Newspaper of the Central Kentucky Jewish Federation CKtJF ha [om February .7 999 Shevat-Adar 5759 Eizenstat Says “Goodbye,” to Central Kentucky Jewish Federation 5 my 31/2 years as your Executive Director comes to a close, I have occasion to pause and rellect on my tenure here at the CKJ F. It seems like only yesterday I arrived here in Lexington to a new wife, new home and ne\\ job opportunity llezh e rrewwith a new (laugh— te‘ ,131e » it u H1 ’Jiix; ' Wesofmytnnehere It’s been quite an eventful 3 1/2 years! Before I get to the personal portion of this article, I need to attend to the business at hand. Firstly, I would like to review some of the accomplishments of rewarding—on both the per- sonal and professional levels. With the advent of such events as the UJA Federation Shabbots held at the Synogogue and Temple. the hosting of Camp Shalom by the Temple and numerous CKIF programs held at both locations, I believe we have achieved a working partnership that is much less strained than when I first arrived. Feeling strongly that unity as a Jewish community is imperative to the growth and preservation of the Jewish heritage in Lexing- ton, it is my wish that things will continue to improve in this regard. We experience enough discord. from 1. miside- criticisrrrs; ' ' ""k5ii«'x..-.‘r'ii‘e'l\1CiliLl even more to ensure the promo- tion and observance of our heritage in this community. I am also very proud of the direction and quality of the CKJF newsletter, the Shalom. Under the able direction of Ms. Carrie McDanald, a format has appeal of the paper to our younger readers. Thanks to a grant from the Zanker Foundation, the CKJF has a new computer system! We have added new accounting and membership software that has improved our record keeping capabilities, and enables us to locate contribution infor— mation much more quickly and efficiently. Along those same lines, we have restructured our endow- ments portfolio to facilitate the marketing of‘ ‘planned giving” programs, whereby people may arrange for a portion of their estate to be designated for l edemt ion in their will. This is ‘ *1“ .ri \‘urtiriazrtiial Directions” program aimed at getting younger people involved in the Jewish corrrrnunity. Incorporating visiting speakers, Shabbot dinners, video tapes, and planned “field trips,” our the CKJF under my short term been created that more effec- focus was on instilling a sense of as Director. I am very pleased lively gives recognition and Jewish identity and tradition to with the strongercommurrity notification of community events ouryounger“future community bond that I feel exists, especially and happenings. The paper has leaders.” While membership between the Temple and the increased it’s advertising due to numbers were not as high as I Federation. At the time I the efforts of Sharon Sharer, the would have liked, attendance replaced the previous Director a paper’s advertising sales repre- from those who did choose to great deal of animosity appeared sentative. We have added be involved was consistently to exist between the two. I have articles from the Jewish Tele- good. Hats off to their dedica- worked to develop close graphic Agency, which relays tion and sense of purpose! friendships with both Rabbi news of Jews around the world. I have been pleased with the Adland and Rabbi Slaton, and We have also added the Sparks numbers and types of commu- this has proven to be most Kid’s Page to broaden the nity events the CKJF has played 0“: NONPROFIT ORG. 34°. ”many R°ad us. POSTAGE PAID Lexmgton, KY 40502 LEXINGTON, KY PERM IT NO. 7 l 9 Sandee Wildes Lexington, KY Change Service Requested Temple Adath Israel 124 North Ashland Avenue 40502-1595 a part in sponsoring. To name a few: lectures by Eli Wiesel, Harold Kushner and Gerta Klein, the dedication of the Children’ s Holocaust Memorial at the Lexington Cemetery, the Israel 50 Celebration held last summer, each of the December 24"" parties, and the Camp Shalom day canrps. I cannot mention these events without mentioning the CKJF program director, Kim Slaton, without whom this would not have been possible. She has worked tirelessly to plan, organize and ensure the success of these various projects. Her dedication and commitment were unwaver- ing. To Kim. a standing ovation! The ( ii it A it‘lsrael prr igrarrr ‘ 3‘: Q’vvifl‘ét" Te- was another way for us to facilitate our young people experiencing Israel. Basically, this offers financial assistance to a child whose parents have started a savings plan for this purpose and who make a minimal contribution to Federa- tion. I know firsthand just how moving a trip to Israel can be— it creates a connection to Jewish heritage and tradition that no other experience can offer. Finally, while the monetary amount of pledges is down, the number of actual people making pledges is up. This shows a commitment from a larger number of people than in the past. It also brings us to the next portion ol‘my letter: issues which Slaton Named Actlng Executive Director J” J ewis meeti made el H. Eizenstat submitted his resignation as Executive Direc tor of the Central Kentucky h Federation at the December 23rd meeting of the Board of Direc- tors. His resignation became effective January 31, 1999. At the Board ng, thanks were expressed to him, and the contributions that he to CKJ F over the past three and a half years were recognized. The Board gave him their best wishes for the future. Joel came to CKJF in August, 1995 afier eight years as a Jewish communal service professional with the Jewish Commu- nity Center of Jacksonville, Florida. Joel’s wife, Linda, has accepted a position with the University of Georgia, and they will be relocating to the Athens area. They have purchased a 33 acre farm in Comer, Georgia. At its January meeting, the Executive Committee of the Central Kentucky Jewish Feder ation named Kimberly G. Slaton as the Acting Executive Director. Kim has been the Federation’s Program Director since August, 1995. She will continue these duties as well. The CKJF Board has begun a search process to find a replacement. It is expected that all activities and programs of the Federation will continue. a 1 r. N --.mu~:~ -U ‘3.“4'3'q -">>.s.'>.r .K‘NV.‘ ”at \‘xfls. " , - ‘ “ T‘M’ ' u_ \ ‘1.