Music industry professionals made a rockin’ song of generosity to the tune of more than $850,000 raised at UJA-Federation of New York’s Music Visionary of the Year Award Luncheon on July 12 at the Pierre in Manhattan.

At UJA-Federation's Music Visionary Lunch, (l to r): Judy McGrath, Van Toffler, honoree Rick Krim, Donald Glover, honoree Amy Doyle, Daniel Glass. Photo: Michael Priest Photography

More than 400 people turned out for the event, hosted by UJA-Federation’s Entertainment, Media & Communications Division, to honor Amy Doyle, executive vice president of music and talent for MTV, and Rick Krim, executive vice president of talent and music programming for VH1.

“Thanks to your generosity, UJA-Federation and its network of agencies are working to combat poverty for people in New York of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds,” said Daniel Glass, CEO of Glassnote Entertainment Group and vice chair of the Entertainment, Media & Communications Division.

“And through your generosity, UJA-Federation’s Music for Youth initiative provides access to music for underprivileged young people and has distributed nearly $3 million to more than 50 organizations since its inception,” Glass added. “The results of Music for Youth’s efforts and the proof of its effectiveness lie in the hearts of the thousands of students touched by the music-education programs it supports.”

Doyle spoke of a visit she and Krim took to the Bronx House Jewish Community Center, a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation that provides music education for children, where they saw firsthand how music lessons are shaping the next generation aspiring to become musicians.

At UJA-Federation's Music Visionary Lunch, (l to r): Rob Thomas, honoree Rick Krim, honoree Amy Doyle, Kiefer Sutherland. Photo: Michael Priest Photography

“It is an honor to share the spotlight with Rick, who is someone I have so much respect for,” Doyle said. “It is truly humbling to he here, and I appreciate all of you being here today in support of Rick, me, and UJA-Federation.”

Van Toffler, president of Viacom’s music and logo group who presented Doyle with her award, noted: “Amy is someone who fights for all of the right things and her integrity makes it an honor to work by her side. She is an unparalleled giver to kids, friends, and family.”

Singer and songwriter Pink also made a toast to Doyle: “Amy is one of the rare, strong, and sane voices in the music industry.”

From Disaster Relief to Music Education

Krim graciously acknowledged sharing the award with Doyle and added, “I’ve had the pleasure of attending this lunch for the past several years and have been greatly educated about how UJA-Federation helps people all over the world, from disaster relief to music education for kids.”

Music industry veteran Judy McGrath presented Krim with his award and said she was standing there for UJA-Federation and for Krim, an organization and an individual who she said are more relevant and necessary than ever in today’s world.

Singer and songwriter Pink, at UJA-Federation's Music Visionary Lunch. Photo: Michael Priest Photography

Actor Kiefer Sutherland also added a toast to Krim: “I just want to take a moment to raise a glass to one of my dearest friends for his love of music and integrity as a friend.”

Actor, comedian, and writer Donald Glover served as M.C. and told the guests that the funds raised will go a long way toward caring for people in need and improving the quality of life of many underprivileged young people who would be without access to the world of music .

The event featured three musical performances: Walk the Moon and their song “Anna Sun”; Rebecca Ferguson and her song “Nothing’s Real But Love”; and Rob Thomas performing “Dancing in the Dark,” a Bruce Springsteen standard in tribute to Krim, a longtime Springsteen fan.

Leave your seatbelt off so you can run for shelter if the rockets start to fall. That’s what the cab driver told Noa Mintz, and her mother, Meredith Berkman, when they visited Sderot in late June.

And it was far from an idle warning; Berkman had heard that nearly 100 rockets had fallen on the small Israeli town near the Gaza border in the preceding month and a half. So what brought two New York Jews so far from home, and to such a dangerous place? It was Noa’s bat mitzvah project, being done as part of UJA-Federation of New York’s Give a Mitzvah-Do a Mitzvah program.

Noa Mintz and her mother, Meredith Berkman on their recent visit to the Sderot community center. Photo credit: Niv Shimshon

Noa had visited Sderot for the first time with her mother at the age of 9, and later when the time came to choose her bat mitzvah project, she remembered that visit and the threat that hung over Sderot. In the lead up to her bat mitzvah, she decided to combine her passion for knitting with her desire to give back.

Noa conceived of having 10 girls in New York and 10 in Sderot learn and practice knitting together and getting to know each other via video chat. In June, she and her mother visited the community center in Sderot to finally meet the Israeli girls face-to-face.

“They don’t get a lot of alone time; somtimes they have to watch their younger siblings,” Noa explained. “It means a lot for them to have some place to go [and relax] once a week.”

The Road to Jewish Adulthood

Though her bat mitzvah is still over half a year away, Noa has already been developing the project for more than a year. And she plans to use the remaining time to raise funds, above and beyond contributing a large portion of her bat mitzvah money, to expand the program to include therapeutic knitting for the adults of Sderot.

“I feel like to be a Jewish adult, you have to give your part to the community, whether it’s giving or raising money or volunteering,” Noa adds.

“From left to right: Shoham Cohen, Noa Mintz, and Anita Glazman improving their knitting skills together at the Sderot community center.” Photo credit: Niv Shimshon

It’s also been rewarding for Noa’s mother to watch her daughter bring the idea to fruition. “I think going to Sderot and meeting with the girls really crystallized for my daughter what she had hoped the project would be,” Berkman says. “My daughter doesn’t speak much Hebrew and they didn’t speak much English, but the knitting was the language.”

When she first learned how active the rocket fire was just before the dates of their visit, Berkman had some reservations about bringing Noa back to Sderot, but her daughter persuaded her otherwise. Noa felt that part of the purpose of the project was to help the girls feel that they weren’t alone. If she didn’t make the trip, it would undermine that purpose.

“Innovation can only get you so far.” That was a surprising sentiment to hear coming from Nicholas Lehman, president of entertainment and digital networks and integrated media at NBCUniversal. Together with Greg Clayman, publisher of The Daily, Lehman was honored at UJA-Federation’s Digital Media event on June 26th at the Tribeca Rooftop in New York City.

From left to right: Peter Kafka, a writer for All Things Digital, moderates a discussion on digital media between Nicholas Lehman of NBCUniversal and Greg Clayman of The Daily. Credit: Michael Priest Photography

Innovation, Lehman went on, must be coupled with compassion. As he presented an award to Clayman, Lehman reflected on his recent visit to F•E•G•S Health and Human Services System, a UJA-Federation beneficiary agency, saying, “There are so many programs that UJA-Federation supports that really combine innovation with compassion.”

Lehman added that he’d always known Clayman to embody both key qualities, and he encouraged others to follow Clayman’s example. “It’s amazing how many people in this room are digital innovators,” Lehman said. “There’s a huge opportunity for us to figure out how to integrate compassion into what we do, and how to support great causes like UJA-Federation.”

Clayman in turn presented Lehman with his own award, reminiscing on their first time working together at MTV Networks and saying, “It’s been an honor to work with you and an honor to be your friend.”

Sharing Thoughts on Digital

The theme of innovation also played out in a panel discussion, where Lehman and Clayman answered questions from Peter Kafka, a writer at the technology news site All Things Digital.

Clayman (left), and Lehman holding the awards they presented to one another. Credit: Michael Priest Photography

The conversation covered everything from the future of marketers’ relationships with mobile, to assessing Twitter’s business model, to thinking about the demographics of who reads your content online.

Kafka ended the discussion with a suggestion that people in New York’s media and technology world often forget that the demographics of the people that consume their content or services can look different from the people they encounter in their work and in their daily lives.

He was suggesting that seeing things from other people’s perspectives can be valuable from a business standpoint. Aryeh Bourkoff, a member of UJA-Federation’s Digital Media Executive Committee, made a similar point earlier in the evening about giving back to those in need.

With a change in perspective, Bourkoff said, the money many wouldn’t hesitate to spend on a night of entertainment in New York City could just as readily go to someone for whom it can be life-changing.

“A small amount of money can help people who are our neighbors or people who live across the world who need to feed their family, obtain life-saving medicines, or are in need of critical social services,” Bourkoff concluded.

Executives and professionals in the fashion industry turned out in style for the annual luncheon of UJA-Federation of New York’s Fashion Division held at the Plaza Hotel on June 19th.

“Your commitment to our vital work is important, and your presence here today shows that. I’m pleased to tell you that this event has raised $1.3 million,” said Gilbert W. Harrison, chairman of UJA-Federation’s CEO Fashion Forum.

From left, Robert Verdi with honorees Brendan Hoffman and Alvin C. Segal, together with Ronny Wurtzburger and Gilbert W. Harrison. Photo: Michael Priest

The event paid tribute to two honorees: Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.; and Alvin C. Segal, chairman and CEO of Peerless Clothing International.

More than 450 guests attended the luncheon that included Robert Verdi, celebrity stylist and tastemaster, as M.C. Verdi welcomed everyone with lighthearted humor: “I love retail,” he said. “I was raised in a mall in New Jersey.”

Tom Murry, president and CEO of Calvin Klein, Inc., made the award presentation to Hoffman.

In accepting the award, Hoffman, congratulated his fellow honoree and spoke of how UJA-Federation touches so many people. He also mentioned his recent visit to the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, a UJA-Federation beneficiary agency, where he was impressed by the diversity of people served, from people with special needs to seniors in an assisted living facility.

“Thank you for your generous support,” Hoffman said. “I’m proud of this industry, especially when we can come together for a good cause.”

Ronny Wurtzburger, president of Peerless Clothing, made the award presentation to Segal, and said, “You have been an inspiration, and besides calling you my boss, I’m even prouder to call you my friend.”

Wurtzburger noted that Segal, who is Canadian, was named a “member” of the Order of Canada in 2002 and an ”officer” of the Order of Canada in 2010 for both his entrepreneurship and leadership in philanthropy.

“Thank you for this honor and for supporting UJA-Federation,” Segal told the crowd. “In Canada, we have the UIA-Federation, “I” instead of “J,” and he added, “My wife and I are leaving in two days for Israel to see all the efforts that the Federations of the U.S. and Canada give to the country.”

Suited for Work

Also as part of the program, Fashion Division Chair Mel Goldfeder introduced a special video about a clothing initiative, Suited for Work, that is a program of F

At the end of the school day, many teens head off to soccer practice, a piano lesson, maybe a babysitting gig. But for the past eight months, 27 Jewish teens have been learning how a nonprofit organization operates, and raised more than $53,000 as part of the Teen Philanthropic Leadership Council (TPLC).

Larisa Boas of Met Council addressing and thanking the Teen Philanthropic Leadership Council.

On May 30th, the teens held a grant distribution ceremony for the organizations they’d selected.

The TPLC is a new program from UJA-Federation of New York’s Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership, and it aims to teach young people about philanthropy through a Jewish lens. Over the course of the school year, the teens explored what causes were the most important to them, researched the most pressing needs in the community, reviewed proposals from organizations in UJA-Federation’s network of agencies, and raised desperately-needed funding.

“This type of work is usually done by people a lot older than us, but I think our group as a whole accomplished so much, we even surprised ourselves,” said Danny Schwartz, a 12th grade member of the council. While he expressed that the program has had a great impact on him personally, Schwartz added, “The real impact is knowing we made a difference in people’s lives.”

The program not only helped the teens learn how nonprofits operate, but it strengthened their sense of pride in their Jewish identity. “After my bat mitzvah, despite being active in some activities, I had a hard time finding something that made me feel connected Jewishly, in a more meaningful way,” said Lucy Price, a 10th grade member of the council. “TPLC is about more than just giving money; it’s about being guided by Jewish values.”

Barbara Salmanson of American Friends of Orr Shalom posing with members of the TPLC, from left to right: Ellie Bleiberg, Matthew Stadler, and Jessica Heller.

This year, the teens focused their grants on helping vulnerable Jewish populations around the world. Steven Schwager, CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an organization selected by TPLC, thanked the TPLC members on behalf of India’s small Jewish community, which will be benefitting from one of their grants.

“I thank the teen leadership program here for raising the money to help [the 5,000 Jews of India], Schwager said. These are “people who for the most part they will probably never meet, never see, but [they can] know that they will make a difference.”

Overall, the teens ended up designating six grants to five organizations. The organizations included Yemin Orde, an Israeli home for at-risk youth; JDC for its work with Jews in India and the former Soviet Union; the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty for its kosher soup kitchen network, Masbia; Orr Shalom for its work rescuing Israeli children from physical and emotional abuse and neglect; and Bet Elazraki Children’s Home to expand its therapy program for children.

A Passion for Making a Difference

In a video about the program that was screened during the ceremony, Dr. Reuben Romirowsky, UJA-Federation’s vice president of affinity, and Sheila Devore, director of the Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership, spoke about the importance of these teens, and those who will come after them, to the future of the Jewish community.

Steven Schwager of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee with TPLC participants, from left to right: Katie Bleiberg, Jake Levene, and Lucy Price.

Romirowsky focused on the untapped potential of the teens’ perspective, energy, and creativity. “The moment we begin to look at teenagers as critical thinkers who can really get excited and have passion for making a difference in the world, we have something very special,” he said.

“They’re learning how we do it here at UJA-Federation and they’re learning how we take care of our community,” said Devore. “These teens are not just the leaders of tomorrow; these teens are today’s leaders

At the end of the school day, many teens head off to soccer practice, a piano lesson, maybe a babysitting gig. But for the past eight months, 27 Jewish teens have been learning how a nonprofit organization operates, and raised more than $53,000 as part of the Teen Philanthropic Leadership Council (TPLC).

Larisa Boas of Met Council addressing and thanking the Teen Philanthropic Leadership Council.

On May 30th, the teens held a grant distribution ceremony for the organizations they’d selected.

The TPLC is a new program from UJA-Federation of New York’s Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership, and it aims to teach young people about philanthropy through a Jewish lens. Over the course of the school year, the teens explored what causes were the most important to them, researched the most pressing needs in the community, reviewed proposals from organizations in UJA-Federation’s network of agencies, and raised desperately-needed funding.

“This type of work is usually done by people a lot older than us, but I think our group as a whole accomplished so much, we even surprised ourselves,” said Danny Schwartz, a 12th grade member of the council. While he expressed that the program has had a great impact on him personally, Schwartz added, “The real impact is knowing we made a difference in people’s lives.”

The program not only helped the teens learn how nonprofits operate, but it strengthened their sense of pride in their Jewish identity. “After my bat mitzvah, despite being active in some activities, I had a hard time finding something that made me feel connected Jewishly, in a more meaningful way,” said Lucy Price, a 10th grade member of the council. “TPLC is about more than just giving money; it’s about being guided by Jewish values.”

Barbara Salmanson of American Friends of Orr Shalom posing with members of the TPLC, from left to right: Ellie Bleiberg, Matthew Stadler, and Jessica Heller.

This year, the teens focused their grants on helping vulnerable Jewish populations around the world. Steven Schwager, CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), an organization selected by TPLC, thanked the TPLC members on behalf of India’s small Jewish community, which will be benefitting from one of their grants.

“I thank the teen leadership program here for raising the money to help [the 5,000 Jews of India], Schwager said. These are “people who for the most part they will probably never meet, never see, but [they can] know that they will make a difference.”

Overall, the teens ended up designating six grants to five organizations. The organizations included Yemin Orde, an Israeli home for at-risk youth; JDC for its work with Jews in India and the former Soviet Union; the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty for its kosher soup kitchen network, Masbia; Orr Shalom for its work rescuing Israeli children from physical and emotional abuse and neglect; and Bet Elazraki Children’s Home to expand its therapy program for children.

A Passion for Making a Difference

In a video about the program that was screened during the ceremony, Dr. Reuben Romirowsky, UJA-Federation’s vice president of affinity, and Sheila Devore, director of the Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership, spoke about the importance of these teens, and those who will come after them, to the future of the Jewish community.

Steven Schwager of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee with TPLC participants, from left to right: Katie Bleiberg, Jake Levene, and Lucy Price.

Romirowsky focused on the untapped potential of the teens’ perspective, energy, and creativity. “The moment we begin to look at teenagers as critical thinkers who can really get excited and have passion for making a difference in the world, we have something very special,” he said.

“They’re learning how we do it here at UJA-Federation and they’re learning how we take care of our community,” said Devore. “These teens are not just the leaders of tomorrow; these teens are today’s leaders

The population of the New York Jewish community has grown nearly 10 percent since the previous study in 2002, according to UJA-Federation of New York’s Jewish Community Study of New York: 2011, released June 12th. More than 1.5 million Jews now live in the eight-county New York area, a total that surpasses the combined Jewish populations of the metropolitan areas of Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. In the five boroughs of New York City, the Jewish population rose to 1,086,000, with 316,000 on Long Island and 136,000 in Westchester.

UJA-Federation’s study also finds that the recent growth in Jewish population largely results from increased birthrates and longevity, rather than from immigration that previously drove the rise in the area’s Jewish population. Increases were also measured at both ends of the age spectrum, including the number of Jewish children and young adults under the age of 25 (which now totals 498,000) and the number of Jewish seniors, particularly those ages 75 and over (198,000).

The New York Jewish community is highly diverse, according to the study. Of the 1.5 million Jewish people in the New York Jewish community, nearly half a million are Orthodox, 216,000 live in Russian-speaking households, and about 12 percent of all Jewish households are biracial or nonwhite. The study also explores the changing nature of Jewish identity and engagement. Nondenominational Jews and Jews with no religion now make up a third of all Jewish households in the New York area. More than half of all Jews feel that being Jewish is very important. And less-engaged Jews are relatively engaged in Jewish activities that one can perform independently of institutions. The full study can be found at http://www.ujafedny.org/jewish-community-study-of-new-york-2011/

'Invaluable Tool'

“With such an expansive view of the New York Jewish community, our ability to make informed and meaningful planning and policy decisions grows exponentially,” said Jerry W. Levin, president of UJA-Federation. “This new study will be an invaluable tool in shaping how UJA-Federation and others can best respond to the changing needs within the Jewish community.”

The New York Jewish community has also seen rising rates of poverty, with more than half a million people living in poor or near-poor Jewish households. One in four people in Jewish households in New York City is poor, an increase from one in five in 2002, with a large increase reported in poverty in suburban areas.

“This data will not only inform our own strategic planning but also prove helpful to agencies, synagogues, day schools, and other Jewish social service, educational, and grassroots organizations,” said John S. Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO of UJA-Federation.

“UJA-Federation’s role is to think strategically about the future of the Jewish community, and this study, which is an important vehicle for noting the changes that have taken place over the last decade, will further enrich our understanding of the community,” said Scott Shay, chair of the Jewish Community Study of New York: 2011 Committee. “The committee of lay members overseeing the study spent significant time considering each area of inquiry, and indeed each question, resulting in a remarkably thorough mapping of this incredibly diverse community.”

In addition to its demographic findings, UJA-Federation’s study is noteworthy for how it was conducted. Nearly 6,000 interviews were conducted, more than any other Jewish population survey ever conducted locally or nationally, and more than 20 percent of the interviews were conducted via cell phone, a percentage far greater than any other Jewish community study.

In a room full of New York’s illustrious real estate professionals, Peter L. Malkin accepted the Jack D. Weiler Award at UJA-Federation of New York’s Real Estate & Allied Trades Division Luncheon on June 5th.

“I want to thank you for being here and for your support of UJA-Federation,” Malkin told more than 400 guests who had gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street.

From left, Tony Malkin; honoree Peter L. Malkin; guest speaker Lawrence H. Summers; and Real Estate Division chair, Lloyd Goldman. Photo: Michael Priest

Lloyd Goldman, Real Estate Division chair, also expressed his gratitude to the guests. “I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity,” he said. “You’ve shown how UJA-Federation inspires us to act on our Jewish values to strengthen our community and our world through charity, repairing the world, and acts of kindness.”

“In A Nutshell, We Care”

Larry A. Silverstein, a developer and long-time lay leader of UJA-Federation, made a poignant statement about the importance of the event. “We are here today, in a nutshell, because we care,” he said. “You understand the needs of human beings whose lives desperately require our support in many ways.”

In addition to the annual campaign, the funds raised at the luncheon will also benefit the Building Repair Fund that helps network agencies of UJA-Federation keep their facilities in safe condition.

From left, Real Estate Division chair, Lloyd Goldman, with Morton L. Oshan, and Peter L. Malkin, recipient of the Jack D. Weiler Award. Photo: Michael Priest

Tony Malkin paid tribute to his father, saying his father has his greatest respect, and introduced guest speaker Lawrence H. Summers.

In a room full of New York’s illustrious real estate professionals, Peter L. Malkin accepted the Jack D. Weiler Award at UJA-Federation of New York’s Real Estate & Allied Trades Division Luncheon on June 5th.

“I want to thank you for being here and for your support of UJA-Federation,” Malkin told more than 400 guests who had gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street.

From left, Tony Malkin; honoree Peter L. Malkin; guest speaker Lawrence H. Summers; and Real Estate Division chair, Lloyd Goldman. Photo: Michael Priest

Lloyd Goldman, Real Estate Division chair, also expressed his gratitude to the guests. “I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity,” he said. “You’ve shown how UJA-Federation inspires us to act on our Jewish values to strengthen our community and our world through charity, repairing the world, and acts of kindness.”

“In A Nutshell, We Care”

Larry A. Silverstein, a developer and long-time lay leader of UJA-Federation, made a poignant statement about the importance of the event. “We are here today, in a nutshell, because we care,” he said. “You understand the needs of human beings whose lives desperately require our support in many ways.”

In addition to the annual campaign, the funds raised at the luncheon will also benefit the Building Repair Fund that helps network agencies of UJA-Federation keep their facilities in safe condition.

From left, Real Estate Division chair, Lloyd Goldman, with Morton L. Oshan, and Peter L. Malkin, recipient of the Jack D. Weiler Award. Photo: Michael Priest

Tony Malkin paid tribute to his father, saying his father has his greatest respect, and introduced guest speaker Lawrence H. Summers.

When he started to explain why UJA-Federation of New York is so meaningful to him, William A. Ackman began at the beginning, three generations ago. At June 4th’s Investment Management Division (IMD) event honoring him, Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management LP, gave a family genealogy as detailed as a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel to illustrate the improbability of his having been born.

Between his ancestors escaping pogroms in Eastern Europe, facing the trials of immigrant life in America, and the serendipity of his parents meeting, Ackman said it was statistically remarkable that he even existed, much less that he has attained the success that has allowed him to take part in the extensive philanthropy for which he was being honored.

From left to right: Jerry W. Levin, president of UJA-Federation; William A. Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management LP; Jonathan Gray, a chair of the Investment Management Division event; and John S. Ruskay; executive vice president & CEO of UJA-Federation. Credit: Michael Priest Photography

On a recent visit to the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, one of UJA-Federation’s beneficiary agencies, Ackman saw the work it was doing with the Russian Jewish community, which reminded him of the help his great grandparents had received when they emigrated from Ukraine around the turn of the century.