Jewish philanthropy: a challenging future

To the Editor:

The article “A New Era for Jewish Philanthropy” (November 18) was of great interest to me as a professional fund raiser, as well as an active participant in the Los Angeles Jewish community. There has been a great need for consolidation of effort and resources for many a year, but the need has escalated with communal awareness of rapid and significant changes occurring in local Jewish communities and in Israel and around the world.

Additionally, many professionals and lay leaders have moved into the non-Jewish community to support a variety of worthy causes and some have been lost to Jewish communal concerns. Many now are allocating their contributions to alternate Jewish causes, as described without attribution in the article.

Another major issue presenting itself is the high cost of Jewish education for young families committed to the perpetuation of Jewish life, who cannot support their own family responsibilities while also assisting other causes in the Jewish community.

The future, as described in the article, is bright, with excellent national leadership appointed to lead. Bringing their efforts to the grassroots remains a task to be watched and supported.

Esther Lerner Brenner
Director of Development
Aviva Center
Los Angeles