Jay Sanderson, making his first public appearance as the incoming president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, addressed the Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California (JCPSC) this week at a Bel Air sukkah party with a killer view of the Getty Center and beyond.
Sanderson, who takes over from John Fishel Jan. 1, told the 120 Jewish professionals that he is dedicated to making sure they enjoy their jobs and have a say in the community’s vision.
“I took on this endeavor because I really believe in my heart that not only is this the greatest Jewish community in the world, but we are at a historic moment in Jewish life,” he said. “This is a moment when we can really transform Jewish life in Los Angeles and in doing so make an impact all over the world. The only way we can do that is with everyone in this room. The strength of this community lies in its professionals, and for far too long, frankly, you have not had enough say in the way this community has been run.”
While that last remark drew exclamations and cheers from the crowd, which included everyone from agency heads to interns, several people admitted later on that they weren’t quite sure what he meant by it.
Pressed for more details, Sanderson told The Circuit he believes the day-to-day pressure of running the community often limits a professional’s opportunities for dreaming big. As CEO and executive producer of the Jewish Television Network, Sanderson has long had his ear to the Jewish communal ground.
“There is a sense in the community that you can only deal with what is right in front of us — not only in the Jewish world, but in the whole nonprofit world. In terms of dreaming, and having ideas and a vision and bringing those ideas to a place where you actually see them to fruition, it’s very challenging in the current climate,” Sanderson said.
He said he hopes to be able to offer people space and time to dream.
“We all need to step back, to take a communal breath and remember why we are doing what we’re doing,” he said.
Bill Kaplan, president of JCPSC, said he and his newly invigorated organization are looking forward to working with Sanderson to reinfuse the same vibrancy and cohesion he saw 19 years ago when he first started working for Camp JCA Shalom and the Shalom Institute, which he now heads.
Sharon Janks, who hosted the event at her home with her husband, Leon, elicited warm appreciation not only for the sweaters she handed around to fight off the unseasonable cold, but also for her heartfelt remarks.
“I, as a lay leader in the community, really value what you as Jewish professionals do in the Jewish community. Without you, our lay leaders are not complete,” said Janks, who is vice chair of the major gifts campaign at The Federation and will become the general campaign co-chair for 2010. “I thank each and every one of you for doing what you do and for giving up a lot of other things to be community leaders.”
Sanderson vowed to make the experience of working for the Jewish community a fulfilling and positive one.
“My goal is to make sure that every one in this room and all the people who are not here feel better about their job every day, and feel more invested and, frankly, have a hell of a lot more fun,” Sanderson said.
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