Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar

Every year, instead of a New Year’s resolution, I choose a word to inspire me. This year I chose “paving”—as in paving the way. For me it means wellness: I am walking and running, getting in my steps, every day. But also so much more.

This year I chose a word that speaks equally to Federation’s goals. Paving the way is what we do, as the convener, the backbone of the Jewish community. We see a problem, we plan the best path through the woods, and then we work to clear it, to build the road substructure. We figure out what kind of pavement and what thickness will sustain the required load. Then our whole community can safely use the path–the problem has become a smooth highway.

I want to give you an update on one of the biggest things the Federation does in our role as convener. It’s called Cincinnati 2030. It’s our communal strategic planning process looking towards the year 2030, led by people from all parts of our community, to assure a more vibrant Jewish future over the next 10 years. 

It’s well underway, and it’s a complicated and rewarding process. With a diverse steering committee of 25 lay leaders and professionals led by Andy Berger and Ari Cohen, we have identified three core values that helped create a 2030 vision statement. Now we are hard at work in three workgroups, establishing community goals. As Federation CEO, I’m on the steering committee and float between the workgroups, which are divided into Caring/Human Services, Engagement, and Wider World (connecting to our civic community, Israel, and Jews globally).

The work is in process:  We are learning. We are mapping the landscape. We have asked the community for input. We are beginning to see the directions we want to grow our community.

I am excited because we will soon begin to see the results of this collaboration between these committed and experienced volunteers, along with professionals from the Federation and The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. I am impressed by the thought leadership I have seen so far, and look forward to seeing how they envision our future. Thanks to the whole committee, to the Jewish Foundation, and to the incredible willingness to collaborate that is a special hallmark of our community, we are well on our way.

The process matters. I want to highlight that the process itself is crucial to getting good outcomes. Some of the most exciting aspects I have seen are the diversity of input, the excitement in the process, and the emphasis on unity, inclusivity, and collaboration. It’s a passionate and thoughtful group. We are diving deep into the research and data.

We are focused on Jewish issues, but also systemic and general issues, such as the state of health care and how it affects our youth and our seniors. We are bringing in national experts to advise us. We are thinking big, but also concretely. Just two of many examples:

• Inclusion. There are insufficient resources in place in the community to enable the effective accommodation and integration of persons with disabilities into various facets of community life. One potential strategy is to undertake an expert-driven community-wide audit and create a plan to enhance inclusion throughout the community.

 

• Mental health. The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Psychiatric Department reported a 37 percent rise between 2014 and 2017 in children coming for mental health evaluations, and a 41 percent rise in outpatient visits over the same period. The almost two-year experience with COVID has dramatically escalated reported mental health issues and demand for services. The country—not just Cincinnati—does not have enough mental health providers or social workers. This is not a specifically Jewish issue, but of course affects our community profoundly. Our community has already begun to address these issues, but there is much more to be done. One potential strategy is for all of our organizations to integrate mental health first aid training into their youth-facing orientation and training processes.

First, we need to let this powerful process continue. 

What’s next: For some goals, the Cincinnati 2030 steering committee is realizing that we need to simply try various things—or help others try—to see what works. So far, we have decided to experiment with grant processes that will fund outside of Federation’s normal Planning & Allocations process (called the Special Projects Fund) and outside the Jewish Foundation’s normal processes (its new Reflect Cincy fund). We will consider pilot programs, one-time events and even capital purchases/improvements, which enhance our ability to connect, engage, and educate people in the Jewish community.

Paving the way is not simple; the process of figuring out what to do and how is of course as important as that smooth road. But we will get there. At this point I want you to know that the thinking, sophistication, and thought leadership in these discussions is impressive. And the Federation is fully committed to our overall mission. We will continue to strengthen the ecosystem of the Jewish community here in Cincinnati.

This process will lead to good outcomes.

PS: Ohio Jewish Communities, which advocates for Jewish issues in state government, is a unique collaboration among different Ohio Federations with real-world success. It’s doing great things: see more here.

PPS: Our parent organization, Jewish Federations of North America, is launching LiveSecure to support Jewish security around the nation. Cincinnati will immediately need its own community security funds to secure a matching grant from them. Our SAFE Cincinnati is working to identify the next stages in our community’s needs. 

PPPS:  I am proud to share that our Federation was again recognized by the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator, Charity Navigator, with a four star rating, its highest ranking.

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