This past summer, philanthropist Michael Steinhardt rocked the Jewish institutional world when he announced that he sort of regretted the $125 million he had spent on Jewish causes. “Is the Jewish world any better today than it was 13 years ago? Have things really improved? Are we reaching more people?” Steinhardt asked. “I don’t have positive answers. Outside of our self-congratulatory bubbles, things haven’t changed much.”
In Jewish circles, responses have ranged from worried consternation to defensive self-congratulation. Yet for those of us who have been toiling in the “New Jewish Culture” for the past decade or so, the response can only be “Duh.”
“Duh,” because with only a few notable exceptions (Birthright Israel being the largest and best known) Steinhardt’s well-intentioned millions were lavished on the same tried-and-true institutions that caused young Jews to become unaffiliated in the first place. Not surprisingly, since Steinhardt came out of the hedge fund world, where prudence and risk evaluation are the cardinal virtues. Perhaps a better preparation for Jewish philanthropy, however, would have been venture capital, in which many investments are expected to fail so that a few will succeed. Based on my dual experience as a Jewish cultural entrepreneur and as a venture-funded software entrepreneur, I thought of a few lessons a VC might share, as Steinhardt refocuses his efforts to become more effective in his generosity (which, after all, has set the gold standard in the Jewish community):
1) Innovation does not come from the mainstream — Seems obvious, but in funding large, religiously minded organizations staffed by rabbis, Steinhardt poured more money down the same drain that led to Jewish alienation to begin with. Why not look outside the institutional world, beyond its large offices and titled consultants, at places where “unaffiliated” Jews are creating their own Jewish culture, with nary two shekels to rub together? If he looks, Steinhardt will find hundreds of small, under-funded, independent Jewish organizations, high on enthusiasm but low on infrastructure, expertise and cash. Independent minyanim, new yeshivas, new magazines and cultural institutions, organizations that work with marginalized communities (sexual, religious, political, whatever) — the Jewish renaissance is happening; it’s just not happening in large rooms with pews. Of course, merely throwing money at inexperienced 20-somethings won’t work. But smart investing in existing independent culture goes where the action is, rather than trying to focus-group, simulate and package more of the lame.
2) Give organizations a chance to fail — This is a cardinal rule in venture capital: To have one success, you need to invest in five failures, because you can’t know which is which until you give all six the opportunity to fly or fall. Suppose a Jewish Cultural Initiative funds five of the not-for-profit Jewish magazines (or prayer groups, or educational initiatives) started in the past decade by young Jewish entrepreneurs. Chances are, at least two of them will fail, but only by investing widely will the one winner truly get its chance to shine. If all are expected to show quick results from small, incremental and uncertain grants, none will make it at all. Relatedly…
3) Invest in leaders and infrastructure — Of the young Jewish entrepreneurs I know, every single one of them devotes more time to development and infrastructure than to actual organization-building or, God forbid, teaching. Now, some of this is to be expected, and is certainly the case in the software business, as well. But there is at least one crucial difference: In the Jewish world, it’s well known that, outside a few lights in the wilderness, institutional funders won’t fund operating expenses and won’t pay for infrastructure. This is exactly backward. As in the venture capital world, infrastructure is precisely what funders should pay for, because it’s what we cultural creatives lack. Give us money, light and a room of our own, and some of us will succeed.
4) Believe in culture — Steinhardt, an atheist, has spent a decade funding synagogues and religious institutions — and now he complains that they aren’t reaching atheists like him. Why is this a surprise? What’s needed is a belief in culture: artists, arts organizations, magazines, independent publishing, cultural education. These are projects that will, over time, create a Jewishness worth affiliating with even if you don’t believe that God wrote the Torah. Of course, it takes time for this to happen; you can’t measure the effects on evaluation forms, and some cultural products will, of necessity, be of interest to only an elite. But then, we all understand that when it comes to the Met and the ballet, investments in culture are long term, and often work in a trickle-down way. Why expect instant results, and mass appeal, when it comes to Jewish life? And one more thing: culture succeeds when it’s allowed to flourish for its own sake, not as a tool to get Jewish couples to mate. Let’s stop demeaning ourselves, and undermining our own cultural efforts, by forcing Jewish culture to pimp for Jewish continuity. Nobody’s being fooled anyway.
5) It’s the product, not the marketing — Finally, let’s please quit packaging Judaism like the latest boy band. The trouble isn’t that Judaism isn’t branded well enough; it’s that the product — often, old-time religion with a healthy dose of tribalism and guilt — needs work. Once again, there’s no need to think-tank our way to success; just let the entrepreneurs innovate, and then give them the money, advice and infrastructure they need to grow. But don’t expect that the result will be the Blue and White Judaism of falafel and Anne Frank; those dogs don’t hunt anymore, and yesterday’s taboos (yes, even the one against criticizing Israel) are not operative for the “unaffiliated” Jews whom Steinhardt seeks to reach. So, stop cheerleading for the losing team. Allow the deep questions to be asked — Why should we be Jewish, anyway? — and be prepared for the unexpected.
No think-tank of white, straight men over 50 is going to create a Jewishness for smart, diverse, often multi-faith young people who shape their lives in the age of the iPod. What’s working around the country — in large synagogues and at indie music festivals, on blogs and in pluralistic schools — is the “open source” model of empowering young people to create Jewish institutions and communities on their own. It’s not clear that Steinhardt’s newly narrowed focus will leverage the remarkable strengths of this model, but he’d get a better return on investment if it did.
"hear,hear ..." Jay Michaelson . Like Michael Steinhardt I once was futures trader , but after having lost my money in the process I took up reading and photography. A couple of days ago I stumbled on the new book by Philip Roth "Exit ghost" and in it or rather inside it read about similiar ramblings ( but on a more advanced level )by the esteemd Roth or Zukerman or both. Being an atheist (albeit a Jewish one)convinced me after finishing the book that what we do in life is in a nutshell preparing the ground for the next generation to stand on. What kind of ground will it be is anybody's guess but keep building ...
I've got a mixed reaction to the article, and great hope for Mr Steinhardt. Giving money to nonfunctional organizations won't make them work, and most out there don't deserve another chance to fail. Why? Because their leadership is self serving, lost the sense of mission by focusing on buildings/bureaucracies; and with authority based on rabbinic/education or family/social ties rather than results. This point is proven by their simple failure to lead; funding being irrelevant in every context. Mr Steinhardt is looking for results -- anywhere -- which has been elusive -- including the small organizations cited by the author. His idea of sending young Jews to Israel was a dramatic strategy, with I hear mixed results. However, in my view, if led, we Jews can find God and a connection to Judaism at home. What works, what won't and why? Chabad has been the most successful by following a leader who simply loved Jews, Judaism and G-d. Not for everyone, and only partly for me (because I like to pray with my wife and kids), but a good model. Believe in Judaism and not G-d? Possible, but hard to do. Overall, Judaism improves lives if reasonably lived, set the standard for mankind, and survived thousands of years while being opposed by evil doers (a proof of sorts in our being G-d's partner) in every generation. The questions are: What's this Judaism thing about? and what's in it for "me"? Read "The Stars of David" by Abigail Pogrebin and see the problem. I've got a few ideas, a very similar background and personality, but can't get past Steinhardt's staffajcwerfe@yahoo.com.
I was of the impression that Mr. Steinhardt was funding a program to bring young Jewish people to Israel for the first time. In my opinion this is one of the most powerful ways for the assimilated Jewish population of the "outside world" to fully appreciate, learn from and treasure our remarkable history.I did not read about this in your evaluation of what Michael Steinhardt is funding and it dissappointed me. I love this idea and have thought about contributing myself to the process...to help this view of what is Israel, what are the Jews...grow. I just began searching the best way to do this and I read these disturbing words [Is the Jewish world any better off today...] from someone who has the influence to make a serious difference. Just writing a check does not always work and clearly this is the case here. We are the best candidates to spread the word about our greatness and we are not too good at doing it. Who else will blow the shofar for us if we do not do it ourselves to call on our own people? There are only about 12 million Jews on the planet...there are 122 million Muslims in Indonesia alone. How we have survived is a miracle in itself. If it takes going to Israel to understand why we were put on this earth to begin with and to more fully comprehend what we have accomplished against all odds, then lets all get on the plane, honor what we have done in Israel, how we have contributed to the world and make some serious plans to stay around for another few thousand years. Michael should be on board too!
Jay.. great! nothing more to add... the next step is to indicate these "fringe" gatherings and networks.. KOLDOR is one that brings them together..
on the other hand Sheryl , with the blond sinatra-type soloist i agree it could do wonders. so drop me a line whan she turns up ...
And if doesn't ? It doesn't ... Stop kvetching Sheryl Roth - this is serious ! Where I live it is the Rebetzin who runs the show and it works too.
Mr. Michael Steinhardt has enjoyed oustanding success in his business life, where he has been admired by many. However he now admits that one investment he made has not "paid off". It should be evident to him, that to be successful in selling,there are two fundamental rules that are taught. The first is to KNOW YOUR PRODUCT, and the second you have to BELIEVE in what you are selling. I had been involved as a layleader in Jewish Education in Montreal for some thirty years before making Aliya to Israel in 1978. The Birthright project attracted my attention and I had hoped to see it succeed. I have had random conversations with many of the young people on their trips to Israel and while I came away with mixed feelings as to the value, but I came away convinced that a 10 day injection of Judaism will not create a new generation of committed Jews. While I do not want to get into a Philosophic debate with one of the sponsors, who confesses to be an atheist, I do not know if it is compatible with trying to bring up a new generation of Jews.. In my view it is hard to sell what you do not believe in. I recently met with one of the leaders of the Nefesh b Nefesh Aliya program which has been helping to bring you families to settle in Israel and asked him what motivates successful young people to leave the "Golden Medina", to join the struggle in Israel. Without hesitation, he said the very high cost of Jewish education in America. Perhaps Mr. Steinhardt, istead of calling his work a failure, would be intellectually honest enough to recognize that to be Jewish requires commitment. Did he ever stop to think that perhaps his investment would bear more fruit if he found a way to attack the problem of the high cost of Jewish Education. Maybe his investment would produce better returns. During my involvement with the Jewish Day Schoolk movement, we continuously struggled to meet budgets and pay salaries, but we never turned away needy students, because we knew what we were selling and were committed. Think about this Mr. Steinhardt instead of giving up in despair, I am sure that you had more than one failure in your business career. Your talent and money can go a long way to change attitudes to Jewish Life and Israel. Jewish life needs your dynamic leadership.
How about psychoanalysis for every Jew!
Good advice; probably germaine for a lot of other major donors.
First I would congratulate Mr. Steinhardt on actually "walking the walk" and committing his time effort, and crude as it may be, his money to trying to make a difference. I've also seen the Birthright kids all over Israel, the excitement that accompanies them. But the problem is that the follow up isn't there. as much as it may go against Mr. Seteinhardt's personal beliefs, as an investor he and Mr. Michaelson must know that for every high risk venture that you plunk your money into, there are 5 or 10 "sure things" that give a safe and reasonable return, thus providing the capital for the riskier investments. Right now the place to make a safe bet is the Yeshivas and Day Schools that are churning out graduates who remain committed to Judaism, who go to Israel and a much higher rate, who remain committed to Judaism at a much higher rate, all at a great cost that their parents are willing to take upon themselves. We've all seen the studies that show that every time you add on a layer to their exposure - Day School, Synagogue, Camp, Israel etc. the chances of retention rise. It's not sexy, but it just works.
Thank you, Mr. Michaelson, for hitting the nail on the head. For a young, leader-in-training Jew, you got it right. The leading edge of Jewish culture and outreach is happening on the fringes - ;) - at living room minions, new Jewish magazines, and organized synagogues. THIS is where the energy is, and this is where the funders should go.
Jews are searching for a spiritual experience. Our lives have been enriched through yoga, meditation, chanting, healing circles. We want to be "turned on" in our own tradition and we know on a deep level when the experience is genuine. I am a New York transplant in Miami where I have joined a synagogue that seems to be working on so many levels, I am amazed. Kabbalat shabbat is all song, all participatory, led by a rabbi and cantorial soloist who are very present, very joyful, very thoughtful. People of all ages come regularly, many from Latin America; Spanish, English and Hebrew intermingle. The rabbis send us weekly e-mails, about the parshat, about life cycle events, sometimes just to ask for a ride for someone to come to services. There's so much going on all week. The learning starts at pre-school on up to lively Seniors. I'm really not one to kvell so much about an institutional experience. But when it works, it works!!
Jews are searching for a spiritual experience. Our lives have been enriched through yoga, meditation, chanting, healing circles. We want to be "turned on" in our own tradition and we know on a deep level when the experience is genuine. I am a New York transplant in Miami where I have joined a synagogue that seems to be working on so many levels, I am amazed. Kabbalat shabbat is all song, all participatory, led by a rabbi and cantorial soloist who are very present, very joyful, very thoughtful. People of all ages come regularly, many from Latin America; Spanish, English and Hebrew intermingle. The rabbis send us weekly e-mails, about the parshat, about life cycle events, sometimes just to ask for a ride for someone to come to services. There's so much going on all week. The learning starts at pre-school on up to lively Seniors. I'm really not one to kvell so much about an institutional experience. But when it works, it works!!
Jews are searching for a spiritual experience. Our lives have been enriched through yoga, meditation, chanting, healing circles. We want to be "turned on" in our own tradition and we know on a deep level when the experience is genuine. I am a New York transplant in Miami where I have joined a synagogue that seems to be working on so many levels, I am amazed. Kabbalat shabbat is all song, all participatory, led by a rabbi and cantorial soloist who are very present, very joyful, very thoughtful. People of all ages come regularly, many from Latin America; Spanish, English and Hebrew intermingle. The rabbis send us weekly e-mails, about the parshat, about life cycle events, sometimes just to ask for a ride for someone to come to services. There's so much going on all week. The learning starts at pre-school on up to lively Seniors. I'm really not one to kvell so much about an institutional experience. But when it works, it works!!
Steinhardt regretted the $125 million he had spent on Jewish causes because he should have raised his question earlier not wait 13 years to observe the results. This reminds me of Jews who think that Bush cares about Israel and they have supported Bush for 6 years. However, Bush said when he came into office that Israel and the Palestinians should solve their own problems and now they look at the problems.
Look elsewhere in The Forward to that article about the young couple who want to establish a Jewish Cultural Center in Vilna. I have no doubt that many Jews will happily will their Jewish-subject or Jewish-authored books to the proposed library. Meanwhile where will they be stored? Who will pay for shipping them? Who will organize and maintain the library? With what? Hey, Steinhardt, THERE's a place to send your money!
When have the Forward and its so-called liberal readers ever hesitated to criticize Israel? What has falafel to do with genocide? What has Michaelson's boomer nostalgia to do with Judaism? You're not impressing me, Forward.
Duh...de duh...de duh.....listen to this noise...! Don't think it so much...! Give it time...lets give GOD a chance to think it over. If the intent is true and worthy....HE will grace the work with his Blessing. Lets move on...rather than argue...better that we find the lost, forgive the outcast, and collect what which fallen from tree...there is much work to do....enough with this rest and idle mindfulness.
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