Emmis-the truthly newsletter

Emmis, the Federation’s monthly newsletter meaning truth in Yiddish, had some fascinating stories covering: Teen philanthropy, our Annual Campaign (ends today!), P.J. Library and Pritzker’s farewell:

• Teen Philanthropy that would make a Zaideh proud: The Jewish Community Teen Foundations (JCTF), comprised of five regional groups, awarded grants totaling almost $204,000. Click here to see the projects the teens are supporting!
• Traeger Update: Our Annual Campaign has raised $26.4 million thus far, but still needs $27.5 million to continue the important work that we do.  Click here to get involved or to donate!

• The P.J. Library received a generous grant from the Jim Joseph Foundation to expand its outreach from the current 734 children to 5,000 new children.  The program, which is free for the first two years,  sends a book or CD each month to Jewish families with small children. Click here to read more!
• John Pritzker, the former JCF Board President, delivers his farewell remarks at the Federation’s Annual Meeting. If you missed his speech, or want to hear it again, click here!
• And lastly, you may be famous! Many of our photos are now available at the JCF website. Click here to view them!

Past editions of Emmis dating back to May 2006 are available online at http://www.sfjcf.org/aboutjcf/press/newsletters/emmis

Reaching out to those affected by the floods

In the wake of the catastrophic flooding which has overwhelmed parts of the Midwest, the United Jewish Communities(UJC) and the Federations have opened an emergency mailbox to funnel humanitarian aid to the devastated areas.

Funds from the Central U.S. Disaster Relief Fund will support humanitarian, non-sectarian needs on the ground. No administrative costs will be deducted from funds raised;100% of collected funds will go directly to aid the victims.

Individuals can contribute online or by mail, making checks payable to:

United Jewish Communities
P.O. Box 30
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
Attention: Central U.S. Disaster Relief Fund

June 12, 2008 — Residents of Waterloo, IA fill sand bags. Waterloo and other towns in Iowa are experiencing record flooding. Credit: Patsy Lynch / FEMA

Fred Zimmerman, of Nashville, chair of the UJC Emergency Committee, said UJC has provided critical relief for a wide range of disasters and tragedies, from September 11 to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves, wildfires and storms — in addition to its ongoing work on behalf of the Jewish people worldwide.

“We’re all heartsick at the devastation, and we want everyone affected to know that just as this part of the country helps sustain us, we’re going to help sustain them through these disasters.” Zimmerman said.

The UJC/Federation system raised than $10 million in response to the Southeast Asia tsunami, which helped the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee deliver critical assistance. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, UJC/Federation raised more than $28 million to help the Jewish and general communities rebuild.

June 9, 2008 — Donna Smith and her father Daniel Rawdon wade through flood waters in New Hartford, IA to deliver a cake to hungry residents forced to evacuate when Beaver Creek overflowed. New Hartford is just a few miles from Parkersburg, which took a direct hit from a tornado on May 25. Credit: Greg Henshall / FEMA

>>> Click here to donate <<<

Local teens raise and donate $204,000!!!

The young philanthropists in our Jewish Community Teen Foundations have garnered much deserved press coverage once again. This time for raising and donating $204,000 this past school year!

The teenagers have selected a wide-range of grant recipients this year, including donating $14,000 to PlayPumps International that builds merry-go-round powered water pumps in Africa, $10,000 to a school built on a train platform in India, and $9,000 to help Kenyans learn more effective farming techniques. Their funds will also help those in our community, including providing outdoor experiences for children, feeding hungry families, and assisting Holocaust survivors.

South African children on a PlayPump. Photo courtesy of PlayPumps International.

To learn more, please visit:

• Jewish teen group earns ‘A’ in philanthropy
  From the San Francisco Chronicle
• Teens set a great example for all of us
  From the j.
• The Jewish Community Teen Foundations web page
• Full list of grant recipients

JCF raises funds for Myanmar cyclone relief

The Jewish Community Federation, in conjunction with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), has opened an emergency mailbox to raise relief funds for victims following May 3rd’s Cyclone Nargis, which devastated portions of Myanmar. Funds are being collected to aid the estimated several hundred thousand cyclone victims without shelter and safe drinking water on a non-sectarian basis. The efforts are part of JDC’s International Development Program (IDP) which responds to natural and manmade disasters, providing immediate relief and long term assistance.

“Our hearts go out to those suffering. We are quickly mobilizing to assess the situation and help those in need in Myanmar,” said Steve Schwager, Chief Executive Officer, JDC. “We are now in contact with leaders from the local Jewish community in Yangon and with other disaster relief partners in the region to determine an appropriate emergency response, one that ensures that we reach those who are not being served by others,” he continued.

JDC, which is funded in part through the UJC/Federation system, has launched non-sectarian efforts to aid those affected by the cyclone in Bangladesh; the earthquake in Peru; the Tsunami in South Asia; the floods in Haiti and the Dominican Republic; the victims of terror in Turkey; the earthquakes in El Salvador, India, Morocco, and Turkey; the displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the eruption of the Mt. Nyiragongo volcano; and the war-torn communities in Kosovo.

>>> Click here to donate <<<