Ottawa, I will miss you dearly!

If you had asked me seven years ago where I would be today I couldn’t, in my wildest dreams, have come up with the adventure I’ve had.

Four years in Montreal, rolling around in contemporary dance class by day and advocating on behalf of the State of Israel by night introduced me to some of the most passionate and driven people I know. Hillel Montreal, the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students and the Concordia Student Union taught me skills that just can’t come from a classroom or a book.

As my fourth year of university was coming to a close, a wise man suggested checking out a graduate program at Humber College in fundraising and volunteer management. Understanding that I couldn’t support the lifestyle I wanted as a dancer, I realized Concordia had opened a most amazing door that allowed me to take on leadership roles in the Jewish community and find my true calling in outreach, engagement, events and development. A career in fundraising and development – here I come!

Fast forward a year and I interviewed for the position of director of Initiatives for the Emerging Generation at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. It would be my first job in the field, a brand new position at the Federation and I’d be working with very fervent Jews between the ages of 20 and 40. I had no idea what I was in for.

Now, three years have flown by and working in Ottawa with young professionals has been an experience of a lifetime. It is bittersweet to pass the torch but the next director will be able to take our brand to a whole new level, with amazing leaders to help him or her along the way.

What stands out the most for me is that I witnessed a community of young Jewish professionals coalesce. Now, whether for an event, conference, trip to Israel or micro-grant, young Jewish adults in Ottawa will always have a place to volunteer and meet like-minded folk (and maybe even meet the one).

Ottawa is one of those hidden secrets that unless you live and breathe the quaint and vibrant culture, you will never really understand why people love it so much. From the tightness of the community to the foodie and entertainment industry, there is never a dull moment. There is also something very special about the people. Many of us are family-less, but you would never feel it. Whether for Shabbat diners or lunch dates, drinks, or late-nights at Zac’s, there is always an invite, somewhere to go or someone to see.

Now on to my next chapter – which I can’t believe will finally be back in my home town. My mother is over-the-moon excited! On August 1 I’ll start work as director of operations and development at The House, an incredible organization in Toronto for Jewish young adults.

To my friends, colleagues, and everyone I met along the way, thank you for making Ottawa an unforgettable journey. From the bottom of my heart, thank you again to my teachers, mentors, co-workers and community members.  The connections made at this stage of our lives are those that will last a lifetime.

To my friends, who will remain good friends always (and you know who you are), thank you for being you.

 

The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin reprinted with permission

The Charity vs. Foundation Match

Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO) vs. Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF)

From the beginning of time, Charities and Foundations have been stuck in a boxing ring competing for support, money and leadership from the same pool of donors in the same community.

Tonight in the ring, sitting in the hot seat dressed in luscious white, is Team JFO and in the left wing, in all mighty blue is her “opponent”, Team OJCF.

DING DING DING - ROUND 1 - BEGIN

Did you know that if you see the word “Foundation” in the name of a NFP, it might not actually be a Foundation? The word "Foundation" has no legal meaning in and of itself. This for the average Joe is quite confusing when they are looking to donate, open a fund, buy life insurance, create a bequest, send a tribute card, etc. Today let me break it down for you, because not only did it take me a half hour to find a clear enough definition to use, I myself find it extremely confusing, so I could only imagine how you feel.

Charity - char·i·ty - Charities generally derive their funding or support primarily from the general public, receiving grants from individuals, government, and private foundations. Although some public charities engage in grant-making activities, most conduct direct service or other tax-exempt activities.

Foundation- foun·da·tion - A foundation is a non-governmental entity that is established as a non-profit corporation or a charitable trust, with a principal purpose of making grants to unrelated organizations, institutions, or individuals for scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes.

In other words…

JFO- J·F·O - to preserve and enrich Jewish life in the Ottawa area, Canada, Israel and overseas, by planning for the evolving needs of the community, raising and allocating funds for communal priorities, coordinating community action and representing the views of the community.

OJCF- O·J·C·F - is a donor centered organization that receives your hard earned dollars and invests it prudently in accordance with a long range investment strategy to yield solid financial returns in both fixed income and equity portfolios. We are a communal organization for planned giving in the Ottawa Jewish Community.

In other words again (in case you are still confused)…

Picture the JFO as your “checking account” and OJCF as your “saving account.” You use your checking account daily to support your desired lifestyle. Your savings account on the other hand, is hardly touched because it was opened with the intent of securing your lifestyle for the future.

This is precisely what the Federation and Foundation do for Ottawa’s Jewish Community. The Federation allocated all money raised in our Annual campaign to our 25 funded agencies. The Foundation invests and manages funds to ensure we have a vibrant and thriving Jewish community for the future.

Why do we care?

On November 27, 2013, the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF) was proud to open its first ever fund to specifically support the Emerging Generation Division of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. The “Fund for the Next Generation” will provide an annual allocation which will go directly into the programs, events and initiatives geared towards engaging young adults aged 18-45.

The beautiful thing about the JFO and OJCF is that they work together day in and day out to meet the needs of our donors and to educate the community on philanthropic opportunities. While legacy giving, endowments and life insurance might not be top on the priority list for young professional today, becoming educated on when and how to embark on these opportunities are. 

To sum everything up, the JFO uses our gifts today, and now with this new fund, we have the opportunity to give a little to the Foundation for our children to use tomorrow.

Pretty sweet deal if you ask me!

Our Grandmothers, Mothers and Aunts get us!

             On November 6^th, AFP’s Diversity to Inclusion Series held its sixth conference on Women and Philanthropy. In the spirit of getting ready to Chair the Next Generation conference in March, I’d like to share some thoughts on how this conference opened my eyes towards realizing that Women and Next Gen are a whole lot alike.

People say that women and young adults are complicated, needy and emotional. While that may often be true, the way to our wallets runs through our hearts.

At the conference, it became apparent to me that women and Next Gen’ers share nine common traits:

1.       We want to create a better world for our children.

2.       We want to share with those who are less fortunate.

3.       We want to make an impression on our communities.

4.       We like to see the impact of our gifts.

5.       We give to many people, places and causes (which doesn’t make us cheap).

6.       We hold our charities accountable.

7.       We want volunteer opportunities that are challenging.

8.       We like a balance of social and educational events.

9.       We feel left out when we are not asked.

Women and Next Gen thrive off of the collective model of giving. Giving together and volunteering together in the amount and time we want, is the recipe for sustained fundraising. Focusing as much effort on the programming as you do on the development, will cultivate enough of a relationship to open the door for the ask.  

At this stage in the game, your charity might be getting many small gifts from a wide array of donors. However, if you align the integrity of the organization with the trust of the donor, the future of philanthropy, which is also known as Planned Giving, will fall into your lap.  Bridging the gap between generations will only happen if our parents and grandparents teach us the value of leaving our legacy (ideally on paper so that the bequest actually gets delivered!)

Another similarity is that both Women and Next Gen like to see the final product. We want to be educated on what needs to be done and where we need to focus our time. We want to use our talents and skillsets the best way possible. Sometimes we do that by getting our hands dirty. Sometimes it’s by having our voice heard around the table - or sometimes it’s just by giving a cheque and getting a thank you note.

Next Gen loves sparking change. We start a discussion, implement an action and deliver. And guess what? Our mothers taught us that. Women and Next Gen ARE the voice of philanthropy in the future. So let’s go charities! Now is the time to start investing in the complicated, needy, opinionated and emotional ones!

More info about the Diversity to Inclusion Series @InclusiveGiving or afpinclusivegiving.ca

Loneliness, Cost, Clergy and Cluelessness

Is it not ironic how the most depressing day of the year, also known as Yom Kippur, happens to be the same day the majority of Jewish people attend Shul? No wonder membership in Ottawa is down. If you only attend Shul on the high holidays, one third of your experience is associated with standing for hours in silence, starvation, and uncomfortable clothing, while dreaming about your dairy laden meal after sundown.

My name is Samantha Banks and I am “guilty” of attending Shul three times a year. I did not go to Hebrew day school, I did not grow up in a Kosher home, and my grandparents were not Holocaust survivors. I attended a Jew-ish camp (aka nothing was Jewish about it except that every camper was Jewish). Despite my unobservant upbringing, my passion for the State of Israel, my contributions to our vibrant Jewish community and my desire to make a Jewish home, are undeniable.

On Sunday October 20^th, Limmud Ottawa facilitated a panel on the topic, “Why Young Jewish Adults do not go to Shul?”  
                                                                                                        
Here are four reasons why I believe young adults are straying away from traditional Shul and “Jewish” experiences:

1.   Loneliness: Quite often young adults move away from the cities they were raised in, to pursue academic and career opportunities. Without family or friends, Shul can be perceived as a daunting place to go by yourself.

2.   Cost: Without your family paying your Shul premiums and no longer qualifying for a youth membership, the cost can be a burden that a young person does not want to budget for. Vacations generally trump reserving yourself a plot near a tree.

3.   Clergy: When not attending your own Shul, you probably never had the opportunity to schmooze with the Rabbim of your new city. It is hard to relate to a sermon and the leadership of a Shul without having a relationship outside the sanctuary. 

4.   Cluelessness:  I do not know about you, but WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON UP THERE? The average Shul attendee does not read or speak Hebrew, does not understand biblical text and cannot relate to the material.

Considering all of the above, can you blame a young person for not making the effort to attend Shul?

Young adults today have very alternative lifestyles; why would they choose to go to a place that can come across as restrictive when they can bring Judaism to them? I am certainly not religious, but I do practice my own version of Jewish. Every Friday night I host or get hosted for Shabbat dinner. I rock the apron then throw on the heels!

Two Rabbis on the Limmud Ottawa panel have had tremendous success generating large numbers of young adults to their services and Shabbat dinners because their formula is grassroots and started in their homes (Glebe Shul in Ottawa and Ghetto Shul in Montreal). 

Give young adults multiple reasons to walk through your Shul’s doors and I promise that after a few social, educational, and/or swanky events, they will return for services, Shabbat dinners and the High Holidays. They will view your Shul as a social meeting ground and not just a high paying membership club. Young adults are waiting to be engaged! Just like Miley Cirus sings, “This is our house. This is our rules.”

Link to Canadian Jewish News article "Shul not a Priority for young, Jewish adults."  

Make the ASK and the frog will KISS

A gentleman approaches a Jewish guy sitting in a bar and says, “I really want to become a Jew - how do I join?” The Jewish guy says, “Raise your right hand and repeat after me…. I pledge…” “Welcome” says the Jew. “You are now a member!” (Stephen J. Savitsky)

To pledge…pledging… getting pledges… to be frank, if someone came up to me and said if you pledge right here right now, you could change the world. I would awkwardly stare back at them, wait a few seconds and say, “you’re nuts!”

The topic of pledging surfaced in the Philanthropists Panel of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Jewish Philanthropy Conference, and Jeff Miller, (a partner at GGFL and an experienced canvasser in the Jewish community) said, “It is just as important to ask as it is to give.” The problem is people are bad at asking. They are socially awkward, afraid, and uneducated about the cause. And whose fault is that? It is ours, the charities, whose responsibly is to teach our canvassers the means to be successful when we send them out into the wild to make the ask. To ask someone to give money or time to a cause is an art, which is why some of the most innovative asks in the past few years have been electronic.

On Valentine’s Day I got an email from an animal charity that read, “Send a kiss to a friend today and help save my species from extinction.”  This came out of a small frog’s mouth with red lips jumping around to carnival music. Quirky yes, but brilliant at the same time. This particular campaign raised a huge amount of money from the largest amount of first time donors. The ask was clear, the diva frog conveyed a direct action for donors to give a small gift, and in return you got to send someone a smooch! Simple. Effective. Direct.

It is now common for charities to create these online asking methods that eliminate the person-to-person connection. However, the beauty of philanthropy is the relationships you get to build with the people who are giving you their hard-earned cash. Creating electronic relationships might work for one-offs, but I can promise you that you are not going to get a major gift from watching frogs make-out.

Making a pledge and asking for a pledge are the bricks and mortar of fundraising. It is our responsibility as fundraisers to teach our volunteers to become experts at this. Some companies in the corporate world have mastered a little thing called customer service. The human-to-human connection which leads to the more successful pledge all comes down to solid customer service etiquette.

When I call charity offices, typically no one answers and the directory never has the direct line to whom I want to speak.  Usually, the only time I can put a face to a charity is when I get canvassed on the street by someone from an international aid organization asking me if I have ever heard of them. Since they are usually one of the top three charities in the world, it just doesn't make sense that they ask if I have heard of them. Maybe they should start by asking, “Do you want to save a life today?” The point is that these people are the face of the charity. They make the initial ask, and if this ask isn't made with the greatest amount of delicacy and prestige, this person will be turned off of this organization forever.

Something is wrong with this picture. Charities that are asking for something and getting nothing in return need to put a lot more effort into their customer service. If we put the charities’ upper level professionals as the first point of contact in an office versus the underpaid summer student, the donor centric-model might actually come into play. Returning donors might start to feel appreciated and new donors will get a positive first impression.

AFP titled this initiative the Diversity to Inclusion Series. Another beauty about philanthropy is that the charitable sector is enormously diverse. There are millions of causes toward which people feel an affiliation, and there are endless opportunities for one to give back. At these conferences, which are based on the philanthropic traditions and interests of diverse communities in Ontario, we get to see, hear and feel the differences amongst ourselves as well as the similarities, but also how we can include each other in the overall theme of tikun olam, repairing the world. 

Diversity to Inclusion Series: Jewish Philanthropy Conference

AFP- Association of Fundraising Professionals

June 3, 2013

Ottawa

Fundraising is not Taboo Anymore, it is NOW a Mutually Beneficial Experience

Ladies and gentleman it is time to raise a glass. One big l'chaim goes out to the new Emerging Generation Division which raised $10,000 for the 2013 Annual Campaign. We are a team of very proud lasses and lads and are extremely grateful to our fearless co-captains Maya Avshalomov and Dan Shugar who we are thrilled to have back guiding us next year.  We reached our goal, raising $10,000 in just four months, and we couldn't be happier! The beauty of this is that a majority of these funds came from first-time donors. We have 100 donors in the division and whether they gave $18 or $180, every gift is meaningful and goes a very long way. Needless to say, we couldn't have raised a cent without our team of 14 devoted canvassers. We owe much gratitude to the entire team!

Asking for money is not taboo; every walk/run/telethon, fitness death competition and fundraising f*** party asks for money. So why then are people so reticent to become a canvasser? If we substituted the word “canvasser” for “gift giver” it might take on a whole different meaning.  Canvassing can really be a mutually beneficial experience. Canvassers often find the experience rewarding and damn legit.  

Consider the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation as a bank.  The Federation functions as the chequing account and the Foundation is your savings account. Your gift to the Federation supports our community agencies and your gift to the Foundation ensures the sustainability of the community for generations to come.

Keep in mind that we don't just provide funds for the elderly and disabled. We also ensure that summer camp and Hebrew schools continue to exist. I’ll bet your best summers were spent at camp-now imagine not being able to ship your kids off when they turn 11 year old.

I’ve got a secret for you.  Listen really closely. Giving a gift can not only greatly help out the community, it can also benefit you. Life is made up of connections and contacts. If you don't think this is true, well… reality check, it is. Joining the community in this capacity exposes you to new contacts, fresh faces and outside the box opportunities. What you’ll discover is that doing good reaps good and makes you feel like a mensch! 

Through fundraising you create relationships and the beauty is that some will last a lifetime, and others will come back to help you in a completely different capacity of your life. Calling or emailing someone a few times a year asking for a pledge or inviting them to a party or Shabbat dinner can impact someone's life in ways that are outside their normal bubble.  

At our stage of life, 20-40 years of age, we have endless opportunities to travel and network through conferences and conventions all over the world with like-minded people who do what we do because they believe in the mutually beneficial experience.

If what I have said resonates with you in any way and you want to become a canvasser for the Emerging Generation Division for 2014, we would love to have you. That's it, that's all. Easy as that! Call me, we can chat all about it 613-724-8930.

A Billion Piece Puzzle- Young Leadership Israel Advocacy Mission

The night before the mission left, I emailed Rachel Chertkoff to see if I needed a towel. She chuckled and said, “Sam the last thing you will need to pack is a towel, this trip will be like nothing you have ever experienced before.” The Young Leadership Israel Advocacy Mission to Israel which is jointly hosted by United Israel Appeal, The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee, is the culmination of a year-long program designed to engage the next generation of young Jewish leaders with the Canadian political sector. Everyone, from our bus driver Avi, to our tour guide Avi (are you detecting a trend?), to our Canadian Members of Parliament, brought with them to our jam-packed Israel adventure their unique personalities and perspectives.

The journey began in Jerusalem. Our days were filled with scrumptious meals and captivating briefing sessions from some of Israel’s most acclaimed speakers. We trekked through the Western Wall Tunnels and received in-depth updates on the Middle East. Day two began with a detailed review of Israeli politics followed by a visit to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The rest of the week continued in a similar fashion, during which time our group had the opportunity to meet and hear from key representatives in the Palestinian Authority and reporters covering the current crisis. Other highlights included: wine tasting in the Golan, strategic lookout points outlining the security situation in the surrounding towns and countries, visiting Christian archeological sites, Masada, Yad Vashem, and test driving cars at Better Place, the premier global provider of electric vehicles.

What separated this mission from others was the opportunity it provided to spend all day conversing with individuals who you would otherwise never imagine getting to spend more than twenty minutes with. Having the opportunity to listen to – and learn from – Members of Parliament and their spouses was fascinating to me. Seeing their reactions at the Western Wall on Shabbat, or laughing as we all washed off the mud in the Dead Sea were the moments when I stopped and recognized how much I truly appreciated what I take for granted as a young Jewish adult living in the Diaspora. We are offered so much; a free trip to Israel when we turn 18 and numerous opportunities to return on subsidized missions while 95% of the population will never even step foot in Israel. It was shocking to hear the parliamentarians relate their personal experiences in politics to the day-to-day challenges faced in Israel. This helped me to recognize that many of us share similar goals; we all just have very different ways of achieving them.

My fondest memory is sitting around the table with the MPs after dinner one night, sipping on Israeli wine, and asking them personal questions and receiving the most brutally honest and real answers. They acted and spoke in such a way that they became at once mentors, professors and friends. Hearing how they juggle the work/life balance and how they maintain cohesion amongst their constituents and ridings made me realize the applicability of these political skills to life in general. This mission left an incomparable impression in my heart and in my mind regarding the Canadian political arena -- one that could never have been taught in the four walls of a classroom.

What I also loved about the trip were the friendships formed amongst my fellow young adult leaders. We came from all walks of life – our backgrounds ranging from pharmaceuticals to real-estate (and of course a few lawyers in the mix) – yet we all seemed to have a distinct purpose for being on the trip. There was a really nice balance between work and play, which allowed for us to dive into deep conversations on topics such as policy, economic decline, Israeli innovation, nuclear threat and peaceful negotiations. Similarly, the awareness of these issues made me realize the pervasiveness of politics in all our lives, which is something we all have to deal with. Life is a constant game, and the more colleagues and friends you make, the easier your next move will be. Never be ashamed to ask for help from those who came before you, because their wisdom is the key to success for those following in their footsteps.

Aside from the briefing sessions and tours, this mission is about the human connection. The networking and one-on-one time is invaluable and this is the only trip in Canada that opens doors for this kind of connection. Each stage of this trip was so thoughtfully planned and executed that I pray it continues to run for the benefit of the next generation of young adults and for the future of Canadian politics. It is crucial for Canadian politicians to visit Israel because regardless of the number of books and articles one can read, it is almost impossible to understand the nuanced dynamics and love we have for our homeland without setting foot on Israeli soil. I believe this trip truly allowed the participants to rethink their ideologies towards Israel, ask challenging questions and speak up for what they believed in.

Israel is a country broken up into a billion puzzle pieces. However, with continued support and investment from the Canadian and international Jewish communities, we sure as hell can try and put the puzzle pieces back together. I still strongly believe that despite the specter of the current nuclear crisis and economic decline, there is hope for peaceful negotiations and for finding a solution for this state we all call home. People say I hum to my own tune, whether it be a bit of a different style or talk. This mission taught me to never lose those qualities that separate me from blending in because if you want to be an extraordinary leader then you need to be followed and there is no better way to attract someone’s attention than by being a little unique.