Israel's Children Deserve Better

A recent Times of Israel article revealed that many public schools in Israel are so underfunded that teachers must buy classroom learning tools with their own funds. In a school in Ofakim, teachers make do with donated supplies or pay for them out of their own pockets.  School principal Yael Segev explains that “the municipality can’t take the expenses,” and that she donates about 10 % of her salary back to the school to help fund operations.

According to recent OECD tests, even Israel’s top students are outperformed on international assessments by their peers from nearly every other country. The only categories in which Israel leads the rankings?  Israel has both the largest average class size, with an average of 29 students vs. the OECD average of 20, and more worrisome, the largest gap in educational achievement between rich and poor.

In wealthier communities, municipalities and parents make up for inadequacies by allocating or donating funds to schools. However, limited or inefficient government spending results in the denial of education to those living in Israel’s socio-economic and geographic periphery. The municipalities don’t have the budgets and most families in these communities can’t afford to supplement their children’s education. The 33% of Israel's children living in poverty are not getting the education they need to change their lives or their communities.

Darca was established in 2010 by the Rashi Foundation and KIAH to address this very crisis. With over 14,000 students in 23 high schools, and a student -teacher-student ratio of 10 to 1, Darca is Israel’s leading network of high schools. Working in Israel’s underserved communities, Darca is providing the world’s most innovative country with the most innovative schools.  Since the network was established, more than 80% of Darca students have passed Israel’s university matriculation exam compared to the national average of 49.8%. As an independent operating organization with a strong partner in the United States, Darca will invest more than $10 million this year on top of Ministry of Education funding in 23 schools and 2 learning centers to provide Israeli children with the education they deserve. Now more than ever, Israeli families need the support of Darca and our community of donors to ensure their children have unlimited opportunity and are prepared for success in our global economy.

Back to School for the Jewish Philanthropic Community

The recent Giving USA Report, researched in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, revealed that charitable giving is up. Contributions have grown by 22% since 2009, almost back to pre-recession peaks.

In the Jewish/Israel segment of the philanthropic world, overall news is also good. The combination of Jewish wealth and, in the United States at least, relatively little anti-Semitism, enables engaged citizens to use the power of philanthropy to address many issues our community and greater society has faced for decades. The opportunity for philanthropists of all sizes to make significant change is more likely than ever before.

And yet, while charitable giving as an industry is growing, many individual organizations have not rebounded from the 2008 recession; they still struggle to raise the funds to meet the ever growing needs of the populations they serve. When colleagues from around the industry gather, we lament not the lack of creative ways to address societal problems, but the funding to implement them or the shortage of qualified employees. In our industry’s current state, there are simply not enough resources.

From 2003 to 2013, the number of 501c3 organizations increased by over 20% in the United States. The proliferation of similar organizations in Israel has also been rapid. In 2012, Israel had nearly 43,000 registered amutot [the Israeli 501c3 equivalent]; there are nearly 2,000 new ones added each year. With so many organizations competing for the same funding and the same employees, it is no wonder that we all feel the pinch.

To be sure, competition can breed innovation and creativity. It can help move ideas to market faster and encourage out of the box thinking. In the for-profit world, competition also has the added benefit of providing additional choice and often driving down prices. Unfortunately, in the not-for-profit arena, the increase in organizations addressing similar needs has led to duplication in overhead, and competition for a limited pool of funds and employees. As a result, fewer dollars are getting to the end user—the people who need our ‘products’ the most.

In the for-profit world, when too many companies are serving the same industry, the judgment tends to be swift. Particularly when scale leads to profitability, companies merge, are acquired or shut their doors. In the nonprofit world, even when scale can achieve more results, the same organizations will continue to compete for the same resources year in and year out, without ever growing or increasing impact.

The desire to increase impact, grow reach and leverage resources to change Israel’s education system led two organizations, Youth Renewal Fund and Darca Schools, to form the groundbreaking alliance announced mid-summer.

The two organizations met 18 months ago with the intent of piloting a YRF supplemental education program in two schools within the Darca network, a network of schools similar to a charter school network in the United States. As that cooperation evolved, it was clear to the management and boards of both organizations that there was a greater opportunity.

Unlike a traditional merger or alliance, there was not a profit motive driving this “transaction.” However, from the beginning, it was clear that both YRF and Darca shared one common goal—creating the most innovative schools for underserved children in the world’s most innovative country. Once the conversation started, it was easy for all involved to quickly align to maximize available resources. While each organization was governed by a board of founders, there were no egos around the table.  Personal agendas—often strong influencers in other not-for-profit organizations—were never part of the discussion, only common causes and a shared mission. 

YRF’s business-like approach to philanthropy guided its decision making process. Darca’s desire and ability to change education for all of Israel made it a logical partner.  The philanthropists involved in both organizations focused on the needs of the population each set out to help. This new organization has enormous potential and will deeply impact tens of thousands of children every year. With the school year just beginning, this educational venture has already taught everyone an important lesson.

Originally posted on eJewishPhilanthropy.com on September 11, 2015

How Can We Improve What We Can't Measure?

Just before the the start of the school year, Israel’s Education Ministry announced its decision to cancel the Meitzav exam, a standardized test given every two years to students in fifth and eighth grades designed to measure competence in English, math, science and technology and native language, in addition to assessing the school’s pedagogic environment. As one might imagine, this news was greeted with mixed reactions.

Many Israeli educators welcomed the news, saying that the exam puts too much emphasis on results and testing and not enough on learning. Exam results, they say, are not a tool for measurement and improvement, but come at the expense of teaching and true leaning.

To be sure, no test is perfect; there is always a risk of “teaching for the test.” Measurement in education is difficult and is a controversial topic that is widely studied. However, while there is still much work to be done in this area, few educators advocate for no testing or measurement at all.

Without any published results or information, parents will have no way of knowing how their children’s schools are doing compared to others in their community or country. The Ministry of Education itself cited the risk of published results embarrassing teachers at low-performing schools as one reason for cancelling the test.

While Israeli educators may question the quality of the Meitzav exam, they are not addressing the real issue—the quality of the education system itself. Regardless of the results of an exam that compares Israeli students and schools to each other, Israeli students continue to test well below their peers from other OECD countries.  Israel has one of the largest and fastest growing gaps in educational achievements between the rich and the poor and the number of young people (age 25-34) with university degrees in shrinking in Israel and growing in other countries.

Instead of focusing on the test, perhaps the focus should be on improving the educational system it is attempting to measure? 

Yom Kippur 5774

As president of my synagogue (this is the last year) I have the honor of addressing the congregation on Kol Nidre. Here is what I said a few weeks ago. Thanks for reading it. 

You stand this day, all of you, before your God, your tribal heads, your elders, your officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp…to enter into the covenant…I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your offspring will live.”

These are the words from the Torah that we will read tomorrow morning, and while I am not one to play favorites, they are some of the most powerful and thought-provoking in our text.

Imagine you were there--because, according to our teachings, you were. Picture yourself standing in the large crowd of Israelites that Moses has gathered together. As he recounts all that you have been through in your wanderings, the montage is playing in your mind like a Hollywood film: the Exodus, revelation at Sinai, the golden calf, building the ark, wars and famine. Through it all, you have observed the commandments, and your tribe has grown in number.

You have followed Moses on this truly awesome journey—from the outset, your destination was decreed, even though the path, at times, was unclear. And now, here you are, about to realize your destiny, all that has been promised to you and at the climactic moment, you are being asked one more time "are you sure?"

While some may refer to the Jews as the chosen people, this portion of the Torah reminds us that it is really we who must do the choosing. God may have brought us out of Egypt, rescued us from bondage, and redeemed us, but the ultimate promise of becoming God's people could not be fulfilled unless we were willing participants.  Even after all that transpired, the Israelites could not truly become the Jewish people unless they chose to do so.

Being Jewish, being part of a community, finding a way to make life more meaningful, more spiritual, more connected to ancestors or to God--these are all active decisions.  Moreover, an individual’s actions and decisions are not isolated to that single person: “Choose life so that you and your offspring can live."

Your choices are not only the essence of your personal Judaism, they are critical to preserving and building the future of Judaism for generations to come.

Of course, it is not always so deliberate. When my parents dragged me and my sister to synagogue every Friday night when we were children, I don’t think they did it in the hopes of creating a future synagogue president or a Jewish educator. But they did want us to share their belief system and values, and to develop a framework on which we could build our lives.  As I grew up, I learned that Judaism and synagogue life were more than ritual and study. They were faith, a moral compass and community that not only supported my family in our dark hours or rejoiced with us in celebration, but served as a regular part of our daily lives.

And so my husband and I chose this life for our children as well, hoping they will be feel comforted by God’s presence, secure in their convictions, strong from their community, wise from helping those around them. We want them to come to know their place in this chain and to understand that the choices they make are not just about the here and now, but will have ramifications for generations to come.

When I think about all that our ancestors—both those from 5000 years ago and those from 50 years ago—went through and fought for  just to have the privilege of choosing Judaism, I find it interesting, ironic and perhaps a bit frustrating, that today, there seems to be a great deal of discussion about how we need to make it much easier to be Jewish. According to many in our community, even synagogues like Rodeph Sholom--known for its diversity, openness and eagerness to welcome a wide range of observers--make it far too difficult for people to lead Jewish lives. We impose restrictions that ask too much of anyone. For example, we assume that people might actually want to be here. We want them to want to be members of a warm caring community. We try to preserve the tradition of communal study and prayer. We even ask children to attend classes, learn Hebrew, Jewish history and Torah. We simply refuse to give up so many of the traditions that have sustained us for thousands of years.

Of course Rodeph Sholom, like all our institutions, must respond to changing demographics, technological innovation and other societal forces. But the texts, rituals and practices that have sustained us for thousands of years must continue to be our guide. If each generation takes away a little bit of ritual, a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of obligation, on what will the next generation stand? And the next? Eventually, our choices will narrow the options of the future. 

And so, I am grateful to all of you. Your presence—your choice to come here tonight--is a fulfillment of the covenant made so many thousands of years ago. You have selected a life of learning, of ritual, of community service. By opting to be a part of this congregation, you have created the opportunity for others to do the same. Your commitment will preserve Rodeph Sholom for generations to come. You have chosen life so that our children can live.

We at Rodeph Sholom know these are not easy choices to make. People have limited time and resources. Demographics are shifting, for many the economy is still uncertain and the public debate is loud, challenging and at times discouraging.   

But we see tremendous opportunity and potential. Since 1842, our dedication to Jewish life filled with prayer, study and community service has been unwavering. We are proud to demonstrate how powerful, how fulfilling, how exciting Jewish life can and should be.

While there are communities in which ritual feels stagnant and routine, Rodeph Sholom chooses to offer 5 different prayer options most Shabbat mornings, an array of holiday observances, services for families with members with special needs, at least 2 seders, a weekly minyan and many other ways to engage in prayer.

While there are communities that are scaling back their educational offerings and requirements, Rodeph Sholom has chosen to develop innovative and challenging Judaic curricula for our children, offer diverse youth programming, provide stimulating adult education classes, and give unmatched learning opportunities with our clergy and scholars.

While there are places that must be focused on their own needs, Rodeph Sholom will continue to serve its community with programs like Mitzvah Day, our food drive, a homeless shelter, One Voice to Save Choice, and Backpack Buddies, a new program that will provide food to children at a local school on a weekly basis.

And while there are communities in which members do not feel connected, Rodeph Sholom will continue to offer a book club, mah johng, trips to Israel, community theater, lunch programs, and other social events.

And, most importantly, while there are communities struggling or others that seek to restrict members, Rodeph Sholom is honored and proud to be able to keep its most sacred promise of offering membership to all who seek it—regardless of their financial situation.

None of these programs—or the hundreds more that take place here each year--would be possible without your time, commitment and your generous financial support. It is because of your choices that we are able to be the diverse, open, welcoming congregation that our ancestors foresaw.

Everyone who desires it can be included in this promise—all who chose to can have access to this sacred vow. As we will read tomorrow:

“I make this covenant with its sanctions, not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day and with those who are not with us here this day.”

Thousands of years ago, we stood shoulder to shoulder as one community with all the Jews that were and all that were yet to be.

The power of this text, this holiday, this promise, goes beyond tonight and beyond all of us who are here right now; it started long ago and will reach far into the future.

In these final hours of repentance, reflection and preparation, remember that the choices we make and the actions we take must sustain our remarkable heritage for generations and must create a robust foundation and vibrant future for all who come after us.  

On behalf of the entire congregation, thank you for your support, participation and generosity. I am so very honored to have had this role in our community.

My family joins me in wishing you a g’mar tov and 5774 blessed with hope, happiness, health and peace. Shana tovah. 

Yom Kippur 5773

As president of my synagogue, I have the honor of addressing the congregation each year on Kol Nidre. It gives me an opportunity to speak about community, synagogue life and the future of Judaism--all things about which I care passionately. Here is the speech I gave this year.

A father in Florida calls his grown son in New Jersey. “David,” he says, “I am going to ask your mother for a divorce.”

The son is shocked, “After 55 years? We just saw you a few months ago and everything seemed fine."  

“It’s something I need to do,” the father says. “First thing tomorrow, I am calling my lawyer.”

“Look,” the son replies, “If you haven’t done anything yet, it’s not too late. It’s almost Rosh HaShanah. I’ll come down there and we can talk. Just wait until I get there.”

The father agrees. David calls his sister Judy who lives in the neighboring town and delivers the news. The siblings make last minute plans to take their families to Florida and stage an intervention. 

Judy calls her father that evening. “Daddy,” she says, emotion in her voice. "David called me. What's going on? Please, give this some time and think it through. David and I are coming for the holiday. We’ll sit down, discuss the situation and work it out before it’s too late.” 

The father hangs up the phone. He turns to his wife and says, “Okay,I got them here for Rosh HaShanah, but you are going to have to come up with something really good for Passover.

There is something inherently Jewish about this joke. It's not just the holidays—I could have easily substituted Easter and Christmas for Passover and Rosh Hashanah. But the underlying theme—the message to create space in our lives for what is important—is the very foundation on which our religion is built.

The first lesson in our Torah instructs us to take one day a week away from work to focus on what is truly important—our blessings, our families, ourselves, and God.

Despite this suggestion, for many of us, it is often easier to make time for emergencies than it is for joys or celebrations.  It’s not that we don’t appreciate life’s pleasures, but we get caught up in our obligations—which are real and do require attention. We fall into the habit of merely trying to avoid the negative.

Not too long ago, a significant portion of American Jewish identity was defined in reaction to the Holocaust. Being Jewish was often more about denial and defiance than it was about spirituality and community. After facing a very real, modern day threat of annihilation, Jews were forced to confront blatant, and latent, anti-Semitism.

As a result, American Jews began demanding equalities that had been denied. Fear translated into action and engagement, and as Judaism became more openly accepted, unparalleled levels of opportunity and Jewish engagement emerged.

While most agree that we are still in that period, articles in Jewish journals are often gloomy about the future. With fewer than 14 million Jews worldwide—and a growth rate half that of the general population—many predict that the end of this Jewish Renaissance period is near.

I do not agree that we are approaching an end. And, I am not certain these doomsayers believe it either. Perhaps they are trying to get us to act, to participate in a bigger conversation.

By playing on our worst fears, our Jewish pundits want to inspire us to prove them wrong. Tell people that without their commitment to synagogues, to ritual, to communal life, the Jewish religion will die and they will be forced to take action.

After all, fear works. Stores advertise limited quantities because consumers react to scarcity. It’s instinct to rush to a bedside of a gravely ill relative, even if we visited less frequently when that person was healthy.  A synagogue may find it relatively easy to raise money to rebuild after a tragedy, but may struggle to fund an expansion to serve a growing population.

Now, I am the last person to discourage any kind of Jewish engagement. The result of widespread, long-lasting indifference would be catastrophic and is unacceptable.

I am stating that we need a better approach. A fear based marketing tactic is nearly impossible to sustain and can leave us emotionally wanting. More importantly, it is the antithesis of our heritage. While Judaism gives us tools to deal with crisis, our texts and customs do not prescribe a crisis-based religion.

Judaism is about taking action, about partnering with community and God to create a meaningful future. Despite comedic stereotypes of guilt and gloom, Judaism is weighted far more toward optimism and opportunity than toward fear and punishment. Our path was never meant to be defined by proving naysayers wrong, but by envisioning, embracing and ensuring our potential.

We must lead with that promise, embrace and celebrate Judaism’s rich history, meaningful rituals, and emphasis on community and ethics that offer a compelling way of life for each to interpret, shape and make our own. We are in the middle of a fantastic journey that began thousands of years ago and is guiding us to a future filled with possibility and hope.

This future is created every day here at Rodeph Sholom. Our programs, activities and accomplishments should fill all of us with optimism and excitement.

In the past year, more than 1740 families were members of our congregation. Nearly 400 people studied in adult education classes. 103 children became b’nai mitzvah.  Almost 800 individuals served our community on Mitzvah Day. Our monthly Shabbat b’Shir services were overflowing and on many Saturday mornings we offered 5 different Shabbat experiences. We sent nearly 50 students to Israel on various programs, in addition to two family trips that were filled to capacity and a Jewish heritage tour of Spain.

This year, our community is showing every sign that it will continue to grow with an increased number of new members,all of whom, thanks to your generosity, we are able to welcome, no matter what their financial situation.

We are re-invigorating our already thriving community service programs. We will, once again I’m sure, tomorrow collect record amounts of much needed food to donate to local food banks. Our ritual experiences for New York’s special needs population, including last week’s Rosh Hashanah service, are rapidly expanding.  Tomorrow afternoon, those praying in the Schafler will test a new High Holy Day prayer book, serving as pilot site for the national Reform Jewish community. And again this year, more than 100 children from Rodeph Sholom will become b'nai mitzvah.

We at Rodeph Sholom are not reacting to fear. We are running to the future with arms open wide. Our vision is clear, our goals are simple:

Create ritual, impart knowledge, build community and inspire righteous deeds.  

This is our offer, OUR marketing message, and this is the foundation that will attract, sustain and nourish generations to come.

To those who predict the end of synagogue life, who bemoan the diminished commitment of children to study ancient texts, who mourn the loss of community engagement, I invite you to come here. To pray, study and serve with Rodeph Sholom is to experience the true potential of Jewish communal life.  No one should settle for anything less.

Of course, there is more to do. We can always improve -- and I will ask for your assistance in doing so. We would like to reach more people through service opportunities. Our programs to connect with the unaffiliated will continue. Our efforts to create meaningful prayer experiences for different segments of our community will increase. And our plans to better engage our youth, literally our future, will grow with enhanced offerings and, soon, we hope, with improved physical space for programming.

When I consider the possibilities, I am filled with eagerness, and hope that you are too. With your ongoing commitment, we will engage people through excitement and anticipation, not fear and obligation. We will offer compelling ritual, study and service opportunities. And we will continue to educate, nurture and inspire the children who will sustain and expand our heritage. It will be a wonderful, sacred journey and I look forward to taking it with you.

Thank you for your support, participation and generosity. I am honored to have this role in our community.

My family joins me in wishing you a g'mar tov and a 5773 blessed with hope, happiness, health and peace. Shanah tovah.

Israel’s Hidden Crisis

The teacher stands in front of the sparse classroom. The walls are bare, the paint peeling -- “this school looks like a prison,” one of my fellow travelers whispers. Many of the children are huddled in coats; schools in this neighborhood do not have heat and the unexpected rain and cool air chill the room.

Overcrowded classrooms, minimal instruction hours in core subjects and a shortage of qualified teachers have taken a toll on the country’s education system. These children must study in an NGO-funded afterschool program to gain the basic academic foundation they need to break the cycle of poverty.

One might think I am describing a Third World country, but this scene took place a few weeks ago in Israel. A country that leads the world in patents per capita, is known for its technology startups and boasts 10 Nobel laureates, Israel also leads the world in some other frightening statistics.

On the most recent PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) Exam, Israeli students ranked 25th out of students from 25 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development counties in academic achievements. Israel’s weakest students scored below the weakest students from all other participating OECD countries, and Israel’s strongest studentsscored 24th out of 25 countries tested.

The children are products of an education system that has been in decline for decades. Studies by many leading organizations, including Israel’s own Taub Center, reveal the link between a country’s educational achievement and its economic stability. As Israel's education levels have decreased, wages have declined and quality of life has dropped.

Israel will likely wrestle with the ramifications of having at least one generation of under-educated children who are ill suited to compete in the today’s world. If trends continues, wages will continue to drop, leaving more people under- or unemployed and increasingly reliant on the government for existence. What kind of picture does that paint for Israel’s future?

To be sure, education is just one of Israel’s pressing societal issues. Last summer, Israelis demanded access to more affordable housing, medical care and other basic necessities. In addition to the need for social infrastructure, outside pressures are also very real. Just a few weeks ago, approximately 200,000 children in southern Israel could not even attend school because of missile attacks from Gaza.

The answer to Israel’s education woes is not simple, but here are just a few steps Israel could consider to move in the right direction:

Put more emphasis and resources on the core subjects critical for participation in a global economy.
Recently, I have been hearing demands for increased emphasis on Jewish studies or Zionist history in the public school curriculum. I am not commenting on the importance of these subjects. I am merely stating that Israeli children will need to excel in math, science and literacy to succeed in a global workforce. Those core subjects need to get the attention first.

Improve training, support and pay for teachers
Israeli teachers are woefully underpaid when compared to their OECD peers. They also receive less training and professional development. Give lsraeli teachers the tools, training and mentoring they need to improve classroom outcomes.

Raise the standards for becoming a teacher
If the government gives more, it should get more in return. Most Israeli teachers graduate from one of many 3-year teacher colleges; the range of requirements and quality varies greatly among these schools. Teachers are not required to have a 4 year-university degree, let alone a Masters or other advanced degree. Require the academic excellence of the teachers we want from the children.

Reach the children who have been “left behind”
Systemic change takes time. Meanwhile, a whole generation of children remains ill-equipped to handle the complexities of today’s workforce. Get them the programs they need to catch up and to maximize their academic achievement. It may feel like a band-aid approach, but we can’t let communities bleed to death.

These are just four steps—there are many others to consider and the challenge can seem overwhelming. However, as the sense of urgency surrounding this crisis continues to grow, I am confident that a partnership of government, NGOs and philanthropists can create the long term solution that will enable Israel to not just survive, but thrive.

(note, this piece was originally published on March 29 on JTA.org )

What Does IBM know that Federations Don’t?

In the Jewish world, emphasis is placed on Tikkun Olam –repairing injustices. Our texts speak of being equal in the eyes of God. And yet, female CEOs earn only 62 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.

The latest salary survey published by The Jewish Daily Forward shows that the Jewish communal world continues to “lag dramatically” behind the overall not-for-profit community, with only 9 out of 76 national organizations being led by women professionals.

This is not new news. In 2009, 11 of these national organizations had women leaders. Instead of making progress, we are regressing. What continues to shock me, however, is the continued acceptance of the Jewish community of this appalling trend.

Our organizations—the very ones focused on human rights, social injustice, and equal access—are not applying the same principles to their hiring and promoting practices. While of course women as a whole are suffering, it is the organizations themselves that are truly at risk. In a time when there is a dearth of skilled management, 50% of the potential talent pool is shut out of the top jobs.

And it is an external, strategic issue as well. According to Forbes, women now control more than half of the private wealth in America. Within a generation, women will inherit 70% of the $41 trillion in intergenerational wealth. On average, women give nearly twice the percentage of their income to charity than men do. Excluding women from top positions gives the message the Jewish communal world does not value women or their opinions; that that don’t have an equal seat at the table. This is not a message that not for profit organizations want to convey to those who are making the majority of the funding decisions.

To be sure, many people will tell you that there are not enough qualified women in the applicant pool. And yet, Jewish women have greater representation as Presidents of Ivy League universities than they do as leaders of Jewish national organizations. People will also say that for life style reasons, women don’t want the head job; however, nearly 70% of the employees of these organizations are female. Surely a good percentage of them are putting in as many hours in middle management as their leadership logs in the CEO suite.

Advancing Women Professionals and the Jewish Community, an organization created to address this very issue, has made some progress by intensifying the focus on the inequities women face in Jewish communal workplace. It has engaged both women and men in the dialogue, published reports, and created specific programs designed to improve quality of work life for all, close the salary gap and increase the visibility of women as thought leaders. However, the numbers show we have a long way to go.

All is not hopeless. There are many qualified women who can effectively lead our organizations. But this is not a women’s issue, it is a Jewish communal issue. Those who have the ability to shape framework of our organizations must understand, embrace and prioritize this challenge. Until we as a community understand that securing our organizations for the future is just as important as the mission driven work we perform, nothing will change.

This article was published on December 12 as an Op-Ed piece on the eJewishPhilanthropy website.