A Message from Marc

Marc's Message

CJP's President and CEO, Rabbi Marc Baker, writes and teaches about leadership, community, and civic life, bringing the voice of Jewish tradition to contemporary issues.

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Aug 23, 2019

From the Heart: Reflections on Rising Antisemitism

Shalom Chaverim,

One of the themes that has emerged as a pressing issue for CJP, our community, and society more broadly is the resurgence of antisemitic speech and acts, from historic tropes and slurs knowingly or unknowingly repeated by politicians to horrific acts of violence.

Throughou…

Aug 9, 2019

Jewish Genealogy and the Search for Identity

Shalom Chaverim,

Earlier this summer I met with the two presidents of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston (JGSGB). The Society is an organization run entirely by volunteers with hundreds of members and is associated with more than 70 other Jewish genealogical societies wor…

Jul 26, 2019

"Matterness" and Leadership

Shalom Chaverim,

One of the books I am reading this summer, or in this case re-reading, is Matterness by Allison Fine. Subtitled “Fearless Leadership for a Social World,” the book explores the nature of our highly networked, interconnected society and the implications this has for c…

Jun 28, 2019

A Community Engaged with the World

Shalom Chaverim,

It has been just about a year since I assumed the role of President and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and this week I had one of my proudest moments so far. I travelled to Brockton City Hall to join elected officials as well as colleagues from United Way of Mass…

Jun 14, 2019

Flipping the Script: Following the Lead of the Next Generation

Shalom Chaverim,

As we emerge from last week’s holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving and receiving of the Torah, and at a time of year when many are graduating, I want to reflect on the power and importance of Jewish education. Last week, I witnessed an exquisite example of gr…