Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar

Each installment in this series features a different perspective on Cincinnati 2020, the Jewish community’s visionary plan for building an exceptional future. This week, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s President, Tedd Friedman, interviews Fred Kanter, past Federation board member and supporter of JVS Career Services’ business development efforts.

How did you first get involved in Cincinnati 2020? What is your involvement with JVS Career Services?

 While I had been a board member of the Jewish Federation, I participated in the community-wide effort to identify the major Cincinnati 2020 goals we wanted to establish as a Jewish community. I have no formal involvement at JVS Career Services, but, as a community member who believes JVS Career Services plays an important role, I refer business people to JVS who I think can benefit from their recruiting services. I have also been willing to help clients of theirs network with people I know or have business relationships with.

What does Cincinnati 2020 mean to you?

Cincinnati 2020 is an example of what can be accomplished if community members collaborate, organize, and set goals to attain the vision we have for Jewish Cincinnati.

Why should Cincinnati 2020 be important to the community? Why should it be important to Cincinnati employers and job seekers?

Cincinnati 2020 gives our community’s organizations targets to aim at and a framework to guide the various agencies as they try to hit those targets. For Cincinnati employers, JVS Career Services now has the resources to help them find talented employees. At the same time, businesses who contract with JVS Career Services for their recruiting needs are helping a nonprofit agency develop the infrastructure and funding it needs to further its mission of helping job seekers find meaningful employment. It is a wonderful way for the business community and a nonprofit organization to work together in a way that is mutually beneficial and synergistic.

What does the future of JVS Career Services look like through the lens of Cincinnati 2020?

JVS Career Services recently launched its intern initiative, which works with area Hillels and colleges to recruit and support the best young talent, and then match that talent with the intern needs of JVS Career Services’ business clients. This has the potential to connect young people to local businesses who might decide to stay in Cincinnati to pursue their own careers. Additionally, it connects these young people to Jewish Cincinnati.

Has Cincinnati 2020 been successful so far? How do you measure those successes?

I think Cincinnati 2020 is in the early stages of success. It takes time for these strategic changes to gain momentum, but it seems to be happening. I can see it in the expansion and success of JVS Career Services. I’m hearing more and more stories of local businesses hiring JVS Career Services for recruiting. In fact, my family business, Rookwood Properties, recently engaged JVS Career Services to recruit someone for a new position. I think Cincinnati 2020’s success is what has helped JVS Career Services be successful.

Did anything about Cincinnati 2020 or the collaboration itself surprise you?

I was surprised by how many people from the community participated in the initial Cincinnati 2020 planning meetings! The grassroots collaboration and enthusiasm was impressive from the beginning.

What do you hope the community accomplishes through Cincinnati 2020 in the next four years, both in terms of JVS Career Services’ business-to-business efforts, and otherwise?

I hope JVS Career Services will continue to grow its business-to-business division so it can continue to advance one of its core missions of finding meaningful employment for people who need it. As we move forward, this is particularly important for two demographics: aging “baby boomers” who bring valuable wisdom and experience and are finding themselves working into their senior years, and young people who are critical to building a vibrant Jewish future for Cincinnati. Area businesses that work with JVS can help move us towards that future by remembering these two demographics in their hiring decisions.