Jewish professionals like looks of next generation

By Deborah Moon Seldner

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When Portland's Jewish professionals got a sneak preview of a future generation of leaders, they liked what they saw.
Participants in the second year of the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation visited Jewish agencies and organizations throughout Portland in January. At a Feb. 6 allocation meeting, board trustees and mentors from last year's program voted to distribute $2,500 among seven of those organizations (see story below). Those youths likely have embarked on a lifelong commitment to tzedakah and community involvement, according to the leaders the youths interviewed.
"Having done this now, I suspect they will do this all their lives," said Jewish Review Editor Paul Haist. "They've embarked on a road they will travel again as adults. We should be proud to have such youth in our community."
"I feel these young leaders will become involved in the agencies and serve on boards and be part of the vision for the future of agencies and services for the community," said Marv Kuperstein, executive director of Jewish Family and Child Service."
"I think it's a terrific idea to teach kids the concept of due diligence on how to make charitable gifts," said David Fuks, chief executive officer of Cedar Sinai Park. "It's a good investment of time to train what may well be the next generation of leaders."
Fuks said he spoke to Blake Morell about the needs at Robison Jewish Health Center, part of the CSP campus. He said Morell sent him the Powerpoint presentation he made to the OJCYF board at the allocations meeting.
"He did a very nice job," said Fuks of the presentation. "I've seen less mature presentations from professionals."
The youths earned high praise from the leaders they interviewed. Leaders praised the youths' preparation, seriousness, enthusiasm and attitude.
Oregon Jewish Museum Director Judy Margles met with Marissa Snyder.
"She was totally poised, articulate and asked great questions," said Margles. "Marissa was very concerned about getting her facts straight so she could properly represent the museum and make a cogent presentation (at the allocations meeting)."
"She was so responsive when I started talking about the 'Museum in a Suitcase' program. She lit up," said Margles, talking about the program that will send mini-exhibits to classrooms around the state. The OJCYF decided to help fund that program with their allocation to the museum.
Dana Bacharach and Josh Wasserteil interviewed Haist about the Jewish Review.
"They were very professional," said Haist. "I was very impressed by the process, and they seemed to take it very seriously. They seemed very well prepared, and they worked well together. They were respectful of one another, and neither she nor he dominated the conversation."
Kuperstein said he was impressed both with the program in general and with Katie Dobscha and Jordan Cecil, who interviewed him.
"I was interviewed by two great leaders," he said. "The level of the questions was really sophisticated. There was an atmosphere of really wanting to understand Jewish Family and Child Service. It was information gathering, it was clarifying. They wanted to be able to go back and advocate for JFCS."
Kuperstein said he wished that that vision of foundation members as advocates for agencies would carry over into adult allocations process.
"I've been in this field a long time, and this interview was unique," he said. "It was a very positive, collaborative atmosphere."
American Jewish Committee Oregon Director Emily Gottfried said she appreciated the opportunity to talk to Melissa Dorreman about the role of the AJC.
"It's great for kids to think about the programs that are out there and to give money in a thoughtful way," she said.