11/21/2024
JFNA GA Focuses on Antisemitism, Oct. 7 Aftermath
Israel President Isaac Herzog gives an address at the Jewish Federation of North America’s General Assembly on Nov. 12. Submitted photo.
KIRSTEN BEARD | CJN
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
Nearly 3,000 Jewish leaders across the country gathered for the Jewish Federation of North America’s General Assembly from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12 in Washington, D.C., where all 146 Jewish federations around the country, other organizations and smaller communities that don’t have a Jewish federation address pressing issues facing the Jewish community in the wake of heightened antisemitism and the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel.
“We gathered for three days of unity and learning about what’s happening in the Jewish world,” Daniel N. Zelman, board chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood, told the Cleveland Jewish News on Nov. 15. “We spent a lot of time hearing about how other communities are addressing the needs that have increased and been caused by the terrorist attacks that happened last Oct. 7, 2023 and things that have happened beyond that.”
Zelman said Cleveland sent a delegation of about 20 people, including Federation staff and community volunteers.
“It’s an opportunity to hear best practices and in many cases, because Cleveland is such an active federation and a leader throughout the country, sometimes we spend time sharing what we and other communities can learn from that,” Zelman, who has been attending the event for the past 11 years, said.
Zelman said one of the key speakers was Israel President Isaac Herzog, who spoke about involvement in the community and advocating for the Jewish community. Other speakers and sessions at the event included a rabbinic roundtable, Sheryl Sandberg, founder of Lean In, a political roundtable featuring U.S Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and George Will, an American writer, an “Our Impact in Ukraine” with the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Bari Weiss, founder and editor of The Free Press and host of the podcast, “Honestly,” the Federation’s website stated.
“He basically spoke to us about how everybody has to be involved,” Zelman said. “He also talked about no matter what government is in charge, and this is post-election, that all of us need to work with those that are in office to advocate the things important to our community. And we, of course, do that in Cleveland and will continue to do so.”
Zelman said Herzog, while discussing the growing involvement of people, noted the reality is shifting in terms of the Jewish communities living comfortably and moving about freely to now more antisemitism incidents within the communities and on campuses.
“Calling us to action to say that we need to be involved with our local universities and local government officials to help create safe spaces and make it so that we’re able to live like we used to live just before Oct. 7,” he said.
Herzog made remarks toward recently-elected President Donald Trump, calling the incoming president a “champion of peace and cooperation” for the state of Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post. The newspaper reported Herzog also thanked President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for showing support and solidarity with Israel as well.
Daniel Blain, CEO of JewishAkron, who attended the event with two of his colleagues, Stuart Glauberman, board chair of JewishAkron, and David Stock, former board member of JewishAkron, told the CJN on Nov. 17 that while he has attended many other of the JFNA’s General Assembly in the past, this year’s was full of spirit.
“There were a number of times where we heard from both Israeli survivors of the Nova Festival, as well as families of hostages who had either been released or are still being held hostage,” Blain said. “And the stories are unbelievably sad, and what the families there and the people of Israel are still going through with no let up in sight. I think all of us feel that in our hearts, and we want to figure out how we can be as supportive as we can.”
Julie Tilson Stanley, president and CEO of JewishColumbus, sent a statement to the CJN on Nov. 15 sharing her thoughts on the event.
“Attending the JFNA General Assembly with dedicated donors, leaders, and professionals from around the globe underscores that we have a shared mission to raise our voices and ensure vibrant Jewish lives in our communities,” Tilson Stanley’s statement read. “The rise of antisemitism and efforts to combat hate were key focal points at the GA, and I am eager to bring back new insights and approaches to Columbus. I was honored that our bold and audacious goal to double our campaign this year has garnered attention nationwide, and I was repeatedly asked about our strategy to achieve this incredible milestone.”
Blain said Glauberman, Stock and he intentionally attended different sessions during the three days. He said there were sessions on topics including antisemitism on college campuses and how the community can improve on inclusiveness.
“There was also a number of sessions about inclusiveness and steps the Jewish community can take to be more welcoming to Jews of color, LGBTQ Jews, Jews with disabilities and other kind of nontraditional groups out in the community,” he said.
Blain and Zelman said they are in the works of implementing what they learned from the event into their local communities. Blain said though hearing from the speakers is influential about major topics, hearing and connecting with the other local communities can be equally as important.
“Sometimes conversations that will start at the GA continue beyond the GA,” Blain said. “I know we have a lot of commonalities with other communities, particularly in Ohio, in northern Ohio, like Dayton, Toledo (and) Youngstown.”
Blain noted Canton was also represented at the GA this year.
Zelman said before the General Assembly, the Federation has been working on a strategic plan to address all of the requirements that have come to light post-Oct. 7. Several weeks ago, Zelman said 130 Cleveland community leaders, including those from colleges, universities and school boards, gathered for a strategic planning session. He said some of the topics discussed during the event will help influence some of the plans being made.
This year’s event highlights can be found at generalassembly.org. Next year’s JFNA General Assembly is scheduled for Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
