Israel update and Israel Emergency Campaign

As of this writing, the rocket attacks in Northern Israel continue unabated. The Federation staff in Israel and in the Bay Area have been in real-time contact with our partners in the affected regions in the north to determine how we can help, and are partnering with United Jewish Communities of North America as part of their national efforts to bring immediate aid to Israel. Your generosity is key to helping us help those impacted by this conflict.

We have received numerous first-hand accounts of what life is like in Israel right now. Please click here to read a few of them, as well as messages from those we are helping in Israel. We will be adding to this library in the coming days ahead, so be sure to check the Federation’s website regularly.

Until the bombardment stops, our focus is on the immediate needs of the residents in crisis areas, particularly those in the five communities in the north where we have programs and partnerships in education, Jewish identity and much more. Some of those cities have been in the news quite a bit—Kiryat Shmona, Tzvat and Metula, for example—while others are less known, like the moshavim and kibbutzim of that region and Yesod Hamaala.

Your generosity already is making a huge impact. To date, we’ve raised almost $1 million, and much of those dollars already are at work on the ground in Israel. They are helping to provide immediate assistance that ranges from flack jackets and helmets to protect hospital workers in Tzvat so they can provide care to their patients without becoming patients themselves, to fire-proof vests to protect firefighters as they battle the many blazes burning as a result of the bombings, to the following list of needs for the residents of this area:

• Short-term housing and activities for poor families under the care of the Social Services Department who have no other resources of their own.
• One-day respite activities for families and children, who have spent many days and nights in shelters.
• Aid for the elderly and other at-risk populations, including the disabled, through intervention programs in day-care centers and support communities.
• Subsidies and transportation so that children can attend summer camps and other activities away from the affected regions.
• Transportation so that vulnerable residents who cannot leave on their own can relocate out of the region.
• Shelter furnishings — including fans to help cope with the heat of summer — to make the shelters, last updated in 1994, more comfortable during the days and nights.
• Professional help for the victims of terror in the regions — regardless of age, economics or geography.

In addition, $250,000 has been sent to the United Jewish Communities of North America to help in their national efforts on behalf of all Israelis impacted by this crisis.

But there is much work to be done. The situation in Israel continues unabated today, and there will be more needs for us to address. Make your gift today to help us continue to support those in need in the North and throughout Israel, through one of the avenues below:

• Via the web: www.sfjcf.org to learn more and to make a donation online.

• By check: Make payable to the Jewish Community Federation (write Israel Emergency Fund in the memo line) and mail to the JCF, 121 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

• By phone: Call the Federation at 415.777.0411 and use your credit card.

Reaching New Heights — Federation Campaign 2006 Closes at $24.6 million!

The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties announced that it closed Campaign 2006 with a total of $24.6 million — the highest amount it has raised in its 96-year history. This total gives the Federation the resources to help meet the needs of the Bay Area Jewish community and Jews around the world as never before.

“Clearly, our donors understand the Federation’s unique connection to the communities we serve, and as a result they look to us to direct funds to the most effective organizations and programs,” said John Pritzker, newly elected Federation Board president. “This is particularly important in Israel where we have our own people on the ground working closely with programs directly helping those in need.”
 
“This accomplishment is a huge statement about our community’s confidence in the Federation’s ability to make an impact,” said Thomas A. Dine, Federation CEO. “This momentum is particularly important at this current time of crisis in Israel.”

The impact of these increased dollars will be felt throughout the community and will strengthen the Federation’s commitment to its five strategic areas of focus:

• Caring for the vulnerable, so that the frail elderly, families living below the poverty line and others will receive the services they need.
• Welcoming interfaith families into the community, so that they can participate in programs, rituals and other ways that are meaningful to them.
• Education for our children and connecting teens to their Jewish identity, to build a strong foundation for a Jewish life for the next generation.
• Engaging our diverse community, to ensure that all voices are heard and involved so that they can live meaningful Jewish lives.
• Promoting peoplehood and Israel, including helping Israelis in this time of crisis, as well as ensuring that elderly Jews living in the former Soviet Union receive the medical care, food assistance and human touch they need to live out their lives with dignity.

“We never could have reached this goal without the support and generosity of our donors and leadership,” said Jim Koshland, Campaign 2006 chair. “Thank you again for your support and generosity. Together, we truly are a community building community.”

Standing together for Israel

More than 1,500 people gathered at Justin Herman Plaza at noon on Sunday, July 23 to show their support for Israel and their desire for peace in the Middle East. The theme of the rally was “Stand against terrorism, stand with Israel” and in the baking sun, these rally participants did just that. Keynote speaker Senator Dianne Feinstein told the crowd that “in times of need we will not waiver in our support for the state of Israel.” Additional events in support of Israel are taking place this week and in August. See photos of the rally

Jewish cultural jewel breaks ground

Last week in San Francisco, the Contemporary Jewish Museum broke ground at the site of its future home on Mission Street. Many years in the making, this occasion marks a landmark day for both the Jewish and art communities here in San Francisco.  Says current museum and former JCF Board president Cissie Swig, “The underlying base of the museum is Jewish values and a Jewish perspective, but many of those values are widely shared. We want this to be a place where people come together and feel comfortable ... San Francisco is so unique in its respect and encouragement of different cultures and spiritual streams.” Read more about the Contemporary Jewish Museum