Developing Jewish Leaders Overseas

By Susie Sorkin

Judit (R) and Susie (L)

I want to introduce you to Judit – this beautiful young woman in the picture. Judit is a vibrant Jewish leader in Budapest. She was a very young child when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 90’s.  At that time, Judit and her family’s knowledge and experience with Judaism was nil.

That’s where our overseas partner, the JDC – the American Joint Distribution Committee, our arm for providing rescue, relief and renewal for Jews around the world – stepped in. Along with the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, they started a remarkable summer camp in Svarvas, Hungary.

Today that camp has become the training ground for future Jewish leaders and the rebirth of Judaism. Judit is a glowing example of the rebuilding of a Jewish community, one nearly wiped out by the Holocaust and communism – both literally and figuratively – next month is she is marrying her camp sweetheart at Svarvas!

JCF delegation at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania

Less than 3 weeks ago, along with nine others, I had the privilege of traveling to Budapest, Riga and Vilnius to see what outstanding work the JDC does on our behalf. While there, one of the most moving experiences visits was the Shabbat dinner we shared with Judit and other leaders of Svarsas. In a Budapest restaurant, together we sang Shalom Aleichem, recited Kiddush and blessed the young adults. Thanks to your support and the power of community, our global Jewish peoplehood is growing in a ruach and light unimaginable just 20 years ago.

It’s all about your gift to Federation and for that I am grateful.

Announcing the Launch of Our New Advertising Campaign

By Lori Warren, Senior Director of Marketing

Back in 2011 our organization underwent a strategic planning process, which resulted in significant changes to the way we fundraise and make grants, and a refocusing of our work around three specific roles. This change spawned the need for a “brand refresh,” and provided us with the opportunity to tell the Federation’s story in a new way that would honor our 102 year history, and position us to succeed in a dynamic and highly competitive philanthropic environment. Last summer we delivered the brand framework which gives us the tools we need to convey a powerful and consistent brand image in a wide variety of mediums, and we’ve been applying it religiously ever since.

And now we have an ad campaign that brings that brand framework to life. For the first time in our Federation’s history, we partnered with an outside, award-winning advertising agency – Engine Company One – to develop our advertising campaign and a design a media plan that gets the ads in front of our target consumers effectively and efficiently (on a modest budget).

The Campaign

Ad #1

The campaign consists of a number of ads, each which build the brand while focusing on a key aspect of our grantmaking and fundraising strategy. The first ad – “4000-year-old-startup” – establishes the brand idea – that innovation and common purpose are part of the Jewish culture, part of the Federation’s history, and an effective means for building a thriving Jewish community. The tongue-in-cheek headline and use of the terms “startup” and “angel investors” further connects the Federation to the culture of innovation that is so closely identified with Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

The art direction is fresh yet refined. The design conveys a graphic storytelling approach, which further reinforces the brand image (because after all, a culture rooted in a 4,000 year old history has a lot of stories to tell) and allows us to include a fair amount of body copy in digestible, inviting portions.

Ad #2

The second ad in the series, “Good Return” continues to build the association between innovation, the Jewish culture and the Federation by positioning Jewish “inventions” as providing a good return on investment. This ad introduces our Philanthropic Services as a means to increase impact, and align charitable goals with Jewish values.

The remaining ads in the campaign will focus on the Four Funds overall, the grants we make under our Israel & Global work, and the issues addressed under the Bay Area Initiatives Fund.

 

 

 

 

Media Plan: Getting the Ads in Front of the Right People in the Right Places

You can have the most distinctive and compelling ads around, but if the right people don’t see them, they won’t do much good. That’s why we developed a media plan – a document that describes the objectives, strategy, tactics, resource allocation, schedule, and media mix for reaching a particular audience. The objective of this campaign is to reinforce the loyalty of our existing donors, and reach out to a new, younger demographic. As such, the media plan is has a significant digital component along with print and a few key outdoor locations.

Our new billboards, located in downtown San Francisco and along Highway 101.

In addition to Facebook, our ads are running for a three month period on websites that reach Bay Area Jews including Forward.com, HeebMagazine.com, Kveller.com, HipsterJew.com, JoyofKosher.com and many others. When people click on the ads (which are basically headlines) they are taken to a landing page which includes body copy and options for getting more information about the Federation.

Ads on Jewlicious.com

The Power of Community

With the launch of this new campaign, our rebranding journey is almost complete. The brand represents the passion and commitment of an entire community to build a vibrant Jewish future and make the world a better place.  In that way, it’s a beautiful expression of the Power of Community.

 

Subsequent blog posts will take a walk down memory lane to revisit the development of our new brand.

Invest in More than Matzo this Passover

Happy Passover from the
Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund!

Super Sunday

Sunday, January 27, 2013 marked the 32nd annual JCF Super Sunday. On this day, volunteers joined together for our largest community-building annual event of the year.

Thanks to these volunteers as well as 767 generous donors, we raised more than $831,000!

The money raised on Super Sunday supports new ideas to strengthen the Jewish future, builds a better future for Ethiopian Israelis,  helps seniors stay healthy and connected, lays the foundation for a lifetime of Jewish experiences, and much more.

Click here to view photos from Super Sunday!

In addition to the phone-a-thon, this Super Sunday included a blood drive in honor of Ann Bear, z’l - a great community leader and friend to the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. The blood drive was a huge success, with 41 registrants and ultimately 26 donations.

Ann Bear

Thank you to everyone who helped make
Super Sunday a success.

Give now to the 2013 Annual Campaign

This Sunday is Super Sunday!

Your Gift Supports New Ideas to
Strengthen the Jewish Future

Funding high-potential programs and organizations provides a high return on investment, namely, new generations who are engaged in the Jewish community. G-dcast, Moishe House and Kevah are just three examples of how innovative thinking can create more ways for more individuals and families to connect. Whether it’s increasing Jewish literacy through digital storytelling, exploring textual tradition through Torah study groups, or providing meaningful experiences for young adults in their 20s, it’s all about engaging more people in Jewish life. Your gift to the 2013 Annual Campaign makes it possible. That’s the power of community.

Give now to the 2013 Annual Campaign

 or

Answer the call on January 27, 2013

Register to volunteer at Super Sunday

Super Sunday Blood Drive in Honor of Ann Bear

There are many ways to help on Super Sunday. Remember a life by saving a life – join us for a blood drive in memory of Ann Bear, z’l.  Ann was a great community leader and friend to the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.

WHEN: January 27, 2013 | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
WHERE: Bloodmobile outside JCCSF, 3200 California Street, SF

To schedule your life-saving appointment (walk-ins welcome!), please visit: www.BloodHeroes.com click “Donate Blood” & enter Sponsor Code: JCCSFCares

Two Weeks Until Super Sunday

Your Gift Builds a Better
Future for Ethiopian Israelis

Ethiopian Israelis continue to face significant challenges as they struggle with poverty and the transition to a modern westernized society. That’s why the Federation supports programs like Tech Career, which provides technology and software training, and Yvel’s Megemeria School of Jewelry and Art. This program transforms new immigrants into skilled craftsmen, providing them with a better future, and helps build a more equitable Israeli society. Your gift to the 2013 Annual Campaign makes this possible. That’s the power of community.

Give now to the 2013 Annual Campaign

 or

Answer the call on January 27, 2013

Register to volunteer at Super Sunday

Super Sunday – Keeping Seniors Connected and Healthy

Your Gift Helps Seniors
Stay Connected and Healthy

Rising costs, fixed incomes, and lack of mobility are just a few of the challenges faced by Jewish seniors today. That’s why we support agencies that provide vital health services, kosher meals, and direct financial assistance. And by funding transportation, social programs, and senior residential facilities we also help older adults stay healthy, connected, and active. Your gift to the 2013 Annual Campaign makes all this possible.
That’s the power of community.

Give now to the 2013 Annual Campaign

or

 Answer the call on January 27, 2013

Register to volunteer at Super Sunday

Super Sunday – It’s More Than A Donation

Your Gift Lays the Foundation for
a Lifetime of Jewish Experiences.

It starts with PJ Library®, an engagement program that delivers free monthly Jewish children’s literature and music to families to enjoy together. Then our Affordability Project provides $1M in scholarships so that more families can afford to send their children to Jewish school and overnight camps. Our Jewish Teen Foundations help create the next generation of leaders and philanthropists by giving teens tools and confidence to change the world. And young adults form a closer connection to Israel and a deeper understanding of their roots on our Birthright trips.

Your support makes it happen.

Give now to the 2013 Annual Campaign

or

 Answer the call on January 27, 2013

Register to volunteer at Super Sunday

 

To learn more about our work to build a vibrant, caring, and enduring Jewish community that is a force for good locally, in Israel, and around the world,
visit our website or email us.

 

That’s the power of community.

Federation Earns Top Spot Among U.S. Charities Two Years in a Row

Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities, has once again given our Federation its highest 4 star rating. This indicates that the Federation executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America.  In fact, only 17% of charities receive a 4 star rating in consecutive years. In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, this “exceptional” designation confirms what our donors already know – that we are an effective organization they can support with confidence.

• Learn more about Charity Navigator
• Donate to the Federation today