Reut USA Proposes Restructuring Jewish Federation System to Enhance Community Relations in Smaller Communities
Reut USA, a research and leadership think tank, has released a policy paper proposing a significant restructuring of the American Jewish federation system to bolster community relations in smaller Jewish communities. The paper, titled 'A Strategic Framework for the Community Relations of American Jewry in the Coming Decade,' suggests remodeling 15 federations into regional hubs, investing in smaller and under-resourced federations, and establishing a national community relations cabinet. A key, and potentially complex, recommendation is to shift funding from the five largest federations (Boston, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles) to these hubs and smaller community federations, based on the belief that antisemitism in small towns affects all Jews nationally. The initiative aims for a $125 million budget to create 120 new positions for community relations professionals. This proposal comes shortly after the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) announced its own $35 million Frontline in...
