I know how cynical the frum world has been about Federations and all their multi-acronymed manifestations. Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, in his pulpit-primer Tales out of Shul as well as in his other lesser-known treatises, pokes a lot of fun at them.
Yes they can spend a good deal of time in mutual admiration for the money they give.
And yes, the claim that their organizations deserve august titles like "United Jewish Community" or "Associated Jewish Federation" is mighty presumptuous.
But the fact is that their mailing lists are longer than any other organizations. And the non-threatening nature of their message makes them the ideal vehicle for spreading yiddishkeit all over North America. I have shuddered at some of the disastrous relationships between frum kehilos and Federations in some cities. What a shame! What a waste!
Even if you perceive the Federation types as being the shallow end of the Jewish pool, remember, "Hashem desired a Dira B'Tachtonim". And you high and mighty types sitting in Kollels and Agudah shuls aren't anywhere near the tachtonim. As you spend the coming year feeling all proud that another Daf Yomi siyum is coming up, remember the millions of Jews who don't know what the word Daf or the word Yomi or the word Siyum means. And Federations are a road to their minds and hearts, despite the obstacles.
Posted by Yehupitz at June 24, 2004 03:08 PM