– Sam Bernstine, Board Chair
During the past two years in my role as Chair of the JCLP Board, I have truly been blessed.
A good Jewish friend of mine, Judge J. Q. Salmon—who has since passed away—once reminded me, “Sam, it’s amazing what you can accomplish in this world if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
I have also long believed that surrounding oneself with skilled, knowledgeable people—and being willing to delegate to them—helps make anyone a more successful leader.
The JCLP organization is composed of many exemplary individuals, and I have been very fortunate to work alongside them throughout my time here. Our leadership, staff, volunteers, board members, and clients are indeed the “best of the best.”
I first had the good fortune to become personally involved with JCLP around 2011–2012, when I was serving as President of Temple Hadar Israel in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
At that time, we faced multiple challenges, including clergy transitions, financial concerns, membership engagement, cemetery management, succession planning, the sale of the synagogue building, legacy planning, artifact distribution, and more.
JCLP helped us address many—if not all—of these issues, both directly and indirectly. But it all began with relationship-building with JCLP leadership.
As the saying goes, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Now, some 15 years later, I share these reflections as I prepare to conclude my two-year term as Chair of JCLP. In many ways, I have come full circle—from being a client, to a volunteer, to a board member, and ultimately to Board Chairman.
In reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of this week’s parsha, Bamidbar, which focuses on organizing the Israelites in the Sinai desert before they march toward the Land of Israel. While their path was uncertain and often challenging, it was also a time of growth, learning, and transformation—one that required faith, perseverance, and strong leadership. In many ways, the congregations JCLP serves are navigating their own journeys. Each one is on a different path, facing different challenges, yet all are moving forward with hope and purpose. JCLP helps guide and support them along the way, meeting them where they are and helping illuminate the road ahead.
Today, this organization continues to build meaningful partnerships with approximately 300 congregations across North America, meeting each one where they are along their unique Jewish journey.
Some congregations seek help “sustaining the present,” in areas such as engagement, leadership, succession, outreach, fundraising, and clergy support.
Others are focused on “securing the future,” through historic preservation, artifact donations, cemetery support, and legacy endowments.
Still others simply want to “connect with others” by joining one of our congregational cohorts.
Over the past two years, here are just a few of the many accomplishments JCLP has achieved through a highly collaborative and cooperative approach:
- Initiated work with new, small, stable, and growing congregations, while continuing to maintain strong relationships with long-standing ones
- Created new geographic cohorts
- Planned informative, well-attended virtual programs
- Revamped the website and messaging—including refining our mission, vision, and values—to better share the JCLP story and engage both new and existing communities
- Earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Silver Transparency badge from Candid
- Strengthened and expanded our professional staff
- Conducted in-person board meetings while continuing to offer virtual participation options
Indeed, the future of JCLP—with our staff and our congregational partners, as well as Mariylin Forman Chandler stepping into the Board Chair role—is very bright. We are blessed with a passionate team that will continue to add value and create meaningful impact in every relationship we build.