The GA Goes GaGa

12/7/11 3:27 PM

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DECEMBER 7, 2011 ~ 11 KISLEV 5772

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The GA Goes GaGa

By Bruce Shaffer on November 15, 2011 - 18 Heshwan 5772

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Meet Anneli Radestad, a fashionable 30ish traveler on the new international Jewish circuit: Adama and Isabella Freedman in the U.S., Pardes Institute and ROI in Israel, Paideia: the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden. We cross borders easily via our Jewish identity, connecting through Jewish values. Im not interested in the Jewish continuity concern, without content. Were inspired by todays valuable and relevant Torah. So whats a nice Swedish girl doing in a place like the General Assemble of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the belly of the Jewish Establishment? Many of my peers are frustrated with big, closed door Jewish institutions where were not heard. But I see their importance. So we just need to create cooperation and openings for fresh voices. I was at the GA in Florida in 2008, and here in Colorado, theres a younger, more exciting vibe.

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You may also like Sunday at the GA - the Tweets Sunday was the first "official" day of the 2011 General Assembly, though some activities started as early as this past Shabbat. Have you been ... Ambassadors Speak at GA Day 2 DENVER, CO -- Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael B. Oren and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro affirmed U.S. support for the ... 1st Day of GA -- True Jew Fest DENVER, CO -- The 80th General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America --

Ms Radestads right. Federations know they have a rep ossified, top-heavy, definitely not sexy so JFNA & host Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado kicked the GA2011 door open wide, and a horde of hip hairdos and 3-day growths clutching gizmos, flocked in. Give kavod where its due. This was way more than cool decor, oversized pictures of thick frames on Jewish It-girls&boys, and an Exhibition hall loud enough to cause the over-50 folks room service. No, this ran deep to program content of, for and by NextGen Jews, beginning with the conference opening message from Empowered Judaism author Rabbi Elie Kaunfers lips to Ms Radestads ears: if theres no Torah in it, its not Jewish. The GAs whole-community conscious
http://boulderjewishnews.org/2011/the-ga-goes-gaga/

otherwise known as "the GA" --opened Sunday in Denver ...

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The GA Goes GaGa

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menu featured healthy entrees like The Jewish Futures Conference, featuring Darim Online founder Lisa Coltons digitally formatted conversation on The Jewish Prosumer; The Butterfly Effect Micro-grants for Macro-impact facilitated by the multi-task/talented Jewish Chicks Rocker, Naomi Less; and lots of How-Bigis-our-Tent and Israel, can we talk conversation. My favorite: Next Gen in the Shark Tank. There, the brave few had a couple nano-minutes to pitch their real-life project ideas to gently punching panelists like Rose Community Foundations Sarah Indyk and Jewish Federation of Metro Detroits Scott Kaufman, and the audience texted in their votes. (And da winnah is:from Detroit, Community Next. fix! fix!) Okay, so maybe it was all a bit heavy on newJew-speak (memo to grant writers & web editors: delete innovative and creative), the tired re-prefix, and some truly over the top self-aggrandizing (memo #2: bury, forever, thought leader). But the common aim has merit: connection to Jewish purpose and community building through traditional Jewish values ramped up to 21st century realities. Anneli Radestads only disappointment? I would have liked each day to begin with some chevruta [partnered] study of Talmud or Torah. Sometimes a good book just needs a new cover. Take a look at this one. Enjoy more pix here.

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Posted in Guests and Blogs | Tagged GA, general assembly, Jewish Federations, JFNA, JFNAGA, photos

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The GA Goes GaGa

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Bruce Shaffer Lawyer & more... Of Counsel attorney for a terrific law firm, Perlick Legal Counsel PC, editor & agent for freelance writers & presenters, and Israel trip developer for BYahadtrex.org. Performing with Mile High Mavens Storahtelling troupe, co-leading Torah study at Bonai Shalom, and Hidden Sparks Photography keep my head raised, feet rooted, and eyes wide.

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