National retreat inspires Coles to 'lead by example'

JASON & BETH LINCOW COLE Jason and Beth Lincow Cole returned from their second United Jewish Communities (UJC) National Young Leadership Cabinet Retreat more energized than ever about the work of the Jewish Federation. The Coles joined over 200 volunteers and professionals from 42 communities across North America in Miami, FL.

The UJC National Young Leadership Cabinet is made up of 400 men and women at the highest levels of philanthropic commitment and personal performance, working and learning together as they master the skills needed to ensure a compelling Jewish future. Cabinet members must be nominated by their local federations and make a minimum donation of $5,000 to their Federation's Annual Campaign. Since its founding in 1963, this six-year program has educated and trained exceptional leaders who have gone on to assume important roles in the Jewish community.

This year's retreat focused on leadership development training and was the UJC/2010 Federation Annual Campaign kickoff for National Young Leadership. Participants had the pleasure of hearing dynamic speakers within the Jewish community such as Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, who discussed how to lead in times of crisis and to approach leadership challenges from a Jewish perspective. Members were inspired to utilize their personal qualities and passions to become stronger leaders. They networked and shared information, experiences and suggestions that they could apply to their communities.

"We spent a lot of time studying our strengths and how to use them in our philanthropic, professional and everyday lives," said Lincow Cole, owner of a local law firm and active with both South Jersey and Philadelphia Federation. She serves on the Young Women's Division committee for the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. She chairs the Business Power Hour (equivalent to YAD) and is also a Board of Trustees member for the Philadelphia Federation.

Compared to last year's retreat, this time she "felt even more connected" and was impressed by the work individuals nationally were doing to engage and educate people in the community to support the federation.

"Our entire Cabinet experience provided us with the tools and energy to come back to our community and continue to try to educate and engage others to join us in supporting the federation," said Lincow Cole.

At a time when Annual Campaigns are facing significant shortfalls, Cabinet participants displayed their fervent leadership through their fundraising achievements, raising more than $1.6- million, which is a striking 12 percent increase on a gift-for-gift basis from 2009. An additional $77,000 was raised for UJC's voluntary initiative to help keep Ethiopian-Israeli students in vital school programs that were on the verge of shutting down without the necessary funding.

"Cabinet needs to lead by example in our communities. If we don't show our support in times of despair, what message does that send to our fellow Jews? It doesn't feel right to ask others for gift increases if we haven't done so ourselves," said Jason Cole. "Our brethren all over the world need our financial assistance more than ever. If we can't give now, then when?"

Jason Cole is a certified financial planner at Abacus Wealth Partners in Philadelphia. He is involved in the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's real estate committee, is vice chair of the Philadelphia Federation Board of Trustees, and serves on their executive committee for Young Leadership Development.

"The relationships and camaraderie developed at Cabinet are both unique and powerful. All of us are there to make an impactful difference in our local, national and international Jewish communities. There was such positive energy, commonality and purpose all together in one single place," he added.

The retreat empowered the Coles to return home and continue to spread the federation message and encourage people to support the Federation Annual Campaign. "It is through federation that we can help sustain a vibrant Jewish community, since the federation has a unique ability to understand the needs of the community both locally and globally and to best garner the resources to fulfill those needs," said Beth.

Jason and Beth Cole are members at Temple Beth Sholom and the Katz Jewish Community Center. They have two children, Brandon and Sarah.

Dr. Scott and Robyn Greenberg also serve on the Cabinet, but were unable to attend this year's retreat.

For more information about how to become involved with the Young Adult Division and/or National Young Leadership Cabinet, contact Beth J. Zive at bzive@jfedsnj.org or 751- 9500, ext. 291. .