Serving as President of the Jewish Federation, I get invited to many (many) dinners and events some inside our community, most supporting various efforts in our region. Our Jewish community has never been more integrated than before, so these connections help us maintain strong relationships both within and outside of the organized Jewish world.
Earlier this spring I had the opportunity to attend the Arch Grants Gala. The brainchild of Jerry Schlichter, Arch Grants is a program that provides 20 startups with a $50,000 grant and space downtown if they will locate to St. Louis. (For more information, click here to check out their website.) Now in its third year, the program has attracted national attention and been a key part of establishing St. Louis as an innovative space for small start up companies.
Why was I attending in my role as CEO? Our community has established and should maintain strong relationships with key community leaders inside and outside of the Jewish world (a role that our Jewish Community Relations Council has been playing for 75 years). Arch Grants is contributing to the vitality of the region in vibrant way. If the St. Louis region does not remain vital and expand, the future of our Jewish community here is questionable. We see it already in the number of our children and grandchildren who have left the region for economic opportunity elsewhere in the United States.
While the Federation’s grants will continue to go to primary social service, education and community building needs, we must be continue to use our relationships to help our entire region grow and thrive. Without a strong St. Louis region, there will be no strong Jewish community to preserve and enhance
And that means going to dinners and events; lots of them!
