Celebrate Israel in the Gardens

Come enjoy a concert featuring Rami Kleinstein and Shiri Maimon, an Israeli fashion show, the Be’chol Lashon (In Every Tongue) multicultural theatre festival, “Israel in Motion” mini-film festival, shopping for unique arts and crafts and Israeli products, Peace Olympics, children’s activities, TZAVTA Young Adult Zone at Jillian’s all day and an “After-Party” at Ruby Skye all night, Israeli food and much more. Visit the Israel in the Gardens website for all the details.

Campaign 2006: We Need You

The Federation is dedicated to enhancing Jewish life. The central way we advance this mission is by providing funds to organizations that are:

• Effectively advancing common priorities of caring for those in need.
• Strengthening and securing the safety of the Jewish people.
• Fostering Jewish renaissance at home, in Israel and in other Jewish communities.

Since 1910, the Federation has provided a centralized point from which to respond to the critical needs of our Jewish community. Through the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, two World Wars, the dot-com boom and the recession that followed, we’ve been providing support to programs and agencies that make a real difference in people’s lives, here and around the world.

Changing times, changing needs

In 2004, the Federation launched a comprehensive community study, the first one in nearly two decades. This study revealed critical unmet needs, from single-parent families struggling to make ends meet, to elderly people needing assistance in their later years.

Help us help them. Make your Campaign gift today.

Annual Meeting

Join us to reflect upon the developments and achievements of the past year, honor the recipients of the 2006 Awards of Excellence, thank our tireless volunteer leadership, and welcome new faces. Learn more and RSVP today!

Sonoma Region Update

The Sonoma region held a wonderful Evening of Inspiration, on Thursday, May 4, at the home of SAC member Barbara Greensweig. The event was well-attended and featured Gila Noam, director of the Federation’s Israel office  and Yevgeny Kutik, virtuoso violinist and ex-refugee from the former Soviet Union. Noam spoke about our programs in Israel; Kutik shared the story of his rescue with help from one of our sister federations. JCF CEO Tom Dine also attended and spoke about his aspirations and hopes for our Jewish community. He also urged people to support Campaign 2006 (and hopefully beat last year’s fundraising goal.)  See photos

In other news, the Sonoma Advisory Committee has begun review of allocations requests from organizations and agencies in the region. The Community Brainstorming Group, which focuses on how the many agencies and organizations in Sonoma County can work together on communal challenges and opportunities, has had two successful sessions and plans to create a name and mission statement in its upcoming meeting on May 25.

Teens Gather to Talk Philanthropy

The first annual Jewish Youth Funders! (JYF) Conference was held March 31 – April 2 in Denver, Colorado. Fifteen San Francisco Bay Area teens attended, along with 100 students from across the country. Two Bay Area teens also served on the national board overseeing the conference goals and choice of speakers.  Each student had a minimum of one year experience on a teen philanthropy board giving away $100 - $50,000. 

Teen and youth directors learned about the growing number of youth philanthropy organizations, and discussed how to increase awareness of the Jewish value of philanthropy. Many teens shared the positive attributes of youth philanthropy.  Alyssa Breetwor, Peninsula Jewish Community Teen Foundation, said “Our youth philanthropy organization takes teens seriously, and we are thankful for that.  I have learned valuable lessons, such as group consensus and fundraising.” These youth funders also participated in the (adult) Jewish Funders Network, listening to prominent speakers who included author Jonathan Safran Foer and Yeshiva University President Richard Joel.

Weekend highlights included a teen dance with the crowning of the first-ever “Mr. Tzedakah”, an interactive performance by Storahtelling and a screening of the film The Tribe. 

The San Francisco Bay Area’s own Daniela Rodan will be heading the national youth philanthropy organization, helping create awareness of other programs on a continual basis and contributing to funds at a nationwide level.

For more information about the Jewish Community Teen Foundations, please click here.

Volunteer With Chai Baby!

• Help deliver Chai Baby gift boxes to families with newborns or newly adopted babies. Don’t miss this great opportunity to be part of an exciting outreach project!
• Deliveries in all regions
• Training provided
• Flexible schedule

Contact Gail Green at 415.512.6233 or gailg@sfjcf.org for details and training information. For more information about Chai Baby, please click here.

Upcoming events

More events are being added all the time. Be sure to check our calendar page for the latest listings and all the details!

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