WASHINGTON (RNS) United Jewish Communities, one of the largest American Jewish organizations, has changed its name to the Jewish Federations of North America to more closely align itself with local chapters across the country.
"Our new name makes a clear and bold statement that we embody the Jewish Federation system," said Jerry Silverman, the group's president and CEO. "Further, this change enables us to work with our partners to create stronger positioning of the Jewish federations for the future."
UJC was incorporated in 1999, after the merger of the Council of Jewish Federations, the United Israel Appeal and the United Jewish Appeal. It is the umbrella organization for 157 Jewish federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America.
The new name will align itself with 90 percent of local federations, such as the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
The group's new logo incorporates a circular design and menorah.
Some local federations are likely to use the logo as well, to create a unified look.
Other federations are expected to opt for an "endorser logo," which would symbolize an alliance with the Jewish Federations of North America. This is expected to appeal to some federations that have strong name identification, such as The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.
"The Associated is proud to pilot the endorser logo and make a strong statement that we are part of a united Federated system, while protecting the equity of our name in our community," said Marc Terrill, president of the Baltimore group.
The name and logo will be officially unveiled at the organization's General Assembly, in Washington in early November.
By Matthew E. Berger
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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When I first saw the word Federation, I thought of Star Wars, and the Federations in the Galaxy! ;) Seriously, it's a good thing that they've done, as it means the act of federating or uniting in a league. Better to be together than in little parts. I'm not sure why the word federation sounded sinister to you Ck, but probably because of something you heard or read in the past.
You see I don't know what it is like to be a Jew who was not in the holocaust but relives it daily and sees holocaust anti-Semite boogie men every where he looks. Or to be a atheist so hateful toward Christians that he allies with every one who shares that hate regardless. I've served both types and more in my ministry without bias so I know what I know.
H22 I beleive the word I used was militant and I suspect it may be for the same reasons you qouted with the Star Trex thing or somethng it really was not a big deal until people made it so.
cknuck: "I know what I know."
No you don't cknuck. You think you know so many things that are false that if you could get half of them out of your head it would be a much emptier and cleaner place.
just like you like em huh nnmns, empty.
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