We’re still waiting to hear about the goings-on in Palm Beach, Fla., where the UJC is set to wrap up leadership meetings this afternoon.
These were expected to be contentious meetings, where UJC officials were to debate a possible change in the exclusive funding relationship that the North American Jewish federation system has with the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee — a suggestion that has sent shockwaves through the federation world.
There also has been some acrimony in the lead-up to the meetings of more than 200 federation lay and professional leaders, which started Sunday night. The chairman of UJC’s national campaign, David Fisher, resigned his post last week — although he told JTA that the overseas funding issue did not play a significant role in that decision.
So far, I have not heard a whole lot about what has gone on down there — aside from several sources saying that there has been a major crackdown on leaking information to JTA.
The UJC has scheduled a news conference for later this afternoon, so I will have an update this evening.
If you’re looking for an interesting read, notorious UJC critic RIchard Wexler offers his take on his blog UJThee and Me. This is not an endorsement of what Wexler is saying, just a link on his take on what he has heard so far out of Florida.
