Contact:
H. Glenn Rosenkrantz, UJC Media Relations
212.284.6572
glenn.rosenkrantz@ujc.org

Amy Stein, JESNA Marketing and Communications
212.284.6896
astein@jesna.org

UJC and JESNA Forge Alliance To Advance Jewish Renaissance and Renewal

New York (November 30, 2000)  -- The United Jewish Communities (UJC) and the Jewish Education Service of North America, Inc. (JESNA) have entered into a strategic alliance aimed at advancing the vision of Jewish Renaissance and Renewal that is central to both organizations.

In announcing this alliance, Charles R. Bronfman, Chairman of the Board of UJC, and Joseph Kanfer, Chair of the Board of JESNA, emphasized the shared commitment of the two organizations to the revitalization of Jewish life in North America and throughout the world.  "The decision to make Jewish Renaissance one of the four Pillars of UJC's work," stated Bronfman, "reflects our conviction that strengthening Jewish identity and involvement, promoting Jewish learning, and building communities devoted to tzedakah (righteousness) and chesed (acts of loving kindness) must be at the forefront of the federation system's work in the 21st century." 

Kanfer noted that JESNA's work over the past decade at the forefront of "Jewish continuity" endeavors has led directly to its taking on a prominent role in fostering Jewish Renaissance and Renewal "as a fulfillment of the JESNA purpose: 'Vibrant Jewish life through Jewish learning.'" 

Joel D. Tauber, Chairman of UJC's Executive Committee, praised the strategic alliance as a creative response to the desire of federations for greater support from the national system in the area of Jewish Renaissance and Renewal.  "This alliance will enable federations to draw on the combined resources of UJC and JESNA as they strive to enhance the quality of Jewish life and to catalyze change at the local level." 

Stephen D. Solender, President and CEO of UJC, explained that the alliance formalizes a collaboration between JESNA and UJC in shaping and implementing a Renaissance agenda that has been in place de facto since UJC's Renaissance Pillar began its work nine months ago.  "In fact, the history of this relationship goes back many years.  This alliance will allow us to continue to pursue Jewish Renaissance vigorously, drawing on the unique strengths of each of the partners, while preserving the independence and integrity of both agencies."

The operational details of the alliance have been spelled out in an agreement between the two organizations.  UJC's Jewish Renaissance and Renewal Pillar Committee will, with JESNA's consultation and concurrence, define the initiatives of the alliance and prepare its budget.  JESNA will provide the management and primary staffing for the Renaissance alliance, under the leadership of its President and CEO, Jonathan Woocher, who has been serving on loan as the lead professional for the Renaissance and Renewal Pillar since last March.

Beryl Geber, chair of UJC's Renaissance Pillar, welcomed the partnership  "The task ahead of us is an enormous one.  The cooperation between UJC and JESNA that this alliance makes possible will not only help us meet the challenges we face more effectively, but model the kinds of inter-organizational collaborations that are necessary for the Jewish Renaissance to take root and thrive."   She noted that the alliance will continue to work in collaboration with local communities, the religious movements, national agencies, and overseas partners in planning and implementing all of its initiatives and activities.

The initial agenda of the alliance will reflect the priorities already set by the Renaissance Pillar Committee.  This agenda includes adult Jewish learning, day school support, Birthright Israel follow-up, and work with young adults.  Other areas, such as camping, synagogue renewal and strengthening synagogue-federation collaboration, and professional recruitment and development may be added in the future. 

"We're seeking to build an agenda that addresses major areas of opportunity for enriching and strengthening Jewish life," Woocher said, "with special emphasis on areas where new collaborative initiatives can make a real difference.  This is an agenda that  will complement JESNA's ongoing activities and initiatives to promote excellence in Jewish education, and the work of UJC's other Pillars with whom we will interact and cooperate."

United Jewish Communities (UJC) represents 156 Jewish Federations and 400 independent communities across North America. Through the UJA Federation Campaign, UJC provides life-saving and life-enhancing humanitarian assistance to those in need, and translates Jewish values into social action on behalf of millions of Jews in hundreds of communities in North America, in towns and villages throughout Israel, in the former Soviet Union, and 60 countries around the world. Through the Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC), UJC and the Jewish Federations of North America, in cooperation with their overseas partners, The Jewish Agency (JAFI) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), are providing human welfare, social and economic assistance and other types of support to Israelis, many of them victims of terror, as they endure a period of extreme challenge.