From: "rob brickman" <rob.brickman@canrem.com>
Subject: jewish charities
Reply-To: "rob brickman" <rob.brickman@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: soc
Date: 1 Jan 93 17:40:04 EST

Sharon Machlis Gartenberg writes:
SM>Rob Brickman writes that top executives of small- and
SM>can the Jewish community expect to attract good talent to head its
SM>charities if they don't match those salaries.

SM>I say it depends on the job. Maybe the national head of UJA deserves
SM>such a salary -- MAYBE -- but certainly not the heads of regional
SM>offices. It is absolutely ludicrous to expect the average person who
SM>makes $25,000 or $35,000 a year to be willing to part with substantial
SM>sums of his/her own salary at the request of someone earning almost
SM>10 times as much. We are all being asked to be generous, and donate money
SM>that we could certainly use for things *we* need. It is not too much to ask
SM>that people working for those agencies have some kind of serious commitment
SM>level, too, and not simply want to earn as much money as they can out of
SM>a charitable agency.

Sharon, are you then saying that no-one in an executive position should expect
those with a lower salary to "buy in"?  By this reasoning Lee Iacocca couldn't
possibly expect car buyers to purchase his product.  No. I think that among
the determinants of whether Jewish community executives are properly paid has
to be the general level of executive remuneration.  Just by way of example,
were I offered the position of President or Chairman of the Federation here in
Toronto (which won't happen in my lifetime, so this *is* only an example!), my
decision to accept, notwithstanding my very high level of commitment to the
community, would include a consideration of how much I could make as a financial
executive instead.  Presumably, one of the reasons the community would have
asked me to consider such a position would be that it believed that I had not
only the leadership skills but the business acumen to run Jewish community
affairs to the same level of competence that I run large businesses.
Now, on the subject of commitment, let me simply say that those people who
I know in such positions give day and night to their jobs and are also
required to honour pledges to the campaign, and pay their own way on fact
finding missions to Israel etc.  I don't think you'll find many senior
professionals who "simply want to earn as much money as they can.."

SM>If you want to compare with the average American private-sector job,
SM>keep in mind that someone working for a Jewish agency gets MANY, MANY
SM>MORE PAID HOLIDAYS.
Sharon, the professionals I know in the Jewish community attend meetings
with their agencies during the day and are available for meetings with
committees and volunteers at night.  In addition, most are around on Sundays
for meetings. (My knowledge is based on involvement with two service agencies
and the Jewish Federation here).  I would hazard a guess that, on average,
mid-level and senior professionals in the community (even *counting* the
Jewish holidays) average between 55-60 hours a week through the year.

SM>I do some of my donating directly these days (i.e. to a newly arrived
SM>immigrant family, without going through an agency). Yes, I lose the
SM>tax deduction, but I know that everything I'm giving is going to
SM>someone who needs it.
While I am pleased to see your level of commitment, and without in any way
being judgemental, I would encourage you to consider going through agencies
for two reasons.  First, in terms of Jewish tzedakah, a "blind" contribution
where donor and donee do not know each other is preferable.  Second, agencies
quite often have a better handle on the priority of funding needs.  They might
be better able to direct your contribution to a make-work project for new
immigrants for example that could benefit 3 families and not just one.
Thanks for your comments, though.  They were obviously well thought out.

Rob Brickman
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