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Jonathan Plutzik Photo: Jill Furmanovsky
As leaders in UJA-Federation of New York’s effort to help people in need during this economic downturn, Tina Price and Jonathan Plutzik shared their views in interviews. Price is chair of the Caring Commission. Plutzik is chair of UJA-Federation’s Connect to Care and a chair of the coordinating council for Synergy: UJA-Federation and Synagogues Together. They also serve on UJA-Federation’s Executive Committee.
Caring for those in financial need has been a large part of UJA-Federation’s mission for many years. Why is it central?
Price: The historic mandate is to care for our community’s most vulnerable and ensure that no one falls through the safety net of the Jewish community. This is firmly rooted in our tradition of each Jew responsible for one another. Every effort is made to provide service in a manner so as to preserve the dignity of the recipient.
Plutzik: Responding thoughtfully to people’s unfolding financial needs is a powerful way for UJA-Federation to transform people’s lives. The combined power of UJA-Federation’s network of agencies to provide comprehensive intervention is both unique and compelling.
This economic downturn has touched middle- and upper-class families, along with the poor and near poor. How does this shift affect UJA-Federation’s response?
Price: This current downturn is unique in that many members of the traditional middle and upper middle class are being impacted by job loss and economic displacement. While this segment of the society is served though myriad social-service programs funded by UJA-Federation, this is the first time we are supporting for this newly needy population case management, outplacement, financial literacy, legal services, day school and camp scholarships, and emergency assistance. There are emerging critical needs among the traditionally vulnerable, and we are funding more services to the traditionally needy as well.
Plutzik: Connect to Care is an effort to respond in unique ways to a target audience that is changing dramatically. UJA-Federation and network agencies are focused on the fact that this part of our community, who has not sought help in the past, is going to access services differently than groups we have served in previous years.
What’s the responsibility to synagogues in times of need, and what’s the potential for them to help people?
Plutzik: It’s clear that the singular place that most Jews gather is at their synagogues. It is inevitably identified as our principal connection to community. We see that many people who may be accessing services in the network for the first time will most comfortably reach out for support in a synagogue setting. They have existing spiritual and counseling relationships with rabbinic leaders. UJA-Federation’s existing Partners in Caring program, already operating through 175 synagogues, will be a powerful tool.
How will Connect to Care complement UJA-Federation’s other programs?
Price: In many ways, it is modeled on the Single Stop initiative we helped develop, which serves the traditionally vulnerable, providing comprehensive services in community-based locations, with an emphasis on case management, legal, financial literacy, and assistance in accessing government entitlements. Aspects of this program have been revamped to serve this new population.
Plutzik: One important thing to do in a difficult economic environment like this is to not reinvent the wheel. Connect to Care is about an effort to mobilize in an organized, focused, disciplined, seamless, and cost-efficient way many of the existing resources of UJA-Federation and our tremendous network of agencies. ♦
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