February 23, 2011

Marking 20 Years in Cuba

From Steve Schwager, CEO

This year marks the 20th anniversary of JDC’s work with the Jewish community in Cuba. The Castro government’s 1991 decision to allow greater religious freedom opened the door for JDC to help Cuba’s small Jewish community explore Jewish cultural and religious traditions for the first time in decades. In honor of the anniversary and of JDC’s upcoming Presidential Mission to Cuba in March, I share the thoughts of Fabian Triskier, Associate Director of JDC Latin America, after his most recent trip to the island last month.

My trip coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which commemorates the life of the man who delivered the famous "I have a dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on August 28, 1963.

The date of my visit was intentional, for it coincided with another dream. During this mission, I witnessed the dream of 23 people being realized as they were recognized formally as Jews before a rabbinical court.

After a year of intense studies coordinated by Rabbi Shmuel Szteinhendler, a Chilean rabbi who has been the religious leader of Cuba’s Jews, 23 members of the communities of Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Guantánamo, Santa Clara, and Havana were formally accepted as Jews by a Beit Din made up of three rabbis who traveled to Cuba for the occasion. This rabbinical panel conducted rigorous evaluations, whose results demonstrated the remarkable commitment of these individuals and the strong ties that bind them to the ancient Jewish tradition and history.

Each shared a piece of history and family memories that expressed their eagerness to be part of the Jewish people. It is difficult to convey the intense emotion with which a young man from Guantánamo remembered stories about Jewish life in Cuba told to him by his grandfather, who had immigrated to Cuba from Turkey.

And then there is Sara, who recalls celebrating the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 with the community in Santa Clara and celebrating Passover by adhering to her father Moses’s instructions to refrain from eating flour (and when it was available, to eat matzot one week every year).

"It was a Passover without the afikoman, as there was no money to buy a gift," Sara told me.

Sara also shared the touching story of how her son-in-law decided to take the Hebrew name Joshua because, he said, “I feel like the heir of grandfather Moses and it will be my responsibility to lead the family along the road to a Jewish life.”

I also admired another young man from Camaguey who shared with me the pain and pride he felt when he was circumcised and remembered Abraham's covenant—a covenant to which he was now forever connected. The reading of the rabbinical certificates confirmed the full incorporation of each individual to the Jewish people and ended in a combination of tears, smiles, and hugs.

Early the next morning, we headed to a nearby beach where the sea served as the "Cuban mikvah,”( a natural pool or body of water used in Jewish religious practice as a part of the conversion process). Nature contributed its special touch, with the scenic beauty of the sun rising after a stormy night that had initially jeopardized the ceremony.

As they entered the sea, I could not help but think about that week's Torah portion, in which God told Moses, "Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments" (Exodus, 19:11). Thousands of years later, on a beach in Cuba, that Tuesday coincided with verse 16: "It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mountain.” Nature had also expressed itself in the same manner in biblical times, just prior to the culmination of the Jewish people receiving the Torah in the desert—an event which would define the destiny of the Jewish people. That Tuesday morning in Cuba, 23 Jews chose and committed to a new covenant and destiny with their People.

The celebration continued. In the afternoon, the three rabbis officiated at four weddings in the beautiful Patronato synagogue, rebuilt with the help of JDC. I was honored to be a witness to the Ketubah signing (marriage contract), and I stood proudly next to the chuppah. Adela Dworin, President of the Community, savored this milestone with much emotion and shared her loving appreciation for JDC.

The ceremonies concluded with the traditional breaking of the glass and the newly married couples dancing with Rabbi Szteinhendler and the 150 people who took part in the event. Then we joined in a warm celebration with Israeli dancing and lifted the newlyweds on chairs in the hall of the Patronato. The rabbis were thanked for their participation, devotion and warmth: Gustavo Kraselnik from Panama; Salomon Nussbaum from Argentina; and Shmuel Szteinhendler, who received special recognition in honor of his 100th trip to the island, ongoing work with JDC, and his commitment to keeping the flame of Judaism alive in Cuba.

From a professional perspective, JDC once again allowed me to be part of a historical event that still reverberates in my heart. I am honored to be a part of JDC’s work transforming the dream of the Cuban Jewish community into a reality over these two decades.


Like so many of us who have witnessed JDC’s work first-hand, Fabian’s account illustrates the commitment of the small but vibrant Cuban Jewish community. Irv and I are proud to help foster these experiences and look forward to many more in the future.

February 16, 2011

JDC Helps Haitian Teenager Rise Above the Rubble

Jennifer A., a 16-year-old Haitian girl with nine siblings, recently took her first steps—for the second time. On January 12th while Jennifer was studying French literature, the walls of her classroom shook until they collapsed. In her flight for safety, Jennifer’s leg was crushed and she lost consciousness. When she awoke, her leg had been amputated. But Jennifer learned she was one of the lucky ones; many of her classmates had not made it out of the rubble alive. Still, she had little hope of ever standing again until she met a JDC-supported Israeli medical team at Haiti’s University Hospital and received the treatment and encouragement she needed.

JDC’s rehabilitation program is ensuring amputees and others who have suffered severe injuries as a result of the natural disaster are receiving help to allow them to live independent and productive lives. Bringing this relief to the people of Haiti means combing through densely packed tent cities in search of the injured, and once found, providing them with the appropriate treatment.

For those who require assistance to ensure they can fully engage in daily physical and social activities, JDC’s partnership with the Afya Foundation provides top American occupational therapists, who are also training Haitian rehab techs, to help with recovery. Haitians who have undergone amputation surgery are referred to Haiti’s University Hospital, where an Israeli medical team from Magen David Adom/Tel HaShomer Hospital delivers state-of-the-art prosthesis and physical rehabilitation.

After struggling through a series of therapy sessions, Jennifer’s perseverance proved positive. Combatting her physical pain with motivation, and eventual joy, she stood up and took the first few steps toward her new life.

February 10, 2011

Berlin's Bambinim Families Go Green for Tu B'Shvat

Young Jewish children and parents in Berlin took
part in a Tu B'Shvat seder celebrating a
"New Year for trees."
Photo:  JDC Website
In the year since the Bendini family first came to JDC’s Bambinim early childhood education program in Berlin, it’s become hard to tell who’s been enjoying the club’s activities more, five-year-old Marc or his parents?

Bambinim’s recent Tu B'Shvat seder, an Arbor Day-type event celebrating the “Jewish New Year for Trees,” was typical. Like all Bambinim activities, the seder was an open and inviting event reflecting the diverse backgrounds of Berlin’s multicultural and multilingual Jewish families. Most educational and cultural courses combine the use of German, Russian, English, and Hebrew.

Marc’s parents, who are Italian and Canadian (and speak Italian, English, and German with Marc, who was born in Germany), are drawn to Bambinim events precisely because they are innovative and culturally rich. That says a lot in a city as cosmopolitan as Berlin, where there is a surfeit of quality artistic and cultural events—even for children—and the competition for audiences is stiff.

Bambinim events “are THE place to be for Jewish children's activities in an open, pluralistic setting,” said Marc’s father. “My wife and I enjoy bringing Marc to these activities, and we look forward to participating ourselves.”

The past month’s Tu B’Shvat seder was no exception. Parents helped their children paint their own flower pots before the seder began, so they would be ready to take home later as a reminder of the holiday.

A Jewish story alluding to nature’s remarkable healing powers (how a magical pomegranate saves a king’s son) was read in German. And Bambinim staff members spoke about the symbols of seasonal changes, including the trees and foliage.

Participants were given different mixes of grape juice (instead of wine) to see if they could taste this change in seasons, and they were asked to identify fruits characteristic of the different parts of the year in a playful variation of “show and tell.”

An Israeli intern who works at Bambinim helped explain the appropriate blessings for the wine and fruit, and organized the Israeli dances that brought parents and children enthusiastically to their feet between each seder “course”.

Emphasizing the continuity of nature and the ongoing cycle of life, each child got to take home his or her flowerpot—but only after carefully filling it with soil and planting the seeds they would nurture for next year’s Tu B’shvat celebration.

Read a first-hand account of Bambinim’s Tu B’Shvat celebration from JDC Jewish Service Corps Fellows Molly Fried and Sarah Goldenstein, who are working with Jewish families and young adults in Berlin , Germany.

February 9, 2011

JDC Board Member To Be Named Chair of The President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

From Irv Smokler, President and Steve Schwager, CEO

A week ago we shared with you a White House blogpost recognizing JDC’s non-sectarian work in Haiti. Today it is our pleasure to share the exciting news from the White House last Friday afternoon that President Obama intends to appoint Susan Stern, a long-time JDC Board member and lay leader, as Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. In 2009, Susie was the founding Chair of JDC’s Government Affairs Committee and now serves as our Special Advisor on Government Affairs. She is a long-time leader in UJA-Federation of New York, as well as the Jewish Federations of North America.

This is a well-deserved recognition of Susie’s tireless efforts on behalf of the Jewish community and people in need of all faiths and backgrounds. We share with you below JDC’s media statement, as well as the White House release. Most of all, we also share with you our pride in the accomplishments of a member of the JDC family.

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CONTACT:
Michael Geller/JDC/(212) 885-0838
michael.geller@jdcny.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES INTENT TO APPOINT SUSAN K. STERN, JDC LEADER, AS CHAIR OF THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS

NEW YORK, NY, February 7, 2011 - Following the White House announcement that President Obama intends to appoint Susan K. Stern, longtime American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) leader and JDC Special Advisor on Government Affairs, to Chair the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, JDC CEO Steven Schwager lauded Stern's unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes and public service.

"We are incredibly proud that Susie has been recognized by President Obama for her unparalleled leadership and life-long devotion to repairing the world, contributing to America's future, and improving Jewish lives around the globe," said Schwager. "In a world racked by critical economic and social challenges, we have been blessed with Susie's support, friendship, and dedication to our mission to ease the burden of those who face hopelessness from Port-Au-Prince to Siberia."

JDC's global humanitarian assistance program includes the distribution of food, clothing, medicine, and basic needs to poor Jews and others in more than 70 countries. JDC has also pioneered a number of job training, micro-loan, and financial support programs that have been implemented in places like Argentina, Israel, and nations throughout South Asia. JDC has created and implemented these programs to address the needs of people facing sudden poverty during economic crises; vulnerable populations with high rates of unemployment or non-employment; or those who have lost their livelihoods in the wake of natural and manmade disasters.

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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2011

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships:

Susan K. Stern, Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Leith Anderson, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Andrea Bazán, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Angela Glover Blackwell, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Brian Gallagher, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Bishop Mark Hanson, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Lynn Hybels, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Archbishop Demetrios Trakatellis, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Sister Marlene Weisenbeck, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Reverend Elder Nancy L. Wilson, Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

The President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships brings together religious and secular leaders as well as scholars and experts in fields related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations in order to make recommendations to the government on how to improve partnerships. The President will announce additional members to this Council at a later date.

President Obama said, “I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have agreed to join this Administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

[For bios of all appointees click HERE]

Susan K. Stern, Appointee for Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Susan Stern currently serves as Special Advisor on Government Affairs to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which is a humanitarian assistance organization helping Jews and non Jews in Israel and in more than seventy countries around the world. Ms. Stern also serves as Chair of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service and represented the agency on the Cabinet of Governor David Paterson. Additionally, she sits on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federations of North America. Prior to her gubernatorial appointment, Ms. Stern was Chairman of the Board of UJA-Federation of New York and President and Chairman of National Women’s Philanthropy of United Jewish Communities. She has also been active in other organizations, including the Leadership Council of Repair the World, the Board of Trustees for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the University of Michigan, the Board of Directors for the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, the President’s Advisory Committee for Hebrew Union College, the Board of Directors of the Peter J. Alderman Foundation, and serves as an Alumni Fellow to the Wexner Heritage Foundation. Prior to her involvement in philanthropic causes, Ms. Stern was the first Director of Quality Assurance at the American Dental Association. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.P.H. from the University of Illinois Medical Center.

February 1, 2011

JDC Featured on White House Blog

From Irv Smokler, JDC President and Steve Schwager, CEO

We are proud to share the article below posted yesterday on the White House blog recognizing JDC's work in Haiti and our partnership with USAID (the US Agency for International Development).

Throughout its history, JDC has maintained ties with the American government as we provide humanitarian aid around the world.

A little over a year ago, we formed the first Government Affairs Committee of the JDC Board, initially led by Susie Stern and now Chaired by Irene Kaplan, in order to expand our links to and cooperation with the US Government.

We are pleased that our JDC projects in Haiti, which are funded by the Jewish Federations of North America and tens of thousands of individual donors, have now been highlighted by the White House and USAID.

Read the blog post on the White House Blog

A Look at Our Partners – Relief Work in Haiti
Posted by Joshua Dubois on January 31, 2011 at 11:28 AM EST

After the one year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, I wanted to highlight some of the great work our nonprofit and faith-based partners have been doing to help the Haitian people rebuild and recover. From such a tragic event came an outpouring of giving and companionship for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Led by the great folks at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), we have been working hard to assist in feeding over 3.5 million people in partnership with the World Food Program as well as distributing emergency shelter materials to more than 1.5 million people.

One of the partners we work closely with is the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC). The JDC has a proud history of giving time and resources for humanitarian relief projects in over 70 countries, and the devastating earthquake in Haiti is no different. One year later JDC’s relief efforts have directly impacted over 240,000 Haitians. With $7.7 million dollars in donations, JDC has demonstrated the power of successful collaboration. Together with Haitian, Israeli and other NGOs, JDC and its partners have delivered medical services to more than 53,000 Haitians and additionally aided more than 800 people and fitted more than 70 prosthetics through its state-of-the-art rehabilitation clinic at l'Hôpital de l'Université d'Etat d'Haïti and nearby prosthetic lab. JDC also ran 10 schools in tent camps in Port Au Prince and ensured that 150,000 displaced Haitians had access to 80 emergency water tanks.

We are proud of the outstanding work that JDC and many of our partners are doing in the effort to rebuild Haiti. As USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah said in his recent ‘Modern Development Enterprise’ speech, “Organizations of faith not only express the moral values of millions of Americans, they also provide some of the most dependable support systems for millions in the developing world… Our success depends on listening to communities of faith, connecting with them deeply, and supporting the vital work they perform around the world.”

To learn more about JDC and their work in Haiti visit http://www.jdc.org/ and read their Haiti Relief One Year Report.

If you would like to comment about this posting or to receive more information, email Ari Alexander at fbci (at) usaid.gov.

Joshua DuBois serves as Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships