Can you tell me more about the community project requirement?

This is the hands-on part of the program where you will combine your personal passion with the knowledge and skills that you have gained in the educational sessions. JCFI will help you to identify your project and Jewish agency of interest. You may choose to initiate a new project, or to expand an existing one. Then you will work directly with the Jewish agency to implement your project, using both the agency and JCFI as resources.

What are some examples of projects?

Here are a few examples:

• Starting a parent-child Immigration Stories Series for the 79ers group of Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS).
• Enhancing the Russian-Jewish culture program at the Jewish Home senior living facility.
• Performing a needs assessment for the preschool parent education program at a Jewish Community Center, and proposing a program to meet those needs.
• Launching a Jewish Community Federation newsletter for the Russian-Jewish community.

JFCS, Jewish community centers, the Jewish Home, Jewish day schools, Hillels — all of these are Federation beneficiary agencies, and JCFI participants can choose to offer their talents and passions to strengthen any of them. The options for projects are practically endless.

How much time will I be expected to put into this project?

The time commitment will vary depending on the project. On average, it will be around 2–4 hours per week. JCFI will work with you to identify a project that will meet both your interests and capacity.

What if I can’t make one of the first five mandatory sessions?

If you already know that you cannot make one of these scheduled sessions (February – June), and you are passionate about doing this program, please let us know on the application. We will contact you to discuss.

What if I am going to be out of town — either on business or vacation — during more than one of the 12 sessions?

The schedule for February through June is already established, so you can plan now (see program description). The remaining seven sessions will be scheduled by March 2006. That means that you will have at least six months’ notice to plan your professional and personal pursuits around these monthly sessions. (No sessions will be held in July or August.) Unless prior arrangements have been made, before the start of the program, each participant is required to attend at least 11 out of 12 sessions.

Why so many attendance requirements?

The Federation is investing thousands of dollars per each JCFI participant. Every single session of this comprehensive program presents a different and critical part of the overall Jewish community. Each session builds on the prior ones to optimize your experience. The main requirement of the program requires you to be present.

Why is the Federation investing so many resources in this program?

The mission of the Federation is to ensure the continuity of the Jewish community. The Federation leadership feels strongly that, in order to succeed in this mission, the community needs the voice and power of Russian-Jewish leadership. An investment in potential Russian-Jewish leaders is an investment in the entire Jewish community.

I already did the ELI program. How is JCFI different?

ELI was an introductory, six-session leadership program. JCFI is a much more intensive, expansive, hands-on program, including both Jewish literacy and leadership components, as well as a community project. JCFI is a two-year program, with 12 learning sessions, led by international experts.

I heard something about an Israel trip. Will there be one?

Standing firmly behind Israel is a critical part of our Jewish community and the Federation. The millions of dollars that our Federation raises for Israel every year tell only part of the story. We hope that you will be able to experience first-hand JCF’s incredible accomplishments — and challenges — in Israel.

Although no guarantees can be made at this point, it is likely that JCFI will include an Israel mission, partially subsidized by the Federation.

I may be interested in JCFI. Whom can I talk to?

For any questions, or more information, please contact Elina Kaplan, JCFI Director (elinak@sfjcf.org; 650.512.6248).

I’m interested. Now what?

If you have received this information packet, then you have already been nominated for the program. Congratulations; it’s an honor that your peers have recommended you.

Please contact JCFI’s Elina Kaplan for the application and next steps.

So what do I get out of all this?

You get the foundation and the tools to make a difference, to become a Jewish Community Leader, to make our community stronger, better — for all of us, our children, and grandchildren. In his essay in “A Second Exodus: the American Movement to Free Soviet Jews,” Rabbi Doug Kahn expresses why he — and countless American Jews — dedicated decades to fighting for Soviet Jews. He explains that he wanted to be able to look his children in their eyes and say, “I did what I could.”  This program will enable you to “do what you can” for our Jewish community.