Bob Seltzer To borrow a concept from the Book of Ecclesiastes:

To every Annual Campaign, there is a season. A time of plenty, and a time of less than plenty; A time to stay the course, and a time to talk ‘tachles.’

Right now, we need to talk.

The fact that our 2009 Annual Campaign was down 10 percent in this economy is, frankly, not too bad. The fact that our Annual Campaign has been in a steady decline for many, many years is, quite frankly, not good at all. Most of the decline in 2009 came from understandable reductions from contributors who are really feeling the crunch of the economic downturn.

We understand this, and deeply appreciate each generous gift.

We have worked very hard over the past three years to achieve three major objectives: First, to consistently present to the community accurate and verifiable campaign numbers; second, to honor all of our financial commitments to local agencies, to Israel, and to Jews in need around the world; and third, to significantly reduce overhead. We have achieved these goals.

There is additional progress to report: Last year, due to direct mail, telemarketing and oneon one outreach, we added 200 new contributors to our donor rolls, representing about $65,000 in new receipts. That’s a 10 percent increase in donors.

But there are other challenges now.

This year, in addition to the 10 percent drop in our campaign, we have had to set aside more than $120,000 to cover the mortgage, insurance, utility and maintenance costs on the building we own in Northfield which housed the former Jewish Community Day School. All efforts to lease or sell that property are being made, and should disposition take place sooner rather than later, additional resources will flow back into the allocations process.

Here’s how this year’s numbers look: Our 2009 annual Campaign closed at $790,000. Our auditors recommend we set aside 10 percent of that sum for shrinkage. We then provide resources which pay for Israel experience subsidies for our community and for our Hillel program at Stockton College. Our Federation operations allocation is down for the 4th consecutive year, now $299,700. With the Northfield property set-aside, the net available for allocations is $255,075. In the days ahead, our Foundation will announce additional resources they have granted to our outstanding local agencies.

The Federation Board has, for decades, sought to achieve the goal of a 50/50 split between local and Israel/overseas allocations. This has not happened. With the local needs being so significant, about 35 percent has been delivered in recent years for rescue and relief of Jews in Israel and elsewhere.

For this year only, due to the reduced allocations available, the Board reluctantly reduced to 30 percent the Israel/overseas allotment. Roughly speaking, that’s $179,000 local, and $76,000 for Israel and overseas.

We cannot simply do the same-old and expect better results. Our donor community is fatigued and tapped out, just as local and international needs are increasing exponentially.

Both the Federation Board and the various Task Forces resulting from our ongoing “Community Conversation” are working on the problems diligently. There will come a time in the near future when community input will be especially welcome, and I hope you will chime in.

My office door is always open. Why not stop by sometime and share your thoughts about our Jewish future?