Council Update

COUNCIL UPDATE from Steve Naman

Dear ACJ Associates:

I am pleased to report that with effect September 1, 2024 the new full time Executive Director of the American Council for Judaism, Inc. is Rabbi Andrue (Andy) Kahn of Brooklyn, NY. Andy is a graduate of Kenyon College (2006) and was ordained from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City (2018). He also holds Masters Degrees in Religion in Modernity and the Hebrew Bible, and has served at several prominent New York area congregations.

In August joining Stephen L. Naman (Atlanta, GA) President and Mark W. Weber (Solon, OH) Board Member the Council Board added the following new members: Sarah R. Perlmeter (Brooklyn, NY) VP / Treasurer; Miriam E. Eisenstat (New Orleans, LA) Board Secretary; Board Members Joshua R. Burg (Washington, DC); and Sam Panken (Old Chatham, NY). The leadership team is further enhanced by an Advisory Committee of Jonah Freelander, Talia Jaffe, and Nate Perlmeter all of Brooklyn, NY. These seven new team members are an impressive and inspiring group of younger generation leaders, the children of rabbis and Reform Jewish lay leaders, who are committed to building a community for those who believe in Judaism beyond nationalism.

The perilous predictions of the Council leaders over eighty years ago regarding Jewish nationalism have regrettably come to bear, but current and future generations deserve better. We believe that the undefinable and vitriolic rhetoric of Zionism vs. anti-Zionism, wherein we are labeled antisemitic, must be replaced with a movement predicated on a Judaism of open, respectful, constructive dialogue; moral and ethical living; justice, righteousness, freedom, liberty, and security for all.

The Council going forward will continue to be a haven for those who believe in Judaism beyond nationalism. We will strive to be a focal point for dialogue among individuals and a resource in support of organizations that share our philosophy. The landscape has changed over the last several years and the statistics from Pew, Brandeis and others reflect this. The new leadership of the Council grew up in this era and understands the dynamics of their cohort.

The Council has committed all its financial resources to the success of its mission and has equal pledges matching these funds from the leadership team and a few other outside supporters. By committing our personal resources to this endeavor, we hope to assure you of our earnestness and commitment to be successful. But to rapidly implement our programming and initiatives we need your support as well. Our goal is to raise $350,000 in pledges payable between October 2024 and December 2025 as the third tranche of funding equal to each of our other two initial funding sources. We need your support and I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future.

For those of you wishing to make contributions from your IRA, charitable giving funds, or investment accounts please email me and I will respond with the appropriate information. Checks may be mailed to the address below and our website PayPal link is available for online donations. For reference we are an IRS 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, Tax ID: 13-1632505

Rabbi Kahn’s initial article as the new Executive Director of the Council follows. Before year-end we will endeavor to schedule an online meet and greet with our contributors and Rabbi Kahn.

With sincere thanks and appreciation for your support of the Council over the past years and to giving our new generation of leadership the support needed to bring our shared beliefs to fruition.

Sincerely and with best wishes for the new year,

Stephen (Steve) L. Naman, President American Council for Judaism, Inc. PO Box 888484 Atlanta, GA 30356-0484 904-280-3131 ACJSLN@aol.com www.ACJNA.org