T orah P ortion
Philanthropy’s Role in Torah Study
BY RABBI ROBERT LAYMAN
PARSHAT VAYECHI
FOR THREE MONTHS, we
have read from the Book of
Genesis, beginning with the
account of creation, proceeding
through the stories of the patri-
archs and matriarchs, the saga
of Joseph and concluding with
the death of Jacob.

Genesis consists of 50
chapters, making it the longest
of the five books of the Torah.

Chapter 49 may be considered
the centerpiece of this week’s
portion, Vayechi. It is often
referred to in Hebrew as Birkat
Ya’akov (Jacob’s blessing) and,
more accurately, in English, as
the Testament of Jacob. As soon
as we begin reading chapter 49,
it becomes eminently clear why
Birkat Ya’akov is a misnomer.

Much of what the patri-
arch declares to his sons on his
deathbed consists of admoni-
tion or outright condemnation.

He is very unhappy with the
behavior of his firstborn
Reuben and the violence perpe-
trated by Simeon and Levi.

On the other hand, Jacob
reserves his warmest praise for
his fourth son Judah, who has
demonstrated his leadership
Frank Continued from Page 10
hope is that participation will
increase connections to the
community, Jewish learning
and Israel. These programs are
expensive, and the impact will be
unknown for many years. If we
apply a business model of short-
term ROI to these programs,
investors may become disinter-
ested and funding may not be
adequate to keep them running
long enough to reap the benefits.

Adopting best practices
for fiscal management will
undoubtedly improve the
16 DECEMBER 31, 2020
capabilities and whose descen-
dants will be leaders of the
Jewish people. Not surprisingly,
Jacob is very effusive in his
praise of Joseph, his favorite son,
and invokes God’s beneficence
upon him. The sons, who do not
loom large in the narrative of the
patriarchs, receive, for the most
part, commendations that the
reader may consider “pareve.”
Let me cite two examples
to which the ancient rabbis
assigned a special significance.

The two youngest sons of Leah,
Issachar and Zvulun (Zebulun)
are listed in reverse order of their
birth in Jacob’s testament. Jacob
says, “Zebulun shall dwell by
the seashore; he shall be a haven
for ships, and his flank shall
rest on Sidon.” The reference
is to a port city in Phoenicia,
present-day Lebanon. In
rabbinic tradition the tribe of
Zvulun is seen as consisting of
prosperous merchant seamen.

More on that a bit later.

Jacob now turns his atten-
tion to Issachar whom he
likens to “a strong-boned ass,
crouching among the sheep-
folds.” According to current
cultural standards that may
not sound complimentary, but
it was meant as a compliment.

The rabbis viewed the phrase
“crouching among the sheep-
folds” as an allusion to the
sedentary character of the tribe
of Issachar. But they were not
implying idleness.

On the contrary, the members
of that tribe were actively
engaged in the study of Torah.

“What!” you may protest, “the
Torah had not yet been given to
the people in the era of the patri-
archs. It doesn’t appear until the
account of Revelation in chapter
19 of Exodus, the book that we
shall begin reading next week.”
In rabbinic tradition, the
Torah pre-existed the creation
of the universe and academies
for the study of Torah were
established even before the time
of the patriarchs. Indeed, they
suggest that the description of
Jacob in his youth as a simple
man dwelling in tents implies
that he studied in well-estab-
lished yeshivot. It would follow,
therefore, that at least one of his
sons would emulate his father,
and that son was Issachar.

The Midrash relates that
because Issachar was sedentary
and did not actively pursue an
occupation, the tribe was sustained
by his prosperous brother Zvulun.

Rashi summarizes the relation-
ship in these words: Zvulun
engaged in prakmatia (business)
functionality and efficiency of
Jewish nonprofits. These are
productive bridges to make
between the Jewish commu-
nity and the for-profit sector.

More concerning, and poten-
tially harmful to the Jewish
communal world, is the growing
expectation of short-term
results and immediate returns
on investment. If philanthro-
pists are unwilling to invest in
areas where impact may not be
known for an extended period
of time, we may not be able to
afford important components
of a rich, vibrant and knowl-
edgeable Jewish community.

A popular Hebrew song
states, “The whole entire world
is a very narrow bridge and the
main thing to do is have no
fear at all.” As a Jewish profes-
sional, I challenge this notion.

Our organizations need to
continue crossing bridges and
learning from others; but a
healthy dose of skepticism and
fear is OK, too. It may just
become the foundation needed
to support getting to a better,
more impactful, place.

Abbey Frank is senior director of
program operations and planning
for Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia. This piece was first
published by eJewish Philanthropy.

JEWISH EXPONENT
CAN DL E L IGHTIN G
Jan. 1
Jan. 8
and provided food for Issachar,
who was engaged in the study of
Torah. While we may regard some
of Jacob’s testament as perfunc-
tory and not deserving more
than a perfunctory reading, we
may have to think again when
we examine how the rabbis
viewed Jacob’s predictions.

We will realize that there is
a lesson for future generations
in the relationship between the
tribes of Issachar and Zvulun.

Throughout the ages, a certain
portion of the Jewish population
has devoted much of its time to
the study of Torah in its broadest
sense of Jewish learning and,
while they were still obligated to
earn a living, their earnings were
insufficient to support them and
their families. It was up to the
more successful and affluent
members of the community to
support these students and their
institutions. The need continues to this day
with our attempts to perpetuate
Jewish learning through our day
schools. The cost is substantial
and beyond the reach of many
families, so we depend on the
descendants of Zvulun among
us to assume the responsibility
of providing sustenance for
those who, like Issachar, devote
4:29 p.m.

4:35 p.m.

themselves to the study of Torah
and the perpetuation of Jewish
life. It is an obligation which the
Jewish community has yet fully
to assume.

May this week’s parshah
provide the stimulus for greater
involvement in philanthropy,
especially in these difficult
times. Shabbat shalom.

Parshat Vayechi is usually
read around New Year’s Day
in the secular calendar. Let us
pray that the year 2021 will
bring recompense for the
unprecedented difficulties that
we have endured in 2020.

Rabbi Robert Layman, a past
president of the Board of Rabbis
of Greater Philadelphia, retired
from the active rabbinate in 2001.

He is an instructor in the Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at
Temple University. The Board of
Rabbis is proud to provide diverse
perspectives on Torah commentary
for the Jewish Exponent. The
opinions expressed in this column
are the author’s own and do not
reflect the view of the Board of
Rabbis. changing
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COMMUNITY NEWS
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes
financial and volunteer resources to address the
communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and
around the world.

NextGen Spotlight: Meet Adam Klazmer
NEXTGEN IS EXCITED to announce
that Adam Klazmer will be our
incoming board chair.

Klazmer is a true leader with a fierce
passion and devotion for Jewish commu-
nity and Israel. Growing up, Klazmer
attended Jack M. Barrack Hebrew
Academy (formerly known as Akiba
Hebrew Academy) and then became a
lone soldier in the Israel Defense Forces.

Currently an associate of Klazmer
Financial Group, Klazmer continues his
leadership through philanthropy with
a genuine understanding of the impact
that we, as young professionals, can
make on the generations to come.

In his eight-plus years of involve-
ment, Klazmer has served in a number
of leadership roles in NextGen and
at the Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia. Most recently NextGen’s
Ben Gurion Society Chair, Klazmer is a
member of the Finance Committee and
Committee for Israel & Global Strategy
Adam Klazmer
(CIGS). He is a founding member of
NextGen’s new Levin Society and a
member of the Jewish Federation’s Legacy Society.

Succeeding NextGen Board Chair Matt Shipon, Klazmer will officially
assume the role at the start of September 2021. NextGen chatted with Klazmer
to learn more about him, his new position and his relationship to the Jewish
Federation: What are three fun facts about you?
1. My wife and I have an adorable (though socially awkward) rescue dog named
Rudder. 2. I love to grill and am always in search of new, interesting ways to make
awesome barbecue.

3. I’m third generation in my family’s financial services firm. In non-COVID
times, I enjoy working closely with (and in close proximity to) my dad, uncle,
brother and cousin. I’m very much looking forward to being able to go back
to our office full time.

How does it feel being the incoming board chair, and what do you hope to
accomplish during your term?
Being asked to serve as the board chair of NextGen is an honor and somewhat
daunting. It means that a number of people within the Jewish Federation — both
volunteers and staff — have placed their faith in me to steer the overall direction
of NextGen. During my term as board chair, my first priority is for NextGen to
rebuild. When we are able to again hold in-person events, I want us to be ready.

Whether these events are social, educational or mitzvah-oriented, all will be
focused on building community. While NextGen as a whole has endured these
past few months, these events will allow us to engage our membership and boost
the size of our board, which will then allow us to focus on our long-term priorities.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Both the executive committee and the
at-large board are made up of dedicated
donors. These young professionals
care deeply about NextGen, Jewish
Federation and the Jewish community
as a whole. Without their support and
hard work, the role of board chair would
be infinitely more challenging. I am very
excited to serve in this role and continue
the incredible work of the board chairs
who held the position before me.

How did you first get involved with
NextGen and the Jewish Federation?
I first got involved through NextGen’s
Leadership Development Program
(LDP) in 2012-2013.

Throughout your leadership journey
in the Jewish Federation, what has
been one of your most memorable
experiences? Why?
Frankly, just being part of the
NextGen board/executive committee.

Courtesy of Adam Klazmer
Over my time in NextGen, it has been
incredibly inspiring to see the passion
of young leadership involved in Jewish Federation. In NextGen, members have
developed friendships and relationships. We have had inspiring conversations
and we have had more light-hearted events. All of it, however, began with the
passion that the young leaders have for the Jewish Federation and the Jewish
community overall.

What is an organization, program or cause that the Jewish Federation
supports that personally resonates with you? Why?
I am an alum of both Akiba Hebrew Academy (now known as Jack M.

Barrack Hebrew Academy) and Ramah in the Poconos. The support that
Jewish Federation gives to these organizations is near and dear to my heart.

Also, I served as a lone soldier in the Nahal Infantry Brigade. In my role on the
Committee for Israel and Global Strategy, I have been an advocate for supporting
all soldiers of the IDF, including lone soldiers. One of my priorities through my
involvement has been, and continues to be, to encourage the Jewish Federation
to support the IDF further.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to get involved
in NextGen?
Just get involved. Do LDP, go on Israel 360, join the associate board. Don’t
think too much about what is going to be the “right fit” — you will find your
place in NetGen. You don’t know who you’re going to meet or what experiences
you’re going to have. I’ve met some of my closest friends in Philadelphia through
my involvement in NextGen. But the key is to get involved.

NextGen is the young professional affinity group of the Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia. To learn more about NextGen, please email Max Moline at
mmoline@jewishphilly.org. JEWISH EXPONENT
DECEMBER 31, 2020
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