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November 12, 2004/Cheshvan 28 5765, Vol. 57, No. 11
Cleveland ready for UJC meeting
RACHEL POMERANCE
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
NEW YORK - Cleveland may be best known for its rock'n'roll museum and its unforgiving weather.
But those who know Cleveland also know it is a die-hard federation town, and in light of the local federation's centennial celebration, it's a fitting venue for the upcoming General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities, the North American federation system's umbrella organization.
The G.A. is a time for federation professionals and volunteers to hobnob with colleagues and attend work-shops and discussions on a host of issues, including raising funds, serving the elderly and advocating for Israel on campus.
This year's conference, to be held Nov. 14-17, finds the federation system at a crossroads. The UJC, formed five years ago from the merger of the Council of Jewish Federations, United Jewish Appeal and United Israel Appeal, is undergoing a transition after the recent accession of its third president, Howard Rieger, former president of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.
Although federations report an upswing in their annual fund-raising campaigns, attendees still will look to the G.A. for inspiration - specifically, for evidence as to whether Rieger can chart a vision for the federation system.
"Right now is the real turning point," said Barry Shrage, president of Boston's Combined Jewish Philanthropies. The UJC must decide whether to be a driving force nationally or primarily a facilitative agency for constituent federations, Shrage said.
Rieger's key message for the federation system comes down to making a difference. "We have been really damn lucky," he said. "We ended up in a country at a time in history when we have more resources than we can ever dream about."
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