Combatting Anti-Semitism Today by Bruce Landgarten, Jewish Federation CEO
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Jewish Community News www.jfedps.org The Publication of the Jewish Federation of the Desert Tishrei/Cheshvan 5780 - November 2019 Federation Initiative: CAST - Combatting Anti-Semitism Today By Bruce Landgarten, Jewish Federation CEO Over 4 years our intellectual superiority and G ANT become much more aware of the TIN I-SE AT M ago, “Tablet”, desperate attempt to be liked no B IT situation; they now monitor it more M IS O M (an online Jewish matter what. Know that charm and C closely and we are actively urging magazine), ran a brains don’t matter much to bullies. Hillel at UCR to institute more powerful piece that The only way to stop bullies is to fight proactive measures. precisely reflected th em.” underscores dramatically the Our CAST Initiative, (Combatting growing anti-Semitic problems our thinking “First, stop apologizing,” he Anti-Semitism Today) program aims at Federation continued in a message to a Jewish Jewish students face on many college to prepare individuals to stand up when it comes to student, “you have much to be proud campuses. See the entire article and fight for true social justice while responding to the growing anti- of: proud of being Jewish, proud of posted on our blog or link to Tablet faced with hostile behavior in an Semitism and anti-Israel activities on Israel, and proud of understanding Magazine: http://tabletmag.com/ environment meant for growth and many college campuses across the the nuanced yet indispensable jewish-news-and-politics/191289/ education. country. Written by Liel Leibovitz, connection between the two.” fight-the-haters-on-campus. The mission of the CAST initiative a senior writer for Tablet, it was Then he suggests the following: Fortunately, these problems are is to be the driving force within the headlined, “Jewish Students, It’s Time “Cultivate a community predicated not dominant at all three institutions Federation to combat anti-Semitism to Fight the Haters.” The author notes, on faith, joy, candor, and all the that we work with at Federation – UCR and anti-Zionism by providing that he has “spent the lion’s share of other things that make life rich and Riverside, Cal State San Bernardino relevant information and experiences, the past two decades on college nurturing. Once you do that, you’ll and College of the Desert. However, both written and oral, to not only our campuses — first as a graduate discover that the old adage is true: there has been troubling anti-Semitic Jewish constituents but to the broader student, then as a professor.” Haters are indeed going to hate. Do and anti-Israel trends generated by community. Here is an edited excerpt from not try to debate them or appease some students and their on-and off- what he has concluded: “Too often, them or engage them in any sort of campus supporters at UCR and this Our Goals: we respond to hate the way a feel-good exercise. Instead, drag has been a problem. To disseminate written materials hapless nerd might respond to the their bigotry into the light and make Our Federation has led the and identify relevant experiences from bully about to stuff him into a locker, them pay for it.” effort to address these problems appropriate sources via newsletters, with some sad mixture of pride in It was a powerful piece that and University administrators have continued on page 4 Creating a Jewish Legacy Remembering Charlotte Quint and Maurice Zaslawsky Each month we are recognizing and strengthen our many exciting Maurice Zaslawsky. those special individuals who have programs. A legacy gift endows Charlotte Quint, a longtime embodied the importance of creating and perpetuates the standards of supporter of Jewish Federation and a Jewish Legacy through the Jewish excellence that our community has a Lion of Judah, endowed her Lion Federation of the Desert. They come to expect from our communal gift, knowing it would be used in understood that their passion for Israel leadership. With these endowments, perpetuity to bolster the Jewish and Jewish peoplehood, commitment we are able to build to ensure our community. Maurice Zaslawsky was an to strengthening Jewish identity community’s future. unassuming yet committed member of through education and caring for the This month we are proud to our community, whose legacy giving vulnerable could be perpetuated long acknowledge two individuals who came in the form of a Bequest. Through after their deaths through their legacy have cared about our community’s their gifts Charlotte and Maurice have giving. Through their generosity they Bequest gifts are one of our most future in such a generous and truly made a difference and their have become the foundation of our important sources of future planning; thoughtful way: Charlotte Quint and memories will forever be a blessing. community’s “Legacy Society.” they help us predict our future 2019-2020 JEWISH FEDERATION Monday, January 13, 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS JAN Women’s Philanthropy Roberta Nyman, Board Chair Lori Fritz, Campaign Chair Lion of Judah Arnie Gillman, Vice Campaign Chair Luncheon OF THE DESERT Phil Glass, Treasurer 13 Stephanie Ross, Secretary Allan Lehmann, Past Co-Chair Celia Norian, Past Co-Chair Monday, February 10, 2020 SAVE Bruce Landgarten, FEB Chief Executive Officer Major Gifts Elliott Cohen Margie Kulp Jackie Cohen Ron Langus Dinner THESE Judith Cohen Bernard Reiter 10 Bobbi Holland Gary Schahet DATES Table of Contents MAR Monday, March 9, 2020 Vol. 46 • No. 4 Women’s Philanthropy Please contact Community Calendar 12-13 Pearl Society the Jewish Federation 1-3, 16 Luncheon Federation for Lecture Series 5 09 Legacy 2, 24 further Women's Philanthropy 6 event details. Have A Nosh 23 Sunday, April 19, 2020 PJ Library 11, 20 APR Community Schools/School Listing 9, 16 OF THE DESERT Simchas & Classifieds 22 Yom HaShoah Temples Listing 12 Observance 69-710 Highway 111 Tributes 16 19 Rancho Mirage CA 92770 (760) 324-4737 • www.jfedps.org 2 • JCN • November 2019 • Tishrei/Cheshvan 5780 • www.jfedps.com Alliance of Leaders Off to Enthusiastic Start By Bruce Landgarten, Jewish Federation CEO My article in the October issue of the JCN introduced the genesis of a gathering of local senior executives coming together in an Alliance to share the exchange of ideas, insights and challenges “in a safe and confidential place, receiving collegial support while, concurrently, working towards building a better community.” I’m pleased to report that the Senior Alliance cohort met last month, bringing their expertise and experience in an engaging, fruitful, constructive and open exchange in what will be the first of many meetings, discussing their most challenging strategic issues and opportunities. All agreed in the premise that they are willing to share personal experiences and knowledge, and gain access to the collective experience and wisdom of fellow senior executives from virtually every corner of the Desert non- profit sector. They all agreed to the principles of confidentiality, focus on strategic issues and opportunities and deep relationships and willingness to help one another. An important decision was their desire to work collectively on a non- profit “Community Continuity Plan” for their roles in a natural disaster, etc. The group agreed to have recurring meetings every two months and we look forward to productive experiences for us all. JCN • November 2019 • Tishrei/Cheshvan 5780 • www.jfedps.com • 3 continued from page 1 To collaborate and partner within vigilant and through our CAST e-mails, social media. the existing partnership structures project, we will offer not only Jewish JEWISH To educate community to be (StandWithUS, etc) to enhance our college students, but anyone in our COMMUNITY knowledgeable and up to date on mission. community the opportunity to learn the subject of anti-Semitism and anti- To build relationships in the more and how to respond to the NEWS community to develop advocates issues they might confront on campus A Publication of the Zionism. Jewish Federation of the Desert To identify opportunities for to combat anti-Semitism and anti- or in our community. VOL. 46, No. 4 students and or young adults to learn Zionism. EDITORIAL about anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. We will continue to remain Bruce Landgarten, Chief Executive Officer Miriam H. Bent, Editor Monaco Palace Installs Israeli Water-from-Air Bailey Communications, Technology Layout & Design Watergen’s machines that produce drinking water from atmospheric humidity could help rid Monaco of JCN STATEMENT plastic water bottles, says company president. The Jewish Community News seeks By ISRAEL21c Staff to provide news and feature material Monaco’s Prince Albert II installed Vietnam, Sierra Leone, South of special interest to its readership, a made-in-Israel Watergen machine Africa, Uzbekistan, Costa Rica and and to create a heightened sense of Jewish in his palace to produce clean Chile. They have provided water to identity through the dissemination of drinking water from ambient air. participants at events including the information about people, events and issues The prince, an active proponent World Cup in Russia. at home and abroad. The JCN seeks to serve of combating plastic pollution, The technology also has been as a forum for the exchange of ideas and opinions in the Jewish community. received the unit on September Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Watergen sent to regions across the United President Michael Mirilashvili drinking 9 when he met with Michael States following natural disasters. The JCN is published monthly, ten months a water from a Watergen machine in Monaco Mirilashvili, Watergen’s president. Watergen’s GENNY unit for year by the Jewish Federation of the Desert, The meeting between Mirilashvili adds minerals to bring the water to home use was nominated for “Best 69-710 Highway 111, and Prince Albert II was part drinking quality.