What's at Stake for the Jewish
Community in the 2008 Elections?

Historically, almost 80 percent of Jews vote for the Democratic ticket for President, but the Republican share of the vote has climbed from 11 percent in 1992 to 24 percent in 2004. With issues of great importance to the Jewish community on the table, including social service spending, separation of church and state, health insurance, the war in Iraq and the dangers posed by Iran, which button will Jews push? Moderator: William Daroff, UJC vice president of public policy. Speakers: Ira Forman, executive director, National Jewish Democratic Council; Noah Silverman, congressional affairs director, Republican Jewish Coalition; Nancy Kaufman, executive director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston.

 Please note that this recording begins shortly after the start of the session, so the first thing you hear will be the middle of a comment by Noah Silverman of the RJC.
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Branding 101

What is branding and how can it strengthen your marketing? Branding is much more than just a name or slogan. Learn everything you need to know about this often misunderstood concept — why your brand and your products/services are not the same thing, how listening to your customers can change your message, and more. The creator of the slogan "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" shares his insights. Presenter: Randy Snow, executive VP & principal, R&R Partners. To download the PowerPoint file that accompanies this presentation, click here.

 For optimal audio, fast-forward to 2:05 into the recording.
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Shaping Israel's Image as it Turns 60

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has endeavored to change the public’s perception of Israel as a “warrior” -- even a righteous, reluctant warrior -- in favor of more appealing images that highlight Israel’s scientific progress, its archeology and the allure of its beaches. How successful has this branding initiative been, and what are its implications for advocacy and fundraising? Chair: Norm Goldstein, UJC Israel @ 60 Chair; Israel & Overseas chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Speakers: Ido Aharoni, head of Brand Israel management team; Larry Weinberg, executive vice president, ISRAEL21C; Lee Dranikoff, Brand Israel; Sharon Bell, Jewish Federation of Nashville.


 For optimal audio, fast-forward to 4:37 into the recording.
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Israel Advocacy in the Age of Walt, Mearsheimer, Carter and Facebook


Recent publications by a former U.S. president and by two professors from top universities have posed serious challenges to American advocacy for Israel. As these forces attempt to erode American support for Israel and accuse Jewish groups of stifling debate, how should the Jewish community respond? Moderator: Steve Gutow, executive director, JCPA. Chair: Conrad Giles, UJC/JCPA, Israel Advocacy Initiative, JCPA. Speakers: David Harris, executive director, Israel on Campus Coalition; Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, founder & president, The Israel Project; Michael Kotzin, executive VP, JUF Chicago; Aviv Shir-on, deputy director general for media and public diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel.


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A New Approach to Investing in Israel

Learn about new and emerging forms of investments and loans that promote community development in Israel. They are part of a growing global movement toward greater social responsibility and economic equity. Moderator: Eytan Biderman, founding chair, Center for Jewish Arab Economic Development. Speakers: Benny Levin, chair, Israel Venture Network; Toni Young, chair, UJC global operations: Israel & Overseas Coordinating Council; Evelyn Kenvin, UJA Federation of NY; Joel Tauber, founding chair of the UJC Executive Committee and honorary trustee of the board.


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Jewish Peoplehood:
From Concept to Action

A candid international discussion on the varying approaches to the idea of Jewish peoplehood. We will investigate definitions of peoplehood from North American, European, and Israeli perspectives, and examine the role of the federation system in translating these concepts into action. Chair: Elaine Schieber, chair, Jewish Peoplehood and Identity. Speakers: John Ruskay, executive vice director, New York Federation; Barbara Spectre, founding director, Paideia (Sweden); Gidi Grinstein, founder and president, Re’ut Institute.

 For optimal audio, fast-forward to 1:03 into the recording.
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Voices for Change: A Town Hall on Future Directions for American Jewish Women


A diverse panel of young women, movers and shakers in their fields, look at the study that was presented at the 1995 GA and discuss current strategies to propel the Jewish community into the future. This program is a joint project of several leading voices in Jewish women’s philanthropy and leadership, including UJC National Women’s Philanthropy, Hadassah, and the Jewish Women’s Archives. Moderator: Dr. Shulamit Reinharz, professor & director, Hadassah Brandeis Institute, Brandeis University; Speakers: Debra Barton Grant, executive vice president, Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, IN; Jordan Namerow, communications specialist, Jewish Women’s Archives; Yavilah McCoy, director, Ayecha; Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, New York; Nahanni Rous, director of outreach & educational content, Just Vision.

 For optimal audio, fast-forward to 1:30 into the recording.
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Getting their Hands Dirty:
Young Adults and Jewish Service

Engaging in Jewish service has great potential for strengthening Jewish identity as well as demonstrating solidarity with people in need around the world. As the opportunities for authentic Jewish service increase, how can federations get in on the ground floor of this “next big thing” in Jewish engagement? Moderator: Liz Jaffe, chair, Otzma. Speakers: Sandy Cardin, president, Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation; Rabbi David Rosenn, executive director, Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps; Benny Levin, Chair, Israel Venture Network; Serena Orgel, Otzma.


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Jewish Day School Consult


The Jewish Peoplehood and Identity strategy center, in partnership with PEJE and JESNA, are sponsoring a consult focusing on day school funding strategies.



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Marshall Goldsmith on Helping
Successful Leaders Get Even Better

Sponsored by the UJC Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence
Marshall Goldsmith, author of What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There, is a world authority on helping successful leaders achieve positive, lasting behavioral change in themselves and their teams. In this fast-paced, interactive session, he will discuss the classic problems faced by successful leaders. Participants will practice “feedforward” ― a focused tool for development that is being used successfully around the world. Chair: Stewart Kasen, National Advisory Committee chair, Richmond, UJC Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence. To download the PowerPoint file that accompanies this presentation, click here.


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The Center for Jewish Philanthropy:
Re-imagining Fundraising


UJC and an increasing number of federations are moving to a new model of fundraising. Whether we call it the collaborative model, extreme FRD, or the dynamic operating model, all of us are striving to reach our fundraising capacity by focusing on new income streams and matching donors’ interests with exciting projects and unmet needs. Learn about the UJC Center for Jewish Philanthropy and hear from those who are leading the change. Chair: Morris W. Offit, national chair, UJC Center for Jewish Philanthropy committee. Speakers: David Fisher, UJC National Campaign chair; Paul Morton, UJC National Endowments chair; Jocelyn Krifcher, UJC National Supplement Giving chair; Karen Morton, chair, National Family Philanthropy; Beth Guttman, president-elect, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; Ephraim Goldberg, executive director, planning & allocations, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County; Brian Tauber, UJC Breakthrough Programs chair; Rob Mann, UJC National Training chair; Rani Garfinkle, president, UJC National Women’s Philanthropy; Lester Rosenberg, immediate past chair, UJC Planned Giving & Endowments committee; Todd Gorelick, vice president, Board of Trustees, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.


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