Assembly Member Kevin Muller, Speaker Pro Tem, California State Assembly (2016)
– Three year consultation and coordination of a series of clergy gatherings three times year.

Excerpt from full letter:

The insight I have gained through this process is immeasurable. I have a better understanding of my constituents, the clergy’s congregants, and their concerns. Issues have been reinforced, and I have been exposed to viewpoints I may not have otherwise heard. We have built relationships that are grounded in who we are as individuals, not in the position we hold. I believe the clergy feel more comfortable approaching me and engaging more with the leaders of our community institutions. Or put another way, sharing in the town square.

Brendan Murphy, Former Deputy Director, State of California Office of Emergency Services

Excerpt from full letter:

I have had the opportunity to confer with Rabbi Miller for several years as a result of
the San Mateo County-based project he designed. This plan structures congregations in
advancing individual disaster preparation and supporting all individuals in the immediate moments of a widespread disaster.

Rabbi Miller brings knowledge of the essential aspects of religion. He has a well-developed awareness of the structures and people in full diversity of the congregations in our communities. This has resulted in the widest exchange of knowledge and ideas between congregant teams and community emergency management professionals

I know Rabbi Miller has worked with two different county systems. In San Mateo County, he worked extensively with the OES. In Santa Clara County he worked with the Emergency Managers’ Association.

Rabbi Miller attended our California State Training Institute in San Luis Obispo for a one week Emergency Managers Course, earning that certificate and NIMS certification.

The components which Rabbi Miller has framed in the San Mateo County pilot bring a designed structure to disaster preparedness. These components are applicable to the widest range of incidents, large and small, where the full scale of congregational resources would be a significant community asset.

Patrick Gemma, Ed. D, Superintendent of School, Sequoia Union High School District, San Mateo County (retired)

Excerpt from full letter:

It is a pleasure to write this letter of endorsement for the training and consultation provided by Rabbi Miller related to Multi-Faith Awareness in the educational sector.  I have personally witnessed the positive effect of this training for the school and district administrators and teachers when I was Superintendent in the Sequoia Union High School District. 

The training and follow-up individual conversations which Rabbi Miller presented for our staff provided them with perspectives and understandings never covered by traditional educational certification coursework [are you comfortable adding — and in-service training].  These perspectives helped our staff more effectively handle conversations which do present themselves in the classroom related to religion, personal identity and prejudice.  He clarified the commonly held mis-understandings about the perceptions of the need to separate religion and state in the public-school sector, giving us the perspective to comfortably converse on these issues as a staff. 

Michael P. Burns, Former Deputy Regional Director, US Census Bureau (2010)
– One year grant funding a project with the US Census Bureau to design a model to engage clergy as “trusted leaders” to endorse census participation.

Excerpt from full letter:

The PCN’s capacity to support “civic engagement” for the census through its effective infrastructure has been one of the major factors for energizing the pubic in participating in the census.  Approximately 74% of San Mateo County residents have returned their census questionnaires…

In previous censuses…we have found that when a trusted leader in the community espouses the important of the census…that community engagement is the driving force for eliciting citizens and non-citizens to participate in the census…

…combin[ing] a strategy of direct mail, weekly email updates and phone contacts to all 400 Peninsula clergy…

What stands out as an example of the capacity of such a regional clergy network, unique in the country, was their ability to know which congregations in cities that are not identified as Hard To Count (HTC) served individuals whose demographics fit the HTC cities.  The clergy serving these congregations were also the focus…

Commissioner Mae Carpenter, Director, Department of Senior Programs and Services,
County of Westchester, New York (2009)
– One Year Consultation, coordination of clergy pre-conference lunch, keynote speaker at the multi-agency regional conference on senior services.

Excerpt from full letter:

Your contribution of time, knowledge and enthusiasm made this an extraordinary event and thoroughly engaging on all levels.

Mayor Ronald Loveridge, City of Riverside, CA (2009)
– One year consultation, coordination of two site visits. The initial visit to convene three sessions of clergy with the mayor.  The second visit to convene a follow up session with the mayor and clergy and a session of clergy and civic leaders.

Excerpt from full letter:

As Mayor, I write to thank you for your advice and assistance as I explored ways to foster deeper connections between Riverside’s civic and clergy communities.

Your services in May and December of 2008 were very helpful as we sought to increase greater opportunities for “bridging and bonding” between our civic leaders and our clergy leaders. 

_______

Rabbi Jay Miller   RELIGION SECTOR 3.0
1.0  On the Town Square         2.0  Walls of Separation
3.0  Alignment: Among Congregations – Within Society

jaymiller@blueconnect.org      650.740.4411