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January 7, 2005
Winnipeg's YAD reaches out
The development of young leadership is a priority in federation's
plan.
KEVIN ROSEN
As a child growing up in Winnipeg, Elana Dil took Jewish community
life for granted. She assumed that institutions such as parochial
schools, social agencies and synagogues would always be there. Now
in her 30s, Dil has recognized that these institutions will only
be preserved for future generations if she and her peers ensure
that is the case. So she's doing something about it.
Current chair of the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Winnipeg
Jewish Federation/Combined Jewish Appeal (CJA), Dil and her professional
counterpart – Judi Price-Rosen, YAD's director of leadership
– are heading up the task of grooming a new generation of leaders
in the local Jewish community.
In a nutshell, it's about outreach to young adults between the ages
of 25 and 40 in Winnipeg. The goal is to develop these people into
future community leaders, people who will ultimately sit on boards
and committees and become decision-makers who will help chart the
community's future course.
Decreased affiliation among younger Jews is an alarming trend that
federations across the country have identified in recent years.
Characterized by a general lack of participation in organized Jewish
communal life, it can be traced to a variety of factors, including
higher rates of intermarriage and assimilation and increasingly
busy lifestyles.
Though the phenomenon is by no means unique to Winnipeg, it's a
thorn in the side of this proud Jewish community, particularly as
it struggles to retain young people who are often lured away to
larger centres in search of greater economic and social opportunity.
About four years ago, Winnipeg's federation decided enough was enough.
The development of young leadership was made a priority in the community
plan. And so the director of young leadership position was established
to co-ordinate young volunteers and outreach programming.
Something for everyone
As chair of YAD, Dil is the head volunteer. With her committee of
like-minded troops, she works with Price-Rosen to deliver a variety
of programs designed to engage young adults and spark interest in
community involvement. Events range from organized social gatherings
and planned social action programs to professional and networking
opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
And it's working.
Last February, for instance, close to 150 people attended YAD's
Hollywood Event, a formal evening of cocktails and dancing at the
regal Fort Garry Hotel that featured a silent auction to raise money
for the CJA. In the past 12 months, dozens of young Jewish business
leaders have jammed the boardroom at two networking events to hear
guest speakers such as Leonard Asper (CanWest Global Communications)
and Steven Kroft (Conviron Controlled Environments). Meanwhile,
dozens of welcome baskets have been delivered by YAD volunteers
to new Jewish immigrant families from Argentina, Russia and Israel.
Another successful component of YAD's outreach is the popular Moms
and Babies program. Aimed at young mothers with children under three,
the target audience is brought together at monthly events such as
Jewish song sessions, holiday parties and other fun activities for
kids. There are also evening programs for moms only, such as coffee
nights and cooking get-togethers and activities such as ceramics
painting. As well, Moms and Babies takes part in a federation initiative
called Shalom Baby where volunteers deliver welcome baskets to new
mothers and personally invite them to attend the programming.
One of the more ambitious YAD initiatives is known as Club Fed.
Developed by Price-Rosen, it's a leadership development program
where 10 to 12 interested participants meet each month to learn
about the organizations that comprise the Winnipeg Jewish community.
Attendees discover firsthand the functions of various social agencies
and Jewish institutions and find out about the role played by federation.
Signs of success
Though YAD Winnipeg is still in its infancy, signs of initial success
are evident. As measured by growing attendance at programs, steadily
increasing numbers of volunteers and more campaign dollars, YAD
is moving in the right direction. Of the approximately 1,800 Jewish
Winnipeggers in the 25-40 demographic, YAD has effectively reached
out to one-third of these people, to date.
"Success is measured in the number of new faces," said
Dil. "And not just new immigrant faces; people who've lived
here a long time are starting to realize that they need to get involved
to ensure the community is there for their own families and kids."
Price-Rosen, who hails from the Toronto area and has been living
in Winnipeg since 2000, is pleased with YAD's progress so far but
recognizes that there is still more work to be done. And the key
to YAD's continued success, according to its two main proponents,
is word of mouth.
Dil says that getting the word out, particularly by engaging people
who are well-connected or travel in various social groups, is the
most important way to bring others to the table. She herself spends
time making phone calls and talking about YAD wherever she happens
to be. Most often, she said, people come to one program, enjoy it
and come back to the next one with different friends. Program attendees
generally sign up for e-mail notices that keep them apprised of
upcoming activities, too.
Making a difference
"Ours is a generation that some may argue has been neglected
by Jewish organizations and left out of the picture," said
Price-Rosen. "We're trying to slowly win people back. To do
this, we have to create programs to draw them in and engage them
in the planning process, all the while cultivating relationships
and developing an understanding of the importance of donating time
and money. You can't just ask for donations."
And while the relatively small size of Winnipeg's Jewish community
means that broad-based participation is vital to its survival, it
also means that the grassroots approach taken by YAD can be very
effective. That aspect is not lost on Price-Rosen, a former big-city
resident.
"Because of its size, this is definitely a community in which
you can make a difference," she said.
Dil added, "I hope to see us evolve towards a cohesive group
of immigrants and lifelong Winnipeggers who understand the importance
of supporting Jewish institutions. I want the community to be there
for future generations; I have no plans to leave this city."
For more information on the Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation
of Winnipeg/Combined Jewish Appeal, visit www.yadwinnipeg.com.
Kevin Rosen is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer and the
spouse of Judi Price-Rosen. He can be reached at [email protected].
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