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Epilogue Epilogue The Jewish world has undergone major changes in the past three decades. When Jack Buncher first proposed his concept for training Jewish leadership in Europe and the former Soviet Union, the region’s communities were a shadow of their former selves as they cautiously emerged from the repression and destruction of the Communist era. The vibrant Jewish life that is flourishing today could hardly have been imagined in the early 1990s. In large and small communities alike, Jewish generations are eagerly participating in Jewish communal life and working enthusiastically to build their shared Jewish future. At the helm of this astonishing rebirth are professional and lay leaders who are knowledgeable and confident. Leaders with a vision of what their communities can – and should – accomplish. Leaders who can capably guide the development of communal programming and activities, and successfully inspire others to do the same. Leaders who know that they can count on the Buncher Community Leadership Program for expert consulting and direction in moving their communities forward. This is the legacy of Jack Buncher. Jack’s vision of investing in people has been key to developing leadership, networks, professionalism and a knowledge base that form the foundation of successful communities. By building on this strong foundation, Jewish communities have reached a level of capacity that has enabled them not only to serve Jews, but to reach out and fulfill their role in the broader community. With Buncher support, they are launching and engaging in tikkun olam initiatives, and establishing ecumenical ties with other faiths – all from a position of confidence and strength. In a similar way, the Buncher connection with Israel has expanded naturally from leadership training and community seminars, to include initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for Arab Israelis and promoting equality for them within Israeli society. 104

So Much Has Been Accomplished; but Much Remains to Be Done.The Jewish communities of Eastern and Central Europe are still maturing. And along withcarrying out the daily work of conducting communal life, their leadership must deal with thetough issues of current times, ranging from coping with rising anti-Semitism, to preventingthe alienation of Jews from communal life, strengthening Jewish education, and includingyoung leaders in decision-making.This is why the leadership initiative that Jack Buncher built, and Bernita Buncher hasexpanded, remains as necessary – and relevant – to Jewish life in Europe as it was more than25 years ago. Buncher community development initiatives and JDC-ICCD are providingdeveloping Jewish communities with access to the information and knowledge they need tothrive and grow, and helping them learn how to use it effectively. JDC-ICCD research isenabling Jewish leaders to respond to trends and take new directions. And Buncher supportis strengthening Jewish communities in the essential process of building resilience andplanning for future contingencies and crisis scenarios.The Buncher Name Stands for Real Solutions for Real CommunitiesComprehending the need and importance of the Buncher approach today requires no morethan a look at the list of current projects on the agenda of Buncher Program Director MarinaGoutman:In Poland: Setting up a long-term management structure for the JCC in Warsaw, to buildon the enthusiasm generated by its opening. Working with JCC director and Bunchergraduate, Agata Rakowiecka.In the Baltics: Helping to shape the leadership of the volunteer team that is runningLimmud in the Baltics, based on the lessons learned through the Program’s 10-year history.At the helm: Buncher alumnus Ira Shlick.In Germany: Developing the capacity of a Reform congregation in Berlin that is working toengage young families and build an active community. Marina is also working with a forumof all the youth and student organizations in the city to help them maximize their outreachand service to their target audience of youth and young adults. 105

Epilogue In St. Petersburg: Advising a round table on Jewish volunteering in the city. This is a project of the Adain Lo community center – whose leadership has participated in Buncher training – with JDC and the Jewish Agency for Israel. In Bulgaria and Romania: Responding to requests from newly appointed community boards to help with board development. Jack Buncher would be immensely proud to see the impact of the Program that he both envisioned and brought to fruition, and to follow its ongoing evolution. The Buncher family continues to focus on building up individuals as well as communities – always from a position of relevance and professionalism. 106

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Appendix Questions For your consideration Chapter 1 Jack Buncher’s Vision: A Force for Sustainable Leadership Nazism, Communism and aliya to Israel are the historical events mentioned in this chapter. How have these events affected your life? How have these events affected your Jewish community? What other historical events are central to your Jewish identity? *** The great Jewish sage Hillel says in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 2:5: Where there are no men, strive to be a man. ‫ ִהׁ ְשּ ַתּדֵל ִל ְהיֹות ִאיׁש‬,‫ו ִב ְמקֹום ׁ ֶש ֵאין ֲאנָׁ ִשים‬ How do you understand this statement? Rewrite it to make it more inclusive. Two popular understandings of this statement are that one should rise to the occasion when no one else does or that one should behave well even when others are not watching. What examples of this phenomenon can you find in this chapter? What other examples can you think of? How can this Jewish concept be expressed on a personal or communal level? How comfortable are you with being a leader? *** 112

Exodus 18:21 speaks of the qualities of a good leader:Men of substance, God fearers, men of truth, who hate unjust gain ‫ַאנְׁ ֵשי ַחיִל יִרְ ֵאי ֱאֹלקים ַאנְׁ ֵשי ֱא ֶמת ׂשנְ ֵאי ָב ַצע‬Would you add any other traits to this list?Would you leave any out?What qualities are mentioned in this chapter?How did Jack Buncher exemplify the different qualities we have discussed?How do you?How do the leaders you truly respect?Chapter 2Develop Leaders,Develop CommunityPirkei Avot 1:2 states:Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great Assembly.He would say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of God and deeds ofkindness. ,‫ ַעל ׁ ְשלׁ ָשה דְבָרִים ָהעֹו ָלם עֹו ֵמד‬,‫ הּוא ָהיָה אֹו ֵמר‬.‫ׁ ִש ְמעֹון ַהּ ַצּדִיק ָהיָה ִמּׁ ְשיָרֵי כְנֶ ֶסת ַהּגְדֹו ָלה‬:‫ַעל ַהּתֹורָה וְ ַעל ָה ֲעבֹודָה וְ ַעל ּגְ ִמילּות ֲח ָסדִים‬The Torah is one of the sources of Jewish identity.The ideal leader is principle-based (working in the service of God).A community becomes stronger through the acts of kindness members do for each other andfor those outside their community.Thus this rabbinic statement can be seen as parallel to the three principles of Buncher'swork: community, leadership and Jewish identity. ***Do you agree with this comparison?How does the subtle, or not-so-subtle, use of Jewish texts change the nature of aconversation? 113

Appendix What is Jewish about your leadership? In what ways are Jewish communities different from other communities? In what ways are they similar? What ideas in the quote above can you use in your own leadership and community work? Chapter 3 The Program Grows with New Leaders Quote from Book – “How do leaders maintain a strong and creative founding vision while continuing to adapt to changing realities? In other words, how can a vision be preserved, yet improved?” – pg. 28 General Quote – “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.\" -- Teddy Roosevelt Questions/Tasks – What are the stars you are aiming for in your own life? What keeps you grounded? What are the stars you want your community to aim for? What realities need to be kept in mind when building and executing your vision? *** Quote from Book – “We should never construct a building just for the first tenant; keep the second user in mind as well.” – Jack Buncher – pg. 28 Questions/Tasks -- Who are the current \"clients\" of your community? Who are your future clients? How are you building now so that your future clients will be interested in what you have to sell? *** Quote from Book – “For example, as young leaders were paired with experienced mentors, many of whom were Buncher alumni, these mentors were trained in coaching and mentoring to augment their leadership skills.” – pg. 31 114

General Quote – Pirkei Avot 1:6 states:Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Make for yourself a master, acquire for yourself afriend and judge every person favorably. :‫ וֶ ֱהוֵי דָן ֶאת כָל ָה ָאדָם ְלכַף זְכּות‬,‫ ּו ְקנֵה ְלָך ָח ֵבר‬,‫ ֲעׂ ֵשה ְלָך רַב‬,‫יְהֹוׁ ֻש ַע ּ ֶבן ּ ְפרַ ְחיָה אֹו ֵמר‬Questions/Tasks – A mentor is often an older person who advises, helps and teachessomeone younger and less experienced. Who are your mentors?Whom have you mentored?The quote from Avot emphasizes that we are co-participants in the mentoring relationship.Give examples of how we do this. ***And the hearts of the fathers will be brought back to the children, and the hearts of thechildren to their fathers‫וְ ֵהׁ ִשיב ֵלב ָאבֹות ַעל ּ ָבנִים וְ ֵלב ּ ָבנִים ַעל ֲאבֹו ָתם‬In this quote, the prophet Malachi (3:24) speaks about a time when parents will learn fromchildren and children from parents.Did you ever mentor or teach someone older than you?What was that like?Chapter 4Cultivating a Supportive Environmentfor Jewish CommunitiesIn 2005, JDC and Bernita Buncher founded the JDC-International Centre for CommunityDevelopment. JDC-ICCD is a research institute devoted to investigating Jewish communityand identity. ***Below are some quotes about community.How do you relate to each quote?To what extent is your community reflected in a particular quote? 115

Appendix How might respective quotes provide a question for the JDC-ICCD to ask? *** “When everyone at school is speaking one language, and a lot of your classmates' parents also speak it, and you go home and see that your community is different -- there is a sense of shame attached to that. It really takes growing up to treasure the specialness of being different.” Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States *** “I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.” Howard Schultz, Chairman and CEO of Starbucks *** “Neither the individual nor the state is where we discover who we are and why… Beyond the most basic rules necessary for the maintenance of the most rudimentary social order, morality lives in communities and the traditions which sustain them.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Britain's former Chief Rabbi *** Sanhedrin 17b, a tractate in the Talmud A Torah scholar is not allowed to live in a city that does not have these ten things: a law court that metes out punishment; a charity fund that is collected by two people and distributed by three; a synagogue; a bath house; a bathroom; a doctor; a craftsperson; a blood-letter; (some versions add: a butcher); and a teacher of children ‫ותניא כל עיר שאין בה עשרה דברים הללו אין תלמיד חכם רשאי לדור בתוכה בית דין מכין ועונשין וקופה של צדקה‬ ‫נגבית בשנים ומתחלקת בשלשה ובית הכנסת ובית המרחץ וביהכ\"ס רופא ואומן ולבלר (וטבח) ומלמד תינוקות‬ *** Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ‫ ּו ַמה ּנָ ִעים ׁ ֶש ֶבת ַא ִחים ּגַם יָ ַחד‬,‫ִהּנֵה ַמה ּטֹוב‬ 116

Chapter 5Ensuring Jewish FuturesAccording to Jewish tradition, King Solomon wrote a book called Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) inwhich he shared the wisdom he had gained over the years.In chapter 12, verse 12, there is the phrase:There is no end to the making of many books‫ֲעׂשֹות ְס ָפרִים ַהרְּ ֵבה ֵאין ֵקץ‬What unusual books have you read or seen?What book most influenced you?If someone asked you for a basic book on Judaism, what book would you suggest?If someone asked you for a basic book on leadership, management or community building,what book would you suggest? ***Quote from Book - \"Each year, the Buncher Book Matching Project enables communitiesto select and acquire 30–50 new books in Russian and German, written by Jewish and non-Jewish authors and related to ecumenical issues and cultural and interfaith dialogue.\"pg. 48What books would you choose?The full pasuk (verse) from Kohelet reads:And more than they, my son, beware; making many books has no end, and studying much isa weariness of the flesh. ‫וְיֹ ֵתר ֵמ ֵהּ ָמה ּ ְבנִי ִהּזָ ֵהר ֲעׂשֹות ְס ָפרִים ַהרְּ ֵבה ֵאין ֵקץ וְ ַל ַהג ַהרְּ ֵבה יְגִ ַעת ּ ָבׂ ָשר‬What could be the downside of reading/studying too much? 117

Chapter 6 A Light Unto The Nations This chapter speaks about being a light to the nations. Where does this concept come from? Are there other concepts in Jewish tradition that challenge this idea? Isaiah 42:6 reads: I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, for a light to nations. :‫ֲאנִי ה' קְרָא ִתיָך ְב ֶצדֶק וְ ַא ְחזֵק ּ ְביָדֶָך וְ ֶאּ ָצרְָך וְ ֶאּ ֶתנְָך ִל ְברִית ָעם ְלאֹור ּגֹויִם‬ In the first book of Samuel in the Bible we read that the elders of Israel went to the prophet Samuel: And they said to him, \"Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, set up for us a king to judge us like all the nations. :‫וַּיֹא ְמרּו ֵא ָליו ִהּנֵה ַאּ ָתה זָ ַקנְּ ָת ּו ָבנֶיָך ֹלא ָה ְלכּו ּבִדְרָ ֶכיָך ַעּ ָתה ִשֹי ָמה ּ ָלנּו ֶמ ֶלְך ְלׁ ָש ְפ ֵטנּו ככָל ַהּגֹויִם‬ *** How do you explain the seeming contradiction between the two verses? Which aspect do you think should be emphasized within the Jewish community? What does it mean to be a light to the nations? What pragmatic reasons are there for being a light to the nations? See if you can find some of them in Chapter 6? What idealistic reasons are there to be a light to the nations? See if you can find some of them in Chapter 6? What does it mean to be like all the nations? When and where do you feel that being Jewish is \"normal\"?Appendix 118

Chapter 7EpilogueThe epilogue expresses how the world has been impacted over 25 years of the Buncherprogram. ***What would you like the world to look like in 25 years?What will you do to make this vision a reality?How will you encourage others? ***Antoine de Saint-Exupery said, \"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collectwood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endlessimmensity of the sea.\"What do you long for?How will you encourage others to long for the same or similar things? 119

Over twenty-five years and still going strong: The Buncher story continues...



Front Cover Photograph: Ari ShemeshCoordination and Oversight: Natalie Taylor, Betsy Mehlman and Marina GoutmanText: Lisa MArgolin, Edward Abramson, Bracha Osofsky, Virginia Myers, David Levin-KrussGraphic Design: Maya WinePrinted by: Art-Plus, JerusalemPrinted on Ecological PaperPublished 2017©All rights reserved

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