THIRTY YEARS of LEADERSHIP A TRIBUTE TO
BARRY SHRAGE
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This book is given with love to Barry Shrage. Barry is a visionary who has given us the ability to see the invisible
connections that bind us to each other, to Israel and its people, to the broader community, and to past and future generations. With his leadership, we’ve
woven these threads of connection into a safety net during troubled times and into a beautiful tapestry that tells the story of our Jewish community — one that is full of warmth and heart and optimism.
Barry, in recognition of the deeply meaningful gifts you have offered us throughout your career, we present these words of tribute.
May you go from strength to strength.
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A L ETT ER from our E V E NT C H A I R S Dear Barry, It is difficult to encapsulate in a letter your 30 years of leadership and the innumerable ways you have enriched our lives and those of our families. We hope that, over the course of today’s celebration, you have experienced the appreciation and love we feel for you. It is our honor to express the profound gratitude of the community that you helped nurture and steward so boldly for over three decades. It has been our pleasure to work together and with your amazing colleagues at CJP to help organize this historic day and raise funds to support the Bridge to the Future Fund. We feel privileged to welcome your family and friends from near and far, along with the many dignitaries who have joined us in honoring you, and our beloved community that has made this celebration possible. Tonight, we celebrate your unparalleled commitment to caring and social justice, inclusion, Jewish learning, and Israel and global Jewry that underpins the amazing strides we have made together. You have led by example, challenged us to be better, and shared what lies deep within your soul. Your dedication and compassion are infectious, and we know that, for you, it has never been about the dollars raised, but rather about the people you have helped and the hearts that you have changed. Your legacy will forever leave an indelible impression upon the global Jewish community. All our love, Linda and Michael Frieze Dena and Michael Rashes 2
C JP ’ S B OA RD of D I R E C TO R S Neil A. Wallack, Chair
Diane J. Exter
Dale S. Okonow
Cynthia R. Janower, First Vice Chair and Secretary
Daniel Farb
Marjorie Patkin
David J. Fine
Sari Anne Rapkin
Lawrence J. Goodman
Dena Boronkay Rashes
Shira Goodman
Shepard M. Remis
Jill I. Hai
Aviva E. Sapers
Elizabeth Jick
Steven G. Segal
Douglass E. Karp
Edward Shapiro
Judith A. Kaye
Sharon Shapiro
Amy B. Klein
Paula L. Sidman
Daniel A. Kraft
Robert J. Small
Steven D. Krichmar
Laurene M. Sperling
Emily Leventhal
Adam L. Suttin
Eitan Milgram
Judith T. Sydney
Michael J. Mufson
Zachary Wainwright
Charles L. Myers
Lisa F. Wallack
Howard Rubin, Treasurer Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine Susan B. Ain Harvey Beker Amy S. Berylson Darren Black Michelle R. Black Bradley M. Bloom Michael J. Bohnen Rachel Chafetz Amanda Clayman Marsha R. Cohen Alan Crane
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30 YEARS of LEADERSHIP Since Barry’s first day on the job, he has focused on creating a Jewish community whose strength and vision will have a positive impact for generations to come.
Barry has faith in the power of this community to meet whatever challenges arise. He rushes to help in times of crisis or conflict, fostering understanding and respect. With Jewish values as his guide, he listens, identifies problems, develops strategies, and rallies us all to meet urgent needs and achieve our most important goals.
Through the decades, Barry Shrage has shown us who he really is. He’s a social worker who can’t abide the suffering or exclusion of others. He’s a tireless advocate for Israel who builds lasting, meaningful connections. He’s a teacher who
inspires us all with his love of Jewish learning. He’s an innovative fundraiser who has helped to transform Federation
giving in Greater Boston by encouraging philanthropists to become partners. He’s a leader who welcomes all who seek to build a Jewish community of meaning and purpose, now and for the future.
We hope you’ll enjoy these highlights and turning points from a truly remarkable career.
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1987 Barry joins CJP
1989
1995
The Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel Program is founded
Pillars of the Community Campaign raises funds to purchase 126 High Street; CJP moves to this new location (named Kraft Family Building in 2017)
1988–89 Soviet Jews leave Russia through Operation Exodus
1988 First Annual Campaign raises $18 million
CJP completes strategic plan, redefining our historic mission to focus on strengthening an open, engaged, vibrant community. This plan strongly calls for welcoming and integrating interfaith families into our communities of learning, caring, and social justice.
1996
First mission to Israel in time of crisis
CJP funds launch of Keshet in support of LGBTQ inclusion in Jewish life
1990 1992
1987 March on Washington for Soviet Jewry
1989 CJP establishes Boston-Haifa Connection
1988 CJP and the Greater Framingham Federation merge
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1992
1998
CJP’s first gubernatorial mission travels to Israel with Governor Weld
1999
1999
Birthright Israel program is initiated
Acharai Leadership Program is named for Cynthia and Leon (z”l) Shulman
1998 1993 Boston Jewish community begins work in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
2000
Jewish Community Endowment Pool, LLP (JCEP) is established
1995 Jewish learning becomes a focus with the launch of programs like Me’ah and later Ikkarim (now called Parenting Through a Jewish Lens) and Eser, adding meaning and value to our lives.
1999 Committee on Services to People with Disabilities is established to focus on special education, inclusion, and housing
2004
2007
CJP launches Peerless Excellence Grant for Jewish Day Schools
CJP creates IACT® (Inspired Active Committed Transformed), a program to engage returning Birthright Israel participants in Jewish life on campus at Boston University, Brandeis, Northeastern, Tufts, UMass/Amherst, and Harvard
2015 Community study is completed; informs 2017–2018 strategic plan
2010 2008
2006 CJP brings LEADS to Boston, a new model for connecting young adults in small groups
CJP completes community-wide strategic plan
2010
2005
2007
Shiluvim program launches, supporting Ethiopian integration in Haifa
CJP raises $10.4 million for the Israel in Crisis Fund
2004 Largest CJP Solidarity Mission travels to Israel with more than 350 people
CJP launches JewishBoston.com
2006
CJP funds Gateways: Access to Jewish Education for students with disabilities
2013
2017
CJP and Jewish Federation of the North Shore merge
Annual Campaign raises $56.6 million
2015
2012 Eser, a young adult learning program, launches in partnership with Hebrew College
CJP establishes Anti-Poverty Initiative
2017 2015
2008 After the recession, CJP’s Economic Response gets to work providing additional funding to help the most vulnerable. This lays the foundation for CJP’s Anti-Poverty Initiative.
2018 Bridge to the Future Fund is created in honor of Barry Shrage
IACT expands from 10 New England campuses to 28 nationwide
CJP partners with Catholic Charities to launch CJP Legal Aid Fund for Immigrants (CLAFI)
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AC T S of LOVI N G K I N D N E SS “The world stands on three things: on Torah, on the service of God, and on acts of lovingkindness.” Pirkei Avot (1:2) These words are set in stone at CJP on the side of the Kraft Family Building at 126 High Street. For Barry Shrage, this statement serves as a constant reminder of why CJP exists.
Solving our biggest problems While in graduate school to become a social worker, Barry visited the infamous Belchertown State School — an institution that was tasked with caring for people with developmental disabilities but that in fact warehoused them in deplorable conditions. “When I returned to my dorm that night, I promised myself that if there was ever anything I could do to change things, I would,” Barry remembers. Recognizing that systemic problems require community solutions, Barry has focused on bringing the right people and resources to bear on even the most intractable problems. During Barry’s tenure, CJP has partnered with donors and agencies to advance significant initiatives that empower vulnerable people. He’s led the way in creating supportive housing for people with disabilities and for senior citizens, and he has made accessible, coordinated social services a communal priority. 8
Creating a safet y net During the dark days of the 2008 financial crisis, Barry refused to let fear and pessimism take root. With the Board’s unwavering support, he led CJP in making emergency funds available, empowering our agencies to swiftly fill gaps for people in need and averting a deeper crisis. Knowing that we are stronger together, he doubled down on fundraising efforts, rallying CJP staff and volunteers for impromptu evening phone-a-thons. Today, CJP’s Anti-Poverty Initiative builds on lessons learned during this difficult time, raising awareness of Jewish poverty and offering unprecedented services to create sustainable change.
CJP at its core is a caring community. We have a
responsibility to take care of our most vulnerable members. — Barry Shrage
Repairing the world For Barry, the value of caring for others is not limited to the Jewish community — it is in fact a Jewish imperative to repair the world. In the aftermath of natural disasters around the globe, Barry has led fundraising efforts that have saved lives and eased the suffering caused by hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Most recently, Barry spearheaded the CJP Legal Aid Fund for Immigrants (CLAFI) — an interfaith effort with Catholic Charities that helped expand legal services, assist victims of domestic violence, and support young adults previously protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
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A CO M M U N IT Y that I N CLU D E S E VE RYO N E On every invitation that CJP sends out, these words appear: “CJP welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, and sexual orientations.” This statement sums up Barry’s approach to communitybuilding, but these sentiments have not always been universally embraced. Barry — ever the trailblazer — was one of the first Federation leaders to welcome families of all backgrounds. Perhaps most controversial was his inclusive approach to interfaith marriage, an issue that many felt could threaten Jewish continuity. Where others saw a challenge, Barry saw opportunity. He was an early and vocal supporter of inclusion so that our entire community can be enriched by diverse talents, perspectives, and contributions.
For CJP to be everything that it can be, we have to stand at the leading edge of Jewish history. — Barry Shrage
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“Any Federation that is dynamic and willing to face the issues — to seriously address poverty, disability, inclusion of interfaith families — any Federation prepared to move away from traditional ways of doing business and strike out in new ways will have a great future,” says Barry. Today, nearly 57% of interfaith families in Greater Boston report that they are raising Jewish children — a much higher percentage than in other major cities.
Welcoming all to a “big tent” Barry has broadly influenced inclusion efforts throughout our community while also making each person he interacts with feel welcomed and valued.
We need everyone to be part of our big tent. People who have talent and want to be part of
Those who identify as both Jewish and LBGTQ probably know how our community — why would instrumental Barry was in the development of Keshet. Jewish young adults with a disability might have been congratulated by Barry at we push people away? a Transitions to Work graduation ceremony. CJP staff who are not — Barry Shrage Jewish surely notice that Barry always acknowledges holidays of other faith traditions when teaching about Jewish holidays. Those working to change attitudes toward mental health issues have likely seen that Barry recently signed the CEOs Against Stigma Pledge that is promoted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and designed to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the workplace. Rather than defining people by what makes them different, Barry celebrates our individual gifts, all of which make our community stronger. In doing so, he’s attracted people from every corner of the Jewish community and beyond. Politicians and activists, rabbis and priests, artists and professors, non-profit leaders and captains of industry — they all count Barry as a friend and a partner who expands CJP’s circle of influence one person at a time.
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A CO M M U N IT Y ROOTE D in TO R AH Whenever CJP tries to thank Barry for his many accomplishments, two things happen. First, he politely declines. However, if that doesn’t work, he then requests that we honor him by giving our community the gift of Jewish learning. His focus on Jewish literacy and on Torah is as shrewd and strategic as it is noble. “Outreach cannot work without content and learning, meaning, and purpose. If our communities are spiritually and intellectually empty, if they are cold and uncaring, outreach will certainly fail,” says Barry. And while he sees Jewish learning as central to our success as a community, he also recognizes that, too often, our attempts at passing on the wisdom and beauty of our tradition fall flat. “We knew what wasn’t working, because it’s what we’d been doing for 100 years!” he laughs. From our synagogues to our day schools and summer camps and all the way through higher education and adult learning, Barry has helped organizations take risks, do things differently, and, ultimately, succeed.
Taking a new approach to Jewish learning Barry embraced synagogues early on as the key to educating the next generation, partnering to develop new approaches to Hebrew school. More than that, he recognized that there were educational models that were already working but that desperately needed expansion. 12
“Everyone knows that Jewish camp works, so we decided to triple the number of kids who were going,” says Barry. “We went to all the synagogues and said, ‘we’re going to give you a bounty, $1,000 for every new kid you get to go to camp.’ And it worked.”
Creating a national model for adult education Barry’s dream of universal Jewish literacy is the driving force behind CJP’s support of adult Jewish learning in Greater Boston. “I think the secret to adult Jewish learning is to continually test new ways of doing it,” says Barry. Under his leadership, CJP has tested a wide range of programs, from informal groups that meet in living rooms and coffee shops to intensive experiences like Me’ah, which offers 100 hours of class time over a two-year period.
In a time that lacks vision and prophecy and that yearns for
meaning, we are carrying an ancient faith in an ancient God so that
our children and grandchildren
will have spiritual options to fill their lives with light and joy. — Barry Shrage
While some said that Me’ah’s required time commitment would discourage busy adults, people signed up in droves, eventually leading other communities to replicate it nationwide. Me’ah graduates have gone on to great accomplishments, including founding a new day school, serving on boards across the Jewish community, and participating in the Cynthia and Leon Shulman Acharai Leadership Program. No one was surprised when, as a capstone to his CJP career, Barry requested that we celebrate with a Morning of Learning that was free of charge and open to all. In a fitting next step, Barry announced that when he leaves CJP he will join Brandeis University as Professor of the Practice in the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, where he will mentor future Jewish leaders. 13
A D E E P CO N N EC TIO N with I S R AE L If you are looking for Barry Shrage, here’s where you are most likely to find him: huddled in a booth at Johnny’s Luncheonette, talking with friends about the importance of Birthright Israel; glued to his phone in his office, talking with partners about the innovation of IACT; or leading a group of friends through the streets of Haifa and straight into the heart of Israel. Did we mention yet that Barry loves Israel?
Building personal relationships Today, more than two-thirds of Jewish adults in Boston — and about three-quarters of those ages 18-34 — have been to Israel at least once. These dramatic statistics far outpace the rest of the country. Why is Boston so connected to Israel? Some will tell you that it’s because of Birthright Israel, some will say it’s because we have built sister-city relationships and powerful programs with our synagogues and schools, and still others will tell you it’s because of our wide range of mission trips. All of these answers are correct, and all of these connections have come to life because of Barry’s conviction that Israel is central to who we are as a people. “Close to 30 years ago, people asked, ‘What can we really do to help Israel?’ ” remembers Barry. “We couldn’t keep just sending money, giving it to people we barely knew. So, we decided to create a people-to-people partnership. That allowed us more control, but it also helped us create real relationships.” And so the Boston-Haifa Connection was born, a spectacularly successful program that has fostered strong ties between the two cities. Today, there are myriad programs that facilitate direct, personal connections. Our day schools participate in school-to-school exchanges, and our synagogues host “Shinshinim” — high school graduates from Israel who infuse our congregations and schools with their energy and enthusiasm. In Israel, our Parents at the Center program has strengthened young families from all backgrounds and has grown from a pilot program into a national model. 14
“For me, being in Haifa is a deeply spiritual experience. Something as simple as just sitting in the snack bar at the University of Haifa — a place where Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druse, and Arabs study together in peace and harmony — is a little piece of heaven in this frequently bitter world,” says Barry.
Being f irst on the ground Barry says he “made a habit” of being in Israel whenever there was a serious crisis. When rockets are raining from the skies or wildfires are raging across the Israeli countryside, Barry heads to Logan and catches the first flight to Ben-Gurion Airport.
What is the legacy that Israel provides for us? It’s a sense of a deep connection to our
past, and also an incredible connection to our future. — Barry Shrage
“People in Israel do feel lonely and isolated. They want you there.” By being first on the ground during difficult times, Barry and his fellow travelers get a very good sense of how our donations and resources can be used. Immediate humanitarian relief often takes priority, but longer-term programs to help local businesses stay afloat also develop out of these emergency mission trips. Where will Barry be when he’s no longer the President of CJP? Though much of his time will be spent at Brandeis, we like to think that at least some of the time he’ll be reading a book at a snack bar in Haifa, soaking up peace, harmony, and the “little bit of heaven” that he has surely earned. 15
D R E AM S for the F UTU R E Barry Shrage probably has more 20-something friends than most 20-somethings. From college students to young social entrepreneurs to Jewish community leaders, the next generation is finding its way toward meaningful Jewish life by taking advantage of the programs and opportunities that Barry has championed.
Starting an intellectual Jewish revolution The last time Barry Shrage interviewed for a job was more than 30 years ago, but he still remembers the conversation. “All I basically talked about was my dream for the future, and why Boston was so special because it had great resources and intellectual ability and young adults and college students. Boston had everything we needed to create an intellectual Jewish revolution for the future,” he says.
You have to believe you can affect the Jewish future.
The main goal of a Federation is not just to do the same stuff we did last year — its main goal is to change the future. — Barry Shrage
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Since then, Barry has stayed true to his vision while always on the lookout for opportunities and innovation. It’s almost eerie how many times his predictions have come to fruition. In his very first interview as President of CJP, Barry said, “My personal dream would be to see a trip to Israel become a standard experience for every one of our Jewish children.” A little more than 10 years later, Birthright Israel was founded, and Barry was among its earliest proponents. He insisted that this program could be more than simply a free trip to Israel — it could be a transformative Jewish experience that would change lives.
“Once it was clear that Birthright Israel was going to be very widespread, I called all the Hillels and asked what they were doing to follow up. And they just didn’t have the resources they needed. So, we went and funded a position on campus dedicated to that.” In only a few years’ time, the IACT program, which started in Greater Boston, spread to 28 campuses nationwide.
Connecting to a new generation Barry has always been concerned with strengthening Jewish identity. He is convinced that if we effectively convey the beauty of Jewish tradition to young people, we will ensure future generations of leaders, learners, and engaged community members. “This is a generation waiting for meaning. Waiting for purpose. Waiting to be inspired. And you know what? We have something amazing to give them,” says Barry. Barry is keenly aware that fostering young adult engagement takes modern resources, innovative programs, and ideas as diverse as our growing community. “This is a networked group of young people, and we need to use those networks to spread the word that this is important. We need to break down the barriers.”
Creating a vibrant tomorrow In honor of Barry’s service and his commitment to future generations, the CJP community has created the Bridge to the Future Fund. The Fund is dedicated to ensuring young adults are connected to — and inspired by — Jewish life, learning, and community. “We have an opportunity to change the course of Jewish history. We need to engage the next generation and show them a Jewish community that is filled with opportunities to learn, to experience Israel, and to make meaningful connections with one another. If we can do that, we’ll improve their lives, and, ultimately, we’ll make the world a better place,” Barry says. 17
A G E N E RO U S CO M M U N IT Y Barry is the first to acknowledge that when he took the helm of CJP, his fundraising prowess was largely untested. “My first year, I took the Annual Campaign from $25 million to $18 million — no one had ever done that before!” he says, laughing at himself with characteristic humility. Undeterred, he began working in earnest to understand why people give to CJP and what inspires them to do so. He met with hundreds of community members, building the relationships that are the root of his success as a leader.
Taking risks, reaping the rewards Through these early conversations, Barry learned that donors wanted to become thought partners with CJP and that many wanted to be actively involved in the causes they supported. Bucking the trend toward a Federation that was more centrally controlled, Barry tried a new approach to raising and allocating communal funds, and all eyes were on Boston. “I was hearing things like, ‘Barry is a disaster for the entire Federation system,’ which made me a little nervous! But I had great local volunteer support, and that made all the difference,” he remembers.
If you forget who you are and what this is all about, the money doesn’t mean
anything… If you confuse the raising of
money with the purpose of using money, you’re going down a very dark road. — Barry Shrage
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With an intrepid and growing band of volunteer leaders and donors, CJP’s Annual Campaign continued to gather strength. Passionate donors partnered with Barry and CJP, making unprecedented, multiyear gifts to establish innovative new programs like Me’ah, the Boston-Haifa Connection, and the Peerless Excellence Grant for Jewish day schools. CJP’s Annual Campaign has grown exponentially, achieving a record-breaking $56.6 million in 2017 and enabling us to fulfill our community’s greatest aspirations.
Investing for the communit y Staying true to his vision that CJP should support the most important needs of our entire community, Barry looked for opportunities to help our partner agencies beyond an annual allocation. With the help of expert layleaders guiding our investment, CJP’s endowment will power our community for generations to come. CJP created the Jewish Community Endowment Pool, LLP ( JCEP) in 1998. An investment solution for smaller not-for-profit organizations, JCEP provides access to professional investment management, administration, and reporting for its partners, while empowering them to retain full ownership of their invested assets. CJP uses its financial strength in this way to benefit an incredible breadth of Jewish organizations locally and across the country.
Nurturing the next generation Of all the investments that Barry has overseen, his focus on developing the next generation of leaders by engaging them in Jewish life continues to reap the most significant rewards. “Our fundraising is going up and our leadership is constantly increasing. We have a huge number of young people who are coming in and bringing their insight, their ideas, and their creativity,” says Barry. Time and again, Barry’s emphasis on the importance of engaging the next generation — with initiatives focused on campus, on families with young children, and on adult learning and inclusion efforts — has helped build a cohesive and powerful community that aspires to match his optimism, commitment, and dedication to repairing the world. This is Barry’s legacy, and it is his gift to us all.
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