actually needed and how much it will cost - the financial goal? Does the Board agree with and accept this need and goal? Will the Board give the campaign maximum financial support and active leadership? Will they go out and ask others for gifts?

2. Is the need for our campaign compelling? Can a strong case for support be clearly articulated to “sell” this need to the congregation?

3. Has our membership been adequately involved in the process of developing the case for support and our priorities?

4. Is our need and dollar goal realistic? Do we know who the major leadership gift
prospects are and what they think about the campaign? Will they give?

5. Has it been determined how many gifts and what levels of giving will be needed for a successful campaign?

6. Do we have a realistic time frame and pattern of organization for implementing the
campaign? Do we have the volunteer organization to do the job that must be done?
Are they motivated and trained?

7. Do we have the necessary budget available to launch the campaign?

8. Is our staff (Rabbis, educators, administrators) knowledgeable of and supportive of this campaign?

9. Do we have the support staff capable of handling the administration of the
campaign, such as assignments, pledge and payment records, acknowledgment of gifts, etc.?

Characteristics of a Successful Synagogue Campaign

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL SYNAGOGUE CAMPAIGN

A. A persuasive and compelling CASE for support of the synagogue: the
ideological underpinning.

B. A committed, influential and active volunteer organizational LEADERSHIP
group.

C. A clear definition of member PROSPECTS for potential contributions to the
campaign.

D. Adequate staff, financial and administrative RESOURCES to plan and implement the campaign.

CAMPAIGN STATISTICS

1. 80-90% of the money raised comes from 10-20% of the members.

2. The top gift/s represents about 10-15% of the total campaign.

3. About 10-20% comes from the Board and Board-related gifts.

4. Campaigns usually achieve about 75% of their goal from gifts in excess of $10,000.

The most important statistic: The extent to which EVERY member of the congregation is asked to make a personal gift and participate in the campaign is the extent to which the campaign is likely to be more successful!

Campaign Feasibility Study: an Organizational "Snap-Shot"

What is a Feasibility Study?

The study is an objective survey of your synagogue’s fund-raising potential that measures the strength of your case and the availability of campaign leaders, workers, and prospective donors.

HOW IT IS CONDUCTED . . . . .

The key technique that we use is a confidential one-on-one interview with a sampling of members from the following suggested groups:

• leaders who have played a key role in the synagogue’s growth.


• members who have the potential to make major gifts to the campaign.


• members representing the various constituencies of the synagogue.


• i.e., Religious school, Nursery School, Sisterhood/Brotherhood, etc.


• a selection of members who don’t fit into any of the above categories. This will ensure a comprehensive sampling group. In addition to the interviews, an internal analysis of past fund-raising experiences and history is crucial to rendering a professional judgement.

THE IDS STUDY PROVIDES YOU WITH . . . . .

• An assessment of the strength of your synagogue’s case for funding, availability of leadership and depth of interest of the membership.


• Recommendations for an achievable dollar goal, timing for the campaign and prospective campaign leaders and major donors.


• A plan of action for the campaign, including: campaign plan, volunteer structure, timetable, staffing requirements and estimated budget.

IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE . . . . .

Through competent and objective analysis, and before embarking upon a major campaign, you gain essential information that helps ensure your success, avoid mistakes, and identify issues that can affect the campaign.

SHANAH TOVAH!

Best wishes to all for a

Happy & Healthy New Year!

Shanah Tovah!

B'Shalom.

Barry Judelman

Union for Reform Judaism ~ Preparing for the High Holy Days

September 25, 2008 25 Elul 5768

"Preparing for the High Holy Days ~ As we approach the High Holy Days this season, we listen for the blast of the shofar, the deeper, reflective melodies for prayers and feel the cool winds of fall gathering strength from the north. Log onto the Union’s High Holiday page to prepare for this Yamin Noraim, read personal stories of preparation on RJ.org and visit the Jewels of Elul website for a daily dose of inspiration."

• Blogging on Elul
• High Holy Day resources
• Sounds of Kol Nidre - listen to audio in this RJ Magazine article about the history of Kol Nidre
• Jewels of Elul

Be sure to stop by the Union of Reform Judaism website to read and learn more about the valuable information they share - http://www.urj.org.